In the 1980s and 90s of the last century, one economic paradigm gained power: financial development was considered as a major determinant of economic growth and productivity (Levine, Loayza and Beck 2000). Typically, paradigms are based on assumptions. Reality made a reconsideration of the...

Despite the fact that the last century was characterized by an impressive increase of cross-border capital flows, Japan remained a relatively closed economy up to the late 90s. Only when the "bubble" burst was the impetus given for more rapid opening up of the economy and the closely related...