Helim's,
Beyond not knowing to whom you refer within "management" that cared then but not now....and thus being able to confirm that statement....the rest of what you say is absolutely true.
Our Japanese friends view business in "long term" vice the American way of the next quarterly report mindset. As our automobile factories close and go overseas (think Mexico) the folks at Toyota are building plants in the USA.
As Toyota (and other foreign car makers) take over the American automobile industry our folks in Detroit wring their hands and face bankruptcy knowing the good ol' US Guvmint will bail their sorry asses out if need be.
Maggie Thatcher knew the evils of government run/subsidized business....I just wish her wisdom could have rubbed off on us.