Once upon a time in Japan, youth culture was in the vanguard. Young people started new trends in eating, fashion, slang and leisure that shifted viewpoints and attitudes all through the culture.
Nowadays, though, with the graying population, the elderly may have a newfound power. Within a decade, there may not be a large enough percentage of young people in Japan to start any new trends.
The elderly already wield influence that extends into the daily life of Japan. This goes beyond garnering the traditional Asian respect for the aged. Many of their attitudes and interests have already sunk into customs and mind-sets. These cultural changes will only accelerate as the population ages. The supremacy of youth culture may be at an end. This shift from young to old is worldwide; Japan has, out of necessity, taken the lead.