Japan is less of a money printer and more attitude thing. They just absolutely refuse to innovate in any way, be it using old tech, turning corporations into dynasties, or firing anyone trying to do a new thing They will forever do retarded things because either someone upper up said so, or because "that's the way we always did things". Post ww2 they lucked out in having enough holes to have people with talent actually manage to get to high positions, as well as the insane corporate bureaucratic work cycle suited them well. But those times are over, good companies are now helmed by idiots, and you could automate office drone work.