Public diplomacy, otherwise known as nation branding, has never been more important in post-3/11 Japan.

Japan is playing a game of catch up with its recent announcement of the Japan Brand Fund "to fund and support business activities to cultivate overseas demand for Japan's attractive products and services that make full use of the unique characteristics of Japan's culture and lifestyle."

Most every nation now has a public diplomacy entity to promote its unique qualities so even Cool Japan and J-Pop have a lot of global competition.