For the public record, by quoting you I wasn't implying that you agreed with my #2 either. I just felt I gained a lot out of both points, that they both resonated with my experiences, and that they both articulated the lessons I'd learnt in my career.

edit: I split this with my parent reply to try to make the two separate points clearer

Oh no worries at all; I just like continuing to beat my "Japan is a big country with a diversity of practices and attitudes in it" drum. (It is under-beaten both inside and outside of Japan.)

I'd second that any day, even though I'm probably guilty as any at generalizing.