It wouldn't really make sense to call Hello Kitty (adding injury to insult ;)) counterproductive, now would it? I was referring to culture with respect to labour. I think the suicide rate is a serious clue, but stories like the one of jbm are more relevant.

I don't need to live somewhere to be able to point out cultural flaws, like I don't need to drink alcohol to point out the dangers of ethanol intoxication.