Like it or not, servers are getting restructured. It sucks that it's happening after the fact, but there's no turning back time. Mergers are definitely coming, and regional servers are a possibility. From what I understand, it's being considered because many JP players want it (not that it matters who's asking for it, but to get angry at those on the NA forums who agree it's a good idea is futile). And Yoshi-P said
here that they would like to designate at least one RP server.
"Your kind"? Listen to yourself. If anyone sounds racist here...
Actually, regional servers
are the MMO standard. Final Fantasy is the only game I've played that doesn't do this.