I went to school there, also as an outsider. I completely agree, however there is one thing he missed. Another very large difference is the focus on memorizati

I went to school there, also as an outsider. I completely agree, however there is one thing he missed. Another very large difference is the focus on memorization vs creativity. This happens physically, aswell as mentally. In Japanese "art" classes for example, students strive to copy what the teacher created, those who come closer, are better. In other classes, it is mostly a work of memorizing vocabulary or formulas. Very little goes towards thinking, at least in the early stages of education. This trend is encouraged by their third character set, of which you are required to know about 2000 ideograms before graduating high-school. That being said, realize that all these traits have advantages too, sometimes more so than in the western world, sometimes less. EDIT: Oh, and a another important thing I would like to add. Public shaming is used quite effectively because of these traits. Grades are for example hung out in the hall, in a leader-board kind-of fashion.