Book excerpt: Economical and political aspects of information technology in Europe and Japan are dealt with in this book. European and Japanese technology policies, the possibilities of cooperation on all economic and business levels as well as future perspectives on world information markets from the Japanese and European points of view form the priority areas of the book. Special attention is given to - the case study of a Swiss-Japanese business cooperation with many practical references, - an analysis of East European information markets and, - the relations between Europe and Japan from the viewpoint of the USA. The reader is given an insight into new developments in the information technology markets in Europe and Japan as well as into the economic and political framework within which the developments are taking place.