First:
Indeed... I exped down 20 merit for Turban and never ever got a single Parry Skillup.
Today I checked my actual skill and it was 3 points higher than when I last checked (231 > 234)
I dont have any filters up other than for my PT mates. Anyone else had this problem? Maybe its only on PS2?
For the second part
When I use my JP POL ID to call a GM on my EU version - will it call a JP GM? or some EU GM?