Japanese are extremely calm in their composure but inside, they are as cunning or as smart as all other tribes, and they are like any of the East Asians in many of their inner thoughts.
Many people wonder why a gentle Japanese can for the next moment turn kamikaze pilots or harakiri man. But in my opinion, there is no contradiction. All East Asian more or less exhibit similar behavior.
The non East Asian will not read us easily until years of immersion in our culture. But its easy for an East Asian to read another East Asian. Japan is the most consummate East Asian.
Think about it this way, friend, no East Asian ever touched the ground of Japan or conquered. Neither Mongol, Chinese, Korean. Tho the opposite can't be said. The reason for this is that the culture of Bushido is still very alive in Japan. Selfless sacrifice for the Nation, and Devotion to the community, Silent appreciation is part of our character. We do not expecting to be praised, we do because we know it is considered right in Bushido.
This is the Japanese Way.