(Provisional Translation)

WHITE PAPER

ON

THE WORLD ECONOMY

2000

(SUMMARY)



December 5, 2000

Economic Planning Agency

Government of Japan




Contents



Introduction



Chapter 1 Current State of the World Economy

Summary of Chapter 1

Section 1: Overview of the World Economy

Section 2: U.S. Economy Continuing its Longest Expansion on Record

Section 3: European Economy Expanding

Section 4: Economy Expanding in Asia Pacific

Section 5: International finance/commodity markets

Section 6: IT and the World Economy



Chapter 2 Knowledge/Skills Enhancement and Labor Market

Summary of Chapter 2

Section 1: Flexible Labor Market that Enhances Human Capacity (the U.S.)

Section 2: Solution of Unemployment through Higher Quality of Employment (Europe)

Section 3: Economic Crisis and Flexibility of Labor Market (Korea, Singapore and Australia)