You are aware that most Japanese find this kind of stuff creepy right? By far when given the choice Japanese will go for the human operator/human equivalent if available.

We should not mistake Otaku trends for the general Japanese population.

The claim he was proving was "Japanese companies know how to build products for lonely people", and he proved it well. You are now arguing against the claim "all Japanese people enjoy this stuff", which is not what he was claiming at all.

I think the jury is still out on their success, but it is certainly an area of research.

https://www.marketplace.org/2016/01/25/world/robots-or-immig...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-robot-girlfriend-li...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/toyota-robot-baby-kirobo-m...

Pachinko is everywhere[1]. Especially notable in towns in more remote areas.

Also, girlfriend simulator[2].

[1] https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/pix/p/pachinko-parlor.jpg

[2] http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24614830