Japan growth strategy sets sights on shift to IT, but economists skeptical

"Abe’s government helped secure pay increases for workers at some firms."

Ironic, isn't it. Governments like Japan's cooperated in the effort to weaken labor unions and worsen working conditions, on the behest of big business and under the guise of "market reforms." .

Now the government, realizing the marcro-economic damage this has created over the years, has to step in to basically order the cash-rich, profit-hoardng private sector to give some back to its workers.

Japan aims to encourage its companies to focus more on

The government needs to quit this central-command style of planning, which has long passed its used-by date.

but action on these fronts has proved elusive.

That's the problem. Too much talk, too little action (and even the talk is not so inspiring).

As the article notes, there have been some bright spots. But not nearly enough.

Print money is the economic strategy.

Shirts can be lost if the investment model isn't focused and disciplined enough to identify clear rate of return on capital investment.

Artificial intelligence is 'fancy' but try extracting a clear market place for product development. Reforms are desperately needed to encourage innovation, with a eye on the energy efficiency and renewable energy generation and storage solutions.