The Japanese have a different style of teaching, yes.

though, I agree, that your particular student did felt what I would feel, but as I would say, it is essentially, how you see it.

DONT ASK WHY ISSUE: As a curious kid, I used to ask many questions as well, which I still do, and I'm still doing. But it is the timing that matters, the teachers are humans afterall, if you interrupt too often, it hurts others as well, specially, when exam time is near, and you have just joined, and its no-ones fault&pain basically, that you are a bit behind. Personally, I have been called less annoying/curious ever since I established good timing to address this curiosity.

WE not ME Issue: Yes, we should be taught, how to think for ourself, and also for others, so, its not a bad thing. Basically you have to be thinking for yourself & everyone else, and make a judgement, where the first part is understood anyway, so no one will tell you to do so, unless you are super selfless.

NOT Japanese Issue: The teachers adapt for years, not a particular batch, of course, over time while they are getting old and rusty, they have to economize, they can't adjust forever. Though their approach towards 'outsiders' should be careful, they after all have built their teaching methods, based on some pre-requisites, which in this case had been those children story/shows references, which forms a big part of childhood for anyone.

Its an illusion Issue: Its a question of judgement. Suppose I want a apple, and my mother says to rethink, they know that I'm having a rare disease, and if I eat apple(which has xyz in it) I may choke/go into seizure or something. But since I'm 4, I can't understand that, so she says, "rethink"

Trips can be in mountaneous areas, or mostly in unknown parts of the country, the teachers are responsible for safety of students, they can't allow you to take a track, that leads into a unsafe environment, say one where a lot of snakes are found.

the System of DO issue: I'm part of one of the Do systems, Karate-do. My teacher is one of the best teachers in whole of asia, a lot of times I run into techniques, or ways, that might deconstruct the old for new and better ways. But that is actually not true, 90% of times.

The system of DO, emphasizes on the fact, that if you want free will, drop out, and do it; No one is stopping you. The Do system are like rivers, that flow continously, in the same way, for hundereds of years, and the marginal occasional geographical shift (change) occurs over a longer period of time. Its a tight ship, with tight roles, and it is to provide opportunity to keep alive a certain way of doing things (DO) , over a longer period of time, without much changes.

ITS the system, not the Individual Issue: The case you quote, is insufficient in my view to say, what you want to say with the title. It happens, even in west, injuries, for not following a proper procedure. Its a harsh reality, deal with it.

Teachers are AFRAID Issue: yes, we have police for that not teachers, its not necessary that all teachers in Japan, keep themselves out of personal disputes, which is a good thing, as long as it doesn't turn into bullying, or injury causing event. Great Teacher Onizuka Comic, is a worthy read for you, if education is as of real interest to you, as you say.

Failure Teaches Success Yes, you know it my friend, that you have not quite well integrated into the Japanese way. Your failure, has taught you the benefits of being a "Outfit" in Japan, at the cost of knowing benefits of living by the Japanese way. The point is, how can you live both lives, and achieve greater * ENLIGHTENMENT*

Failure teachers you success, but not every success, you have to go back, fail, and learn, fail and learn.. like Yin and Yang in a circle.

PS: No offense, but I find it ironic, that you call yourself a Insider, yet you feel like a Outsider in Japan. But yes, I appreciate that you shared your experience. Much appreciated.