How Japanese Do It: Voices from a Nation in Decline

By: Cristian Martini Grimaldi

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The inspiration for this book came from a thought that deeply intrigued me – what if an alien visited Japan, seeking to understand the life here? Where would I, who have been living in this country for over ten years, take him? Perhaps on a tour of a typical corporate office, presenting him with “the average day in the life of a salaryman”, would this be enough to capture the essence of Japanese life? Certainly not.
To truly penetrate the soul of Japan requires a journey across its vast expanse, engaging with the myriad personalities that stitch together the nation's cultural and social fabric.
"How Japanese Do It: Voices from a Nation in Decline" ventures beyond the shiny veneer of conventional perceptions, delving deep into the heart of what truly defines Japanese spirit and identity in an era of demographic and economic decline.
Encounter a former salaryman turned homeless after being pushed to the brink of suicide by financial ruin, a Tunisian entrepreneur scavenging Japan for vintage Toyota truck engines to sell overseas, and peek inside a Japanese NPO where, defying the stereotype of Japan's rigorous work ethic, everyone without lifting a finger manages to get their salary. Discover why a simple volleyball club in Japan, is more than just a place for sports but a living example of the social and professional hierarchies that define much of Japanese society. Delve into the underworld with a Yakuza godfather who candidly reveals he was “too dumb to do anything else”, and find out why Japanese policemen are become criminals. Also hear the distressing tale of a young woman in Kyoto, sexually exploited by those entrusted with her education. In "How Japanese Do It" we set out to capture the ephemeral moments of a transforming society, offering an intimate yet broad portrayal of life in a declining Japan.

Really? Pointless and insulting

Expecting insight. Received the banal observations of an outsider that wrote a book based upon the exception proving the rule. Nasty and pointless. Waste of time frap