Not really, it's just the one with a reputation of being alien. There are just as alien societies but without the reputation. I'd say several things contribute

Not really, it's just the one with a reputation of being alien. There are just as alien societies but without the reputation. I'd say several things contribute to that reputation. It's historically remote (hence exotic and alien), it was never so consistently powerful as to be a great power and share in what is considered normal (like China is), yet not weak neither and experienced modernization very early, hence contributing to its influence and thus reputation.