At the recent Harvard University graduation ceremony, a special guest, whose identity is being kept anonymous, made notable criticisms against the current government. The critique highlighted significant current issues, causing a stir amongst attendees and beyond. This event occurred despite Japan's deeply rooted societal value of harmony, showcasing democratic ideals and the balance between criticism and respect.

In Japan, publicly criticizing the government is not typical, given the cultural value of maintaining harmony. This incident, therefore, has been quite controversial, generating an intense public debate around the implications for freedom of speech and the balance between societal order and democratic values.

In contrast, in the US and EU, freedom of speech, including criticizing the government, is a deeply ingrained part of society and democracy. It's normal, expected, even, for such discussions to occur at graduation ceremonies or similar public events.