[Sangetsu]

HTC makes smartphones, the AT&T "Tilt" is one. Many of Softbank's smartphones are also HTC models.

Unfortunately, Japan is following America's lead in outsourcing. The first thing usually outsourced by a company is basic manufacturing, then comprehensive manufacturing, followed eventually by R&D itself. Even HR and other tasks are now being outsourced. The only thing which comes from the original county is the name printed on the box (printed with Chinese ink on Chinese cardboard).

If you look at your Sony TV or Playstation 3, you'll probably find a label somewhere on it which says it was made in Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, or even China. My new $7000 Nikon D3X is also made in Thailand, new Ipods and Ipads are made in China, etc. It's almost impossible to find American or Japanese brand products anymore which are actually made in America or Japan.

I do look at labels when I shop, and I buy locally made products whenever I can. I wanted a new computer and I looked at getting a new 27" Apple I mac, but the I mac is made in Taiwan. I ended up getting another HP because HP products sold in Japan are manufactured in Tokyo.

A friend of mine works for Hitachi as a video screen designer. Hitachi operates a factory in Taiwan, and my friend spends most of his time working in the Taipei factory. He says the Japanese factory no longer has the ability to manufacture even test units, so all the work is done in Taiwan. Of course the Taiwanese workers get paid about 1/4th what a Japanese worker would be paid for the same job.