The old are invariably critical of the young. Japan is no exception. The older generation finds much to bemoan in the attitudes and behaviors of their successors.
One of the many complaints lodged against the younger generation in Japan is that they lack the "hungry spirit." The have no courage. They lack perseverance. They are not competitive. They are spineless.
Such criticisms in Japan are by no means new. They have been around for a very long time. That said, however, the accusations that animal spirits seem to be lacking in Japanese younglings appears to be getting a new lease of life these days. No doubt this has something to do with our losing out to the Chinese in the economic size rankings.