Manufacturing in Japan

{{short description|none}}  {{multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=August 2008}} {{Contradicts other|date=August 2006|1=Economy of Japan#Industry}} {{Update|date=January 2025|reason=The figures and facts in this page are mostly from the 2000s and 2010s}} }}[[File:Keiyo Coastal Industrial Region 02.jpg|thumb|[[Keiyō Industrial Zone|Keiyō industrial region]] in [[Chiba Prefecture]], [[Japan]]]] [[Japan]]'s major [[exporting|export]] industries include [[automobile]]s, [[consumer electronics]] (see [[Electronics industry in Japan]]), [[computer]]s, [[semiconductor]]s, [[copper]], and [[#Iron and steel|iron and steel]]. Additional key industries in Japan's economy are [[#Petrochemicals|petrochemicals]], [[#Biotechnology and pharmaceutics|pharmaceuticals, bioindustry]], [[#Shipbuilding|shipbuilding]], [[#Aerospace|aerospace]], [[#textiles|textiles]], and [[#Food|processed foods]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan - INDUSTRY |url=http://countrystudies.us/japan/106.htm |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=countrystudies.us}}</ref> [[File:Chukyo Industrial Area (2017).jpg|thumb|[[Chūkyō Industrial Area|Chūkyō industrial region]] around [[Nagoya]] is home to automobile industries.]] The Japanese manufacturing industry is heavily dependent on [[import]]ed [[raw material]]s and [[fuel]]s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20260118105509/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/ CIA Factbook]</ref> Japanese manufacturing and industry is very diversified, with a variety of advanced industries that are highly successful. Industry accounts for 19.4 percent (2022) of the nation's GDP.<ref name="Japan Country Report">{{cite web |title=2024年版ものづくり白書 |url=https://www.meti.go.jp/report/whitepaper/mono/2023/pdf/honbun_1_1_1.pdf |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=[[Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]]}}</ref> The country's manufacturing output is the third highest in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manufacturing, value added (current US$) {{!}} Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true |access-date=17 March 2020 |website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref>

Well-known Japanese manufacturing and tech companies include [[Toyota]], [[Hitachi]], [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], [[Mitsubishi Electric]], [[Nissan]], [[Honda]], [[Fujitsu]], [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]], [[Epson]], [[Toshiba]], [[Sony]], [[Panasonic]], [[Nintendo]], [[Sega]], [[Sumitomo Corporation|Nippon]], [[Takeda Pharmaceutical Company|Takeda Pharma]], [[Mazda]], [[Subaru]], [[Isuzu]], [[Komatsu Limited|Komatsu]], [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]], [[Nikon]], [[Canon Inc.|Canon]] and [[NEC]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan's largest companies in 2021 |url=https://asian-links.com/gdp/japan-largest-companies |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=asian-links.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Steel== [[File:140721 Yawata Steel Works from RRH Kitakyushu Japan01s3.jpg|thumb|[[Yawata Steel Works]] view from RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura in [[Kitakyushu]], [[Fukuoka prefecture]], [[Japan]]]] In 2018, the top two export markets for Japan were: [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] ([[Nippon Steel]], [[JFE Steel]] and [[Kobe Steel]]) accounting for 85.25 million metric tons, or 82 percent of total 2018 production, based on available data.<ref name="usdoc">{{cite news |date=September 2019 |title=Global Steel Trade Monitor - Steel Exports Report: Japan |publisher=US Department of Commerce |agency=International Trade Administration |url=https://www.trade.gov/steel/countries/pdfs/exports-Japan.pdf |archive-date=2017-04-18 |access-date=2019-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418220154/http://trade.gov/steel/countries/pdfs/exports-japan.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The iron and steel industry of Japan is mainly concentrated in the Tokyo-China region, [[Chukyo region]], [[Keihanshin|Osaka - Kobe]], [[Fukuoka]]-[[Yamaguchi (city)|Yamaguchi]], [[Okayama|Oka]]-[[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] and [[Hokkaido region]] contributes about 20 percent of the Japanese steel production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-07 |title=Distribution of Iron and Steel Industry in Major Countries of the World (with maps) |url=https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/industries/distribution-of-iron-and-steel-industry-in-major-countries-of-the-world-with-maps/25405 |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Your Article Library |language=en-US}}</ref> Major cities where steel industries are based are [[Kobe]], [[Osaka]] and [[Kitakyushu]].

