Japan ranks 12th of 178 countries in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2008.

Japan has one of the smallest tax burdens in the developed world. After deductions, the majority of workers are free from personal income taxes. Value-added tax rate is only 5%, while corporate tax rates are high.

Shareholder activism is rare despite the fact that the corporate law gives shareholders strong powers over managers. Recently, more shareholders have stood up against managers.

The government's liabilities include the third largest public debt of any nation.

Japan's central bank has the second largest foreign exchange reserves after People's Republic of China.

?