China Overtakes Japan As World's Second Largest Economy: China Equals Just Over 1/3rd Of Huge US Economy
February 13th, 2011
China Overtakes Japan As World's Second Largest Economy: China Equals Just Over 1/3rd Of Huge US Economy
Published on February 13th, 2011 @ 10:55:36 pm , using 279 words
TOKYO (CNN) -- Japan has slipped to the world's third-largest economy, falling behind the blistering speed of China's manufacturing growth, according to Japanese figures released Monday.
Japan's cabinet office released its nominal gross domestic product figures for 2010. Japan's economy was valued at $5.47 trillion dollars while China was at $5.88 trillion.
Japan's economy did grow in 2010, but only 3.9%, according to the government. China's is expected to grow more than 10%. At the speed China is growing, Japan's government predicts China will overtake the United States as the world's largest economy in less than 20 years.
China has expanded domestic industries and infrastructure, driven by a surge in exports. Multinational corporations have expanded there, taking advantage of low labor costs.
Japan, meanwhile, has been stuck in stagnation and deflation for two decades. Decisive economic policy has been lost in the revolving door of the country's top leader, with six prime ministers passing through in just five years. Looking ahead, Japan is facing a significant demographic shift, with the world's fastest aging population and one of the globe's lowest birth rates.






