东京一家化工公司的分析人员估计,在20世纪90年代日本PVC(聚氯乙烯)行业亏损达10亿美元,而其生产能力却增加了51%。西方人认为,这类估计是日本化工业中的典型代表,让人难以置信。但日本人却认为,增加市场份额的愿望过去常常推动着化工业发展战略的实施。这种愿望已通过其联营公司拥有的银行“软”贷款和与化工集团的密切关系而得以实现。“软”贷款一般包括低利率贷款。日本的利率在8月份以前一直为零,现在也只有0.25%。在日本,“软”的意思仅仅是指易于接受的支付条款而且不会对首次发放某项贷款进行严格的分析。然而,日本目前正在经历一场平稳而坚决的变革。人们一致认为日本最高层的 Analysts at a chemical company in Tokyo estimate the Japanese PVC (polyvinyl chloride) industry lost 1 billion U.S. dollars in the 1990s, while its production capacity has increased by 51%. Westerners believe that such estimates are typical of the Japanese chemical industry, unbelievable. However, the Japanese believe that the desire to increase market share has in the past often led to the implementation of the strategy for the development of the chemical industry. This desire has been achieved through its bank-owned “soft” loans owned by its affiliates and its close relationship with the chemical group. “Soft ” loans generally include low-interest loans. Japan’s interest rate has been zero until August, and it is now only 0.25%. In Japan, “soft” means simply acceptable terms of payment and does not conduct a rigorous analysis of the initial disbursement of a loan. However, Japan is currently undergoing a steady and resolute change. People agree that Japan’s top