People no longer need to feel ashamed about openly declaring they like flashy things. So, 'dekoden,' which used to be youth-driven, is starting to be accepted by a wider range of ages.

Because Japanese never grow up.

Glad my wife lived overseas in Europe for 12 years before coming back to Japan. She grew up and out of the childishness that is so pervasive in this country.

This report points right at the heart of the Japanese malaise. Like a pre-industrial nation it is still in love with cheap, shiny and trashy. "Manga - Art" at its best.