What if your greatest strength wasn’t independence—but the courage to belong?

For generations, Western culture has celebrated the myth of radical self-reliance.

We are taught to “stand on our own two feet,” to avoid being “too needy,” and to believe that true maturity means not depending on anyone else.

Yet despite all this emphasis on independence, we live in one of the loneliest eras in human history. Anxiety, disconnection, and burnout are everywhere. Something essential has been lost.

In Japan, there is a word for what we’ve forgotten: amae.

Amae describes the quiet expectation of care—the trust that others will hold space for your needs, the comfort of leaning on someone without fear of rejection. It is the heart of Japanese belonging, a cultural wisdom that understands dependence not as weakness, but as the foundation of intimacy, resilience, and joy.

Japanese Belonging (Amae): Finding Strength in Connection Through the Hidden Power of AmaeIn this groundbreaking book, James D. Sato introduces amae to Western listeners with warmth, clarity, and depth. Drawing from Japanese culture, psychology, philosophy, and modern neuroscience, Japanese Belonging (Amae) reveals why belonging is just as vital as independence—and how to reclaim this natural, human strength in everyday life.

Inside this book, you’ll discover:

•The Origins of Amae — how Japanese families, traditions, and philosophies nurture belonging through care and interdependence

•The Psychology of Dependence — why science shows that secure reliance on others builds resilience and genuine self-confidence

•Belonging vs. Independence — how Western myths of self-reliance come with emotional costs, and how amae restores balance

•Practical Amae in Relationships — how to express care and trust in love, friendship, family, and parenting while maintaining individuality

•Amae at Work and in Communities — how connection and mutual support transform teams, workplaces, and neighborhoods