American Icons on the Ginza

The giant Apple Store is one of the few American icons on the Ginza these days but it dominates the north end of the commercial area and Abercrombie & Fitch dominate the south end. Some years ago when I was walking around with my Sony Walkman I didn't think there would ever be another big American consumer electronics brand again. But iPads, iPhones, and Macs have Sony and Toshiba on the run even in their home country. Microsoft's XBox is holding its own and once again, American gaming software from EA and others have roared back and now dominate. It doesn't mean we can be complacent but it does show that America can come back, can innovate, and doesn't give up.

Some countries are making the mistake of thinking America is a superpower on the way down. A lot of Americans think this. But they are wrong.