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The Accidental Office Lady
Book by Kriska, Laura
303 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
23 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Laura Kriska
3 books7 followersBorn in Tokyo, Japan to missionary parents, Laura Kriska spoke her first words in Japanese and took her first steps on tatami floor. When she was two years old, her family returned to their home in Columbus, Ohio, but her interest in Japan continued to grow. While earning her B.A. in Japanese Studies at Denison University, Kriska spent her junior year abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo and devoted most of her time to practicing judo. A week after giving the commencement speech to her graduating class, she was welding parts on the automobile assembly line of the Honda factory in Marysville, Ohio, as part of her training to work overseas. Two months later, she was in Japan —the first American woman to work in Honda Motor Company’s Tokyo headquarters...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 28, 2019
4.5 stars.
I could not put this book down. As someone who currently lives in Japan (in Fukuoka which develops a bit slower socially than Tokyo), I felt the frustrations of he author in my soul. To simultaneously love and hate this country is a feeling I am intimately familiar with. There is no place I would rather be, but sometimes I feel like I am smashing my head uselessly against a wall when I try to elicit any change.
I have created a group called Girls Supporting Girls in Japan and I plan to translate and use sections of this book to spur discussion amongst the members. Laura's growth and ability to sympathize with those she disagrees with is inspiring and I plan to refer to her story often in the future.
I could not put this book down. As someone who currently lives in Japan (in Fukuoka which develops a bit slower socially than Tokyo), I felt the frustrations of he author in my soul. To simultaneously love and hate this country is a feeling I am intimately familiar with. There is no place I would rather be, but sometimes I feel like I am smashing my head uselessly against a wall when I try to elicit any change.
I have created a group called Girls Supporting Girls in Japan and I plan to translate and use sections of this book to spur discussion amongst the members. Laura's growth and ability to sympathize with those she disagrees with is inspiring and I plan to refer to her story often in the future.
October 16, 2008
The Accidental Office Lady was an interesting look into late 80s Japan corporate culture. It detailed concepts of uniforms, sex discrimination, and engendered behaviors. Frequently I found myself annoyed with the whiny tone of the author, and aggravated that she didn't seem to have any inkling about Japanese business culture prior to her stay. It seems that the discrimination against women in the workplace and their subservient position in the hierarchy should be pretty well known for anyone that planned to spend time in Japan--particularly when they'd already been there as an exchange student.
Overall though, it did provide some interesting insights into the culture of Honda during the time period. And while I felt it was often self-congratulatory and more about Laura Kriska than experiencing Japan, it was still an enjoyable enough read.
Overall though, it did provide some interesting insights into the culture of Honda during the time period. And while I felt it was often self-congratulatory and more about Laura Kriska than experiencing Japan, it was still an enjoyable enough read.
August 22, 2018
It was fun to read. Even though the book is about 80's in Japan, there are still same things happening which cofuse many people coming to Japan.
I am a Japanese woman, but I've experienced similar feelings as the author had in Japan a lot. Discrimination against women, strange un-written rules, and so on.
I would like Japanese to read this book and rethink about how Japan is seen by the world and how we can improve.
I am a Japanese woman, but I've experienced similar feelings as the author had in Japan a lot. Discrimination against women, strange un-written rules, and so on.
I would like Japanese to read this book and rethink about how Japan is seen by the world and how we can improve.
October 9, 2015
I've seen this book a few times (in Kinokuniya), but never bothered to pick it up. But, since it's available through overdrive, I decided that, why not, since I'm already looking for a job.
Really, I don't know why I do this to my self. First, I take that class which basically made working in Japan sound terrible for ladies (no career path, really tough time when you're a mom, etc). And now, I read a book that reinforces that idea. Good thing the book was written a fairly long time ago though, so I can hope that things have drastically improved since then.
The Accidental Office Lady is the story of Laura, the first Western lady to ever work at the Honda head office. According to her, she has deep ties to Japan, being born there, and having gone for an exchange at Waseda. But of course, this is what, 1980s Japan? And things don't go as smoothly as expected. Among other things, Laura has to wear a uniform, is bossed around by the queen bee of the secretaries, and has general problems fitting in to the culture.
