The temptation for protectionism always grows when the economy worsens, but we must not repeat the history of protectionism reducing world trade, triggering global recession and then World War II.

Thursday 02nd July, 04:00 AM JST

An official of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (AFP-Jiji)

neverknow2 at 09:11 AM JST - 2nd July

triggering global recession and then World War II.

'Fraid not. It was started in Europe because Germany invaded Poland. It was started in the Pacific because so many countries were fed up with being invaded by Japan.

I'm sure JT prints this stuff just to make people angry.
amerijap at 09:18 AM JST - 2nd July

What does World War II have anything to do with protectionism?
OneForAll at 09:22 AM JST - 2nd July

It is a dilemma. Put your countrymen to work or somebody else's? Short term help for your people for a long term global problem. I do not know. I personally would buy a Japanese car in Japan and an American one in the USA. Just to help the neighbors near me.
griff at 09:24 AM JST - 2nd July

not so sure about protectionism, but WW2 had everything to do with economics. the wall street crash, the Wiemar republic, hyperinflation, WW1 reparations. major european powers elected extremist leaders because democratic governments had failed to solve their severe domestic issues.

unless you believe that wars are fought over ideologies. they basically never are
stirfry at 03:07 PM JST - 2nd July

japan's been protectionist since WW2, maybe somebody should fill this guy in