[RealJames]

It's true that it's hard to parallel Japan to North American culture, since we hardly have a history or culture to keep, if anything commerce is our culture lol.

Coming to Japan one of the things I felt was amazing was that I often saw women in Kimono or old temples and shrines scattered throughout a metropolis.
I really felt that old and new came together, Korea is quite similar in that regard actually, at least it was when I lived there.

These days, though, I feel a bit differently about it.
Perhaps instead of commercialization I should have said materialism.

The vast majority of people I meet shamelessly admit to their hobbies being shopping and talking with friends in cafes, and perhaps one or two other less popular activities.
I had a student last month who, not so coincidentally, does calligraphy in her free time. When she told me that, my reaction wasn't "yeah that's normal" it was more of a surprised reaction of "oh really? That's great! So few people are into these things now a days!" and she may or may not have agreed with me honestly, but she agreed none the less.

The concept of "at what cost" is common among businessmen here, who think life was better before. Granted they may not mean that when they realize it means no highspeed internet and smartphones to watch porn on in the train, but the notion still floats around that Japan's success was at a cost of it's culture.

One example, elderly people are increasingly living apart from their families, when up until even very recently it was commonplace to share a house with 3 generations.