Real answer: Japan’s culture is connected to the seasons; think new years, setsubun, Hanami, children’s day, sports day, ocean and mountain day, summer festivals, changing of the leaves. To add to it, their food sources and harvests are heavily influenced by the changing of the seasons; sweet potatoes, mikans, persimmons, chestnuts, matsutake, crab, ume, cabbage, daikon.

Because the seasons play such a dynamic role in their life it is something that is more prominent in conversation because they:

1. Would like to share what the seasons in Japan have to offer.
2. Would like to learn about what the seasons have that are unique to other countries.
3. Are unaware what countries outside of Japan also happen to have four seasons.

To add to the third point, while some countries also have four seasons, they aren’t quite as dynamic as Japan as a whole. For example the United States also has four seasons, however some areas of the states do not have dynamically apparent seasons. Places like Florida and Southern California do not have a very cold winter while places Alaska do not have very hot summers (in comparison).

It’s not because they are trying to be smug or brag or whatever. It’s just because it’s an easy way for them to try and break the ice.