Thread: Made in China

Japanese language and culture is unique in Asia, and seems to have slightly less in common with the rest of Asia than most other Asian nations.

Not sure I agree with this.
My view is that Japanese are quintessentially Asian.
I group them closely with Korea and Taiwan (advanced, modern, high-tech)
SEA seems to be a distinct group (Thai Lao Cambo, Indo, Phils, Vietnam, Myanmar)
China (and now HK) is different still.

In my mind's eye I never think of India as Asian, nor the western Asian countries of Pakistan or Afghanistan. But Japan -- definitely Asia. From a business perspective, they're quite different than any other regional nation -- including Oz and China. Well-established, international and successful. They have a stable government and are generally respected.