Is it freaky to be a vegetarian in Japan or anywhere else in East Asia?

It has been quite bit of challenge to be a vegetarian in Japan. When I travel to Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Korea and so on, same issue recur. Apart from financial reasons, being vegetarians is the reason why my family rarely eat out.

A friend of mine said that there are bunches of reasons to be a vegetarian. However, in places where social tie is most crucial, such reasonings are no use. Eating meat is a must because it is embarrassing for your hosts to see you refuse what they cooked.

Well, still having a good social life makes no sense if I cheat myself.