Actually, no. At least, not anymore. PUBLIC pride is still
important, but the character of the Japanese spirit seems
to have degraded since the olden days. Take for example
all the highschool students who are entering into prostitution.
Of course, this does not apply to everyone in Japan, but
it is a change from before.

At least, that's what I've heard and noticed.

How is that so different from when young children used to be sold to
geisha or cortesian house. I believe this custom was still going right
up till westerners came ... it has just changed after Japan became
westernised, it seems. I don't think that it has "degraded" any. But,
then, it's all to do with your attitude, I guess... The western
attitude seems the be that sex is sinful, on the whole, so I'm assuming
that this is where this "degrated" word came from? Although western
culture forced Japanese to become ashamed (or something) by sex, I
don't think that they would call it "degraded". *shrug*

Kun-chan...
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* High Priestess of Ryouga         *
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