German economic model

Mired in deflation and stagnant for decades, Japan has been the economic basket case of the developed world. But the world's third-largest economy is getting an unexpected lift from roaring growth in emerging markets.

It's too soon to say if Europe's economic rebound is sustainable. But Germany and other leading eurozone economies are surging ahead on exports and have recouped nearly all the jobs they lost during the downturn. The U.S. might want to take a lesson from their success.