Japan in 2013 was besieged by problems in politics, business and society even while several key events helped to rekindle a sense of confidence in Japan. The hollow rhetoric of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's insistence on turning Japan into "a beautiful nation" and the danger of his call to bring an end to Japan's postwar regime contrasted with the genuine pride and renewed enthusiasm in things Japanese inspired by the renewed focus on the real heart of Japanese culture.
Japan got a questionable uplift from its successful bid for the 2020 Olympics, but a much more substantive and earthy boost in morale when Japanese cuisine (washoku) was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list this fall.
The addition brought Japanese assets listed on UNESCO's list to a total of 22 following Mount Fuji's recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site last summer. Traditional Japanese restaurants just might be well booked through 2014!