ERICKSON Jim <br/><br/>
Crunch time:    with the Japanese economy in free fall, the country's leaders are facing monumental challenges./ 
JIm Erickson 
 -  2009 
<br/><br/> Japan's economy the world's second largest is contracting  at the fastest rate among all developed nations.  It's possible Japan's political landscape will change dramatically in the next few months. Aso was selected as the first foreign leader to visit Obama's white house offers a ray of hope that the world's two largest economies are cooperating to solve the economic crisis. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>JAPAN -- ECONOMIC<br/>JAPAN -- POLITICAL<br/>POLITICAL<br/>ECONOMICS