The Japanese don't go by religion. They go by culture. Bushido, or 'Way of the Warrior Knight' runs deeply in Japanese culture and always has. And they take their honor very seriously. They have a very powerful culture.
Technically, Imperial Japan envisioned herself to be the 'leader of Asia'. And of leader of Asia they have. Manga, anime, Toyota, Sony, etc are all household names.
Politically and militarily, Japan is a lapdog of the US. And will remain that way forever, or as long as Uncle Sam is around. And he'll be around for a long time despite exaggerated claims about his impending doom.
Frankly, I think that Muslims just can't be compared to the Japanese now. Although there are similarities. The Japanese troops would die for their emperor just as the likes of the Taliban would die for Allah. It is just that now, there are too many ongoing issues.
9/11 was like Pearl Harbor to them - an act of war. And they'll reply back just as they did before. America is a dangerous nation when provoked. I'd say, never ever wake a sleeping giant.
It is just that, there is a long way to go for Muslims to be in the same image as Japan in the eyes of Americans. And most of all, the Muslim World is extremely fragmented at the moment. No unity, nothing. And I feel that Muslims do not take enough responsibility for what they say or do in view of this world and towards each other.