[nonagono]

My hypothesis is that Japanese people just appreciate high-quality products more. In the sense that even poor people, which of course exist in Japan, are willing to save up money and occasionally splurge on upscale items, vs poor people in USA who prefer to "average out" their spending and just buy the best that they can afford daily.

Some evidence:

1) Japan has a higher percentage of iPhone users (65.88%) compared to USA (56.74%), while being poorer than USA on most metrics (GDP, median income, PPP-adjusted income etc.)

2) I don't have quantitative data, but just from experience Japan has so many more high-fashion stores, expensive pastry bakeries, expensive candy makers etc, when compared to USA. And if the stores are there, the customers must exist too.

[SenHeng]

And before people chime in about blue vs green, SMS is barely used here. Everyone uses LINE. Everyone.

https://line.me/ja/