In the 1970s, there was a fear that Japan was going to take over world manufacturing. "Made in Japan," however has been supplanted by "Made in China." But there are some things the Japanese do best and that is refine previously existing technology to satisfy consumers. Here are two examples.

According to a story in the New York Times the Japanese have perfected the creation of the portable pooch (color on demand and size to match) to satisfy any consumer's wish. Unfortunately, the result has been a mass of inbred and malformed dogs who are, of course, only defective items and are sent away to be disposed of. Or they die horrible deaths only a few years into their lives because of hidden genetic defects.

Meanwhile, not content with overfishing the highly prized bluefish tuna (great for sushi) to the verge of extinction, the Japanese are now trying to breed these massive, wide-roaming fish in "farms," according to a story on the BBC. The expense is enormous and the waste is colossal, but once again, the consumers are gods and must be satisfied.