Japan It's Not All Raw Fish

by Don Maloney

This American businessman cuts through what he calls the "little yellow lies" about Japan and tells what it's really like for the foreigner -- or "Gaijin"--who lives and works there.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japan, Humor

246 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1981

Reviews

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother loved this book, which she found when she was living in Tokyo (I was a toddler then). It wasn't until I was working when I went through my mother's book collection and found this book. It was hilarious! Not only that, but I was shocked to find my mother's name in the next edition. She had won a competition that Mr. Maloney had held in his first book. I still reread this book just to get a chuckle.

[Susan Laluk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first enjoyed this very funny collection of the author's experiences living in Japan when I lived in Japan in the early 1980s. An American friend and I used to read it to each other while riding the trains, and I'm sure the Japanese commuters wondered why the gaijin were laughing so hard. I recently re-read it, and although it is slightly dated, I still laughed out loud.

[Jim B]

This was so funny and helpful when I lived in Japan -- anyone who has lived through culture shock will appreciate the humorous look at one culture through the eyes of a foreigner (gaijin) who loves it.

[Tony Derricott]

I don't remember where I picked this book up, probably at a thrift store some years back. Anyway, I was looking on my shelves tonight for something to read and this caught my eye. We'll see whether it's worthy of being a keeper or whether I re-donate.

After finishing the book I've decided to give it back to the thrift store. There were definitely some enjoyable moments. The author's humor is a bit like Dave Barry. I also enjoyed all of the familiar references to things I knew about from having lived in Japan. I don't think I'd be inclined to read the book again, though. I'm sure there are many more quality books about Japan that I've yet to discover.