[zombiedoll]

A main food group, no. Perhaps I worded that wrong. However, I do see it as an important part of the traditional culture. Like the tea ceremony, the gardens, matsuri, and its holidays.
Much like America as a whole has traditions. Thanksgiving; the celebration of slaughter. Western denomination Christian churches. Apple pie, sports, 4th of July; that whole mess.
I think the same way about people overseas interested in American culture. There is a lot more to Japan than j-rock/j-pop, anime, and cutesy shit.