HAPPY !?!

There is no doubt about the beauty of Japanese culture. In this safe, secure and structured society politeness, loyalty and a strong work ethic are found in abundance. Japan is a country of many great things. Of patience and endurance and of tolerance. But sometimes I wonder just how happy a country it is. With relentless pressure to work long hours, strict workplace and social hierarchies and always having to put the group first. The need to conform and the need to keep face often ensure people do what they should and not what they want. Of course, these are just my stereotyped views and I don't know very much.
Last year in the Philippines I met the happiest people I've ever met. Everywhere I went people had nothing but their families and their happiness. It seemed so unusual for those who had the least to be happiest. Upon my return I spoke of this to one of the Japanese teachers. She told me, "long ago before Japan was rich, the children were very happy. Always playing and laughing, and the adults too. Now it is not the same."
Even now, over a year later, I still think about her words nearly every day.