&gt;&gt;&quot;If Japan’s bailouts remind you of the U.S.&#x27;s rescue of its auto companies, you’re not alone. There is a strong argument that the auto bailouts only delayed the day when General Motors and Chrysler lose out to nimbler competitors like Tesla Motors.&quot;
&gt;
&gt;Right, but the USA bailout of the auto companies seems to have been a good bet.<p>There&#x27;s also the fact that Toyota was initially perpetually bailed out by the Japanese <i>and</i> had their exports subsidized by suppressing the value of their currency. The Asian tigers and their auto companies didn&#x27;t just appear out of nowhere.<p>In a way, the auto bailouts can be seen as just levelling the playing field somewhat.<p>Free market religion never did build a wealthy industrial economy. Judicious application of subsidies did though.