potato, if they want foreign info or friends, i think they start using facebook or twitter.

Potato, I know many Japanese (who use Mixi) that joined Facebook, too.  But they don't really go on Facebook or use it much.  They prefer Mixi.

I had been invited by friends to join Mixi, but cannot because I do not have Japanese cellphone.  That seems to be only problem to join.  I understand why it is by invitation only, to keep it "cleaner" than other Social Network like Myspace and Facebook, but for those people outside Japan with connections within Japan, this is frustrating.

Thanks -- these are helpful. Does most everyone have a mixi account? For people who are 16-30 it seems that way for facebook in the US. Is facebook getting more popular in Japan?

 hi, Emmieuk,

Privacy settings are depend on the person in Mixi.
Some people show their real name for business purpose.
Mixi can also block some annoying users and select what type of your friends to release your info (diary, twitter-like voice, or album).  almost same as facebook.

Mixi user interface is in ONLY Japanese, so enough if you and your friends use only Japanese.
in that case, you don't want to be bothered to read postings in English or in all other languages like in facebook.

i hope this helps your question.
mako