All that is true, but Japanese factories have also developed innovative manufacturing techniques.

In short, Japanese factories get high productivity because that is the behaviour they reward.

Japanese factories also learned how to cut energy use and become among the most efficient in the world.

Manufacturing efficiency and quality at some plants rival the best Japanese factories.

Honda said that their two Japanese factories will remain closed until 3 April.

Some firms' behaviour suggests that it did, but not simply by making them invest more in Japanese factories.

Quality control turned Japanese factories into world leaders in cost-effectiveness and production quality.

For hours, the day following, they tried repeatedly to destroy Japanese factories and stores.

And the savings from mass production can be achieved equally well by using a Japanese factory, he said.

This is more an opportunity to be grabbed than a threat to the survival of Japanese factories abroad.