Here's some examples of what is possible with some motivation.
Here is Shiozawa town area of Mimaniuonuma city, between Yuzawa and Muikamachi. This was only recently upgraded to look like this. All buildings along the main street have been given a similar facade. Nice paved sidewalks. Restrictions on signs on buildings or onto the sidewalk. Power lines have gone underground. Pretty simple stuff that makes a huge difference in the appeal of the town.
Niseko town in Hokkaido. Again conformity of the building facades along the main street. Wide, paved sidewalks with alfresco seating and restrictions on advertising on buildings or the sidewalks. And powerlines underground. Once you get off the main street the powerlines are still above ground but even it's just the main street it makes an incredible difference.
Sounkyo in Hokkaido. Central part of the village has broad paved walkways and decked areas and cars are restricted from entering. Conformity of building design and signage. Powerlines are underground. One of the most beautiful little villages I've stayed at.
Anyway my point is that most towns in Japan could really benefit from similar makeovers. All of these areas have been created to look this way reasonably recently. It is possible to have powerlines underground in Japan. It is possible for towns to impose some planning and building restrictions to bring back character and aesthetic beauty to towns. Obviously not all towns will have the funding but the main thing lacking currently I believe is motivation not funding. We all know how much money is wasted in Japan each year on public works on things like bridges, tunnels and roads to nowhere through pork barrelling and corruption. Put some of this back into town improvements and it could make a huge difference.