The big thing I remember was robots: by 2000, we'd have automated passenger flights, replicant maids bringing you tea and toast, and realistic sexbots, and Japan would be spearheading it all.
Anyone who grew up in the UK in the '80s would have caught clips of 'Endurance' on that Chris Tarrant' world TV show. I remember one where the contestants had to quickly down pints of water and then, when they were busting for a piss, had to get on donkeys and ride them up and down a field.
My parents really disliked the Japanese and thought they were disgusting sadists. I guess the WW2 propaganda was strong. There were quite a few Japanese families living in Burnt Oak and Edgware, and loads in Swiss Cottage.
Those blokes who are addicted to anime, and fantasise about squeaky-voiced catgirls who act like they're 11, are pretty sad. But my least favourite are the ones who go out to some island to teach English for a year, then come back full of samurai quotes and with the kanji for FREE (as in 'complimentary giveaway') tattooed on their foot, and can't shut up about 'Rashomon'.