How has Japan's Industry so powerful?

Answer 1

Japan's heavy industry has been so successful due to the following reasons:

1 Improving technology

-Improving production technology

When Japan first started to begin its heavy industry, it imported production technology from western countries, and it was successful in adapting and improving it. Nowadays Japan is one of the leader nations in advanced technology.

- Improving transportation technology

Transporting heavy and bulky raw materials and fuels costs a lot. Since the improvement in transportation technology in 1950s, more efficient technology metof transportation has been introduced, for example large container ships and oil tankers are used to transport raw materials and fuels with lower costs. This reduces the transportation costs.

- Innovating new technology

:Use of high- tech machines

With the use of high- tech machines, less labour are needed. For example, robots are used in car manufacturing industr y for . High efficency means production cost per unit is low.

:Use of substitute scrap iron

In recent years, scrap iron are widely used and iron and steel products, it acts as a substitute of iron ore. It can be easily obtained in large cities

:setting up industrial complexes

Large- scale industrial complexes are set up. All the steps for related products are made in the same complex. This can save energy can improve output.

2. High productivity of labour

Education level of Japanese is generally high. Extensive vocational training is provided for employees too. High labour productivity is one of the reasons why Japan is so successful in devbeloping its heavy industry.

3. Investing in research and development(R&D)

Japanese firms are willing to invest on plants,equipments,research and development

4. Government policy

After the second world war, the Japanese goernment worked hard to rebuild and development its industries. It improvced infrastructures by building roads and supply electricity. It also provides taxation allowance3s and subslidies. In order to protect local manufactured goods, Japanese government restrict a certain imported products and set up the Japan External Trading Orgainization (JETRO) to promote its local manufactured goods to oversea markets.To promote the use of robots and automation in technology, the Maufactured Science and technology Centre is set up. The MSTC also establishes the Intelligent Manufacture Centre to solve manufactured problems and develop advanced manufactoring technology.

All the above measures help increase Japan competitiveness.

5. Developing trade

Japan tries hard to keep good trading relationship with other countries to ensure a stable supply of raw materials and fuels, also to export its manufactured goods to oversea markets.

Iron ore and coal: Australia

Crude oil: Middle- East

Market: Europe, America, Australia