Bill Davidson finally ended with the sale of the franchise in the summer of 2011 from his widow, Karen Davidson, to current owner Tom Gores, players might have grown accustomed to a calm status quo.

FORBES: Tom Gores

Unlike their counterparts in more regulated sectors such as retailing and construction, Japan's small manufacturers are accustomed to competition, and therefore unafraid of the deregulatory policies of the current government.

ECONOMIST: Small firms in Japan