Japan is actually quite large - its land area is about the same as Germany, and it's the 11th most populous country in the world.

Japan as "a small island nation in Asia" is such a warped perception. Really no offense intended as it is a globally accepted myth, but it doesn't check out when it's the fourth largest economy with 12th population count.

Japan just don't have powerful connections and/or contact surfaces with the rest of the developed countries. It's by no means small.