Now the government of Shinzo Abe is in the midst of spending some ¥90 billion ($883m) to propel Japan’s creative industries abroad. Tomomi Inada, a minister whose job it is to press ahead with “Cool Japan”, is working hard. On a trip to Paris she dressed up in a distinctive interpretation of classic design crossed with street culture: as a GothLoli, or “Gothic Lolita”, in the fashion of the iconic teens of Harajuku. It must be counted as a good sign that the government is becoming more open to what foreigners think is cool about Japan, not just what locals reckon best represents the country. One such example cited by Ms Inada cites is the Japanese penchant for device-laden toilets, which have long been taken for granted at home.