The document discusses the financial crisis that occurred in Japan from 1994 to 1998. It outlines the early stages of the crisis from before 1994 to 1996, then discusses the specific financial crises that occurred in 1997 and 1998. The causes of the crisis included financial deregulation starting in the 1970s and issues with the deposit insurance law and perceptions that larger banks were protected, which led to failures of credit cooperatives. The government provided financial assistance but was limited in what it could pay out.