One thing I didn't get about Laura was how fluent in Japanese she was. In the prologue, she talks about how her "first words were Japanese", on some days, "spoke Japanese exclusively", and generally gives off the impression that she's very, very fluent in Japanese. But as the book goes on, she talks about having to have people explain things in English and Japanese, which confused me. Isn't she supposed to be fluent? How is there a language barrier? I'm guessing that she's like me, ok with conversation, but unfamiliar with business/office Japanese. This was a huge motivator to actually go practice keigo.
One thing I did understand, in fact it's one thing I worry about, are the cultural differences. By the time I graduate, I'd have spent 5 years in Japan, but assuming I can get a job, I don't know if I will be able to navigate things smoothly. Reading about Laura's experience makes me fervently wish that things have gotten better, or I have no idea how I'll last for long periods of time.
Basically, this book is like a worst-case scenario for me. Assuming I can get a job (big assumption there), I'll be going in ready to adapt to the situation as and when it needs be. You know, to change the things you can, but accept the things you can't. But you know, if things turn out to be more egalitarian, I would be thrilled.
This review was first posted at With love from Japan, Eustacia
Really, I don't know why I do this to my self. First, I take that class which basically made working in Japan sound terrible for ladies (no career path, really tough time when you're a mom, etc). And now, I read a book that reinforces that idea. Good thing the book was written a fairly long time ago though, so I can hope that things have drastically improved since then.
The Accidental Office Lady is the story of Laura, the first Western lady to ever work at the Honda head office. According to her, she has deep ties to Japan, being born there, and having gone for an exchange at Waseda. But of course, this is what, 1980s Japan? And things don't go as smoothly as expected. Among other things, Laura has to wear a uniform, is bossed around by the queen bee of the secretaries, and has general problems fitting in to the culture.
One thing I didn't get about Laura was how fluent in Japanese she was. In the prologue, she talks about how her "first words were Japanese", on some days, "spoke Japanese exclusively", and generally gives off the impression that she's very, very fluent in Japanese. But as the book goes on, she talks about having to have people explain things in English and Japanese, which confused me. Isn't she supposed to be fluent? How is there a language barrier? I'm guessing that she's like me, ok with conversation, but unfamiliar with business/office Japanese. This was a huge motivator to actually go practice keigo.
One thing I did understand, in fact it's one thing I worry about, are the cultural differences. By the time I graduate, I'd have spent 5 years in Japan, but assuming I can get a job, I don't know if I will be able to navigate things smoothly. Reading about Laura's experience makes me fervently wish that things have gotten better, or I have no idea how I'll last for long periods of time.
Basically, this book is like a worst-case scenario for me. Assuming I can get a job (big assumption there), I'll be going in ready to adapt to the situation as and when it needs be. You know, to change the things you can, but accept the things you can't. But you know, if things turn out to be more egalitarian, I would be thrilled.
This review was first posted at With love from Japan, Eustacia
March 21, 2022
In this classic case of culture clash, we followed the adventures of Laura Kriska, who was the first American woman who worked in Honda’s corporation headquarter in Tokyo. As an America who was born in Japan, spent her early life in Japan, studied in Japan and even had a first-hand experience of some sort of internship in Honda, she seemed to be well-equipped to face challenges ahead.
However, it was not to be that way. As one of the earliest foreign women who worked in Honda, a corporation steeped in tradition (and by extension, the patriarchy, conservatism and sexism that followed), soon she stumbled upon obstacles. Coming from a rather egalitarian place in Ohio, America, she came face to face with the whole might of the conservative corporate, as exemplified by her arch nemesis, Ms. Mori the most senior secretary. Coming with high expectations, she found it foundered with the sight of uniform for woman staffs, whose primary job was to serve tea and apologizing for intruding, if not doing other mundane tasks. However, due to her resolves to effect change in the company, and to bridge differences between American and Japanese cultures, she finally succeeded in persuading the company to make the women’s uniform optional.
Throughout this book, we can learn Laura’s frustrations in dealing with Japanese cultures, along with her progresses in working within Honda. Many Japanese people were also mentioned, people with two sets of face, the public (tatemae) face and private (honne) face, which also still hard to identify which is which. The most important lesson that I get after reading this book is the realization that culturally, I am closer to the western people in way of thinking, even though geographically I live in Southeast Asia, showing the extent of globalization today. Other funny thing is, that many of Laura’s experiences in dealing with the corporates that day are enough to warrant Honda being ‘cancelled’ by generations of today, showing that while globalization opens up the world, people’s minds still lagged behind in understanding differences between cultures.
