You have lived there and seen this?   Because the impression one gets from reading is that, although  Japan is very civilized , it suffers from a stagnating and deflationary economy, lack of work/life balance, crammed dwelling spaces.... Hardly a place " where people are not just trying to survive a rat race but live the moment"!  Its famous for its exaggerated work ethic and reliance on career for status and  a sense of self worth.  

Your personal experience suggests otherwise?  If you have lived there and observed this, I may have to reconsider my perspective.