It is hardly possible to overrate the Pacific Basin in its economic and political importance. Currently, it is one of the economic regions with the highest dynamic growth throughout the world. Economically this region is sometimes considered to be the future centre of the world econom- often with reference to well-known authors such as Arnold Toynbee and Herman Kahn who predicted the inevitable approach of a Pacific century. The economic development of the Pacific Basin has proceeded far already following Japan's ascent into the position of an economic superpower. Considering the concentration of East and South-East Asian dynamic developing countries the Pacific Basin has meanwhile developed into a regional centre of economic activities. Furthermore the ambitions and in terests of three nuclear powers - the USA, the Soviet Union and China - collide in this region. Obviously these countries increasingly perceive and take into account the political and strategic importance of this region."

The highly developed industrial countries today have to face the challenge of accelerated structural change. The problems arising from this process are tackled in very different ways. In the public discussion the different approaches of Japan on the one side and of Western European countries on the other have received consider able attention. Structural change in its economic, social and political aspects has been the subject of the 8th German-Japanese Seminar on Economics and Social Sciences, held at Cologne from the 24th to the 27th of September, 1984. The tradition of German-Japanese Seminars on Economics and Social Sciences goes back to 1966, when the first meeting was held at Tokyo. Among the first participants were Dr. Hiromi Arizawa, Dr. Kazuo Okochi, both professors at the University of Tokyo, and Dr. Karl Hax, professor at Frankfurt University. The objective of all seminars, which have been held since, has been the analysis of eco nomic and social problems of immediate interest in both countries. The records of former seminars, which have been published partly in Japanese, partly in German throw light upon the shift of empha sis toward new problems which took place during aperiod of 18 years."

The changes taking place in Eastern Europe and Asia are a particular challenge for Japan and Germany. As the immediate neighbours, they are both affected by the economic and social transformations in these regions. Yet, since they are strong economic powers, they have the potential necessary to influence developments, such that Eastern Europe and Asia advance to reciprocal advantage. This volume looks into a wide range of possible supportive measures as far as capital, labour and regulatory systems are concerned, with reference to the specific economic and historic features of Japan and Germany, taking into account the current weakness of the American dollar and the costs of reunification.

Politik im Umbruch: Integration, Kooperation, Besinnung auf Eigenstandigkeit. Erneuerung und Festigung marktwirtschaftlicher Rahmenbedingungen. Finanzmarkte im Zeichen der Internationalisierung. Unternehmensfuhrung und -organisation im Wandel. Vom Wandel im Betrieblichen Rechnungswesen. Staat und Gesellschaft - jenseits von Angebot und Nachfrage."

Wesen und Aufgaben der Volkswirtschaftlichen Gesamtrechnung Die Volkswirtschaftliche Gesamtrechnung setzt sich die Aufgabe, die Bezie hungen zwischen den einzelnen Sektoren und Bereichen der Wirtschaft in ihrer kreislaufmassigen Verknupfung quantitativ zu erfassen und darzu stellen. Sie bemuht sich also um eine realistische Gesamtschau des kon kreten Wirtschaftskreislaufs wahrend einer zeitlich begrenzten Wirtschafts periode, gleichsam als eine Buchhaltung auf nationaler Ebene. Dabei bewal tigt sie zur Hauptsache folgende Auf gab eng e b i e t e: a) Theoretische Erkenntnisse uber die Interdependenz okonomischer Grossen vermag sie an Hand konkreter zahlenmassiger Beispiele in einem geschlos senen Darstellungssystem zu beleuchten. Damit bildet sie ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel zur wirklichkeitsnahen Ausgestaltung der okonomischen Theorie. b) Die Volkswirtschaftliche Gesamtrechnung bietet uber diese rein didak tische Aufgabe hinaus die Moglichkeit der empirischen Verifizierung bereits bekannter Theoreme. c) Schliesslich ubernimmt die Volkswirtschaftliche Gesamtrechnung die Auf gabe, unmittelbar oder mittelbar Grundlage und Instrument der Wirtschafts politik zu sein. Funktionsweise, Ablaufmechanismus und Ergebnis des oko nomischen Kosmos werden an Hand konkreten Zahlenmaterials uberpruft. Man bedient sich ihrer in diesem Rahmen, um einmal Aufschluss uber das Ausmass der wirtschaftlichen Aktivitat in den einzelnen Wirtschafts bereichen, uber die Beziehungen der einzelnen Wirtschaftsbereiche unter einander und die zwischen diesen Bereichen fliessenden Strome zu erhalten."