This book investigated the Japanese development after the Second World War, especially in 1970s era, when Japan developed as the one of the swiftest development in the world, like nowadays China and India.
The author concentrates and investigates, not only the economic development, but also (rather) investigates the Japanese Knowledge, Politics, Company, Education, Welfare, and Crime Control....like "Soft Power" in japan, which we use these words in this century. So we can profoundly understand what's sustaining the Japanese development, it is not miracle, but people's group consensus, education, and fairness and others.
He gave a warm eye to Japan, not only for Japanese, but rather for American. He wrote, it is the Mirror for America, and what will be the lesson can a western nation learns from the East?
Such high quality modesties even after the World War II, at that time the USA was really the No.1, until now, but he didn't become arrogant, but saw and investigate very warm and scientific eyes. Perhaps it was the most important and wonderful reason, why this book was sold so long time, not only in Japan, but in the US, as well.
His modesties and clearness showed Japanese society and US Society, which the US must not become arrogant, even for Asian defeated country, if they work diligently with good team work and strong consensus of Companies, they could become as No. 1. It is so hopeful book, if we are defeated and weak, or poor, we can do anything, like Japanese, at that time. Excellent book, I recommend.