When learning a bit of Japanese to me it was quite obvious that the script was most likely intentionally left (or made) complicated. By using a normal alphabet that actually fits to the structure of Japanese language it would be just another ordinary language to learn.

Using a syllables-script for an ending grammar just doesn't make sense. Using 2 syllable scripts is just strange.

It most likely helped the leaders there to stay in control. Without native Japanese translators foreigners are unable to get very far.