Japan can't change. Change in Japan is glacial. Japanese are stuck in their ways. In Japan, disappointment is what you can expect if you expect change.
You want to see things happen differently? Forget it. The way it is, is the way it's going to be. It can't be helped. Shikata ga nai -- that's the best you can hope for if you hope for change.
These are not only the sentiments of foreigners. Apparently, there are many Japanese who feel their country cannot change.