It will take a lot of national pain as our economy transitions from a consumption based, high-debt, low-growth debtor nation into a manufacturing and exporting nation once again.

FORBES: How Does The Current Economic Recession Compare To The Great Depression?

The only bright spot for Japan last quarter was consumption, but personal spending cannot remain high if the rest of the economy continues to crumble.

FORBES: North Asia Is Following The Eurozone Down

But to sustain a high growth rate, the economy needs to shift away from investment and exports towards domestic consumption.

ECONOMIST: China: The paradox of prosperity | The