Japan further recycled its trade surplus through direct and indirect investments to US and Europe (Japanese companies took over and revitalized ailing US and European manufacturing companies, transferring technology and management know-how to these companies).
Bridgestone said its profits were also lifted by "improving manufacturing productivity, enhancing technology and effectively utilising our management resources".
As the economy evolved, value creation was driven more by prowess in manufacturing, then it shifted to distribution, then inventory management, and finally technology development.