In every article I read about the use of Akadama in Japan, the fact that it's cheap is mentioned. Looks like Japanese are like us, dutch. Cheap is good, cheap we use.
The same time in the Netherlands all discussions on soil I.e. cat litter, the fact that it is cheaper then Akadama is mentioned as nr 1 argument.
I'm using Akadama, and I'll keep using Akadama. I like to use it and my trees seem to agree. Last couple of years I use pre-sieved mixes of Akadama, pumice and lava and Akadama and pumice. This year I also tried APL with fired Akadama. Think it works wel with conifers, but I'm not so fond of the reddish color.