From: edsverk@ed4000-2.lerc.nasa.gov (Kenneth Lee Atchinson)
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - THE TRUTH!!
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 23:19:48 GMT

Well, I too have been following this thread and hear is my two cents worth.
I know this is not an issue for sci.electronics, however, I think that this
issue is important enough that alot more people (not just the ones reading
soc.culture.japan, soc.culture.asian.america, etc) should be aware of it.


Some one wrote:
>Let's get this discussion back on the REAL message of the
>original post: the Japanese coordinated attack on industry
>in the US, and the mercantilistic trading practices of Japan.

Thank you!!  Education was not the focus of the article.  The article was about
*JOBS* - US jobs lost due to Japan trading practices and industry policies.
This is not to say that Japan is bad (i.e. no Japan bashing here).  Japan
is just taking advantage of a "good thing" - US industry not being organized
to confront "put you out of business" tactics by Japan but centered on 
"near term profits" and "short term planning".

For those who want to read the TRUTH, I invite you to get the following 
articles at FTP site monu6.cc.monash.edu.au

   japanyes:   A fascinating overview of the Japanese industrial machine at work.
               How Japan practices 'business is war' strategies to destroy U.S.
               industries. This is a very moving piece filled with many examples
               which will disturb you and possibly even frighten you as it 
               with regard to the future of the United States of America.
 
   japanno:    An unauthorized translation of a best selling book in
               Japan "A Japan that can say no (to America)!" about why
               Japan is now number one and should take the place of
               the US as world leader. By Shintaro Ishihara (Japanese
               Parliament Member "Americans are lazy, ignorant and
               stupid") and Akio Morita (SONY CEO). This article actually 
               contains a good analysis and explanation of America's major
               problems. Note the version of this book sold in stores is a 
               phony. 1/2 of the original version is missing (Akio Morita
               removed his part fearing it would hurt SONY's sales in the
               U.S.) and there is a new appendix specifically written for
               American consumption, much of which seems to be false). 
 
   matsushita.pbs:   A PBS Frontline special about how a Japanese
                     cartel wiped out the US TV industry and went on
                     to take over the rest of world consumer electronics.
 
   losewar.pbs:   Transcipt of an other excellent PBS Frontline special about
                  how yet an other Japanese cartel conspired and took over the
                  world supply of small computer displays. Good segments
                  on how Honda used unethical (and possibly illegal) measures 
                  to drive U.S. auto parts makers out of business.


Some one else wrote:
> Do you know when the US will get back on track?  When it stops blaming
> Japan.
> 
> The US owes Japan a lot.  Why do Americans buy Japanese products?
> Because they are inexpensive and work well.  This means that consumers
> in the US have to spend less to buy the same thing, or they can spend
> the same and get better quality.  This means that consumers in the US
> have more money to invest, and they can invest more in industry in
> their own country.  The low price of Japanese products HELPS consumers
> in the US spend less and save and invest more.
> 
> And they would have a LOT to save and invest if they were not paying
> around 60% of their earnings in taxes.  THAT is a real problem.

This is not a *flame* to the author of this message.  However, people who
read this post should be aware of the "Does America Say Yes To Japan"
(DASYTJ) article to have a sense why the author is incorrect.  There is 
nothing wrong with Americans buying the "lowest cost - highest quality" 
products.  I think only a FOOL would buy a product that has high costs 
or low quality.  However, the systematic dumping of Japanese products 
which are "low cost and high quality" can not be ignored as "being 
beneficial to the consumer".  DASYTJ summarizes how the trend started in 
the 60s with TVs, "graduated up" to cars in the 70s, "matured" to VCRs and
other consumer products in the 80s and now threaten Home Appliances
(Refrigerators, Washing Machines, etc), Machining Tools (used in manufacturing -
VERY IMPORTANT for an industrialized nation) and on.  If the trend continues,
US will be a "Third World" nation only doing "final assembly" at best and
"service" (i.e. Burger King) jobs, while the High Paying, High Tech jobs will
be in Japan (as well as some other countries).

Note that Germany, UK, France have also played a role in the "eroding"
of US market share (i.e. BWM cars, Volvos, etc).  However, the US trades with
those countries freely (or with little hinderance from the ruling Government).
US trade with Japan is a "one way" street almost, such that Pres Bush had to
"fight" with Japan just to get the country to allow more trade with our auto
manufacturers.  It is the "one way" street approach, along with the
"keiretsu" (read: monopoly like) practices which DASYTJ is against (and US
citizens should too).

Americans having more money to invest is not the solution to America's problems.
That line comes from "Trickle Down Economics" from the 80s-90s.  Note that
investment in America does not translate into JOBS, because most Americans
think of investment as Stocks, Bonds, etc which is a game for Wall Street.
Yes, taxes in US are a problem, but IMHO taxes are a "symptom" to a sick
economy and US Gov't policy to economics.  It doesn't take a "rocket scientist" 
to figure out that if EVERYBODY (a "Utopian concept" worked (not just in "Gov't" 
JOBS, PRIVATE industry) and if EVERYBODY paid their fair share, then the "fair 
share" would be lower.  Since there are fewer people working, and more people
getting on the "Government Gravy Train" (social programs, medicad, work programs)
then the Government as to raise taxes just to "try" to make ends meet.


Finally, someone wrote:
> Fine, but most of the solutions are political i.e. the politicians need to fix
> it. In a democrarcy like the USA the politicians are elected by people who don't
> want to pay more taxes, want cheaper video recorders and are not well enough 
> educated to know they are putting themselves out of jobs (catch 22).
>
> It will get worse before it gets better.

Thank you!!  IMHO it probably will.  Read the book "The Coming Economic 
Earthquake" by Larry Burkett (in most bookstores and Christian Bookstores).  
It will answer that question for you.  I hope everyone is ready for what 
may happen if the current trend continues.

-- 
Kenneth Lee Atchinson
edsverk@ed4000-2.lerc.nasa.gov
Standard Disclaimers Apply - My words are my words 
(including the misspelled ones)!!
I invite flames, as is they are directed to /dev/null.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan