Japan's industrial power is so stagnant that it seems a crisis is in store for our economy. Even as it lags far behind the United States in creating intelligent information systems, Japan is finding that South Korea, Taiwan and China are catching up with it in manufacturing.
For example, in the global flat-panel television market, South Korea's Samsung Electronics has gained the largest share for four consecutive years. Japan, which had taken the lead in LED technology, has since failed to make much use of it in developing LED TVs.
As for 3D TV, a promising product with prospects for explosive market growth, South Korean manufacturers have started sales ahead of Japanese makers. In 3D personal computers, Taiwan is running in front. In the production of iPads, which is likely to see a worldwide boom, there are few Japanese parts and components being used. Top positions that Japan previously held in the production of industrial products such as steel and personal computers have gone to China.