It might not be just psychobabble though. Amae may seem loosely connected to those non-cognitive skills, but if the author's right about it being widespread and

It might not be just psychobabble though. Amae may seem loosely connected to those non-cognitive skills, but if the author's right about it being widespread and so deeply embedded in society that it's applied everywhere, then I think it's a reasonable assumption that it does contribute to certain cultural traits, like grit. The author does need to cite studies showing the relationship between empathy/happy childhood and IQ/EQ though. Still, I thought that his opinion and what-ifs interesting.