However, it was not to be that way. As one of the earliest foreign women who worked in Honda, a corporation steeped in tradition (and by extension, the patriarchy, conservatism and sexism that followed), soon she stumbled upon obstacles. Coming from a rather egalitarian place in Ohio, America, she came face to face with the whole might of the conservative corporate, as exemplified by her arch nemesis, Ms. Mori the most senior secretary. Coming with high expectations, she found it foundered with the sight of uniform for woman staffs, whose primary job was to serve tea and apologizing for intruding, if not doing other mundane tasks. However, due to her resolves to effect change in the company, and to bridge differences between American and Japanese cultures, she finally succeeded in persuading the company to make the women’s uniform optional.
Throughout this book, we can learn Laura’s frustrations in dealing with Japanese cultures, along with her progresses in working within Honda. Many Japanese people were also mentioned, people with two sets of face, the public (tatemae) face and private (honne) face, which also still hard to identify which is which. The most important lesson that I get after reading this book is the realization that culturally, I am closer to the western people in way of thinking, even though geographically I live in Southeast Asia, showing the extent of globalization today. Other funny thing is, that many of Laura’s experiences in dealing with the corporates that day are enough to warrant Honda being ‘cancelled’ by generations of today, showing that while globalization opens up the world, people’s minds still lagged behind in understanding differences between cultures.
October 9, 2024
This is the first book I've read about Japan that is about office work life. I've read books about food, tourism, being a teacher, living in the inaka side, being a youtuber, so in that sense it was refreshing.
What it was not refreshing is having again a visitor coming to live in Japan and being against their customs. For starters, the Japanese are a very "we/our" mentality type of community, while people from the US is very "I/me/my" mentality. Not to forget their usual "it is my right" bs they love to pull out every time they get a chance.
In this case, the author works around a year in the offices of Honda being an OL. These OL (Office Ladies) take care of mundane stuffs like serving tea, cleaning desks, etc (of course Japan is very behind in their ideas: there are jobs "for men" and jobs "for women") and I get it, it must have been frustrating. The author goes when she is like 22 and she was expecting like a manager position (poor girl) but got this instead. Very below her, but fine, everyone has their own ambitions. But she goes on and on about the uniforms, how she hates them, how it makes all women be the same while men got to wear what they want. For the author, it is dehumanizing and sexist. Fine, for her it is like that but the other OL are fine with it, why was she so persistent to change it?
I am completely aware that changes are good but for me, the quote "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is more important. She is a foreigner in the country, yet she rebelled against silly things like, women eating lunch on one side and men eating lunch on the other. Or she gets an apartment (no cost for her) since she is an employee, but she rebels about it and puts the people in charge in a tight spot with her requests.
That is what bothered me the most; how she, the foreign from USA, puts the Japanese on a tight spot on several situations. Fine, if you want to rebel, do it, but leave the rest alone.
This all happened before 1990; I kept thinking, wow, US people are really obnoxious no matter the time!
What it was not refreshing is having again a visitor coming to live in Japan and being against their customs. For starters, the Japanese are a very "we/our" mentality type of community, while people from the US is very "I/me/my" mentality. Not to forget their usual "it is my right" bs they love to pull out every time they get a chance.
In this case, the author works around a year in the offices of Honda being an OL. These OL (Office Ladies) take care of mundane stuffs like serving tea, cleaning desks, etc (of course Japan is very behind in their ideas: there are jobs "for men" and jobs "for women") and I get it, it must have been frustrating. The author goes when she is like 22 and she was expecting like a manager position (poor girl) but got this instead. Very below her, but fine, everyone has their own ambitions. But she goes on and on about the uniforms, how she hates them, how it makes all women be the same while men got to wear what they want. For the author, it is dehumanizing and sexist. Fine, for her it is like that but the other OL are fine with it, why was she so persistent to change it?
I am completely aware that changes are good but for me, the quote "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is more important. She is a foreigner in the country, yet she rebelled against silly things like, women eating lunch on one side and men eating lunch on the other. Or she gets an apartment (no cost for her) since she is an employee, but she rebels about it and puts the people in charge in a tight spot with her requests.
That is what bothered me the most; how she, the foreign from USA, puts the Japanese on a tight spot on several situations. Fine, if you want to rebel, do it, but leave the rest alone.
This all happened before 1990; I kept thinking, wow, US people are really obnoxious no matter the time!
