In some ways, Japan’s domestic challenges are even more daunting, given that its political system has produced six prime ministers in as many years, none of whom managed to address effectively Japan’s stagnant economy, decade-long deflation, and shrinking workforce. Japan should move to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations – aimed at creating a free-trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region – which could help to open up Japan’s overprotected and under-competitive economy, just as accession to the World Trade Organization did for China.
鉴于现行政治制度在同期产生了六任首相，但没有一任能有效解决日本经济停滞、十年通缩及劳动人口不断锐减等严重问题，因此在某些方面，日本的国内挑战甚至更为艰巨。日本应力求加入以创建亚太自贸区为目的的泛太平洋伙伴关系谈判，这可能像加入世贸对中国那样放开过度保护且缺乏竞争力的日本经济。