U.S.-Japan Relations
As an employee of a Japanese-owned electronics manufacturer, I’m happy to report that U.S.-Japan relations at our company are fine. In addition to the Japanese, we have about 20 nationalities and ethnic groups who work together to manufacture our main products, copiers, toner and thermal paper. Not exactly glamorous, cutting-edge stuff, but we work together to build something of value for our customers and ourselves.
We have problems--communication is often tough, there is a tendency toward cliquishness, and we all have to overcome sometimes persistent stereotypes. Even so, the product gets out everyday. Why? We cannot profit from stirring up hatred and fear; we have a product to make. We cannot purposely promote stereotypes; we have to work together. We cannot benefit by blaming others when times get tough; we have to work to improve our product.
These days it seems that most of our political and business leadership could learn a lot about international relations from a visit to a copier factory.
RICHARD A. WALSH
Irvine
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