In addition, the logistical challenges posed by the closing of several key harbors in Japan and the impact of those challenges on total landed costs may in fact drive some manufacturers to bring production back on-shore.

FORBES: Supply Chain Lessons From Japan

Under HSTP the aim is to achieve structural efficiencies in three areas production, direct materials costs, and indirect costs, where current total costs are JPY 9 trillion (USD 113 billion).

FORBES: Connect

Apart from fending off interlopers from the Internet, Japanese publishers see e-books as a way of slashing the costs of production and distribution, which currently account for more than 75% of the total.

ECONOMIST: Electronic books

Costs for producing oil from shale are even lower in relation to the total cost of such oil production.

FORBES: U.S. Energy Independence - So Close, Yet So Far