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Dogs and Demons: Tales from the Dark Side of Japan First Edition
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Alex Kerr
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Keen insight into the unique causes and disastrous results of the once heralded 'Japan Model' of development . . . a must read.” ―Michael Judge, The Wall Street Journal
“Should be required reading for anyone who writes about or studies the Japanese economy . . . ” ―Eric Johnston, The Japan Times
From the Publisher
Now in paperback, a surprising assessment of the failures and successes of modern Japan.
In Dogs and Demons, Alex Kerr chronicles the many facets of Japan's recent, and chronic, crises -- from the failure of its banks and pension funds to the decline of its once magnificent modern cinema. He is the first to give a full report on the nation's endangered environment -- its seashores lined with concrete, its roads leading to nowhere in the mountains -- as well as its "monument frenzy," the destruction of old cities such as Kyoto and construction of drab new ones, and the attendant collapse of its tourist industry. Kerr writes with humor and passion, for "passion," he says, "is part of the story. Millions of Japanese feel as heartbroken at what is going on as I do. My Japanese friends tell me, 'Please write this -- for us.'"
Alex Kerr, educated at Yale, Oxford, and Keio Universities, is the author of many monographs and articles in both Japanese and English. He now lives in Bangkok.
About the Author
Alex Kerr, educated at Yale, Oxford, and Keio Universities, is the author of many monographs and articles in both Japanese and English. He now lives in Bangkok.
Product details
- Publisher : Hill and Wang; First edition (February 10, 2002)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0809039435
- ISBN-13 : 978-0809039432
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
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Best Sellers Rank:
#768,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #655 in Asian History (Books)
- #766 in International Relations (Books)
- #1,393 in Japanese History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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For example, my country, Costa Rica, is an ecotourism mecca, and by using the same arguments by Mr. Kerr, we would need to keep my country as a jungle in order to preserve its cultural identity as perceived by the foreigners, or stop the construction of tall buildings because it is expected from us to be a small country with a small capital city like a mountain village where everybody knows each other, which isn't the case anymore.
I admit I also have a very similar idea of what Japan must be like, and many of the facts presented in the book are very concerning and I agree with the author on many of those. But what is happening in Japan, is happening all over the world, and I felt very identified with many of the issues.
For the Japanese and for others who are some way connected to Japan, this book should hopefully serve as a wake up call to the problems that are going on in Japan. Like Kerr, while hoping for change I too find it hard to be optimistic about Japan. It will likely take some social revolution of some kind for this to take place. But it should be noted that the two main turning points in Japan's modern history: the Meiji Restoration and World War II was more a change in form than in function. Power merely moved from the one group of bureaucrats to another while the country has largely functioned with the idea of putting industry first, people last. I can't help but think that it will take some dramatic event, some effective leader to turn events around. The fate of Japan and its role in 21st century Asia will be an important issue to keep track of. It is my hope that Japan rediscovers itself and emerges from its current economic and cultural recession, but it will take some sacrifices to do so.
Kerr's book is heavy and it is full of passion but he backs up his arguments well with facts and anecdotes. Dogs and Demons should be required reading for anyone interested in any aspect of Japan, be it business, pop culture, or traditional arts. I look forward to Kerr's future insights as well. Excellent book.
Alex Kerr has written a book that the expats in the "gaijin ghettos" of Roppongi and Hiroo, or the diplomats in their dunghills of Azabu should read. He is not frightened of losing a business contract, or an invitation to an exclusive club. The apologists for Japan will take umbrage as the book will undoubteldy upset their sterile, isolated opinions of their temporary host country, but as a long-term resident of this place, and a business owner here myself, I can vouch that he is telling the real story.
The excesses of the construction industry, pollution, flawed education system, corruption, rigid rules, feudal system, children with no dreams, are all detailed and explained. The worthless banks and useless finance system are described, though there is no clear comparison of the 100yen/$ international economy, dominated by Sony, Honda, Toyota etc, and the heavily subsidised 200Yen/$ economy ruled by couriers, railroad companies, Japan Agriculture and local corporations.
Although there was no mention of Universal Studios new site in Osaka, built on Sumitomo's heavily contaminated land with dubious co-operation from Osaka politicians, the Kansai International Airport fiasco, and little on the bullet-trains lines to nowhere, or a massive station built for an ageing mother; the concrete coast-line was explained well, and the dependence of politicians and local businesses on construction, to the detriment of the local environment.
The world of sokaiya and shareholders, the lip-service to dividends and long-term planning, not short term gains, was notably absence, as were the myths of life -time employment, and the benevolent employer, but I suppose Mr. Kerr cannot be an expert on everything.
The successes of Sony and Toyota were not touched upon, but would probably have been out of place in a book like this. The small consumer associations and feeble protest groups were also barely mentioned, as they were in the 1992 book, Japanese Working for a Better World, curiously published in Hawaii, not Japan!
The sacred rice farming and dominance by JA - Japan Agriculture - was also not included, the rice weakened over the years with the heavy use of subsidised chemicals, whose factories they also own, and again the ties with local political parties.
Miyamoto Masao's book Straitjacket Society was quoted often, and he seems to have a small circle of writers that he draws his material from, but they are all well aware of the real nature of Japan today, and the almost total acceptance of bureaucratic rules. The hidden world of bars, clubs, brothels and imported Asian entertainers held hostage by gangsters was also ignored, but that has been covered in detail in other books.
Endure is the keyword, not enjoy.
There is hope for the country, as he recalls encounters with a few people who can see the problems, and wish to solve them, but they are also resigned to no change for a few hundered years.
This is a "must read" for anyone wanting to understand Japan, its current problems, and also some of its neighbouring Asian countries who blindly adopted the Japanese model, and have fallen into the same traps.
Many will say that Mr. Kerr is severe, but more will say his is the first, accurate view of Japan. I think he could have been much more comprehensive, and a lot more severe!
I look forward to seeing a Japanese version, and wonder what the Japanese will think of his views and opinions.
Top reviews from other countries
Da leggere per completare la percezione che si ha "normalmente" del Giappone
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