The Japanese Electronics Industry

Book excerpt: The explosive growth of the Japanese electronics industry continues to be driven by a combination of market forces and the unique characteristics of the Japanese social organization and people. As an industrial phenomenon, the Japanese electronics industry receives considerable attention from researchers in various fields. However, most of their studies focus on either historical analyses intent on discovering the secret of the industry's enormous success, or on the issue of America's competitiveness in the face of challenges from Japanese technology. Moreover, none of these studies can be free of the bias that stems from each researcher's own upbringing and environment. The authors of The Japanese Electronics Industry have pooled their diverse experience and talents to create a balanced, objective study of this complex subject. They illuminate the history and characteristics of the industry, show the current state of the industry, and explore the research, development, and education vital to the future of the industry.