Japanese manufacturing is a major part of Japan's economic strength. Learning from the part, Japan is now developing new ways to keep industrial pollution down. Advanced technology for environmental protection is now being developed by all sorts of industries. Robots assemble cars at an automobile plant. Shoppers enjoy a wide selection of electronic goods in Tokyo's Akihabara.
Japan trades with most of the countries in the world.
There are also countries such as Canada and European nations. Many Japanese companies are opening factories in other countries. While almost half of Japan's direct overseas investment goes to countries in North America, Japanese companies also invest heavily in countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere. Many of these Japanese companies abroad have become part of their local communities, hiring employees from the town where they are located and getting involved in community affairs, environmental and cultural projects, and cooperation with local businesses. As of 1994, Japanese companies had a total of 1.95 million employees in their overseas branches.