Why Was Japan So "Good" at Semiconductors?
In the 1970s and 1980s, Japan's semiconductor industry, especially in memory chips like DRAM, grew very quickly, causing concern in the US. This success was due to several factors. Japanese companies were often part of larger business groups, which helped them get steady orders and money to invest in factories. They focused strongly on quality, influenced by collaborations with NTT, Japan's phone company. While American companies were often smaller and specialized, Japanese firms could invest heavily in new, expensive factories and use advanced automation and cleanroom technologies, leading to lower costs and higher quality. They also took on a lot of debt, supported by Japanese banks, to fund this growth. Japanese workers were very productive and worked long hours, but their wages didn't increase as much as their productivity, allowing companies to reinvest profits. However, Japan's dominance ended due to trade agreements, the rising value of the Yen, and the rise of other Asian manufacturers, especially Samsung, who were faster at developing new technologies and improving production processes. The Japanese companies were slow to adapt, stuck with older business models, and couldn't compete with the new, faster-moving global market.
Key Vocabulary
To search thoroughly and meticulously, often in order to find something specific or to clean a surface completely.
Examples:
- The detective spent hours scouring the crime scene for any overlooked clues.
- She was scouring the internet for affordable flights to her dream destination.
- The chef was meticulous, scouring every pot and pan until it gleamed.
Involving two or more parties working together to achieve a shared goal.
Examples:
- The project was a collaborative effort between the engineering and design teams.
- Their new software platform encourages a collaborative environment for remote workers.
- The artist's latest exhibition was a collaborative piece with a local musician.
An electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field, used in various electronic circuits.
Examples:
- A faulty capacitor can often be the reason an old radio stops working.
- Engineers are constantly researching new materials to improve capacitor efficiency.
- The circuit diagram showed a large capacitor connected in parallel with the resistor.
Small mechanical or electronic devices or tools, often innovative or novel in design and function.
Examples:
- His desk was cluttered with the latest tech gadgets, from smart speakers to portable chargers.
- The spy movie featured an array of futuristic gadgets for every mission.
- She loves collecting vintage kitchen gadgets, even if they aren't always practical.
The established set of attitudes held by someone, influencing their way of thinking and behavior.
Examples:
- To succeed in this challenging environment, you need to adopt a growth mindset.
- His positive mindset helped him overcome numerous obstacles in his career.
- The company aims to foster a customer-centric mindset among all its employees.
A combination or set of things used together.
Examples:
- The restaurant offers a lunch combo with a sandwich and a side dish.
- Her outfit was a stylish combo of vintage and modern pieces.
- The new training program is a powerful combo of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
To assign a new or higher value to something, especially a currency, often as a result of economic changes.
Examples:
- The central bank decided to revalue its currency to combat inflation.
- After the renovation, the property was revalued at a much higher price.
- The company revalued its assets to reflect their current market worth.
Provided support, justification, or a firm basis for something.
Examples:
- The success of the new policy was underpinned by extensive research and data analysis.
- His strong ethical principles underpinned all his business decisions.
- The entire legal argument was underpinned by a precedent set decades ago.
A shortened form of 'cycle time,' which refers to the total time required to complete a process or task from start to finish.
Examples:
- Reducing the cyc time in manufacturing significantly improved production efficiency.
- The team focused on optimizing their workflow to achieve a shorter cyc for project delivery.
- Understanding the average cyc is crucial for accurate production planning.
Relating to or using signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity, such as voltage or pressure, rather than by discrete units.
Examples:
- Many audiophiles still prefer the warm sound of analog records over digital formats.
- The old analog clock on the wall still kept perfect time.
- Engineers are developing new chips that can process both digital and analog signals.
A dull or uninspired routine or way of living that is difficult to change.
Examples:
- He felt stuck in a career rut and decided to pursue a new passion.
- To avoid getting into a creative rut, she constantly sought new inspirations and challenges.
- Taking a different route to work every day can help break you out of a monotonous rut.
An acronym for 'end of month,' typically used in business or financial contexts to denote a deadline or reporting period.
Examples:
- All expense reports must be submitted by EOM for processing.
- The sales team is pushing to meet their EOM targets.
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A thin slice of semiconductor material, such as silicon, on which microcircuits are fabricated.
Examples:
- The fabrication process involves carefully layering materials onto the silicon wafer.
- Engineers inspect each wafer for defects before proceeding to the next stage of production.
- A single wafer can contain hundreds of individual microchips.
An acronym for Dynamic Random-Access Memory, a type of volatile semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor within an integrated circuit, commonly used for main memory in computers.
Examples:
- The new computer comes with 16 gigabytes of high-speed DRAM.
- Manufacturers are constantly innovating to improve the speed and capacity of DRAM modules.
- The price of DRAM can fluctuate significantly based on market demand.
The causes or sources of a problem or difficulty.
Examples:
- Poor communication and lack of planning were identified as the main culprits for the project's delay.
- Investigators are still searching for the culprits behind the recent cyberattack.
- Excessive sugar and processed foods are often the culprits behind many health issues.
Producing a large amount of something, such as works, results, or offspring; highly productive.
Examples:
- She is a prolific writer, publishing several novels each year.
- The factory was known for its prolific output of high-quality products.
- The artist was incredibly prolific during his most creative period.
Officially attached or connected to an organization or group.
Examples:
- The local charity is affiliated with a larger national organization.
- He is affiliated with several professional associations in his field.
- Many small businesses are affiliated with a chamber of commerce to promote local trade.
The state of being clean or free from dirt, impurities, or contamination.
Examples:
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness is essential in any healthcare facility.
- The restaurant prides itself on the cleanliness of its kitchen and dining area.
- She emphasized the importance of personal cleanliness for good health.
To a great extent; extremely or enormously.
Examples:
- The new software has immensely improved our team's productivity.
- She was immensely grateful for all the support she received during the difficult time.
- The artist's work was immensely popular, drawing large crowds to the gallery.
A person or thing that provides or helps to create something.
Examples:
- He was a key contributor to the success of the research project.
- Regular exercise is a significant contributor to overall well-being.
- The new policy is expected to be a major contributor to economic growth.