What an ignorant statement. Brash, ****y? What in the world validates that comment. If you really knew anything about, or knew any Japanese, you would have a hell of a time making such a generalized negative statement. Indeed, there was a lot of pride in their economic accomplishments - you brand as brash and ****y - while American industry turned out inferior products.
So Yamaha want to go public on the NYSE and you call it a bailout. No one is forcing you to buy their stock, but I'm sure plenty of other people will. Harley got the bailout, just like Chrysler got one during the 1980s. In fact, Harley turned down an offer by Honda for financial assistance at that time. The Japanese were worried about the only remaining American motorcycle manufacturer going under due to competition.
Besides, Yamaha and Honda are not in a lot of trouble - Suzuki and Kawasaki are another matter.
As to their business model, we studied it with several influencial American businessmen, and especially professors of management, advocating the adoption of some of their practices - they didn't try to force it on us, but did use similar practices in companies owned by them that operate in the US.
The basic fact remains that Japan forced US companies to improve their products or go under. No one wanted to buy the crap they were putting out. The improvements in all motorcycles today is due to the quality control and continual improvement of products advocated by the Japanese.