The world believed Britain when she said her future would be brighter, its people happier – debt today, credit tomorrow. Mind you, Britain is a strange example as those slimy sods were still busy looting large parts of the world that they had colonised. But talking strictly from the point of view of economics and perception, it is a valid one. How valid becomes clear when we look at the present state of Japan’s economy. It is in shambles. Public debt is the highest among all the nations of the world – 211% of its GDP. But – perception again – the world hasn’t written off Japan like it has Greece or Portugal. Japan’s credit rating (Moody’s) remains a top-notch Aa3 compared to Greece’s C. The world has confidence in Japan – that she’ll come through the tough times.