The thing to note here is that some areas, especially (pop-)cultural (Nintendo (as mentioned in the article), anime, food products, candy, gadgets, vending machines, etc.), Japan is absolutely bursting with creative energy.
The ailing big business sectors mentioned in the article must (perhaps inadvertently) be doing a lot to suppress that creative spirit.
I buy the broader point around Google, but I think they make too much of the iPod / iPhone - those are down to one man's passion for design, it could have come from someone in Japan, Steve Jobs just happens to be here.
The ailing big business sectors mentioned in the article must (perhaps inadvertently) be doing a lot to suppress that creative spirit.