Japan's impact on the modern world has been enormous. It occupies just one-300th of the planet's land area, yet came to wield one-sixth of the world's economic power. Just 150 years ago it was an obscure land of paddy fields and feudal despots. Within 50 years it became a major imperial power -- its so-called "First Miracle." After defeat in the Second World War, when Japan came close to annihilation, within 25 years it recovered remarkably to become the world's third biggest economy -- its "Second Miracle." It is now not only an economic superpower, but also a technological and cultural superpower. True miracles have no explanation; Japan's "miracles" do. The nation's success lies in deeply ingrained historical values, such as a pragmatic determination to succeed. The world can learn much from Japan, and its story is told in these pages. - Back cover.