I think, as the college professor sees, Japanese still have the spirit of Samurai. samurai means who serve. Japanese are to serve ... to companies and country, our collective ( islander ) consciousness is still strong, we do not know exactly who or what we follow yet we follow the majority and that is how we Japanese believe to create peace. there are so much frustration and stress, or oppression, suppression and depression, which are the obvious issues yet no one speak up. family and individual needs are not priority at all so that children's rights and needs are even worse, "neglected".

"Hikikomori", bullying, suicide are just common issues among children. as I remember my childhood, I was depressed but did not even know I was depressed but my father just had dismissed and told me I was just lazy. depression was considered as insane and considered to be sent to a mental institute at that time. even wearing glasses and dental braces were the target for bullies, those children were ( are ) unhappy and simply try to find any excuses for them to release their frustration. parents are too busy to serve the society and country's economy and development, ( and to follow the systems ) children are just sent to school and special classes after school for more learning, "let them take care of our children" mentality. children grow up either to serve others or drop out. many younger generations now a day are repelling the systems in Japan without any guidance either in extravert ways or introvert ways. I was so shocked when I saw the movie Nobody Knows ( www.ericdsnider.com/movies/nobody-knows/ ) I hear that was based on the truth and I could easily see that can happen anywhere in Japan just because children's rights and needs are not priority at all. I still hear this news that a mother leave a child inside a car in summer time and to go have fun and the child dies by the heat inside a car ( which I have been hearing for more than 20 years ? ) or left a 2-3 year old child at home alone and went for skiing ( or something ) that the house caught fire and the child died there alone. mothers ( women ) are still oppressed in society ( although it's been getting better ) that they also search for some fun. ... such circumstances ... who could care about dolphins ? if they can even not care their own children ? ( sorry, it is a bit much strong opinion. hope it is not taken as a whole truth of Japan but as a part for sure. )

divorce, single parents, and international marriage are still new to Japan's history. Japan is still the country whose health minister ignorantly referred women as baby making machines. ( quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news ) Japan has so much to learn and to catch up.

db, I am very very sorry to have been hearing about your separation from your children. I do not know exactly what yet, but I am also willing to contribute my time and energy to do something about the children's rights and needs in Japan, ... not intending to blame Japanese and society but to encourage to create more supportive systems. there are the Japanese who are really really careless but there are also the Japanese who are still caring and considerate that I won't give up the hope. ... it is so nice and heartwarming to find someone like i. who is so supportive to you here.