Japan
Strengths:
Automobile industry: Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, and Suzuki. Japan is also host country to power sports vehicle manufacturers such as Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Auto-related businesses provide one out of every ten jobs in Japan. “with a reputation for quality and innovation, Japanese automakers are developing some of the most advanced technologies in the global industry, generating partnership opportunities for foreign firms eyeing Japan to benefit the country's automotive industry for sales to the global market.”
Computer firms : Toshiba, NEC.
Digital gaming industry: Nintendo, Sony, Sega, Capcom, Konami. While the major Japanese players continue to enjoy success domestically and overseas, it is much harder for foreigners to go into the Japanese market with newcomer Microsoft only gaining a 1.4% market share, in comparison to Nintendo’s 71.3% and Sony’s 27.2% shares respectively.
Exporting companies.
Strong multinationals corporations with overseas presence.
Docile population.
Education: Japan has one of the highest standards of education and one of the highest literacy rates in the world. About 93% of children enter high school, and nearly all of them graduate. At over 40% in 2000, Japan also has one of the highest university enrolment rates in the developed world, and a huge number of state and private universities to serve the population (Education Japan, 2001).
Domestic financing of huge deficits.
Technological advancements research: With the aid of these government-funded agencies, Japan has fashioned an atmosphere that readily embraces and encourages R&D in areas such as technology. Support for businesses wishing to adopt new technologies or break into a new industry are also provided in the form of financial backing to promote this wealth. And additionally, despite a competitive nature, Japan is both open and willing to contribute to the technology transfer abroad.
Weaknesses:
Deflation on the last decade.