Japan's 20th-century innovation was just too cracked. Even though the country was completely leveled after losing WWII, their scientific and technical know-how didn't just disappear. Their nation and industries rebuilt at a record-breaking pace, and by the 70s, they overtook the US and Europe to re-emerge as the world's biggest manufacturing powerhouse. At the time, Japanese innovation combined with their insane manufacturing prowess warped the global industrial landscape. Western electronics and appliance companies, unable to withstand the 'Made in Japan' onslaught, went bankrupt one after another.
Sony changed the lifestyle of people worldwide in the 20th century with the development of the Walkman, transistor radios, and Trinitron TVs.
Panasonic was the king of home appliances, led by Konosuke Matsushita, who was hailed as the 'God of Management.'
Sharp was the undisputed leader in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and electronic calculator innovation.
Hitachi was Japan’s comprehensive electrical giant, spanning everything from heavy industry to home appliances.
Sanyo was the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer at the time, holding a 41% share of the global battery market.
Toyota was a highly innovative company that changed the production methods of the entire global auto industry with its Just-in-Time system. US and European auto CEOs who visited Toyota plants at the time reportedly said that if things continued this way, Western car industries would be obliterated soon.
Honda successfully developed high-efficiency engine (CVCC) technology and dominated the global motorcycle market.
Mazda made its mark on automotive history by being the first in the world to successfully commercialize the rotary engine.
Canon led innovations in AF (Auto Focus) SLR cameras, copiers, and printer technology.
Olympus led innovation in endoscope technology and the compact camera market.
Fujifilm was a major innovator that successfully developed film and digital image sensors to rival Kodak.
NEC was the company that achieved the #1 spot in global semiconductor market share in the 80s.
Fujitsu was a powerhouse in mainframe computers and telecommunications equipment back then.
Nintendo was the innovative company that led the revival of the video game industry with the Famicom (NES) and Game Boy.
Seiko was the main player behind the 'Quartz Crisis' by developing the world’s first quartz wristwatch.
Yamaha repeatedly innovated not just in musical instruments, but also in motorcycle engine technology.
Epson changed the printing market paradigm with the world's first mini printer and inkjet printer technology.
Toshiba opened the era of mobile computing by launching the T1100, the world's first mass-market laptop PC, in 1985.
Fearing that they might all die off and become Japan's industrial colonies, the Western world started 'killing Japan' in the 1980s. Specifically, the US exerted all-out pressure for over a decade, hitting Japanese products with super-high tariffs, surveilling Japanese companies, and imposing export restrictions.
Ultimately, starting from the mid-to-late 90s, the Japanese economy collapsed. As companies went bust and money for R&D dried up, it naturally shifted into a structure where innovation was no longer possible. Since the 21st century, Japan has become a country unable to produce the kind of disruptive innovation that succeeds globally, and this continues to this day. Meanwhile, over the past 20 years, the US and Europe have leveraged monopolistic tech development and innovative results in new industries like semiconductors, biotech, software, fintech, and AI, resulting in the birth of mega-global corporations bigger than entire nations that now completely dominate the world. - dc official App Source: Theory Gallery
"Users discuss how Japan's education system might have stifled its genius, compare the situation to modern-day Russia or China, and complain about the post being a frequent 'Sil-be' repost while throwing some casual shade at Japan's downfall."
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