Japan experienced a remarkable growth in international finance, through a series of liberalization measures in the 1980s. However, her position in the global financial system is still limited, as the reserve currency share of yen illustrates. Why does such a contrast exist? Historical comparison with Britain and the United States as well as extensive data provide a key to answer the question.Acknowledgements - Introduction - The Bretton Woods System as a Gold Exchange Standard - Japan's Experiences under the Bretton Woods System - Removing Capital Controls - Internationalization of Banking - Internationalization of Yen and Key Currency Questions - Indebtedness and Hegemony - IndexTORU IWAMI