Defining technology advancement

On the topic of technology, Japan usually comes to mind. They came up
with smart toilets, robots that run like humans, bullet trains, and
Honda. Despite these accomplishments, I noticed two things I
considered "backwards:"

1) Paper Books - On the train, most people either look down at their
phone or a book.... with real paper! On a rare occasion, I spotted an
iPad but not a single eReader (except mine). A bookstore in the train
station is not an uncommon sight. In the US, mortar and brick Barnes
and Noble stores are becoming obsolete since we buy our books online
or read them on our Nooks and Kindles.

2) CDs - In the US we listen to our music using our favorite Apple
product or Android phone. In Japan, however, Tower Records still
exists! People still buy CDs rather than download it.

While Japan paves the way for new technology or improves existing
technologies, the US appears to incorporate technology in the day to
day.