NY Times: The True Story of Japan's Economy

I love it when I read articles that state the same things I've been suspecting myself.  For a long time, I've been wondering why the US media always talks about Japan's economy in a negative light.  Despite all the negative portrayals of Japan's economy, when you set foot in Japan as an American what the media says just doesn't add up to what is actually there right in front of your eyes.

If you compare the average Japanese citizen to the average American citizen, Americans are paupers in more ways than one. The average Japanese has a better lifestyle, luxuries, eats out more, dresses better, has better public services and facilities, more advanced buildings, technologies, etc...   Why is this never talked about or considered when discussing how well Japan is doing as a country?   I agree with most of what the article posted below says, although I disagree with why the population birth rate is so low.

I think that has to do more with cost and being physically unable to raise a family of more than 2 kids in terms of living space and transportation.  I've seen moms ride bikes with their kids to get around.  The most you can fit on a bike is two which leaves little room for groceries.  Where would you stick the third or fourth kid?  On your back? Your head?  It may seem silly that I would use a bike as a reason for the low birth rate, but when you look at how majority of the people in Japan get around, very few people have personal cars and even if they do have cars they don't use them as regularly as someone in America.  Why?  It's cost prohibitive and where would you park the thing even if you could afford it?  Few people have houses, much less have a house that can accommodate more than one car.  Most families live in flats the size of shoeboxes.  Those lucky enough to get a house have to take out multi generational loans which is unheard of in America.

Anyways, enough of this. Here's the article. Enjoy!

  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/opinion/sunday/the-true-story-of-japans-economic-success.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all