The CJ Bookshelf
An enigma wrapped in a furoshikiIt should be said that much of what is written in English on Japanese business, government, and trade issues seems to focus on xenophobia, monopolies, closed-door trade policies, draconian government, neck-rubbing bureaucrats, teeth-sucking executives, and mealy-mouthed journalists. Of course, Western-style journalism and the English-language are much more frank, blunt and, wellÉ rude (by Japanese standards). Knowing this, and wanting to offer some balance, we tried to find a few business books in English that painted flattering assessments of Japan. We couldnÕt. However, taken with a grain of salt, the books listed at right offer insights into this island nation with which we foreigners have a love/hate relationship. Here then, is the Computing Japan recommended reading list for expats, entrepreneurs, and business thrill seekers wanting to take the Nippon plunge. Enter at your own risk.
Primers
Japanese Business Etiquette This book covers the basics, and is a great reference. Includes a guide to seating arrangements by rank (even in a taxi!), negotiating tips, idioms to avoid (now youÕre talking), and more. Every dumb gaijin (a term of endearment, I am told) should read this book every few months.
Setting Up an Office in Japan One of several titles offered by the Chamber, this book includes tips on rent, banking, insurance, marketing, and more. A great primer and general guide. For more titles by the Chamber, including A Guide to Doing Business in Japan, check out the ACCJ website at http://www.accj.or.jp/pub/pub.html.
Doing Business with Japanese Men Although intended for foreign women, this book is an eye-opener for foreign men, Japanese women, and Japanese men born after Pink Lady. Full of helpful hints on culture and etiquette, this book is also peppered with frank anecdotal examples of the kind of sekuhara (sexual harassment) that would make Michael Douglas blush. This book would be a good addition to a sensitivity training course.
Marketing and Advertising
A Japanese Advertising Agency Moeran's book is a fly-on-the-wall telling of 12 months in the life of a large Japanese advertising agency. Written in the style of an academic research project, this book is nonetheless a revealing account of the machinations inside Japan's unique advertising industry. Dry, but a must-read for anyone involved in marketing or advertising.
Women, Media and Consumption in Japan
Culture and Psychobabble
Reading the Japanese Mind With a title that will scare away the politically correct, this book attempts to explain the Japanese id. With chapters like ÒYes May Mean No,Ó ÒPaddling Ducks and Tranquil Ducks,Ó and ÒThe Japanese Tao of Status,Ó this book attempts to tie all the pieces of the Japanese psyche together. March previously taught international business at Aoyama Gakuin University, and wrote several other books on his favorite subject, including The Japanese Negotiator.
Policy and Government
The Ministry Hartcher is an editor for the Australian Financial Review, and his expose on the Ministry of Finance offers the first in-depth look in English at one of the most powerful and least understood elements of Japan, Inc. This is an essential book to read if you want to comprehend the (incomprehensible) bureaucracies that call the shots in Japan.
Unlocking the Bureaucrat's Kingdom This collection of writings was borne from a joint study of economic over-regulation, and contains contributions from Yosuhiro Nakasone (former Prime Minister of Japan), Masao Miyamoto (former official, Health and Welfare Ministry, see Straight Jacket Society, above right), Edith Terry (Economic Strategy Institute), Edward Lincoln (Brookings Institution), and Eisuke Sakakibara (Ministry of Finance), among others. Dry, but a well-balanced book.
Straight Jacket Society Miyamoto is an insider who spilled a few beans with his frank and revealing newspaper accounts of life inside the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. His subsequent books (only one of which has been translated into English) provide a telling glimpse of how things work inside the omnipotent ministries. The price he paid, of course, was his job. |