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Initially, Japan's quick recovery and growth were attributed to its concentrated rebuilding efforts following the war, turning it into Asia's first advanced economy. This economic miracle placed Japan in competition with larger economies like the United States, particularly in manufacturing and technology.
Japan's pop culture, especially within the semi-dystopian cyberpunk genre, often reflected the assumption that Japanese companies would perpetuate global dominance. Instead, the evolution of technology initiated a shift towards California-based tech companies, changing the global landscape in unexpected ways.