Earlier this month Newsweek published the shocking headline Toyota and the End of Japan. Toyota, they say, is "largest and virtually the last remaining face of Japanese manufacturing and trading prowess."
BUT
ANDOriginally Posted by Newsweek
The Japanese automobile industry is in free fall. The electronics sector has experienced some difficulties, but Sanyo's case is not representative. The true leaders of the industry are still there and flourishing : Panasonic, Hitachi, Sony, Casio, Canon, Nikon...Originally Posted by Newsweek
That's because the Japanese are insecure, worrisome and not easily satisfied by nature. It is on this trait of character that the Japanese perfectionism was built. I am sure that many Africans are quite unperturbed about their country's future. Does that mean that things are going well ? No ! People who don't worry enough do not change enough, do not try hard enough to improve things...Originally Posted by Newsweek
The real worry with Toyota is this.
Toyota's problems reflect badly on all Japan. People around the world usually don't know much about Japan. But they know Toyota. It's a symbol. If Toyota loses its immaculate image for reliability, people around the word will start doubting the reliability of all Japanese products. I know it's a very simple and reductionist way of thinking, but that's how many people think (about things that aren't close to them). This is the perfect "excuse" for people to stop buying Japanese and start buying cheaper but similar Korean or Chinese products. The image that "Japan = quality" has been shattered. The mediatic hype about this relatively minor problem is what has really damaged the image of Toyota, and by extent all the Japanese industry. That is the real problem.Originally Posted by Newsweek
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