The future of Japan
In modern Japan, typical Japanese things like sumo, sushi, noh plays and kimonos are loosing their popularity among Japanese people. The older generation is working hard to try and preserve the identity of their country, but the younger generations are much more interested in the American culture.
Sumo has more and more come to be seen as the sport od the older generation. Amongst the young fans of baseball and soccer there are extremely few that are interested in the older sports, with their deep connection to the religious ceremonies of Japan. Religious ceremonies are dying out in the modern society of Japan where money and technology have become Gods.
With the invasion of American pop-culture and popular movies, Japan is also invaded by the cuisine of America and other countries. MacDonalds is at war with sushi, and when the youth of today become parents 50 years from now, sushi and other kinds of traditional Japanese food might remain only as quaint delicacies of the past.
Also, old theatrical plays such as Noh have already become remnants of the past. Within the next 20-30 years they will undoubtly disappear completely, and be replaced by Japanese movies and the gigantic movie industry of America.
Even the kimono is being worn less and less not only in Kyouto but also at the the coming-of-age ceremony, where it has attempted to maintain its ancient right as the national custume of Japan. Among the Japanese girls used to high heels, dark skin and short clothes, there are not many that want to wear such unfashionable clothes.
Indeed, it seems that the things that other countries think of as Japanese will be diluted even more in a future Japan. Like with all cultures, Japan will in the next 20-30 years continue to trade not only goods but also culture with other countries. Unlike the dominant position in the economic world that Japan has been able to maintain, I am certain that the bright lights of the western world will continue to turn the Japanese kids into pale imitations of their American idols.