After it became more and more popular outside of Japan, Pokemon was made to have a more international appeal. Compare some of the concepts and characters in the older games to the newer ones, like the game corner in Kanto being in a separate building from the prize redemption area, a concept that is rooted in Japanese pachinko parlors, e.g., something most westerners would not understand without a bit of research. In fact, I'm not sure if Japanese children would get that either. Anyway, this desire for international appeal is why the last 3 gens are explicitly started to not take place in Japan. Meanwhile, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh are based on real parts of Japan.
>>31327063Brawly has a tan now as well