Japanese companies usually suck at software. The emphasis has always been on the hardware -- one of the most obvious examples is the cellphones, which have always had extremely good hardware but very poor software and almost no applications to speak of. My 3-year-old phone has an 8MP camera, infrared transmission, TV, and I can use it as a train ticket, but the browser is so bad I can't even use Reddit's mobile version and it can't render HN comment pages with more than 100 or so comments.
Youtube and Facebook are not Japanese companies, after all. The local equivalents, Mixi and Niconico, are Japanese-only and have zero interest in internalization. Some companies like Rakuten are trying to reach overseas, but it's not an easy fight...
Imagine an old-fashioned craftsman who takes immense pride in working with his hands on something like blades, clockwork or fine jewelry. That sort of mentality is built into their culture.
In short, I'd not write them off because of perceived cultural mores. It's more than likely that your view is either wrong, or misjudged.
You are right though that as things grow dire, folks will be more willing to take risks.