You can book Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen tickets online now. The lines owned by JR Central all have online booking now. You can also connect your IC card to your ticket, so no paper ticket is required.

    The people are typically oblivious because they are indoctrinated into following the process without questioning things.

If you speak with Japanese people in a private, psychologically safe setting, they will open up about all sorts of things, including continuing to use fax machines!