The only Japanese car I would remotely even think about in the price range i'm prepared to pay for a car would be a Nissan 350/370Z, but the fuel costs would make my cry. I find Japanese cars very dull in the main. I'm not saying German cars are hugely exciting to look at, but they do hot versions well and they look "handsome" if not exciting. Honda Civic R was a polished turd in the looks department IMO, looking like a pensioners car with side skirts, and that was the best Japanese GTI rival out there.
If I had to leave German cars behind, i'd probably look towards a hot Alfa, but wouldn't buy new because of their poor residuals.