[Nyororin]

As I was specifically referred to in this thread, I must reply... Although it is a bit late.

Thinking about Eccentrics, Would we class many of Japanese ways of life or their beliefs, their festivals-- even their anime-- as being Eccentric?

In my opinion, eccentric refers to something that is quite different from the norm on the *individual* level. A society in whole cannot be eccentric as it is "the norm" in itself. There are eccentric individuals in Japan, but they are (as calling them eccentric implies) exceptions.

Perhaps to other countries they may well be seen as eccentric because of the different way of doing things.

If someone Japanese were in another country and behaving entirely the same as they would have in Japan - then yes, they could easily be considered eccentric. The same, however, goes for someone from outside Japan who acts exactly the same as they would at home while in Japan. As an individual, their behavior would be far from the "norm".

Would you say that Japan is in fact an eccentric country?

No. The great majority of people function completely inside the bounds of what is considered normal.

Is that what makes them different from other countries?

As I don`t agree that Japan is "eccentric", I do not think so. I think that the unique combination of traits in Japanese culture is what makes the country different. The individual traits are not unique, but the combination is.

Is it what fascinates many Westerners?

I think the current fascination shown is almost like a new, modern version of Orientalism. There have been and still are overtones of mystery and something "deeper" when Asia and "The East" is presented in western media. People often laugh at the skewed views that were present in the 19th century, but then echo similar ones that have been just had the terminology changed to be more modern.
It`s the fascination with the unknown, and with a world that doesn`t exist in reality. But, as it is so very far away, it`s easy for people slip into the illusion that it really does. This sells, just as it did in the past, so the media supports it.