Greetings from Texas, USA
I found this site because I was looking for a place where there would be mature discussions concerning Japan. I was tired, and somewhat disgusted, at the the majority of the Japanese-centered sites being dating, sex, manga/anime oriented. For example, I challenge anyone to find a Japanese-centered forum/community about Japanese women without there being sex and/or nudity involved. I guess I have to concede that since I am not Japanese and cannot speak/read the language then I am only going to get what Gajins get, and that is sex, dating, manga, and anime.
Anyway, I have many questions and would love to engage any native Japanese (especially a mature woman) with conversation concerning culture, relationships, politics, religion, etc, but on the family, extended family, friendship, and community scale as opposed to the general/societal scale. I am very interested in the Japanese household and local community. I like to speak to mature women (over 35 years of age) because they know "the truth" about these things instead of the "accepted truth" that men often respond with. But that can only happen if I can get the Japanese woman to go beyond her strong cultural obligation to keep secrets. ;-)
Still, I am happy to be here and I hope it is a fulfilling inperience (as opposed to "ex"perience).