The philosophy of raising children

Americans believe in the importance of teaching their children to be self-reliant.
What do you think of this philosophy?

In my opinion, I think we need to think about it in that way too. Once children go out into the society without families, they can't lean on their parents anymore so that it is necessary for all of us to learn how to build myself. Parents shouldn't indulge them in order to make them independent.
Also, in my culture, we focus on the bond between family just the same as what we have done. Family is the most important thing for us to live even if we are apart from. We need to take care of our families for all time because they are all we are and we are here thanks to family.
Too much cling is not good but we should be independent,and at the same time, we should be greatful for and think about our family.

Assimilation of immigtants

Immigrant assimilation is a complex process in which an immigrant fully integrates themselves into a new country. In my opinion, at least they need to learn English to survive in the U.S. I don't think they should elimate their own language but they need to know English to talk with the other people who speak different language from theirs in order to start business and live with less difficulty. Of course, inside the house, they can speak their own language within family. It is connected to protect their own culture. I would like them to keep their own culture and customs with their hed held high even though they are in the U.S. Depends on their occation, it may change if it is good to assimilate or not.

Spirit of Harmony

What aspect of your country are people most proud of?

I guess that it is "harmony among people".
How does does quality affect life there?
Japanese people feel that "wa", the harmony within a group, is more important than explaining our own importance, argument and confrontation.
Since rice agriculture was the basis of the nation, which requires to work with the others, cooperation and team spirit have been considered important to live in a group society.
For example, the Japanese educational system also emphasizes the depending each other and working together. So, we have symbol which recognize as the group different from the other to outsides and to people within the group such as school uniforms, name tags, banners, and songs.

Actually I worn the uniform above in the picture in my high school...It seems like long time ago..