As Japan remains trapped in its bad-loan mess and Southeast Asia struggles to regain competitiveness after a regionwide financial crisis five years ago, China may appear to be the only bright spot in Asia.
But according to Frank-Jurgen Richter, director in charge of Asia at the World Economic Forum, new and important changes are taking place that demonstrate the dynamism of Asia.
"Asia is re-creating itself and is strongly advancing its economic agenda," said Richter, 35, during a recent interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo. "Surprisingly, some Asian countries, including Japan, are increasing competitiveness."