March 17, 2022
Laura studied Japanese in college and then went to work for Honda in Ohio in the 1980s. They then sent her to Japan to learn more about the company so that she could better function with her Japanese coworkers in America. This is the story of her time in Japan.
Why I started this book: Chosen for my book club, it seemed like a good idea to learn more about Japan.
Why I finished it: You know when you have to read a book, that you don't want to, and you put it off until the last minute, then you pick it up and it wasn't that bad? Yep, that was this... It's alway fascinating to see someone struggling with the same culture clashes that you have. Laura details her cultural and social interaction difficulties and doesn't mention the food differences at all. Great book to discuss with ladies also living in Japan. And it's sad to see just how much of the sexism, still exists. Like in the Japanese medical schools, Olympic committees and business high heels.
Why I started this book: Chosen for my book club, it seemed like a good idea to learn more about Japan.
Why I finished it: You know when you have to read a book, that you don't want to, and you put it off until the last minute, then you pick it up and it wasn't that bad? Yep, that was this... It's alway fascinating to see someone struggling with the same culture clashes that you have. Laura details her cultural and social interaction difficulties and doesn't mention the food differences at all. Great book to discuss with ladies also living in Japan. And it's sad to see just how much of the sexism, still exists. Like in the Japanese medical schools, Olympic committees and business high heels.
August 26, 2019
Helppolukuinen, hieman valituksentäyteinen omelämäkerrallinen teos korporaatioelämästä Japanissa 1980-luvulla. Kirjailija on ensimmäinen ei-japanilainen nainen, joka työskenteli Hondan pääkonttorissa ja samalla turhautui naisten epätasa-arvoiseen rooliin ja yhdenmukaisuuden vaatimukseen.
Parasta tässä olivat monet pienet yksityiskohdat, jotka muistan omilta reissuiltani (pieni muovinen jakkara sentossa, riisin liottaminen vedessä ennen keittämistä). Tarina hyppi lukujen sisällä asiasta toiseen aika villisti ja aiheutti pieniä lukutöyssyjä.
Välillä oli vaikeaa sopeutua myös siihen, että kyseessä on todellakin 1980-luku - kun kirjailija tutkii karttaa pyöräillessään Tokiossa tai odottaa vuoroaan lankapuhelimeen, ihmettelin ensimmäiseksi, missä on kännykkä ja Google Maps...
Parasta tässä olivat monet pienet yksityiskohdat, jotka muistan omilta reissuiltani (pieni muovinen jakkara sentossa, riisin liottaminen vedessä ennen keittämistä). Tarina hyppi lukujen sisällä asiasta toiseen aika villisti ja aiheutti pieniä lukutöyssyjä.
Välillä oli vaikeaa sopeutua myös siihen, että kyseessä on todellakin 1980-luku - kun kirjailija tutkii karttaa pyöräillessään Tokiossa tai odottaa vuoroaan lankapuhelimeen, ihmettelin ensimmäiseksi, missä on kännykkä ja Google Maps...
January 19, 2020
Fun airplane read if you're an American traveling to or from Japan. Going to Japan it's a crash course in what you'll be facing in terms of culture shock. Coming home it's validation of all the stuff that excited you and/or drove you crazy.
It's a short-ish memoir about an American college new grad's first job in 1989 -- as the first white woman at Honda's Tokyo headquarters. She struggles with Japanese language and culture and disparate treatment of women, but eventually becomes comfortable enough with the Japanese way of doing things to be very effective at mediating between American and Japanese employees. She also achieves a small victory in changing some of the company's conservatism on gender issues.
It's a short-ish memoir about an American college new grad's first job in 1989 -- as the first white woman at Honda's Tokyo headquarters. She struggles with Japanese language and culture and disparate treatment of women, but eventually becomes comfortable enough with the Japanese way of doing things to be very effective at mediating between American and Japanese employees. She also achieves a small victory in changing some of the company's conservatism on gender issues.
May 24, 2018
Laura Kriska no one force you to come here, go back where came from.
Why coming to our country with struggle, when you have country which
is very rich and easy to live.
lesson to all foriegners especially white people , Even you speak our language live here hundred of years you will always be an outsider dont try to blend in becuase it you will never work , being white people in japan is consider an insult. if you complain of getting stared at its not becuase we like you it becuase your a foriegner, we all knew white women come to japan becuase they want attention as possible and that is threat and fuels hatred to some Japanese women because they are stealing their status.
