Final answer:
The Japanese auto industry's supply chain system, known as just in time delivery, offered cost reductions and improved quality control but was prone to production halts and pressure on labor wages and benefits. Japan's post-war rise to an economic superpower was due to its efficient industrial organization, yet labor rights and sustainability remain areas for improvement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese auto industry's supply chain leveraged a system known as just in time delivery. One advantage of this system was the reduction in costs associated with warehousing, as parts were delivered daily directly to assembly plants.
Another advantage was an enhancement in quality control, because issues with car parts became evident almost immediately, preventing a large accumulation of defective parts. However, this system also had disadvantages, one being the vulnerability of the supply chain to disruptions.
If a sub-assembly plant faced issues such as a strike, it could halt the entire production line due to the lack of inventory. Another drawback was the pressure this system placed on wages and benefits, since the competition among suppliers often led to a search for low-cost, non-union labor, undermining union workers' gains.
After World War II, Japan rose from devastation to become an economic superpower. This success was due in part to the country's ability to organize its industrial sector efficiently, with a focus on manufacturing. Nevertheless, challenges such as labor rights and the need for sustainable practices were identified as areas that require continuous improvement and policy integration to maintain efficient supply chains during national emergencies.