True, Japan has enormous clout in soft power with its anime, AV, hentai etc. It's electronics industry is getting pounded by Korean and other rivals, where it fails to deliver a sexy product, so it is past its prime. But let's be realistic China can shake up the world more than Japan can ever dream of. You can see this in Chinese products around the world. People wanting to learn Chinese etc. And Japan's navy is not overwhelmingly superior to China's. Also, you have to look at overall military power, and Japan does not compare. So I disagree with your assessment that Japan is stronger and has more influence.