Uhh, did it? Japan had its heyday back when Super Mario and Pokemon ruled the world, but it's in decline now. Top search keyword in Japan itself in 2014: "Frozen" (yup, the Disney flick). #2: "Yokai Watch" (heard of it? didn't think so).

I'd say Korea has a much better claim to that title these days, although aside from Gangnam Style, the hallyu hasn't made that much of a dent on the United States.

http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21611039-how-re...