Culture Shock! Japan

Rating:
Summary: Advice - Some good, some bad
Review: "Culture Shock - Japan" is a book written during a specific time period for a specific target audience. Realistically, this is a guide for businessmen who found themselves transferred to Japan during the "Bubble Economy." At least, the book assumes that the reader is moving to Japan semi-permanently. The author makes it pretty clear that this is not intended to be a tourists guide.

With that in mind, however, you can mine some good advice from "Culture Shock - Japan." The most useful chapters focused on social customs like gift giving, house visits, riding the subway and other day-to-day encounters. Social customs of this sort are more common, and less affected by the fading economy. You will definitely be able to avoid some embarrassing situations if you follow the advice. I skipped several chapters that did not relate to my situation, such as "Doing Business with the Japanese," and the chapter on buying a house.

One the plus side, the book is a quick read (especially if you skip chapters like I did) and will help prepare you for oncoming culture shock. It gives an important message in that Japan is going to be far more different that you expect, and that you should prepare yourself.

Recommended, with reservation. If you are going to Japan for a long-term stay, I think that this is a useful book. It just should not be your only book on Japanese culture and expectations.

Rating:
Summary: Take some, leave some.
Review: I'm moving to Japan in about a year, and this book definately gives a lot of insight into culture and traditions, but it seems to focus on buissness men and their wives. What's up with that? I'm going there as an English teaching assistant to 13/14 year olds, so half the book didn't even apply to me. The other half was very interesting. I wouldn't rely on this book alone, since it is a bit rigid, but it's worth picking up. Definately check out a wide variety of material. And don't forget Japanese cook books, as they often give insight into regional culture and tradition as well!

Rating:
Summary: You can do better!
Review: The only reason this book gets one star is because there are some useful lists in the back of the book about food, vocabulary, etc. But that information does not make it worth it to buy this book. The same information can be found in MANY books out there, preferably something without the negative slant this author seems to take towards Japan.

Instead of simply showing the readers the differences between American and Japanese cultures, he insists on adding his own close-minded two cents. Though not overt, the author seems to look down on the Japanese people and culture, mostly because it is different from what he is used to. While there are many people out there who choose to believe a culture is wrong simply because it is different from what they are used to, I would prefer to read cultural books written by those that take a less judgmental approach.