I know there are factories in Japan that make vulcanized shoes, surprised if US regs won't allow Japanese regs are OK with the process.
Also, I don't totally buy the labor cost calculation. Vans were made in the US until what, the mid or late 90s? And they were $50 or so. $50 in 1995 is $80 now. Not $270 fuckin dollars. Even if labor costs outstripped inflation significantly, that doesn't get you to $270. I understand there's economies of scale and Vans doesn't own factories here anymore but come on.
If they're going to be $270 don't fucking bother.