I would tend to think as well that perhaps it is a cultural thing... I think we westerners perhaps tend to be more open with complete strangers, about what we do in our personal lives, or our jobs.
I also remember when living and traveling abroad, how very few computers I saw. I remember seeing signs, but very rarely for internet cafes... but when one looked inside, only westerners, or younger people were to be found.
When one went to a hotel, they plopped the sign-in register book in front of you, and everything, besides the cash register was written. Now I am not talking about thrid world countries, which I have been to as well, I am talking about countries like, England, France, Germany, Italy, Austrailia, etc.
For them, the old way seemed to be working just fine, so why change...
Besides aren't the younger generations in Japan, into Snowboarding, Heavy Metal, Rap, 1964 Impalas, Tatoos, and Drift Car Racing anyways ???
Don't seem to see much conversation from the Chinese either, perhaps this has to do with a "crackdown" on internet usage ???
Have however seen alot from countries like Thailand and Vietnam.