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.