I find it rather strange that most Japanese web sites look like something right out of the American internet of 2001.

No CSS, no XHTML, drab designs, etc.

They also have a fondness for proprietary file formats, especially MS stuff.

They don't seem interested in adopting a lot of Western technologies, like BitTorrent, and more advanced/efficient software and file formats.

I think the Japanese internet developed between 1995 and 2000, and hasn't budged since. I don't think they want to change.