==Shipbuilding== [[File:Japan Marine United Kure Shipyard (1).jpg|left|thumb|Japan Marine United Kure Shipyard]] Japan dominated world [[shipbuilding]] in the late 1980s, filling more than half of all orders worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=cycles |first1=This text provides general information Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct Due to varying update |last2=Text |first2=Statistics Can Display More up-to-Date Data Than Referenced in the |title=Topic: Shipbuilding industry in Japan |url=https://www.statista.com/topics/8888/shipbuilding-industry-in-japan/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> Its closest competitors were [[South Korea]] and [[Spain]], with 9 percent and 5.2 percent of the market, respectively.<ref name="studies">{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/japan/106.htm|title = Japan - INDUSTRY|access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref>

The Japanese shipbuilding industry was hit by a lengthy recession from the late 1970s through most of the 1980s, which resulted in a drastic cutback in the use of facilities and in the work force, but there was a sharp revival in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan - INDUSTRY |url=http://countrystudies.us/japan/106.htm |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=countrystudies.us}}</ref> The industry was helped by a sudden rise in demand from other countries that needed to replace their aging fleets and from a sudden decline in the [[South Korea]]n shipping industry. In 1988, Japanese shipbuilding firms received orders for 4.8 million gross tons of ships, but this figure grew to 7.1 million gross tons in 1989.<ref name="studies" />

Although facing competition from South Korea and China, Japan retains a successful, advanced shipbuilding manufacturing industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan's Shipbuilding Industry |url=http://www.crosscurrents.hawaii.edu/content.aspx?lang=eng&site=japan&theme=work&subtheme=INDUS&unit=JWORK049 |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.crosscurrents.hawaii.edu}}</ref> Japan lost its leading position in the industry to South Korea in 2004, and its market share has since fallen sharply.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/05/business/worldbusiness/05iht-ships.html?_r=0|title=Korea reigns in shipbuilding, for now - The New York Times|work=The New York Times |date=6 January 2005 |access-date=2014-10-17|last1=Brooke |first1=James }}</ref>

== Biotechnology and pharmaceutics == {{See also|List of pharmaceutical companies}}[[File:Teva Takeda Pharma headquarters, at Taikō, Nakamura, Nagoya (2019-04-13) 04.jpg|thumb|Teva [[Takeda Pharmaceutical Company|Takeda Pharma]] headquarters, in [[Nakamura-ku, Nagoya|Nakamura]], [[Nagoya]]]] The [[biotechnology]] and [[pharmaceutical]] industries experienced strong growth in the late 1980s. Pharmaceutical production grew an estimated 8 percent in 1989 because of increased expenditures by Japan's rapidly [[aging population]]. Leading producers actively develop new [[drug]]s, such as those for degenerative and [[geriatric]] diseases. Pharmaceutical companies were establishing tripolar networks connecting [[Japan]], the [[United States]], and Western [[Europe]] to co-ordinate product development. They also increased [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] and [[Mergers and acquisitions|acquisition]] activity overseas. [[Biotechnology]] [[research and development]] was progressing steadily, including the launching of [[Marine (ocean)|marine]] biotechnology projects, with full-scale commercialization expected to take place in the 1990s.

Biotechnology research covered a wide variety of fields: [[agriculture]], [[animal husbandry]], [[pharmaceutical]]s, [[chemical]]s, [[food processing]], and [[Industrial fermentation|fermentation]]. Human [[hormone]]s and [[protein]]s for pharmaceutical products were sought through genetic recombination using [[bacteria]].

Biotechnology also is used to enhance bacterial [[enzyme]] properties to further improve [[amino-acid]] [[Industrial fermentation|fermentation]] technology, a field in which [[Japan]] is the world leader. The government cautions Japanese producers, however, against overoptimism regarding biotechnology and bioindustry. The research race both in Japan and abroad intensified in the 1980s, leading to [[patent]] disputes and forcing some companies to abandon research. Also, researchers began to realize that such drug development continually showed new complexities, requiring more technical breakthroughs than first imagined. Yet, despite these problems, research and development was still expected to be successful and to end in product commercialization in the mid-term.

In 2006, the Japanese pharmaceutical market was the second largest individual market in the world. With sales of $60 billion it constitutes approximately 11 percent of the world market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leaddiscovery.co.uk/reports/Japanese_Pharmaceutical_Market.html |title=Japanese Pharmaceutical Report |access-date=2006-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013040158/http://www.leaddiscovery.co.uk/reports/Japanese_Pharmaceutical_Market.html |archive-date=2007-10-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Japanese Pharmaceutical Industry and Laws<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asia-manufacturing.com/PerspectiveArticle-6.html |title=Japanese Pharmaceutical Industry and Laws |access-date=2008-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005184923/http://www.asia-manufacturing.com/PerspectiveArticle-6.html |archive-date=2011-10-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> are very particular. They are ruled by The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare which was established by a merger of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Labor, on January 6, 2001, as part of the Japanese government program for re-organizing government ministries.

==Oil and gas and petrochemical== [[File:JX Nippon Oil Negishi Refinery - panoramio.jpg|thumb|JX [[Nippon Oil]] Negishi Refinery]] The [[petrochemical industry]] experienced moderate growth in the late 1980s because of steady economic expansion.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=cycles |first1=This text provides general information Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct Due to varying update |last2=Text |first2=Statistics Can Display More up-to-Date Data Than Referenced in the |title=Topic: Petrochemical industry in Japan |url=https://www.statista.com/topics/8663/petrochemical-industry-in-japan/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> The highest growth came in the production of [[plastics]], [[polystyrene]], and [[polypropylene]]. Prices for [[petrochemical]]s remained high because of increased demand in the newly developing economies of [[Asia]].

By 1990, the construction of factory complexes to make [[ethylene]]-based products in [[South Korea]] and [[Thailand]] was expected to increase supplies and reduce prices. In the long term, the Japanese petrochemical industry is likely to face intensifying competition as a result of the integration of domestic and international markets and the efforts made by other Asian countries to catch up with [[Japan]].

==Motor vehicles and machinery== {{Main|Automotive industry in Japan}} {{See also|List of automobile manufacturers of Japan}}[[File:HONDA saitama factory - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Honda|Honda Motors]] manufacturing plant in [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]]]] [[File:Nagoya Night View.jpg|left|thumb|[[Nagoya]] around [[Chūkyō Industrial Area|Chūkyō industrial region]] is home to Japan's automobile industries.]] [[File:2020 Toyota Corolla LE standard front, 5.25.19.jpg|left|thumb|[[Toyota Corolla]] manufactured by [[Toyota]]]] The [[motor vehicle]] industry is one of the most successful industries in Japan, with large world shares in the [[automobile]], [[electric vehicle]], [[electronics]], parts, [[Bridgestone|tire]] and [[engine]] manufacturing industries. Global Japanese motor vehicle companies include:

{{Div col |colwidth=8em}} * [[Toyota]] **[[Lexus]] **[[Hino Motors|Hino]] **[[Daihatsu]] * [[Honda]] **[[Acura]] * [[Nissan]] **[[Infiniti]] * [[Suzuki]] * [[Mazda]] * [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] * [[Subaru]] * [[Isuzu]] {{Div col end}} [[File:DENSO factory around Aichiike.jpg|thumb|[[Denso]] factory around [[Aichi Ken|Aichiike]]]] [[Denso]] is the world's largest company in automotive component manufacturing. In addition, [[Honda]], [[Suzuki]], [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] and [[Kawasaki Motors|Kawasaki]] are global motorcycle companies. [[File:Yamaha YZF-R1 (2) (MSP15).JPG|left|thumb|[[Yamaha YZF-R1]] manufactured by [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]]]] Japan is home to [[List of automobile manufacturers|six of the top ten largest vehicle manufacturers]] in the world. For example, it is home to multinational companies such as [[Toyota]], [[Honda]], [[Nissan]], [[Suzuki]] and [[Mazda]]. Some of these companies cross-over to different sectors such as [[electronics]] to produce electronic equipment as some of them being a part of [[keiretsu]]. Japan's [[automobile]]s are generally known for their [[Quality (business)|quality]], durability, [[fuel]] efficiency and more features for a relatively lower price than their competitors.

Japanese automakers [[Mitsubishi]] and [[Toyota]] have had their patents violated by a number of [[Myanmar]] car companies, such as [[UD Group (Mandalay)]] and [[Kyar Koe Kaung (Yangon)]]. These companies produced [[Mitsubishi]] and [[Toyota]] products including Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota TownAce pickup trucks and other various types of Japanese cars under their own [[marque]]s (e.g., Khit Tayar Pajero, Shwe Surf, UD Light Truck and KKK Light Truck) without license.

===Exports and the Japanese market=== [[File:Mitsubishi Fuso Kawasaki II factory.jpg|thumb|[[Fuso (company)|Mitsubishi Fuso]] factory II in [[Kawasaki City|Kawasaki]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture]]]] [[File:Toyota Auto Body Fujimatsu plant 16-05.JPG|left|thumb|Toyota Auto Body Fujimatsu plant]] In 1991, [[Japan]] produced 9.7 million [[automobile]]s, making it the largest producer in the world; the [[United States]] in that year produced 5.4 million. Just under 46 percent of the Japanese output was exported. Automobiles, other motor vehicles, and automotive parts were the largest class of Japanese exports throughout the 1980s. In 1991 they accounted for 17.8 percent of all Japanese exports, a meteoric rise from only 1.9 percent in 1960 with kaya being one of the largest exporters. [[File:01 全景大 mazdaロゴなし.jpg|thumb|[[Disco Corporation]] - [[Mazda Motor]] plant in [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture]]]] Fear of [[protectionism]] in the [[United States]] (in the wake of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo where Japanese automobile manufacturers began exporting automobiles en masse) led to major [[foreign direct investment|direct foreign investment]] in the U.S. by Japanese automobile manufacturers. By the end of the 1980s, all the major Japanese producers had automotive [[assembly line]]s operating in the United States: [[Isuzu]] has a joint plant with [[Subaru]]; one of [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama|Toyota]]'s plants is in [[Alabama]]. Following the major assembly firms, Japanese producers of automobile parts also began investing in the [[United States]] in the late 1980s, most Japanese auto parts are nevertheless made in Japan. [[File:Yamaha Vmax Concept-Bike EICMA 2007.jpg|left|thumb|Yamaha Vmax Concept-Bike EICMA]] [[File:Toyota Plant Ohira Sendai.jpg|thumb|[[Toyota]] factory in [[Ōhira, Miyagi|Ohira]], near [[Sendai]], [[Miyagi Prefecture]], [[Japan]]]] [[File:Suzuki Motor Corporation Toyokawa Plant (2013.03.19).jpg|left|thumb|Suzuki Motor Corporation Toyokawa Plant (スズキ株式会社豊川工場), located at Utari 1–2, Shiratori-cho, Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan]] [[Automobile]]s were a major area of contention for the [[Japan-United States relations]]hip during the 1980s. When the [[price of oil]] rose in the [[1979 energy crisis]], demand for small automobiles increased, which worked to the advantage of Japan's exports to the [[United States]] market. As the Japanese share of the market increased, to 21.8 percent in 1981, pressures rose to restrict imports from Japan. The result of these pressures was a series of negotiations in early 1981, which produced a voluntary export agreement limiting Japan's shipments to the United States to 1.68 million units (excluding certain kinds of specialty vehicles and trucks). This agreement remained in effect for the rest of the decade, but Japanese competition only increased with new plants being built and with the export agreement being voluntary. The Japanese [[Big Three (automobile manufacturers)|Big Three]] (Toyota, Nissan, Honda) also sold luxury automobiles similar to its European counterparts (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar) where it was possible to yield profits - since the parent companies had a connotation as an econobox manufacturer with their mass market automobiles, they established their stand-alone luxury marques (Lexus, Acura, Infiniti) where the parent company marketed the same product as a JDM (Japanese Domestic Model). The luxury marques (sold initially for the USA market) may not have their own brand language or brand identity of its own since they are often associated with their parent companies. Similar voluntary restraints on Japanese exports were imposed by [[Canada]] and several [[Western Europe|West European]] countries. Nonetheless, Japanese car competition only increased due to new plants being built and with the export agreements being voluntary. Since then, tensions have greatly decreased. Canada and Western Europe, like the U.S., repealed restrictions on Japanese auto imports. Nissan has an assembly plant in [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]] in England. [[File:Nissan Koki 01.jpg|thumb|This is a main office and factory of [[Nissan|Nissan KOKI]] that manufactures car engines.]]

===Imports=== Foreign penetration of the automotive market in Japan has been less successful partly because of the population density and limited space of the country. Imports of foreign automobiles were very low during the forty years prior to 1985, never exceeding 60,000 units annually, or 1 percent of the domestic market. Trade and investment barriers restricted imported automobiles to an insignificant share of the market in the 1950s, and as barriers were finally lowered, strong control over the distribution networks made penetration difficult. The major United States automobile manufacturers acquired minority interests in some Japanese firms when investment restrictions were relaxed, [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] obtaining a 25 percent interest in Toyo Kogyo ([[Mazda]]), [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] a 34 percent interest in [[Isuzu]], and [[Chrysler Corporation|Chrysler]] a 15 percent interest in [[Mitsubishi Motors]]. This ownership did not provide a means for United States automobiles to penetrate the Japanese market, and the American car companies eventually got rid of their shares of the Japanese carmakers. One concern was that the USA market automobiles sold in Japan were imposed a taxation bracket due to vehicle sizing and engine displacement - which affected sales.

After the strong appreciation of the [[yen]] in 1985, however, Japanese demand for foreign automobiles increased, but with most cars imported from Germany. In 1988, automobile imports totaled 150,629 units, of which 127,309 were European, mostly West German. Only 21,124 units were imported from the United States at that time.

==Aerospace== {{See also|Defense industry of Japan}}[[File:HONDA ASIMO.jpg|thumbnail|[[ASIMO]] is an advanced [[humanoid robot]] manufactured by [[Honda]].]] The [[aerospace]] industry received a major boost in 1969 with the establishment of the National Space Development Agency (now [[Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]]), which was charged with the development of [[satellite]]s and [[launch vehicle]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Space Development Agency (Japanese government agency) -- Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1071559/National-Space-Development-Agency |access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref>

The Japanese military industry, although a small share of GDP, is a major sector of the economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AP |first=Mari Yamaguchi |date=2021-12-29 |title=Despite defense buildup, Japan's arms industry struggles |url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/12/29/despite-defense-buildup-japans-arms-industry-struggles/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref> It is technologically advanced and is very successful, and has produced such aircraft as the new Mitsubishi fighter planned to be launched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Global Website {{!}} F-2 Fighter Plane |url=https://www.mhi.com/products/defense/f_2_close_support_fighter.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. |language=en}}</ref> [[ASIMO]] is an advanced [[humanoid robot]] manufactured by [[Honda|Honda Company]].

==Food== [[File:Hagoromo Foods Mt. Fuji Pasta Plant.jpg|thumb|Hagoromo Foods Mt. Fuji Pasta plant in [[Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka|Shimizu-ku]], [[Shizuoka (city)|Shizuoka]], [[Japan]]|left]] The production value of the [[food industry]] ranked third among manufacturing industries after electric and transport machinery. Japan produces a great variety of products, ranging from traditional Japanese items, such as soybean paste ([[miso]]) and [[soy sauce]], to [[beer]] and [[meat]].

The industry as a whole experienced mild growth in the 1980s, primarily from the development of such new products as "[[dry beer]]" and precooked food, which was increasingly used because of the tendency of family members to dine separately, the trend toward smaller families, and convenience.

A common feature of all sectors of the food industry was their [[internationalization]]. As domestic raw materials lost their price competitiveness following the liberalization of imports, food makers more often produced [[foodstuff]]s overseas, promoted tie-ups with overseas firms, and purchased overseas firms.

