I was told by someone in my linkshell that JPN players have a very different outlook on clearing encounters than western players. They prefer safe clears over our fast clears, which may explain why healers are the way they are right now. We like to weave dps into our heals in order to help the party; the faster the target dies, the less overall damage we take. They're satisfied with maximum healing and meh dps skills. We're the opposite, at least to some extent.

But SE hardly listens to our comments and concerns, at least over the JPN player base.