Why coming to our country with struggle, when you have country which
is very rich and easy to live.
lesson to all foriegners especially white people , Even you speak our language live here hundred of years you will always be an outsider dont try to blend in becuase it you will never work , being white people in japan is consider an insult. if you complain of getting stared at its not becuase we like you it becuase your a foriegner, we all knew white women come to japan becuase they want attention as possible and that is threat and fuels hatred to some Japanese women because they are stealing their status.
May 17, 2020
I really loved this book.
There is so much to relate to and each episode gives a real in-depth glimpse of what it feels like to be a foreigner in Japan.
I was born in Japan myself, to Japanese parents, growing up in Canada since I was six years old, in a household that was very Japanese and speak the language. I still found my two year assignment working in Japan awkward at times. I experienced many of the moments that the author did.
It is a must read for anyone going to live in Japan for work!
There is so much to relate to and each episode gives a real in-depth glimpse of what it feels like to be a foreigner in Japan.
I was born in Japan myself, to Japanese parents, growing up in Canada since I was six years old, in a household that was very Japanese and speak the language. I still found my two year assignment working in Japan awkward at times. I experienced many of the moments that the author did.
It is a must read for anyone going to live in Japan for work!
April 2, 2023
It was very hard to put this book down the eagerness of needing to know what she was experiencing while in Japan kept me engaged. Very well written and informative to the point I could visualize it. Having never been to or experienced Japan myself I feel after reading this book as though I understand what it would take to not just reside but live in Japan!
Most of her passages were relatable which drew me into the red ti begin with and helped make my own experiences as an “office lady” feel not too bad!
Most of her passages were relatable which drew me into the red ti begin with and helped make my own experiences as an “office lady” feel not too bad!
July 17, 2025
The author highlights the gender inequality and working culture of Japan. The tatemae part of the book was nostalgic to me, it had been another challenge for me while living in Japanese society back then. The rest of the narration goes to the author's livelihood and interesting moments in her career. as much as it seem to made me being nostalgic for my Japanese life, i am not sure whether readers who aren't relatable in living in Japan has the same impression or not
Anyway, a good light read!
Anyway, a good light read!
January 14, 2024
She got out of college thinking she would set the world on fire only to find the skill set they were looking for from her was to properly empty an ashtray. Yikes. But I totally get that, I think there were a lot of us baby boomers brought up with the notion the world was waiting for our input. Her particular dose of reality came about in Japan, but in reading her story she was set up for a Hello Real World experience no matter where she would have found a job.
January 16, 2018
As someone who is the only foreign female in a world of Japanese male colleagues this book was interesting to me. It’s not particularly inspirational or written in a way that won’t let you put it down but if you relate to the subject matter I think it’s a good read.
September 4, 2021
I really could feel Laura’s experience through reading this book. The way she elaborated everything was in very clear and imaginable ways. Ah, in the final chapter, when she talked to Ms. Mori, brought me tears.
I love this book!
I love this book!
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars. Takes place in 1989(?) but even in 2025 it really still rings true & does a god job illustrating a lot of the unwritten rules of life in Japan & some of the huge differences with American culture/work norms
February 1, 2021
3,5/5
Insightful
Insightful
June 1, 2013
This is the first time I'm reading an autobiography, and I was pleasantly surprised that The Accidental Office Lady wasn't as boring as I thought! Since I chose this book out of a list for my English assignment (the title caught my eye), I was prepared for a boring account of office work in Japan. In a way, this book is like that (how thrilling can an autobiography be?), but it provides an interesting perspective of Japan and its corporate world.
Let's talk about the superficial stuff first, the cover of the version that I had was of many blue paper cranes facing the same direction, and one American paper crane facing the opposite direction conspicuously. When I borrowed the book, I didn't think about what the cover means, I only thought that it was cute. After reading, I realized that 1) origami represents Japan 2)the cover reflects the major theme in the book about conformity, uniqueness and standing out 3) The American paper crane was Laura. So I think the cover was well made :)
The book is divided into chapters and each chapter is titled aptly! You will understand when you read the book.
