I question the claims that they don't understand sarcasm. It might be more that they have trouble understanding certain types of sarcasm. Japanese culture cert

I question the claims that they don't understand sarcasm. It might be more that they have trouble understanding certain types of sarcasm. Japanese culture certainly recognizes the the inflated title mocking style of sarcasm, as well as the excessive politeness form of sarcasm (which is easier in Japanese). from what I've read, what Japanese doesn't really have as much of is sarcasm for levity ("this is fun" in response to some obviously not-fun situation), or sarcasm that is intended to be interpreted as praise (despite the literal meaning).