To be honest, I didn't really like a lot of the article.
Let's start here with a quote:
the lack of a traditional ﾂ"living roomﾂ" in Japanese homes
What the heck does that mean? Traditional in what sense (and to what country)? Assuming a family situation (with kids), I don't know of too many places that lack a living room.
With typically cramped living quarters, it's not particularly common for families to have regular access to a large screen
1. Who says they don't have large screen TVs, even in 1DK apartments? They do.
2. Cramped quarters don't mean the screens don't exist. They do. Go to any electronics store and open your eyes. There's your "regular access". In fact, I'd say Japan probably leads the field in quality flat-screen TV technology.
and Japanese people have in the past been happy to get as much done as possible on their phones
Yup, including watching TV. How's the U.S. doing these days with that technology? To compare phones and TVs is apples and oranges. Japanese live on their phones with various reasons (email, photos, Internet, Line chats, etc.). They don't replace the TV, though. What can you do on the TV that can be done on the phone? How common are email and Internet features on TVs nowadays?
the reality is that most Japanese viewers detached themselves from live broadcasts long ago.
What is meant by a "live broadcast"?
The vast majority of homes have a DVR, DVD recorder, or TV with similar functionality built in
Sounds pretty technologically savvy to me (and contradictory to the earlier point of not having a TV).
the concept of actually paying for TV shows is a hard sell to many Japanese consumers.
Ever hear of SkyPerfect?
The Apple TV and Sony's PlayStation 3 offer a reasonable selection of local and international movies for rental or purchase, but neither has a subscription plan
Ever hear of SkyPerfect?
The real question, however, is whether or not Japanese consumers even want these services that we from the West can no longer imagine life without.
BINGO! Don't compare cultures and insult one just because it is not like yours.
1. Where are the electronic toilets in America? Don't you want your butts cleaned, provided with a warm surface, etc.?
2. Why is the U.S. behind the Japanese in cell / smartphone technology?
3. Where are the deep bathtubs and built-in shower facilities that let you splash anywhere you like?
4. Where are the washing machines that save space by serving as dryers, or that save energy by using cold water for all fabrics, or that save water by allowing you to pump from the tub after its use?
5. Where are the bilingual capabilities of American TV or DVD players?
6. How's Japan doing in the field of nanotechnology and robotics?
To say that digital technology is all that important is hooey. Look at some of the comments after that article. Americans sit on their butts far too much watching movies and sports on a couple of hundred channels. Result? Obesity.
Ah, different culture, you say! BINGO.