@firosahoge
Just look at how they treat things that break.

I've seen examples of how they take tea cups and suchlike that has broken, and put it back together using fine metals to fill the cracks, turning something that we'd lament about before throwing away, into exquisite art... that can be used for the purpose it had prior to getting broken.
Making it into something even more unique, full of character, than it had been prior to the accident.

It really is a different way of viewing the world.

Yes, there are many ways they are "Westernizing", but they haven't abandoned their unique cultural values.
Adding to, not replacing or supplanting.

Somehow, we succeeded in not destroying them during the post-war occupation.

@Weasalopes agreed. There are a lot of sources online as well that talk about how important presentation is for japanese cuisine such as: https://metropolisjapan.com/art-japanese-plating/

My brother who speaks japanese and visited them recently said food presentation is extremely important to them. He said it emphasizes the importance of food and cleanliness.

And...
Just prior to reading this chapter, I looked at the tags, and went, "Harem? Where'd they get that from?"

And here it is... right on schedule, as it were.

@firosahoge
I don't know if this is actually true, but I do get the impression from the Manga, Light Novels, etc., that they are a tad more focused on presentation of food in everyday instances than we are here in the US.
Not to say we don't have nice presentations at high class restaurants, but... McDonalds? Compared to your typical bento?

There's a difference between treating food as fuel and food as something to help make the day nice.
A society that finds acceptable what we churn out as fast food just doesn't compare.

wow, those sandwiches look so cute. Japanese food looks so artistic