The debate over what method or procedure to use to teach reading has been going on for decades and is not likely to end satisfactory to everyone. Everyone can learn given adequate teaching and sufficient time. By the way, what sort of phonics do Chinese and Japanese children use???
That's a strawman question. Phonics is used with the English language; as you know, Japanese and Chinese do not use the same sounds or even the same symbols.
China does not have an alphabet, therefore, no phonetics. Japan has two alphabets and Chinese characters, so partially phonetic and sight reading.