The Japan That Can Say No

Points asserted

Ishihara's assertions

Japanese superiority

• The world has come to depend on Japanese technology, especially in semiconductor production.
• Japan must use its technological superiority as a negotiating weapon. It should even threaten to trade secrets with the Soviet Union as a bargaining tool against the US and refuse to sell components that go into US missiles.
• The quality of American goods is low because the level of the workers is low, while the superior education of Japanese workers is a big advantage.
• The Japanese character is innately superior to the character of Americans.

  Japanese assertiveness

• Japanese diplomats are not effective in dealing with westerners, so businessmen accustomed to dealing with foreigners should also take part in trade negotiations.
• Japan should end the U.S.-Japan security pact and defend itself, because this would cost less and end reliance on the U.S.

  American prejudice

• Americans believe that the Caucasian race is superior since the modern era is dominated by the western world, and this prejudice will hurt them in the end.
• Americans and Christian missionaries try to erase local cultures and replace them with Western culture.
• Former American colonies are rife with problems, while former Japanese colonies are thriving.
• America's dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan and not Germany in World War II arose from racism because Germans are white people and Japanese are not.

  Morita's assertions

American business

• American business focuses too much on money games like mergers and acquisitions, and not enough on creating real goods and manufacturing power.
• American business focuses too much on short-term profits, such as moving manufacturing overseas, while sacrificing long term overall livelihood.
• American company executives receive too much income, which hurts their companies.
• Employees in Japanese companies form a tight community, so overall results are better.
• The trade surplus with the U.S. is caused by the lack of desirable products made in the U.S.
• U.S. businesses are strong in basic research, but not in product development and marketing
• It is natural for the Japanese government to protect Japanese businesses, as it relies on their tax revenue.

  Japan's image and position

• It is popular to bash Japan, and this is largely the fault of Japanese businessmen overseas who don't socialize with locals and become part of the local community.
• Japanese need to do more to adapt to Western culture and language when dealing with Americans in order to be understood.
• The U.S.'s failure to recognize Japan's importance will hurt the U.S. and the world economy.
• Japan must be conscious of its role as a world leader, and do its part to support the world economy.
• Japan must help build up Asia to strengthen its position as a regional economic leader.
• Japan must give more foreign aid if it wants to be a true world leader. He equates this with doing local community service.

  Reception