Land of the Rising Sole.

Those boots on display in a trendy Tokyo store are the notorious atsuzoko super-platform shoes. Such "death boots"--they've been implicated in numerous injuries--are worn by Japan's ganfuro garuzu, or girl fashion gangs, and by women who want to emulate the gangs' dark-tanned, spiky-haired, mini-skirted look. But those climbing onto up-to-nine-inch soles can be found well beyond Japan's shores: Atsuzokos are also popular in Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Manila--all over Asia.

Some nations whine endlessly about American cultural power, their citizens spinning out theories of "hegemony," calling for protectionism, and trashing the local McDonald's. But other nations are still vital, and are competing. Japan's export industry, for one, has moved beyond gadgetry. Its hugely popular TV shows, animation, character toys (Hello Kitty), childhood rages (Pokemon), and fashion have helped position Japan as a pop center of gravity.

Nor is Japan alone. This summer, India's films pulled more ticket buyers in London than did their Hollywood competition, spurred by the success of the British-made immigrant comedy, East is East. Why? One London critic suggested that Indian filmmakers have gotten ever better at story and character, while Hollywood has bet on mere effects. No doubt. But it is also a sign of a changing Britain, trading its tea time for samosas and Starbucks, and of a world of ever-changing and unpredictable cultural synthesis.