it's not life that matters but the journey...

I agree with 100 percent. it bothers me living in this country sometimes because as beautiful as this culture is, it's also very shallow in some ways. But then again I guess most countries have their depravities.
of course this is not much different from someone like Britney Spears, though she's much more bold and aggressive with her sexuality. these girls, as you say, try to appear innocent, but the underlying theme is soft-core porn! I think what bothered me the most was the girls kissing each other and holding toys. that's just not right!

yes, Japan has always had that obsession with the sexy schoolgirl - and it's encouraged with the music and the manga (Japanese animation) - some of it which is really risque.

it's sad to hear that teen prostitution is on the rise in the U.S. = though it wouldn't surprise me. the economy is bad, kids are being raised in broken homes, and it seems easy for girls to think running away and selling their bodies - and doing drugs no doubt - is the answer.

of course Japan is really headed in a bad direction lately too. I see the girls at the junior high school already skipping classes, boys and girls smoking in junior high school - there are too many broken homes in this country too, and it's not something that is discussed much. this is not a culture that encourages discussion or opening up of feelings. that's one reason I have so many problems with my husband sometimes.

anyway - it's definitely an eye-opener living in a foreign country.