I was at a race in Wakayama, Japan today and before the race I was checking out the different stalls selling things, and I stopped at the Asics booth. I was looking at the newest 2130(?) and the guy working there said he designed it. I told him I wore the DS trainer and he said he designed that too. I thought great, this is my chance to get some good info. I told him that Japanese training/racing flats are very popular in the US, but of course we can't buy them in the US. I told him, they would do really well if they sold the Japanese style in the US. He said no, that in the US and Australia they like support and they wouldn't buy the light weight shoes. But Japanese love the light weight shoes so that is why they make them here.
I guess that is their image of the west that we are mostly big people and that we wouldn't buy the lighter shoes.
My other pet peeve that probably only I care about, is that the biggest size they make is 28, which is about size 10. I asked him about this, hoping they made actually made them and I was unaware of it. He said the only thing they make over size 28 is basketball and volleyball shoes. I find it difficult to believe that there are not runners in Japan who wear shoes larger than 28.
Anyway from that short conversation I am guessing they have no plans in the near future to sell Japanese style shoes in the US.