I think people put too much meaning in Japanese set phrases, imagining them to have their literal meaning when that is not what they actually mean. The author provides this transcript:

   Me: This is clearly broken!
   Tanaka: Yes, you’re right.
   M: Shouldn’t we do something about this?
   T: Nothing can be done.
   M: This is easily patchable!
   T: I’m sorry.
   M: Who’s responsible for this code?
   T: Team X.
   M: Somebody on our team should talk to them.
   T: Yes, you’re right.
   M: Well, can I talk to them?
   T: Ah, it’s not impossible.
   M: Does that mean I can?
   T: Who knows.
   M: …

I've had this conversation in English with American coworkers more times than I can remember:

   A: This is clearly broken!
   B: Yeah....
   A: Shouldn't we do something about this?
   B: It's not a priority.
   A: This is easily patchable!
   B: I have to work on Project X now, they've been bugging me about it for months and their manager is getting mad at _me_ now.
   A: Who's responsible for this code?
   B: Team X.
   A: Somebody on our team should talk to them.
   B: I already have 8 meetings this week, I don't have time.
   A: Can I talk to them?
   B: They never answer my email.
   A: I'll email them.
   B: Good luck!

It all boils down to the same issue: the person you're conversing with doesn't consider the matter as urgent as you. The words used are different but the message is the same: "meh". This isn't a Japanese thing or an American thing... it's a people thing. And honestly, a lot of times, they're right.