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The Accidental Office Lady: An American Woman in Corporate Japan Paperback – September 10, 2011

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Laura Kriska (Author)
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Laura Kriska (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 47 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Original ed. edition (September 10, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 4805311568
  • ISBN-13: 978-4805311561
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.9 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starseasy to read, for the Japanese also
By A Customer on December 19, 1999
Format: Paperback
(I am a colledge student in Japan. I happened to find this a book online.)Her efforts to struggle to accept and change wrong phases of Japanese custom for herself made me inspired, though I would prefer to comment on what she recounted. Her yarn may be a little bit dated; Japen's society has changed since then: times are bad; most people don't indulge in luxary; increasing young men are breaking with tradition. It is TRUE, however, that Japan is a sexist society. You will find how much discrimination the auther encountered. As a female, I feel offensive against old, ridiculous Japanese notions of women which defines that they are so weak that they must depend on men. Most women in this book seem not to be aware of sexism in the society, but I hope you to know today's many Japanese women are claiming their rights.
As she uses a word 'embarrassed' many times, I found Japanese people are too shy at trivial situations(maybe I am, too!). She made me grasp my country objectively and differencies between Japanese and American culture. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially Japanese people. The 'gohatto' she made in this book may be useful for those who ventured into the westrn society.
Finally, she has made a mistake of a sumo wresler's name; his name is Chiyonofuji, correctly.
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3.0 out of 5 starsA recommended read for those who haven't been to Japan.
By A Customer on October 14, 1999
Format: Paperback
This book is definitely a worthwhile read for those who have never visited Japan or even for those who have spent a short time there and were less than enthralled with the experience. It offers a very accurate view from a typical American experience whether working in the Japanese business world, in the English teaching profession, or in another field generally made up of foreigners.
I was disappointed that there was not much mention of the positive aspects of Japanese business culture. Unfortunately, most foreigners who visit Japan also make this same ommision when recounting their experiences.
Something that perplexed me from the outset of the book was the great lack of knowledge and understanding of modern Japan that the author exhibited as she made her way through the events of her story. It was my understanding that she had completed a Japanese Studies program which included study abroad at a very prestigious Japanese university before beginning as a trainee at the Honda headquarters.
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4.0 out of 5 starsThe Accidental Appreciation of Laura Kriska
By Paul Allaer TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on June 25, 1999
Format: Paperback
Ms. Kriska recently gave a presentation at the Japan America Society here in Cincinnati, which I attended at the last minute, by accident so to speak. Following her lively presentation, my curiosity was peaked enough to buy the book. As it happens, I had to fly to Los Angeles a few days later, and settled in for 4 hours on interrupted reading. Ms. Kriska writes as she comes across in person: witty, smart, engaging, understanding, forgiving, yet always with an agenda to be accomplished (in her book: the "uniform policy" episode; in her presentation: to get the audience to buy the book), for which she does not apologize (nor should she). Ms. Kriska's eye for details is impressive, even more so realizing that the book was written some 8 years after the events. Unexplained both at the presentation and in her book is what exactly caused the long delay in starting and/or finishing the book. That aside, anyone looking for a good international "human interest" story or for that perfect summertime poolside reading, this is a can't-miss book, guaranteed to make you smile along the way. And it made my flight to/from Los Angeles seemingly so much shorter!
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4.0 out of 5 starsGreat read
By shakala on November 13, 2011
Format: Paperback
I finished reading this book just a few days ago and stumbled on the previous review and felt I have to write my own (rare for me.) As with many things, how we respond to a book depends on where we're coming from. Where I'm coming from: I have not lived in Japan, but only spent 2 months on a Japanese ship as the only female and only Westerner. I'm currently learning Japanese and am fascinated by the cultural differences between the US and Japan, and the communication difficulties that transcend mere language differences.
That said, I thought this book was great. I stayed up too late three nights in a row reading it. I thought the author was fair in acknowledging the cultural biases she was bringing to the situation and how that made her object to so many of the cultural expectations she wasn't prepared for (even though she thought of herself as worldly going into it). I got the message that she ended up learning a lot, and learning where she had initially been too judgmental, though I would have felt exactly the same in her situation. It takes courage to admit on paper what could come across as petty, though I think is just human. The policies that existed in Japan in the 80's would be considered sexist in the US, and it's more than just a culture shock to find yourself in a situation where (because of your home culture) you feel like the victim of blatant discrimination. That said, I finished the book feeling that she had a deep respect for the Japanese culture and Japanese people.
I took this mainly as an account of one woman's journey, with all the bumps, wrinkles that she personally encountered. It was a good read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsMust read for someone working in a Japanese company.

I actually met Laura first while working at Honda. Then bought the book, it gives you a lot of insight into the work culture of Japan

Published 1 month ago by Erik Aagard
5.0 out of 5 starsfantastic account of cross cultural lessons

It's been a long time since I read a book that was so captivating that I finished it in less than 2 days. Read more

Published 12 months ago by smiley
4.0 out of 5 starsLiked it

Enjoyed learning about cultural differences between Japan and the United States. The author is a bit "full of herself" but endearing.

Published 19 months ago by chicagolander
5.0 out of 5 starsEngaging and unbiased!

I simply could not put this book down! Anyone interested in the inner-workings of Japan and their psychological, social, and cultural differences compared to America should read... Read more

Published 22 months ago by Celena O'Brien
3.0 out of 5 starsHalf interesting, skim the rest

What the office and factory environments are really like is the best part. Eye opening. Skim over the mundane parts and you will be fine.

Published on September 20, 2013 by Rupa Hamal
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat for class or business, not only relevant to Japan

I first found and read The Accidental Office Lady when I was a recent college graduate, heading off to Japan to teach English and learn more about the language and the culture. Read more

Published on May 4, 2013 by Rose
5.0 out of 5 starsCultures

I found the book to be very informative and interesting. The differences
between Japanese and American culture are many. Some of them are total
opposites. Read more

Published on April 22, 2013 by Joan Robinett
5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant

I found this book to be fascinating, especially for an autobiography. While reading The Accidental Office Lady, it helped me gain a better perspective of Japanese culture and the... Read more

Published on February 15, 2013 by Anonymous
4.0 out of 5 starsGreat red before working in Japan

I read this book before my own secondment to Tokyo and it was a great way for someone who has never been to Japan to take a glimpse inside a business culture that most Americans... Read more

Published on January 28, 2013 by AMS
4.0 out of 5 starsEnjoyed it!

The truth about women working in Japan- hopefully things are still changing for the better. The author learned patience and persistence and made a difference. Read more

Published on January 28, 2013 by 1HitWonder

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