This Survey is published on the responsibility of the Economic and Development Review Committee of the OECD, which is charged with the examination of the economic situation of member countries.The economic situation and policies of Japan were reviewed by the Committee on 25 February 2013. The draft report was then revised in the light of the discussions and given final approval as the agreed report of the whole Committee on 21 March 2013.The Secretariat’s draft report was prepared for the Committee by Randall S. Jones, Satoshi Urasawa and Myungkyoo Kim under the supervision of Vincent Koen. Research assistance was provided by Lutécia Daniel.The previous Survey of Japan was issued in April 2011.