Ours is a society that rewards sociopathy

[Belacqua]

The Yakuza is bad and does bad things.

Now back to my original point:

The macho man tough guy approach to dealing with difference of opinion is far more in evidence in the US than in Japan. In discussing metaphysics and other ideas, a person in Japan almost never has to put up with the Clint Eastwood approach that is common elsewhere (e.g. this forum).

I heard one time on YouTube (I think) that Japanese people aren't generally the type to argue about anything with anyone. And that they have a tendency to say "maybe" as an answer even to questions that have clear "yes" or "no" questions. Is this generally true from what you observe in Japan?

Yes, direct confrontation is frowned on in daily life. 

This carries over a little bit into academic discussions. Of course people challenge and defend ideas in those situations, and will say if they find your defense unpersuasive. But in general the tone is more courteous.

In Japan I have never encountered personal insults or tough-guy language in discussing philosophical ideas, even in the bar following a conference. 

This is not to say that the academic level as a whole is flawless. There are some established people who should be challenged more -- not rudely, necessarily, but with less deference due to their position. In all the places I've ever studied, by far the worst teacher was at a mid-level prefectural university here in Japan. A complete failure.