[NY.SS-Bar9]

Are you $h!++!ng me?

Why on earth would they source parts in Japan and build an aircraft just to ferry the parts? Have we lost so much of our manufacturing base that we couldn't produce these components domestically?

[Paleo Conservative]

Why on earth would they source parts in Japan and build an aircraft just to ferry the parts? Have we lost so much of our manufacturing base that we couldn't produce these components domestically?

There's only room in the worldwide market for two manufacturers of wide bodied aircraft. If Boeing doesn't send work to Japan and other foreign countries, Airbus will. Then when it comes time to sell planes who would the Japanese buy from Boeing or Airbus? The era of planes being the product of one country ended decades ago. Boeing has been outsourcing major structural components to Japanese companies since the start of the 747 program over 40 years ago.

[Wil H]

follow the money...

[phantomworker]

Where've you been? The name of the game is large scale system integration.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

How many airbust planes does JAL fly? Answer = 0

[BallyBill]

Maybe Japan doesn't have unions.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Have we lost so much of our manufacturing base that we couldn't produce these components domestically?

Yes. The unions destroyed it.

[66coronet]

With a world economy some countries require a part of the product will be produced in their country in order to allow that countries businesses to be allowed to buy the product or to waver the high tax put on the product. That's why lots of car companies (thought as over seas companies) are made in the USA for the north American market.
http://www.heraldnet.com/boeing/CENTEROFTHEWORLD_smaller.jpg

[66coronet]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/275465_japan27.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20060627/Building-787-0627b.gif