SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil -- In the sprawling assembly plant of Brazilian jet maker Embraer, a little Japanese sign is pinned on a whiteboard. "Kaizen," it says, a Japanese word for continuous improvement.

Embraer conducts final assembly of its passenger jets in a large hangar in Sao Jose dos Campos. As many as six jets can be accommodated in one hangar. (Photo courtesy of Embraer)
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