Japan's economy was seen as something of a juggernaut in the post World War II era, with growth averaging about 10% during the 1950s and 60s. Yet, in subsequent decades, with a stock market crash, and the bursting of a real estate bubble, Japan entered a period of stagnation and deflation, from which it is only now emerging. What drove Japan's rapid post-war growth? Why did growth stall, and reverse? And are there lessons from the Japanese experience relevant to the U.S. economy today? Paul Sheard joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Paul has been a Professor at Osaka University and a visiting scholar at the Bank of Japan, and at Stanford University. He was also Japan's strategist for Baring Asset Management, and has held chief economist positions at Lehman Brothers, Nomura Securities, and Standard & Poor's.