It does bring bad thing like you pointed out.
Sometimes people try too much to keep their faces.
However, it does bring good thing like they are a few or no looting in this disaster.
I do believe the concept has strong influence on that matter.
But this doesn't relate anything on why Japanse suck at English despite of all hard work on school.
It's a shame from where I see but it's ok cuz most people don't speak English.
Starting today, elementary schools has started to teach English to 5th(10 to 11 years old)graders.
So that's 2 more years to learn English which adds up 8 years all together.
We'll have to wait and see our score improve.
I doubt it.
I've never been to HN Get-Together before, but seems interesting.
What do you guys do mostly?
I kinda use Hacker News as a news source.
In fact, this is the very first time I"ve commented.