Does anyone remember the year Japan became the world’s second largest economy? Probably not. It happened way back in 1968. I myself was too young then. Japan held that coveted position till 2010, when China overtook it.
This red-letter day — pun intended — occurred just 15 years back. I remember it clearly. I was the inaugural Indian Council of Cultural Relations India Chair at the National University of Singapore. Given Singapore’s cultural proximity, with some 75% of its population of Chinese descent, this news could not be ignored.