In 2004, the Japanese food industry was worth $600 billion whilst food processing was worth $209 billion. This is comparable to the food industries of the [[United States]] and the [[European Union|EU]].<ref>[http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenti.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/e80332f0f4233081ca2572020008ec5a/$FILE/FSJapan.pdf Japanese Food Market Overview]</ref> They also develop an abundance of sugar confectionery products.

==Electronics== {{main|Japanese consumer electronics industry}} [[File:Panasonic Kusatsu Factory 2020.jpg|thumb|[[Panasonic]] factory in [[Kusatsu, Gunma|Kusatsu]], [[Gunma Prefecture]], [[Japan]]]] [[File:Skyline of Kyoto at Night.jpg|left|thumb|[[Kyoto]] is the center of Japan's technology industry.]] [[File:H&F Kumasaka plant.JPG|thumb|[[Hitachi Zosen Corporation|Hitachi Zosen Fukui Corporation]] plant at [[Kumasaka]], [[Atarashiki-mura|Awara-shi]], [[Fukui Prefecture]], Japan]] Japan has 7 of top 20 largest [[Integrated circuit|chip]] manufacturers as of 2005. Japanese electronics are known for their [[Quality (business)|quality]], durability, and technological sophistication. Some of these companies cross over to [[automobile]] and [[finance]] sectors as part of a [[keiretsu]]. Many internationally renowned [[electronics]] companies are based in [[Japan]], including: {{Div col |colwidth=20em}} * [[Canon Inc.|Canon]] * [[Casio]] * [[Citizen Holdings|Citizen]] * [[Fujitsu]] * [[Hitachi, Ltd.|Hitachi]] * [[Mitsubishi Electric]] * [[NEC Corporation|NEC]] * [[Nikon]] * [[Nintendo]] * [[Panasonic Corporation|Panasonic]] * [[Pioneer Corporation]] * [[Roland Corporation]] * [[SEGA]] * [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] * [[Seiko]] * [[Sony Corporation|Sony]] * [[Toshiba]] * [[Yamaha (manufacturer)|Yamaha]] {{Div col end}}

Japan's computer industry developed with extraordinary speed and moved into international markets. Japanese computer technologies are some of the most advanced in the world. The leading computer [[main frame]] manufacturers in [[Japan]] at the end of the 1980s (in the domestic market) were [[Fujitsu]], [[Hitachi]], [[NEC]], IBM Japan and [[Unisys]]. Leading personal computer manufacturers were [[NEC]], [[Fujitsu]], [[Seiko Epson]], [[Toshiba]] and [[IBM Japan]]. [[File:Nikon WestBuilding.jpg|thumb|Nikon WestBuilding in [[Tokyo]]]] In 1988, Japan exported US$1.5 billion of computer equipment, up more than twelvefold from the US$122 million in 1980. Japanese firms were not very successful in exporting [[Mainframe computer|mainframe]] computers, but they did very well in [[peripheral]] equipment, such as [[Computer printer|printers]] and [[tape drive]]s. In the rapidly growing [[personal computer]] market, Japan achieved a major market share in the [[United States]] during the 1980s. Imports of computer equipment in 1988 came to US$3.2 billion (including parts).

Economic developments, namely [[outsourcing]] and [[globalization]] made these disputes obsolete by the 1990s. Japanese and U.S. influence in the computer market dwindled, with [[Taiwan]]ese and [[People's Republic of China|mainland Chinese]] companies taking over [[Electronic component|component]] production and later [[research and development]].

==See also== * [[Economy of Japan]] * [[List of companies of Japan|List of Japanese companies]]

==References== * {{Country study}} - [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html Japan] {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.export-japan.com/info/jpinfo_associationsinjapan.html Japanese Manufacturers Associations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130214309/http://www.export-japan.com/info/jpinfo_associationsinjapan.html |date=2007-11-30 }} {{in lang|en|ja}} *[http://www.sjac.or.jp/en_index.html Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614205240/https://www.sjac.or.jp/en_index.html |date=2021-06-14 }} *[http://mij-only.com Made in Japan ONLY - The web magazine which features various kinds of things made in Japan] {{in lang|en|ja}}

[[Category:Manufacturing in Japan]] [[Category:Economy of Japan]]