I think the criticism is misguided. In Japan, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures (north and south of Tokyo -- the commuter belt), huge swaths have very poor mass transit. They drive a lot! Pick any mid-sized Japanese city: Most people are drivers. There might only be two train lines in the whole city. With the exception of the three (maybe five) biggest cities in Japan, people living in suburban areas are all mostly drivers.