Despite the country’s showy internet speeds and some of the cheapest broadband around many Japanese are happier doing things the old way.
Figures for internet users in Japan remain around 70% compared to neighbouring South Korea’s 82%.
And even among those online there is a divide between those who are dependent on the internet and those who could live without it.
One government poll shows that although 44% of Japanese use the internet at least once or twice a month, the rest responded that they use it “hardly at all” or “not at all”.
Considering Japan’s top heavy society of over 50s, many of whom have not got to grips with the internet, and who make up 30% of the population and that figure begins to make sense.
Many of Japan’s older men – who are those most likely to run a business – have a marked preference to stay offline even in the office, says Tokyo-based entrepreneur Terrie Lloyd.
“There is a clear cut-off for Japanese bosses who know how to use PCs and mobile web-capable devices and those who don’t,” he said.
“The easiest way to tell is whether they have an e-mail address on the all-important name card. If they’re over 50 and don’t have an e-mail address, it’s a dead giveaway that you either use the phone or forget about contacting them.”
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