The japanese clutter photos though are all of older businesses. Older smaller businesses accumulate clutter in the US or western Europe just the same. Just like

The japanese clutter photos though are all of older businesses. Older smaller businesses accumulate clutter in the US or western Europe just the same. Just like your home, a small business accumulates stuff - at least tools, cute objects, postcards sent by customers and friends, orphaned stock that has been for sale for 20 years and would be more likely to sell on ebay but the manager is busy, etc. The main reason is probably that they are not a priority to the manager who has been slowing down and feels busy enough with more important tasks. They are not "an aesthetic" - not deliberate. Just usually a product of circumstance. Occasionally they are an aesthetic but then again in the US also - see for example The Pawn Shop restaurant in San Francisco (where you bring a token object to be admitted).