A High-Tech Crisis?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)

Readers took issue with our Dec. 10 story "Why Apple Isn't Japanese." One said, "Japan still dominates many fields such as digital cameras, where Canon and Nikon own the high-end market." Another noted: "If Japan overcomes its problem with how to market innovation, it will generate amazing technology."

Japan's Struggle With Technology

I mostly agree with "Why Apple Isn't Japanese" (Dec. 10), but want to add a point. Any systemic problem with innovation in Japan is due to a lack of attention to marketing cutting-edge technology. First, regarding marketing, Japan focuses on making connections and alliances rather than on coming up with strategies to sell a product, so businesses can easily lose their chance to generate breakthrough ideas. NEC, Toshiba, Hitachi and many phone companies have had excellent products, but they cannot expand their market share. Second, with regard to innovation, Japan has a group-oriented culture, so many Japanese tend not to undertake radical acts. A group-oriented culture is excellent for kaizen, the concept of change for the better through step-by-step, continuous improvement, but this mentality sometimes has a negative effect. For example, a Japanese man invented an airbag system, but the rest of Japan would not accept this technology because his idea was so unusual and "crazy." After airbag systems became a booming business in the United States, they finally came to Japan. If the Japanese can overcome the problem of how to market innovation, Japan will generate amazing technology.

Maki Seki

Chiba, Japan

In your article "Why Apple Isn't Japanese," you assert that Japan's dominance in high-tech fields is waning. You cite several examples, including the iPod's dominance over Sony's Walkman. You said a lot about an innovation problem while ignoring the fact that Japan has one of the fastest-aging populations in the world (just behind or ahead of Switzerland) and is facing shortages in the workforce. This to me is just as likely a factor in Japan's lagging high-tech business as any supposed innovation deficiency. Japan still dominates many fields, including digital cameras, where the high-end market is almost entirely owned by Canon and Nikon. Your assumption seems to be that Japan should be the high-tech leader in all fields, and if anyone challenges this position then it demonstrates failure on the part of the Japanese. Apple's dismal 2005 entry into the handset market (remember the Motorola ROKR?) shows that it, too, is not immune to failure. History has shown us that nations' dominance in areas of technology waxes and wanes. Japan does not dominate all fields, but the continued level of its leadership is remarkable. The "serious adjustment" that you say "might be in order" may be, but from my vantage point the Japanese are doing just fine.

Scott Vance