Japanese influence on horror

[Giacomo Calorio]

Dear Kinejapaners...
I'm writing a book about Japanese psycho-horror movies, and I'd be glad to 
listen your opinions about its influence worldwide in recent years. If Asian 
production gave birth to many similar productions after Ringu, it seems the 
same cannot be said about Hollywood yet, apart from the very succesful 
remakes. I'm wondering whether the cause may be the cultural and religious 
background Sadako & c. belong to, which is quite far from western one, or if 
there's any specific social reason, or if it's just a matter of genre 
tradition, production reasons and audience tastes.
That seems connected to the fact that Shimizu's remake of Juon is still set in 
Japan (I haven't seen the movie yet, I just read about that).
Do you think there's been any inflence on Hollywood horrors after Verbinsky's 
movies? If so, in what?

Another question (less serious, though)... I'm looking for the first Ring TV 
series  (kanzenban), but I couldn't find it at all, while the second one 
(saishusho) seems quite eaesily findable on ebay.

Could anyone help me?

thank you very much
giacomo