Yes, this is very true and I think hints at the reason why those manhole covers can exist in Japan, whereas they'd be unthinkable in North America. The notion would be laughed out of any city budget here.
An ironic thing is that, not caring about immediate ROI and budget justifications in the past (and investing in public parks, nice buildings, etc), is what makes some cities tons of money (from millions of tourists every year).
Will ever a new city (born under the "quick ROI is everything/who cares for beauty" mindset) be as nice as to attract visitors in the future? I seriously doubt so.
(Shanghai, which is largely built lately, was also an treasure of a city for many centuries, and spends a lot in the impressiveness -if not construction quality- of its modern buildings and skyline).
There is always a war over budget. There are 10 projects that 'they'd like to do but can't'.
Every city wants more buses, has potholes, has sewage problems, needs infrastructure.
'Pretty manholes' might not make it to the top unless someone really, really cares. Or it's part of a secondary budget.
For child abuse for poor people? Budget cuts. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-19/nsw-legal-aid-refuses...
https://seattle.curbed.com/2014/7/11/10076250/seattle-manhol...
Lol Graffiti Artists.
I could see it happening. Portland, Oregon has an art tax that goes towards things like large scale murals in public spaces. An extra 5-10% on the cost of a man hole cover would fit within this, easily.
This adds substantial material costs, but more importantly adds a lot of skilled labor to a process which is usually just simple casting.