Interesting.

For understandable reasons, Japanese often benchmark their country against the U.S. But in many cases, the differences between the two societies are such that importing U.S. models would be like a gardener in subtropical Okinawa looking for inspiration in the flora of Alaska. As Japanese policymakers worry about another round of "Japan passing" and consider ways to more effectively engage the world, they would do well to look to their Korean neighbor for inspiration.

Why can't Japan be more like South Korea? [Japan Times]