Whose lost decade?

Over the years, people have been striking Japan's economy with almost a pessimistic tone, failing to realize the actual growth that actually has been occurring. Since Japan's population has been declining, people above 45 are getting wealthier. Furthermore, many thought of Japan as the indebted nation when in fact they are one the biggest creditors around. The individual growth of Japan has definitely startled those who doubted it and is on a good track for continuing progress ,despise the problems it was having with deflation and such.