> Software in East Asia would export better if it grew in a more meritocratic environment. That sounds about as antiquated as "Asians can't innovate, they just

> Software in East Asia would export better if it grew in a more meritocratic environment. That sounds about as antiquated as "Asians can't innovate, they just copy". I actually heard that line out of an American kid who had just arrived in Asia. He was, needless to say, a complete idiot. The penetration rate of Line in Thailand is very high. My friends and I were early adopters and saw it grow organically, mostly because of the stickers included in the app (they're funny). Having used Line daily for one -- probably closer to two -- years I can say it's a well made app. You don't need a conspiracy theory or to insult Japanese culture to account for its success.