Well, you guys have to be able to read between the lines, when dealing with this "old man" business.
In Japan, being seriously into bonsai means one thing: owning expensive bonsai masterpieces. Bonsai is a status symbol over there. It requires a refined taste, and lots of money. Well, guess who has BOTH at the same time? Older men. In Japan, and in any society for that matter, the money and the power is in the hands of "old men".
Here in the West, wer are content to play around with our little trees that may cost a few hunder dollars at most. And I am sure that a few Japanese youth are having fun doing the same. But the real deal over there is the Kokufu-ten, or Gafu-ten caliber material, and that takes an "old man's money" to own.
Like everything in life, follow the money trail, and you may get to the bottom of things.
P.S.: I intend this post to be a light-hearted Monday-morning musing, so don't take it too seriously. Also, you are welcome to disagree. But seriously, who can afford those fabulous trees in Japan, other then the "old men" we are talking about? It has little to do with age, and more to do with the power of one's pocket.