2. Japan
Manufacturing (Output) Rank: 2
Employment % by Industry Rank: 20
Weighted Average Rank: 3.6
Japan’s industrialization is popular for its incredible transformation from a feudal society to a global industrial powerhouse. Today, Japan’s economy thrives on major export industries such as automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, and semiconductors. The Chukyo industrial region, around Nagoya, is particularly known for its automobile production.