Is it true that cute is the new black?

In a land where cuteness is now the norm, they are wondering if they are setting the bar for levels of cuteness. For more on this, read Infantile Japan seen redlining cute gauge, and article from the Japan Times Online. I found it interesting.

When I finished reading it, I began to wonder whether this change of face for the Japanese was positive or negative. After all, this is a nation known for it's subtle beauty and it's tradition. Is this going to change the view of this nation by the rest of the world?

I mean, aren't we just catching on to the whole kawaii thing because it's quirky? Aren't we actually just creating caricatures of this nation? This whole cute thing may be putting it out in the forefront but isn't it because we don't really have to take them so seriously?

Someone once told me that actual talented artists and musicians from Japan would never be taken seriously by the west. The ones that did become well-known here were more infamous than actually respected by other musicians. Take for example bands like Shonen Knife or Puffy. Didn't they just make it here because of the kitsch factor?

Now, take someone like Toshinobu Kubota who I think has a great talent. Have you ever heard of him? He tried his hand in North America and I've never heard any mention of him.

What about Akiko Yano who I believe to be one of the greatest talents to come out of Japan. She recorded with Pat Methany even. Can you remember even hearing one of her songs on the radio. With the exception of her husband, Ryuichi Sakamoto can you think of anyone else from Japan who has been able to make a success of themselves.

My point is that, as long as this kawaii culture exists, valid talent and trends from Japan will not be successful here in the west. Do they not want people to take them more seriously? If they do, they need to move into another direction.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the occasional cute thing around but I think of some of the Japanese women I know that don't fit that mould are made to feel like outcasts They are either too shapely (translated there as "fat") or too independent and adult and thus get left behind by society because they don't fit in. And that, in my opinion is just plain wrong...

LATE ADDITION: Could this be a direct result of the hyper-popularity of cuteness? After all, if one wants to be more like a child, then certainly interest in sex must not exist...