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Comic-style illustration of a smiling American man and Japanese woman together in Akihabara, with cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and the title “The Gaijin’s Guide to Dating and Relationships in Japan.”

The Gaijin Way of Meeting Japanese Women - Intro

From an unexpected meeting in Akihabara in 2014 to marriage and a new life in Japan, I share what I've learned about dating, love, and cross-cultural relationships. Discover the challenges, misunderstandings, and lessons that make international relationships both complicated and rewarding.

Mike Viscusi

Apr 18, 20188 min read

Illustrated comparison of uchi (内), Japan's in-group, and soto (外), the out-group, showing close friends and coworkers alongside outsiders and explaining how social boundaries change with context.

Uchi and Soto: Understanding Japan's In-Groups and Out-Groups

Why can making close friends in Japan sometimes feel so difficult? Explore uchi (内) and soto (外), the Japanese concepts of in-groups and out-groups, and discover how they influence friendships, workplace relationships, social etiquette, and the meaning of belonging in Japan.

Mike Viscusi

Apr 4, 201814 min read