Foreign nationals starting small but innovative businesses in Japan's countryside. Economies outside Tokyo growing again and "shuttered streets" reinvigorated.
Japanese voters are unlikely to hear the candidates for the July 10 House of Councilors election selling a future where all of those visions are reality. But experts believe such a future merits serious attention, as Japan faces the difficult question of how to be innovative and competitive to remain a vibrant society at a time when its population is graying rapidly.
While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tries to win praise for the scant progress made under his Abenomics growth program, he faces an uphill battle when it comes to supporting small and midsize companies across the country.