It’s kind of strange to see a country as dilligent as it is, and obsessed with flawless execution as one finds its citizenry to be (Japan really does make some of the best stuff) that there’s some sort of emotional toll that leads to a high suicide rate and low birth rate.
Which is really a bummer, because on some level you tend to think, to buy into a stereotype, that the Japanese have their shit together, and you admire that, but the negative space of these qualities is that they never step out of line, and when they do, it’s the end of the world.
It's.. not really that. The step-out-of-line thing, I mean. But the pressure on young people is extremely hard, it's literally passing an exam to enter every step of your education (exam when finishing a step, a new one to enter) from kindergarden and up (and even earlier, for really obsessed/concerned parents). Extremely long hours (and a lot of that comes from culture, so yes that's also a part) for students and workers alike. The moment you feel unable to handle the pressure things will fall apart quickly.
Which is really a bummer, because on some level you tend to think, to buy into a stereotype, that the Japanese have their shit together, and you admire that, but the negative space of these qualities is that they never step out of line, and when they do, it’s the end of the world.