Ours is a society that rewards sociopathy

[Belacqua]

Did you just describe every teacher of my university?

Uh oh. I'm sorry to hear you've got the same issues. 

There's no doubt that there are terrible teachers everywhere. I can't compare Japan's schools with where you are, or a hundred other countries. 

Japan's universities still have a reputation for being undemanding. The entrance examination is hell but once you're in it's easy, and nobody demands much. Naturally this varies from school to school and department to department -- where I used to be there was a well-known guy running the physics lab, who brought in extra-smart kids, and that was suppose to be high-powered. 

If you want a student visa, though, it can be a good deal. Not crazy demanding, help from the university in getting set up with housing, etc., intensive language practice, enough free time to plan your next visa -- employment, spousal, whatever you can manage. 

(This is in serious contrast to Beijing University. The students there are the most awake and interested I've ever seen -- undergrads asking high-level questions in their second or third language. I left there thinking we should just let China take over the world.) 

If you move here there will be subtle discrimination. People assume you don't know the customs so they might not want you in a traditional restaurant or something. One guy, 25 years ago, refused to rent a big house to me because he thought I'd "be more comfortable with people of my own kind." Don't even think about the red light districts unless you have an experienced guide -- the doormen I've walked past have a seriously cold ground-gaze when they see a foreigner.

There's no random abuse, though, as when I go back to my hometown in the US midwest and people I don't know make sarcastic comments about the clothes I'm wearing, or the fact that I'm walking down the sidewalk instead of driving for two blocks. The conformity enforcement in Kansas is shocking, whereas in Japan they'll just ignore you silently.