Quality and innovation [Japanese electronics industry]

The growth of product quality in Japan is described, and it is shown that it can depend on the social climate as much as on the techniques used. The present level of Japanese quality can be explained by the struggle to alleviate the hardships Japan believes it experienced during and immediately after the Second World War. Innovation is discussed, covering the role of R&D laboratories. experimenting with customers, and what is termed graceful growth. The transition to integrated circuits by US and Japanese firms is examined.<>