On my server people complain about voke botting all the time but even in europe, aka even further from japan than the usa, I still always see the mob as yellow before they get claimed. (all ffxi communication goes from japan to usa then to europe)
I have about 240-270ms ping to my server on my 10mbit connection.
I have a p4 2.8ghz with 2gb ram and when doing HNM I have everything set to minimum plus HNM model files placed on a ram drive and linked to the ffxi folder via hard links. (win2k/xp feature)
The main reason you never see them yellow is because your computer is too slow. I believe this is the reason why ps2 players are almost always faster vokers than pc players.
To then create an automated macro for voke is a benefit but it's not all that much larger if you already know the ToD.
Note, at the end of the day japanese players DO have a 200ish ms ping advantage over european players. I don't know how large it is for american players but it's bound to be smaller. Aka, if they're 200ms faster than you then you're !@#$%^*.
Still, the current system sucks !@#$%^*, I hate HNM but LS does them so wind up at them anyway. Getting drops should be based on the skill of your alliance / party. Not the skill / speed of a single voker.