The European debt crisis is keeping the capital markets in suspense. Insecurity leads to erratic movements in the equity and bond markets. Banks are being severely hit by unpredictable decisions and tend to suffer from undercapitalization and credit crunches. Politicians have only moderate success trying to control the situation. In this respect, the United States of America is facing a similar problem.

Japan’s debt ratio is even higher (240% of GDP). It has been coping with deflation and an instable political situation for some time and has also been suffering from natural disasters lately. In which direction is the Japanese economy going – in light of the difficult market environment at home and abroad? Is it going to be immune to attacks by capital market participants?

We discussed these and other questions with Gerhard Wiesheu, DJW Chairman since September 2011, during our „Asa no Kai” in Düsseldorf, while enjoying Japanese and Continental breakfast.