Matthew has written an interesting piece on Japan, inspired by Lost in Translation. It is the 12-15-04 entry [link]. Matthew provides an accurate description of Japanese social life and loneliness:

Tokyo is a city where most of the population is lonely. Every Japanese has a tight social circle to which they belong and it is their life be it their company or high school friends. Different social circles do not mix.

I would like to add that there is some negative karma associated with being ostracized from your circle. Which is probably why people cling to their circles for dear life.

Related posts:

1. RHS: Retired Husband Syndrome
2. My first entry….. living in Tokyo with three boys…
3. Life in Tokyo vs. Life in Saigon
4. Manin densha…. >.
5. Chikan: Molesting school girls on the train