overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension
system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from
labor unions.

Jamaica
The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which
now account for 70% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of
its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina.
The global economic slowdown, particularly after the terrorist
attacks in the US on 11 September 2001, stunted economic growth; the
economy rebounded moderately in 2003, with one of the best tourist
seasons on record. But the economy faces serious long-term problems:
high interest rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured,
sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a sizable merchandise trade
deficit; large-scale unemployment; and a growing internal debt, the
result of government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy. The
ratio of debt to GDP is close to 150%. Inflation, previously a
bright spot, is expected to remain in the double digits. Depressed
economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including
gang violence fueled by the drug trade. In 2004, the government
faces the difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline
in order to maintain debt payments while simultaneously attacking a
serious and growing crime problem that is hampering economic growth.

Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural
resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for
employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the
island.

Japan
Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery
of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1%
of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank
of second most technologically-powerful economy in the world after
the US and third-largest economy after the US and China. One notable
characteristic of the economy is the working together of
manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups
called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of
lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor
force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important
sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw
materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural sector is highly
subsidized and protected, wit