I've taught Japanese for 18 years here in the U.S.(college age) and just returned after two years in Tokyo, teaching at a University. Yes, their system is very different than ours.
1. Going to a top tier U. depends totally on their entrance exam. Study schools that are after their regular school day are everywhere. They pay lots of extra money to go there and are probably the most sleep deprived people on the planet.
2. They will never, never, never be recruited by top companies unless they go to one of the top 5-6 universities in Tokyo...(Osaka and some other cities have their top tier schools too).
3. The culture is a consumer one, and they are fierce at making money and most men are workaholics. They must drink with their...

What's wrong with putting a fox in charge of the hen house?

Are you sure that Hemmingway did not ghost write the final entries to the story? Read "Hills Like White Elephants."
Incidentally, the reason so many boys are sitting on the couch playing video games...
ADVENTURE!
With the touchy feely learning they're having to put up with, they need an escape, and since the playground is now made of foam where there is no risk of getting a "boo-boo" forget that!

just ran an article about Obama giving away control over the internet. What a nice thought, that the U.N. or China could control a bigger slice of freedom of information. The world will love us more. Life will be better. America will be diminished. Peace in our time.