Japanese students abroad: who are their friends?　

Japan Association for Language Teaching, 2002 JALT 28th International Conference (Shizuoka)

This presentation detailed the experiences and friendship circles of more than 100 Japanese students living in the United Kingdom as students. Results indicate that the majority of Japanese  had friendships within their own language community or with other students from Asia. Close bonds with local students were the exception rather than the rule. Overcoming this cultural barrier is a key issue for Japanese (and students of other nationalities) while  abroad.