Japanese Mind

by Robert C. Christopher

An entertaining and thorough introduction to all things Japanese. Much has been written about Japanese management. But this is the first book to explain the people, the life, and the culture of that fascinating nation.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Asia, Business

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly deep book that isn't dated much at all. Christopher "got" the Japanese Mind almost 30 years ago, with a penetrating analysis of Japanese culture across all aspects. Explains things like the relation between sexes, the way education indoctrinates the group mentality, the love of Japan for the written word, the way education shapes students into being good Japanese with college as recess, and more. Very much unlike other books of its time, that viewed the Japanese as magical inscrutable Others. Christopher got the good and bad sides of Japan better than many modern authors I've read.
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[Caroline Weber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Published during an economic downturn in the US, when the US felt very threatened by Japan and was trying to get the Japanese to reduce their exports.

Christopher was a successful journalist, and perhaps always loved Japan. But the first time he seems to have stepped foot there was as part of the Occupation after WWII, and the book reeks of that paternalism.

I think I will try to avoid these sorts of "popular" books in the future, the ones that tell us they will "explain" a culture to me. The more academic works are more difficult to read, but they are more honest: they show everything they looked at and considered before drawing any conclusions - so the reader can decide. And they are actually less pretentious than these "popular" books.

[Toni SCRUMptious · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give a three star review to a book if I found it interesting to read, but am unlikely to re-read, refer back to or recommend to colleagues.

As an Agile Coach, I have studied much about the Toyota Production System, Kanban and collaborative decision making, so when I saw this book in my local book exchange I was interested to find out more.

For a book written in 1983, there was still much of interest with regards to post WW2 Japanese history. Topics included: culture, foreign relations, the home, family life, robots, industry and politics.

Given the current Covid-19 situation, I found the prediction of someday being able to work from home particularly amusing.

[Yash Sanghvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book in the public library and picked it up on a whim. I was pleasantly surprised. Well crafted prose and extremely readable. I enjoyed this book a lot more over "Japan as Number One" - which also talks about cultural differences between the West and Japan and was written by the American diplomat Ezra Vogel. Its mystifiying as to why this book isn't as popular.

[Allen]

Worth reading, with several interesting ideas and facts about Japan. But it's now 40 years old and the speculation about Japan in the future is not worth the effort.

[Vleegoodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that cover the external symbols of Japanese practice and production are countless. Lacking for readers, and what this particular volume serves wonderfully, is a look at the symbols buried deep within the Japanese psyche, that can't just be seen, but instead must be deciphered by a tactician, understanding how what is seen outside coalesces with what is believed inside.

Laying out and then pulling back these particular layers gives this book a certain timelessness. Although some of these cultural underpinnings will undoubtedly change, as the fabric of all cultures do over time, these aspects of a people are the most resistant and longest lasting.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting and well written, but a lot of the stats discussed were from the mid to late '70's. The results will probably be different 30 years later. I wouldn't recommend the book just because of that.

[Curt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my roadmap for interacting in Japan in 1987 when I lived there. A must read. *The* key to the psyche of a tribal behemoth.