so much so indeed that ...?

[yamyam]

Hello, teachers.

I've found the following:

1. ..., young Japanese are moving closer to the views of young Westerners and away from those of the older Japanese --- so much so indeed that it is possible to speak of the existence of a generation gap.

Is the phrase "so much so indeed that" an idiom?

If possible, would you let me know the meaning of this?


yam

 

[probus]

It is not an idiom because the plain meaning of the words is sufficient to understand them.

May I suggest that you begin by omitting the word "indeed". If the words are then intelligible to you, you are home free (AmE) or home and dry (BrE). "Indeed" here is added merely for emphasis.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't think "indeed" fits in that phrase even for emphasis.

 

[Tdol]

It means that they are moving so far from the views of the older Japanese towards the views of young Westerners that you can talk of a generation gap.

BTW indeed is OK for extra emphasis in BrE, though I wouldn't use it.

 

[MikeNewYork]

If I used "indeed", I would place it between "is" and "possible", not where it occurred in the OP's sentence.