The thing that always messed me up with relationships in school in Japan is how the class / larger social group would perceive it. There's definitely relationships I didn't pursue because I didn't want to disrupt the harmony of the group as it were. So dating out of group is easier in a way.

I wasn't over there until university, but I think it might be even worse for the younger kids. Everyone is in everyone else's business and no one wants to be the object of gossip or ridicule.