Japan specifically benefits from people living, generally, in pretty densely populated areas with lots of public transportation options, so it's easier to incorporate arcades into a routine. The US is just such a wide place, and the cities are so expensive to own businesses in that arcades aren't typically economically viable in the only places where they might attract big crowds.
Different regions have always had their platform leanings, I'd say. US has primarily (and historically, though it's changing) been a console stronghold whereas many Europeans cut their teeth on Amigas and Sinclaires (again, emphasis on generally). Japan is a handheld/mobile/arcade powerhouse, and bite-sized pay to play models just appeal to hardcore crowds better there, but I'm not in the know enough to really analyze why.
