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In terms of more emphasis on fighting application, IMO this would be correct. As I've posted before, however, there is a very large caveat when coming to this conclusion as some overriding principle.Okinawan Karate styles seem to be better at conserving and conveying these proper uke usages.
Japanese Karate styles (Shotokan and Kyokushin mainly) discarded them almost completely since they don't fit well with their competition rulesets.
Well, there is nothing I know of preventing blocking in karate kumite. Competitive mindset would be more accurate.
Sadly, it's the Japanese Karate that's most popular worldwide so this knowledge isn't globally common.
The Japanese karates are trying to do something different compared to the Okinawan karates. Broader acceptance & appeal is one of those, and the Japanese have succeeded massively.
It's best not to stereotype traditional karate, say Shotokan. You won't understand it properly; and you likely will still lose in kumite should one go over & attempt to match the Japanese. Not that they are invincible, they clearly are not.