yh EA culture stunts the development of character a lot compared to the west. If u study Jap hisotry and society over time u'll see that they're extremely authoritarian, honour and law are closely linked.Its not that simple. Romans & Ancient Greeks (especially Spartans) had very regimented & strict cultures compared to modern European societies, but there's always been loopholes & room for creativity in Western/European civilisation(s). Nazi Germany & Fascist Italy attempted to revive the old Spartan spirit in Europeans.
Whereas, East Asia(especially China) was significantly more bureaucratic which stifiled creativity & eventually allowed the West to surpass them in terms of technology etc.