卒業旅行(Graduation trip)=Personal event that trip without teacher and parent 修学旅行(School excursion and trip)=School event that trip with teacher In Japan there are school excursion with teacher every year from kindergarten to high school.
I think our religion started since ancient era and our gods also like sake. Maybe as you know, you can get a small dish of Omiki - sacred sake at shrines on new years days. So , drinking itself is not so bad in Japan as long as we don't halm others and ourselves. There is also a phisical reason why Japanese don't need to avoid drinking. Many of Japanese feel bad and can't keep on drinking when the person is not strong enough against alchol though other races can keep on drinking and become alcholic. This is a nature protection from over drinking. Many of us also have a heavy headache on the next day of drinking much, so we learn how much is the limit for ourselves.
your analogy about alcohol was very interesting, new for me and agree 100%. never thought the Japanese are more responsible, but I think that is very true. but also to that I think it also has to do with the fact that westerners (and maybe blacks as well?) are stronger with alcohol. if they did the 飲み放題 in the US or Europe, the restaurant will be broke in no time! lol