The turnaround on this is that it's also the smart people who could be a benefit to society that are jumping into this anticompetitive lifestyle.
It's happening here, too, although differently. I don't see it being as big or as drastic a social change for us in the near future as it seems to be for Japan.
Granted I'm not an expert on sociology and I haven't got any clue what this could end up as but...well actually I don't know, really. From what I can understand this is only partial to blame for the panic. If they're really that worried about it then the Japanese government should begin a nationwide counterindoctrination program.
Offer incentives to married couples and families. Shift the economic focus somewhat. Give penalties for people who spend too much time at the office.
Anything to reverse the trend. And having longer-lasting sports matches being broadcast wouldn't hurt either. Football (both types), baseball, hell, I'd even suggest LaCrosse or hockey to them, as long as the role models that were generated from such endeavors inspired people to, you know, not be such pussies.
But then again from all accounts an average day in Tokyo makes a week in San Francisco look like a year in a Norman Rockwell painting...so I dunno.