The future of Japanese manufacturing

Workers give the final check on Yaris compact sedans, set for export to North America. Toyota has given itself a high sales goal of 8.6 million cars in 2012. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Yoshisuke Iinuma, The Oriental Economist

The household-electronics industry has long been equivalent in stature to Japan’s automotive industry, and is seen as a symbol of the country’s strong manufacturing sector.

But now its central product — television manufacturing — is on the verge of collapse and the major electronics firms are haemorrhaging red ink. Read more…