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From: abrossard@watcgl.UUCP
Newsgroups: can.politics
Subject: Re: market crash
Message-ID: <2135@watcgl.waterloo.edu>
Date: Tue, 27-Oct-87 12:25:39 EST
Article-I.D.: watcgl.2135
Posted: Tue Oct 27 12:25:39 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 29-Oct-87 02:36:18 EST
References: <170@bby-bc.UUCP> <1071@looking.UUCP> <5576@utcsri.UUCP> <1078@looking.UUCP>
Reply-To: abrossard@watcgl.waterloo.edu (Alain Brossard)
Distribution: can
Organization: U. of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 36

>
>Japan embarked on a program of industrialization helped by American
>restoration money.   With low internal wages, almost feudal-style industrialism,
>an extremely agressive export program and (at first) free access to the
>world's largest markets, they manufactured first the cheapest, and later the
>highest quality goods in several industries.
>
>It was by making the most competitive goods in the *world* market that
>Japan attained success.  The assured access to US markets provided by
>post WWII treaty agreements also played a vital part.
>
>What does this suggest about the value of free access to the US market?
>
>-- 
>Brad Templeton, Looking Glass Software Ltd. - Waterloo, Ontario 519/884-7473
	
	Brad, You don't seem to realize that while Japan is exporting
    to everybody, it is one of the most restrictive country when
    it comes to imports.  I just saw a program on it resently and the
    prices of items in Japan is unbelievably high because of trade
    barriers.  A melon cost between $30 and $46, an apple $6.  This
    should give you an idea of what kind of duties they extract on
    imports!
    
	Another interesting point is that electronic product like
    Sony, Toshiba, etc. cost more in Japan than they do in the US.
    Why? Because they aim at underselling the competition (quite
    close to a definition of dumping) and because the Japanese
    customers don't complain and except whatever prices they are
    offered.

	Before jumping to the conclusion that free trade is the
    major factor in Japan sucess, you have to look at all aspects
    of the question.
    
					Alain Brossard