The standard explanation is that fear of loss of face[0] makes the Japanese not want to expose the fact that they don't understand what you're saying (or have w

The standard explanation is that fear of loss of face[0] makes the Japanese not want to expose the fact that they don't understand what you're saying (or have written). 0: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_(sociological_concept)#Chinese http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_(sociological_concept)#Chi... (the Chinese explanation also largely applies to Japan)