As much as they are a great country, there is a level of xenophobia there still. Even in the major cities. To clarify, if you are not Japanese they will be courteous to you but you will still be classified as an other. Take this however you will, but I have a sibling who works there, has a wife (Japanese citizen) and two kids there, and it is definitely one of the aspects that sounds the most grating. Especially when it comes to the potential, but subtle, ostracization of the kids when they are going through school