IHT article.
I have also seen an Economist analysis reviewing the recent Japanese acquisitions in the US. It does seem Japan is less affected by the recent Credit Crunch, and it ready to take a bigger role in the Global economic world.
Excerpt:
“The dominance of American financial giants has been shaken,” said Takatoshi Ito, a professor of economic policy at the University of Tokyo. “Now the tables have turned, and an Asian country like Japan can have the role of white knight and capital provider.”