I don't want to offend Americans, but this is mostly an American thing and it's not just corporate: it's politics, religion, NGOs, entertainment, news - everywhere. (America literally invents it's own religions!)
The scariest part is when you meet true believers, those not just 'playing the game' but are really on the koolaid.
I believe this is because in America, people don't have quite as much of a cultural foundation to buy into, or rather, the local culture might be sparse, or unappealing. In non-American Western cultures and certainly Japan - there are establishment role models for people to look up to, across the spectrum in business, politics, nobility, etc. and there are tons of accepted cultural norms in sports, the arts, culture, cuisine etc.. There are more 'established ways' about everything from office culture, to manners, to politics, to religion. It's as though there are fewer 'seekers' perhaps because people are more grounded in their identities. Paradoxically this leaves less room for true change to happen because, in a way innovation often comes about when there's a little bit of kool-aid in the mix.
You can see this with Nike's recent commercialization ostensible social justice movements, or even with some of Steve Job's old ads. The one with Gahndi in it ... 'memba that? So funny.
I wish De Tocqueville were still alive to give us an updated view on things.