I don't really think the differnce between an economy that grows by 2% a year and economy that is consitently getting poorer, is analogous to a difference in taste.
Well you can listen to all the western economists decrying Japan based on economic values or you could take a trip and see the factors that GDP does not reflect.
Wealth inequality is not reflected in GDP
Quality is not reflected in GDP
Consumer protection is negative influence on GDP as is, in the short and mid term that is measured, almost any other intervention like Environmental protection.
