As a foreigner quite integrated into Japan (living here for over 5 years, married to Japanese, working at a Japanese company), I have also succumbed to 建前 (Tatemae; 'built in front', going around what's 'built in front'. around the bush?). 本音 (Honne; 'real sound') is just what people do in the West (speak their true thoughts), but not so much in Japan. As the article mentioned, people you (at long last) become more than 知り合い (shiriai; common acquaintances) or people with power will often speak abruptly (as 本音 is felt as such). Even so, it took my wife a bit of training to break out of her shell. Now, she can cuss me out in English without hesitation :)

建前 (I'd even consider it brown-nosing sometimes) is something I think that bugs many foreigners living in Japan, as it does me because it's done so commonplace here. I'm starting to do it (unknowingly, but probably from positive-feedback) just for the amount of gregariousness it brings. I would even go further to say that Japanese language it self is blemished in 建前 because of the culture's apprehension towards conflict and directness.

My mere observation. I had a morning meeting today, and found myself mouth full of 建前.