So basically, at the start, Laura got into the Honda headquarters in Tokyo, because she liked Japan and she studied Japanese in school, but her Japanese wasn't very good. The first department she worked in was the secretariat. She had a shock when she realized only the women had to wear uniforms, and that as a secretary, she was supposed to serve tea to her bosses. It was not what she pictured in her mind about working in Japan. In the secretariat, she faced problems like language barriers, gender discrimination (the male workers didn't respect her opinions and decided everything for her) and culture differences (the women were expected to be subservient but of course as an American who's all for equality, it was hard for Laura to accept; Laura also made a big point about the Japanese's tendency to conform, even to the extent of hiding her private self (honne) and putting on a public front (tetamae) which she dislikes). Laura also had a colleague that she disliked. Later, Laura organized a group to propose for abolishment of uniforms, which appeared to fail, but succeeded more than one year after the proposal. Most of the book is about her working in the secretariat, and later, she got assigned to the public relations department, which she didn't like too, because she felt useless. She really wanted to do something that she liked, something that can make her feel useful, and she got her wish when she was assigned to a Honda factory, where she helped to integrate the American workers into Honda. Eventually, Laura had to leave to work in the American branch, but she had left permanent changes in Honda Japan that she was proud of,
Throughout the book, major themes are conformity, adapting to a foreign territory, Japanese culture, gender discrimination, and knowing what you want. The author uses interesting incidents to show these themes.
In school, we were usually taught that everyone is special, and I guess that's the case for America too, because Laura could not really accept it when everyone tries to be the same and put on an overly formal public front. She gave the example of a colleague who keeps smiling and acting bubbly even when she is scolded, because in Honda Japan, you are not allowed to express your displeasure openly. There's a Japanese saying that Laura use - "The nail that stands out will get knocked down". Actually I know of another saying which is more brutal - "The head that sticks out gets chopped off". This is in line with my perception of Japan, that it is a conformed society and doesn't really tolerate uniqueness, and everyone is really in sync and their teamwork is superb.
There's also gender discrimination, which all the Japanese pretty much ignored, but Laura was always angry at the discrimination and she tried to change it by appealing for uniforms to be abolished. There was an incident about a guy calling Honda, and demanded to speak to a man when Laura answered the phone.
We also get a sense of office work in Japan, where the workers are ultra-committed, and most of them had to be forced to go home, otherwise they'll just do overtime and skip dinner. It's really quite phenomenal to me, in Singapore, I bet everyone is poised to go home right on the dot. Laura was really impressed too, and she also grew to be super committed to her work too.
There are many examples in the book which are really interesting and you should read it to find out :)
Regarding Laura, I found her to be a brave and motivated person, who is not afraid to step into foreign territory and to do things her own way. She takes her own initiative whenever she felt that something needs to be done. And she's a typical American with American ideals :)
Overall, the book is quite enjoyable, but the writing is quite bland sometimes, it's a lot of narrating and not much of an emotional story.
Let's talk about the superficial stuff first, the cover of the version that I had was of many blue paper cranes facing the same direction, and one American paper crane facing the opposite direction conspicuously. When I borrowed the book, I didn't think about what the cover means, I only thought that it was cute. After reading, I realized that 1) origami represents Japan 2)the cover reflects the major theme in the book about conformity, uniqueness and standing out 3) The American paper crane was Laura. So I think the cover was well made :)
The book is divided into chapters and each chapter is titled aptly! You will understand when you read the book.
So basically, at the start, Laura got into the Honda headquarters in Tokyo, because she liked Japan and she studied Japanese in school, but her Japanese wasn't very good. The first department she worked in was the secretariat. She had a shock when she realized only the women had to wear uniforms, and that as a secretary, she was supposed to serve tea to her bosses. It was not what she pictured in her mind about working in Japan. In the secretariat, she faced problems like language barriers, gender discrimination (the male workers didn't respect her opinions and decided everything for her) and culture differences (the women were expected to be subservient but of course as an American who's all for equality, it was hard for Laura to accept; Laura also made a big point about the Japanese's tendency to conform, even to the extent of hiding her private self (honne) and putting on a public front (tetamae) which she dislikes). Laura also had a colleague that she disliked. Later, Laura organized a group to propose for abolishment of uniforms, which appeared to fail, but succeeded more than one year after the proposal. Most of the book is about her working in the secretariat, and later, she got assigned to the public relations department, which she didn't like too, because she felt useless. She really wanted to do something that she liked, something that can make her feel useful, and she got her wish when she was assigned to a Honda factory, where she helped to integrate the American workers into Honda. Eventually, Laura had to leave to work in the American branch, but she had left permanent changes in Honda Japan that she was proud of,
Throughout the book, major themes are conformity, adapting to a foreign territory, Japanese culture, gender discrimination, and knowing what you want. The author uses interesting incidents to show these themes.
