It is certain that the advanced nation status in Asia has shifted from Japan to Korea.

‌Japan looks clean, but it isn't flashy
(though Tokyo might be different)
But compared to how Tokyo felt incredibly futuristic and advanced since the 1990s,
it doesn't feel much different from Seoul now.
If you visit areas like Cheonggyecheon or Gwanghwamun in Seoul, they are at least as flashy as Tokyo, if not more.
Korea isn't as clean, but it is extremely flashy.
And that flashiness feels like it clearly overwhelms Japan.
It's the same feeling I used to get from Hong Kong.
Even in GDP per capita, $43,512 > $35,399,
with Korea leading by nearly $10,000.
Japan succeeded in modernization in the 19th century and reigned as an advanced nation throughout the 20th century,
but now, when compared to Korea, it feels like they are falling behind in everything except total GDP.