This is usually because the design of the streets is still terrible, even if there are sidewalks. There are plenty of streets with sidewalks in the US that are

This is usually because the design of the streets is still terrible, even if there are sidewalks. There are plenty of streets with sidewalks in the US that are less walkable than sidewalk-less alleys or narrow streets in Japan. Having sidewalks is certainly better than no sidewalks, but there are other variables.