http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/ghost-in-the-shell-scarlett-johansson-casting-whitewashing-japanese-publisher-comment-well-cast-a6994056.html

http://www.inquisitr.com/4132128/ghost-in-the-shell-hideo-kojima-japanese-market-okay-with-scarlett-johansson-casting/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/japanese-ghost-shell-fans-quite-like-remake-165221358.html

the movie is doing well compared to the us market and it seems like they have issues mainly with the story...that's why i still think the whole whitewashing controversy was overblown in the US.

That being said you made some good points and i think we can all agree this movie was a huge missed opportunity.