This issue and these differences are rather openly discussed among both Western (US,UK, Australian, European) businesspeople as well as Japanese businesspeople I know who are frequent biz air travelers.
It is an open secret, everyone knows it.
What I find comical is this (maybe tragic in a way).
Since I comprehend Asian languages rather fluently, but you might not suspect it looking at me, I have stood around or sat and listened somewhat surreptitiously to absolutely SHOCKED Asian air passengers comment in their native languages (mostly the Japanese are the most strict) amongst themselves, particularly first timers trying a US carrier, about the U.S. Flight Attendents.
I have not infrequently heard things in the open, albeit a bit hushed, like: "wow!", "My God!", "look at her, how fat!", "she's rude!", "can you believe this!?", even "yep, for sure, Asian attendents are the best".
I think the US flight attendents in Asia know this, but it is like they dont even care. I wish they did care, I would give them more of my business as I always want to "buy American". But I am also a consumer and will vote with my feet, and in this case, Asian service, manners, appearance, attitude, way of talking, way of asking, way of setting table and placing food, EVERYTHING, they win hands down. You dont even have to ask for stuff. They read body language without any words spoken and will run to get you a chopstick after you dropped one, or get an other pillow for you. Often on US carriers you have to SHOUT that you want something--often they will just plain forget even after saying they will come back to you. Generalizations, I realize, but that is my long experience.
I know what you mean.
I used to work the EWR-NRT trips, with two day layovers there. Always quite enjoyable.
My first trip to China was last month, and we experienced the same type of service....accomodating merchants, salespeople, hotel employees, waiters, waitresses, etc.
They went out of their way to please us.
For instance.. we asked a store employee about a product we wanted...which cost about two dollars, and when it was determined they didn’t carry it, she walked us across the street to another merchant who might have had it!
Sometimes I can’t even find a salesperson here in some stores because they’re too busy chatting with one another or taking inventory!
I haven’t forgotten the brutality of the Japs from now that long ago. They were quite rude in their behavior.