Usually seen as a political or cultural issue, this fear of weirdos, trouble-makers and people who don't fit in is also a serious economic issue. This isn't about Asian values versus Western values. This is about producers vs. consumers. Producer-led economies are run like giant suburban industrial parks. Consumer-led economies are run like chaotic, vibrant, colourful cities.
Salvation lies in services.
First, give consumers more choice and thus force the woefully backwards services sector in, for example, South Korea, to improve productivity. Second, allow new businesses to offer consumers things they didn't know they wanted. Hong Kong shows what happens when consumers are offered choices. Hong Kong's cellular industry started out dominated by big companies. Prices plummeted and new services flourished.