I'm an AET in a small village in Aomori.
The nearest foreigner to me is about 40km away.
Although I'm not a qualified teacher, I feel that me being here has had a good thing in a variety of different ways.
Some of the kids become interested in English, they (and their parents and the teachers) had never had the chance to meet a "real" foreigner, they have welcomed me to their village in an amazing way.
It's not just a case of teaching English, but so much more. And in my case, I think it is a great thing.
Over to the blasting from that Ocean bloke....