You certainly are NOT an outcast, most of us know enough Japanese to get by in class (yes, sorry, please train with me) and maybe be sociable to the sushi chef. But learning another language can only help you in the long run, and way too many Americans are too lazy to bother.
Some ways to start: language tapes, either from a book store or a library; some high schools (mine did but I went for Latin
) and junior colleges teach classes, and sometimes adult extension classes. Good luck!
Hmmm, maybe if enough folks were interested, Jun would add a word or phrase of the day to the web...