Japan is known to be a technology leader. But sales of ultramodern smartphones have taken a dive, as the classic flip-phone makes a comeback. Sales of 'garakei' – a simple mobile phone which was popular before the iPhone – are on the up for the first time in seven years.

Japan may be considered a technologically advanced country, but young people's proficiency on mobile is beginning to create a problem. Students seeking employment are more computer illiterate than their predecessors, complicating job searches and costing companies time and resources.

Smartphones are no longer just a means of communicating. They wake us up, get us from A to B and even help us find love. We’ve almost forgotten their original purpose. Text trumps voicecalls and apps trump SMS – it’s a good time to ask – what’s the future of the mobile phone?

Is Japan really light-years ahead with technology? Is sex really a taboo? Is sipping on sake still the drink of choice? In our 2015 cultural snapshot of Japan, we debunk cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across 12 sectors.