Life of a Japanese Student

This Monday I had my first experience teaching in a Japanese class. At first glance it looks quite similar to anything I've experience in my elementary and high schools. Students are rowdy, however diligent, attentative and playful- they love to learn and have a tonnes of fun at school. However, if you dig a little deeper you will soon understand that the differences do exist and I haven't even seen them all just yet.
First of all as a Westerner, our schools were based on the British system of an authoritarian relationship between students and their teachers. I think by now every student has walked into the staff room at least once. At the moment I am watching the baseball team file in and out of the staff room, apologizing as they walk through. It's something my supervisor describes as a psuedo-paternal relationship with their students. In actuality, they are more than pseudo-parents. They know every detail about the students' lives- where they have been, who their friends are and what the situation is at home. Quite remarkable indeed!
Next, lunch- lunch is served to all the students including myself- a hearty meal with soup, meat, carbs, milk and maybe a snack as dessert. YUM! Reminds me of a good homecooked Ukrainian meal!
Most surprisingly, students stay at school until 6pm on an average day. They arrive at 8am and do not leave until 6pm- way to talk about a full time job- not to mention teachers usually stay up to a couple hours after the students. My supervisor had to cancel his Japanese class tonight because he was asked to stay late. Might seem a bit harsh, but actually Japanese teachers are one of the most highly regarded!
There is much much more to say and I have only really skinned the surface. Please I admire your inquiries.