The thing that made the Japanese so able to compete with the US manufacturers in the 60's/ 70's, was their comparatively cheap labor force, and their uncanny ability to flagrantly copy all things American, to the point where there copies started becoming better than the originals. Nowadays it costs about as much to get things built in Japan as it does in the US. Those cheap labor days are gone. They did force the Americans to make better products, however -now the quality comparison is not that significant. The thing now with China is that they still have the cheap labor, and probably will have for some time. There is a huge gap in China between the "haves" & the "have nots" -& I'm sure the Corporate powers that be intend to keep it that way. China has also developed this ability to copy. They have no regard whatsoever for copyright infringement laws. I deal some with guitars -and right now China is flagrantly making copies of Martin, Gibson & Fender guitars, and making them damn good, for very reasonable prices. I just got called to dinner, & I guess that's more important than whatever it is I'm trying to say here.
Tim