Dedollarization led by the BRICS bloc, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, now joined by Saudi Arabia and a swelling coalition of over 90 nations. From Africa’s savannas to Asia’s bustling markets, countries are ditching the U.S. dollar for trade in yuan, rubles, rupees, and their own currencies.

A nation that once seemed destined to dominate the global economy, only to stumble into decades of stagnation, surpassed by a rising powerhouse like India, but showing flickers of a comeback. For readers of The Brink 2028, this is a puzzle that raises questions: Why is Japan falling? Is this a temporary slip or a structural crisis? What role do American bonds and U.S. policies play? And can Japan stage a comeback?

Imagine waking up to find your money is worth less, your savings are eroding, and your dreams slipping further away. Inflation, the silent thief, doesn’t strike everyone equally. It’s a shape-shifter, punishing some while rewarding others. As we stand in 2025, with global economies teetering and growth stories under scrutiny, what does inflation hold for all of us?