In school, we were usually taught that everyone is special, and I guess that's the case for America too, because Laura could not really accept it when everyone tries to be the same and put on an overly formal public front. She gave the example of a colleague who keeps smiling and acting bubbly even when she is scolded, because in Honda Japan, you are not allowed to express your displeasure openly. There's a Japanese saying that Laura use - "The nail that stands out will get knocked down". Actually I know of another saying which is more brutal - "The head that sticks out gets chopped off". This is in line with my perception of Japan, that it is a conformed society and doesn't really tolerate uniqueness, and everyone is really in sync and their teamwork is superb.
There's also gender discrimination, which all the Japanese pretty much ignored, but Laura was always angry at the discrimination and she tried to change it by appealing for uniforms to be abolished. There was an incident about a guy calling Honda, and demanded to speak to a man when Laura answered the phone.
We also get a sense of office work in Japan, where the workers are ultra-committed, and most of them had to be forced to go home, otherwise they'll just do overtime and skip dinner. It's really quite phenomenal to me, in Singapore, I bet everyone is poised to go home right on the dot. Laura was really impressed too, and she also grew to be super committed to her work too.
There are many examples in the book which are really interesting and you should read it to find out :)
Regarding Laura, I found her to be a brave and motivated person, who is not afraid to step into foreign territory and to do things her own way. She takes her own initiative whenever she felt that something needs to be done. And she's a typical American with American ideals :)
Overall, the book is quite enjoyable, but the writing is quite bland sometimes, it's a lot of narrating and not much of an emotional story.
September 2, 2022
It's hard to stay unbiased in this review as I myself am a foreigner currently living in Japan. If you have plans to live in Japan, or are interested in Japanese office culture then I highly recommend this book.
Whilst I found Laura somewhat un-relatable initially, it didn't take long for me to empathise greatly with her and see some elements of my own living situation reflected in her experiences. Although it has been almost 30 years between her time in Japan and mine, the social and corporate issues written about in this novel are still present today. The struggles that Kriska goes through as a women working in a patriarchal job environment are (although less noticeable) applicable to corporate structures outside of Japan too. The book is therefore an inspiring read about the differences that a single person can make to overcome gender disparities in the workplace and society as a whole.
Whilst I found Laura somewhat un-relatable initially, it didn't take long for me to empathise greatly with her and see some elements of my own living situation reflected in her experiences. Although it has been almost 30 years between her time in Japan and mine, the social and corporate issues written about in this novel are still present today. The struggles that Kriska goes through as a women working in a patriarchal job environment are (although less noticeable) applicable to corporate structures outside of Japan too. The book is therefore an inspiring read about the differences that a single person can make to overcome gender disparities in the workplace and society as a whole.
Read
July 21, 2007I hadn't heard of the book when I went to Kinokuniya, but the cover caught my attention, as did the blurb on the back. I started reading it immediately in the mall but it took me some time to get through it. Not because it wasn't god (it was!) or the length (302 pages) but because school sucks up far too much of my time :(
Anyway, some thoughts:
As is the case with other books not written about people doing the eikaiwa thing, it's nice to see another perspective on Japan. See how others experience the country. I found this to be especially so with Rora-san as I've never lived in Tokyo or Sayama. I smiled at her mention of FujiQ, I love that place.
"I discovered a sense of place, of coming home"
That sums up my feelings when I returned to Osaka in November 2005. Namba Walk and the Midosuji Line hadn't changed in my three+ years away, nor had most of downtown Osaka. I remembered why I had loved Japan in the ie first place. Her mention of El Paso taco supplies made me laugh, oh how often finding taco kits was just a wonderful way to eat the 'real' food that I never eat when I'm here in the US.
I love the little things that the author captured, the surprise landing at the factory, the day to day life in the secretariat and little things like how the heat of the rice congealed the egg at breakfast :) While she didn't 100% love her assignment, she recognised the challenges for what they were and how they shaped her life. She recognized that it was all a part of her growth as a person.
Perhaps the most random thing I learnt: that there was a Mr. Honda!
I liked how you needed clues to figure out when this book was set. I figured it out from some smaller clues i.e. what tool wasn't used by the execs, but then the big clue came by a siginificant event that occurred in Japan whilst she was there. The fact that there was no date let me think about when this could of been and whether things had changed.
