I am indebted to many people for their help and support in the process of writing this book. I owe a special and deep debt to Peter Drysdale. I would never have started the book without his encouragement and active support, he has continually pushed me to explore and expand my research and has offered valuable counsel and friendship. Warwick McKibbin and Adrian Pagan have also provided important substantive comments and guidance. Warwick spent considerable time working through the book, especially chapters 4, 6 and 7, and I am grateful for his enthusiasm and insights. Adrian also provided many valuable comments, particularly about econometric and research methodology.

I have received much from the staff at the Australian National University. I am grateful to the administrative staff of the Australia–Japan Research Centre in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, particularly Margitta Acker, Lynne Colley, Marilyn Popp, Sue Marks and Denise Ryan. I am also indebted to Maree Tait for editorial advice and assistance. I also owe thanks to Ron Duncan, Mardi Dungey, Ross Garnaut, Luke Gower, Steve Husted (now back at Pittsburgh), Shun Ikeda, Kali Kalirajan, Heather Smith, Neil Vousden and Graeme Wells for helpful comments. While completing the book, I have also been an Officer of the Reserve Bank of Australia. I received much support and encouragement from my fellow Officers, particularly Palle Andersen (now back at the BIS), Steve Grenville, David Gruen, Philip Lowe and Chris Ryan (now at the IMF).