The Japanese economy  The Japanese economy also got off to a weak start at the beginning of the 2000s, but then from 2002 to 2007 experienced the longest period of economic expansion since the end of World War II, owing mainly to robust external demand.
1 Essentially, this involves dealing in markets to influence the interest rate on overnight funds in the money market – also known as the cash rate. Central banks are able to closely control the overnight interest rate because they have unlimited ability to inject funds into, or withdraw funds from, the money market.