Masahiko Aoki is Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Professor of Japanese Studies and Professor of Economics at Stanford University and Director-General of the Research Institute of Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. His work on the theory of the firm, the Japanese economy, and comparative economic institutions has given rise to many widely read publications, including The Japanese Main Bank System (co-edited with Hugh Patrick) and The Co-operative Game Theory of the Firm.