The Unactualized Nation: Deconstructing the Paradox of Japan's Global Brand, Part 2

How rigid wa norms and the honne–tatemae split sustain a polished global brand that masks individual agency, fuels escapism, and deepens psychological strain.

The Cultural Substrate: Why the Facade Persists

The polarized and hollowed-out nature of Japan's global brand is not a mere marketing misstep. It is a direct manifestation of deep-seated cultural structures that have historically prioritized social order over individual expression. The persistence of this facade—the fantastical child versus the exhausted…