text SantiagoCL SELA 1997 monographic 26 p. Reviews the recent evolution of the Japanese economy and the main challenges it faces in the short and medium terms. Analyzes the country's economic restructuring programme and its eventual reprecussions. Presents the trends in Japanese trade flows and in Japanese investment abroad in the light of the changes occuring in the country and the international scenario, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Analyzes the current and future direction of Japan's trade and investment relations with Latin america and the Caribbean. Located in the Office of the Secretary General 10/31/01 JOY_D 03.02.01 S464