A cynic's view of Japan from the inside, based in solid research and pulling together all the theoretical understanding; it rips away the polite veneer to explain what is happening underneath -- and a lot of that is anathema to American sensibilities. However, if you can -- to be blunt about it, get over yourself, for an American trying to understand Japanese culture, this is probably one of the best books out there. Tolerance is fine, but acceptance means seeing the other person warts and all and learning to live with them anyway.