Nope, their carbs are carbs just like our carbs. They all end up as glucose and provide 4 calories per gram. The Japanese consume less total calories than we do, so they are not as fat as we are, but their diet is heavily skewed toward carbohydrates (rice, noodles, etc), but they eat less total calories than Americans. Americans consume way too many calories, mostly from carbs, and they have the waistlines to prove it. Carbs don't cause us to become fat. Too many calories in and a sedentary lifestyle is the real culprit.
When I lived in Japan, I was constantly asked why Americans were so fat. We'd go out to dinner and they'd have four pieces of sushi and be done while I was just getting started. I lost a lot of weight during my time there even though I increased the amount of carbs I ate.
I'd reminder anyone who asked that these fat Americans whipped their elitist, miniature asses. And we could easily do it again.