[NIFL-ESL:6961] Discovering Japan

From: Charles Jannuzi (jannuzi@edu00.f-edu.fukui-u.ac.jp)
Date: Fri Jan 18 2002 - 01:14:54 EST

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Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 01:14:54 -0500 (EST)
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From: "Charles Jannuzi" <jannuzi@edu00.f-edu.fukui-u.ac.jp>
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> Charles, could you suggest anything I might read that would help with my
> Japanese understanding?
>
> Andrea

I'm assuming you don't mean language study here, but rather historical and
cultural knowledge (but correct me if I'm wrong).

It's hard to say. Most of what gets written in English about Japan (the
serious, academic stuff that is) falls in a very narrow range:

from the viewpoint that Japan is gradually Americanizing and this is good

to Japan is a rogue nation that can not absorb 'western norms' and is set on
dominating the world economy.

How utterly limiting and useless most of this analysis is.

There was a bit of a craze in the late 80s about how American companies
should become more like Japanese ones in terms of management-worker
relations, etc.

I suggest dipping into the online newspapers from Japan--Japan Times,
Mainichi Daily News (the print version is now defunct but its all online),
and the like. You can even read letters from Japanese people in English.
Another great online resource is a discussion list like ELTASIA.

If you like history, then Dower's books are recommended.

I think internet searches can get you to all these, but let me know if you
have trouble finding them.

Charles Jannuzi

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