It should be obvious that this is a direct challenge to moorobot aimed at one of his primary examples of how Government intervention and redistribution of wealth can lead to long term stability and prosperity. The main numbers that concern me the most about Japan's future.
Budget:
Revenues: $1.429 trillion
Expenditures: $1.775 trillion
As of 2005 they are spending nearly 25% more than they are collecting in revenue, which leads them to a
Public debt: 170% of GDP.
One day they will either have to pay this debt, and when that day comes this number - 60% - will take on enourmous meaning. Why? Because Japan currently imports over 60% of its population's caloric intake.
Edit: my source for these numbers.
source