Dependency culture that extols empathy must tolerate or even promote dependency, since an empathetic actor need a dependent partner and vice versa. Indeed, empathy and dependency stimulate and sustain each other. The Japanese have a variety of commonly used idiomatic phrases expressing dependency or helplessness. Among them are: Otanomi shimasu (“I am asking you,” or “I depend upon you”). When strangers are introduced to each other, they say, “Toroshiku onegai shimasu,” which is equivalent to “How do you do?” but coveys the future dependency of the greeters on each other. Asked “How are you?” conversationally minded Japanese is likely to answer “Okagesamade,” literally meaning “Thank to your protection or benevolence” which may or may not be followed by “I am well” The Japanese concept of dependency should not be understood as implying unilateral passive reliance upon another without reciprocal exchange. The right to be dependent must be “bought” by acts fulfilling obligations or by making concessions. We are still within the framework of social relativism.