Anyway, some thoughts:
As is the case with other books not written about people doing the eikaiwa thing, it's nice to see another perspective on Japan. See how others experience the country. I found this to be especially so with Rora-san as I've never lived in Tokyo or Sayama. I smiled at her mention of FujiQ, I love that place.
"I discovered a sense of place, of coming home"
That sums up my feelings when I returned to Osaka in November 2005. Namba Walk and the Midosuji Line hadn't changed in my three+ years away, nor had most of downtown Osaka. I remembered why I had loved Japan in the ie first place. Her mention of El Paso taco supplies made me laugh, oh how often finding taco kits was just a wonderful way to eat the 'real' food that I never eat when I'm here in the US.
I love the little things that the author captured, the surprise landing at the factory, the day to day life in the secretariat and little things like how the heat of the rice congealed the egg at breakfast :) While she didn't 100% love her assignment, she recognised the challenges for what they were and how they shaped her life. She recognized that it was all a part of her growth as a person.
Perhaps the most random thing I learnt: that there was a Mr. Honda!
I liked how you needed clues to figure out when this book was set. I figured it out from some smaller clues i.e. what tool wasn't used by the execs, but then the big clue came by a siginificant event that occurred in Japan whilst she was there. The fact that there was no date let me think about when this could of been and whether things had changed.
November 28, 2015
The reason why I chose this book is because I happened to see it on the shelf in Kinokuniya. The blurb seemed interesting and I finally found it in the library after a long search.
The book opened the doors into Japan's corporate world. I am long aware about Japan's gender discrimination. To read about it from a gai jin, or foreigner, makes the issue more stark.
What I am unable to tolerate is that female employees have to be in uniforms, serve tea, take on junior positions, and are regarded as the weaker sex in most aspects. I wonder if there is any woman in the senior management.
Indeed, understanding the language does not mean that one understands the deeper meaning in the words, or the culture. Perhaps Asians are able to relate more to the honne and tatemae in terms of expressing one's true feelings or a public facade. There are just some things that are better not to be spoken.
The book opened the doors into Japan's corporate world. I am long aware about Japan's gender discrimination. To read about it from a gai jin, or foreigner, makes the issue more stark.
What I am unable to tolerate is that female employees have to be in uniforms, serve tea, take on junior positions, and are regarded as the weaker sex in most aspects. I wonder if there is any woman in the senior management.
Indeed, understanding the language does not mean that one understands the deeper meaning in the words, or the culture. Perhaps Asians are able to relate more to the honne and tatemae in terms of expressing one's true feelings or a public facade. There are just some things that are better not to be spoken.
November 25, 2008
buku yang bagus untuk mengenal kehidupan para pekerja di jepang..ditulis oleh seorang wanita amerika - Laura Kriska - yang bekerja selama 2 tahun di Honda Motor.
banyak hal yang membuatnya terkaget2 dgn kondisi kerja di kantor barunya tsb..penggunaan seragam, sekretaris yang benar2 melayani keperluan2 bos-nya, spt meraut pensil setiap pagi,menyiapkan minuman... wah mana ada di amerika yg spt itu.
selain suasana kantor, laura juga menceritakan aktivitas sosial teman2nya sesama sekretaris saat akhir pekan..ternyata kebanyakan kaum pekerja di jepang, menikah itu harus dicomblangin dulu..sebab mereka semua gila kerja. pulang kerja aja jam 10-an malam..
banyak hal yang membuatnya terkaget2 dgn kondisi kerja di kantor barunya tsb..penggunaan seragam, sekretaris yang benar2 melayani keperluan2 bos-nya, spt meraut pensil setiap pagi,menyiapkan minuman... wah mana ada di amerika yg spt itu.
selain suasana kantor, laura juga menceritakan aktivitas sosial teman2nya sesama sekretaris saat akhir pekan..ternyata kebanyakan kaum pekerja di jepang, menikah itu harus dicomblangin dulu..sebab mereka semua gila kerja. pulang kerja aja jam 10-an malam..
July 4, 2013
Great book about the differences in the cultures between America and Japan. Loved reading about the narrators evolution from the beginning of her time at Honda Japan to the end. I am an American expat living in Singapore and have experienced some of the same changes in my thinking. I found the book to be insightful and funny and moved along very fast. I would recommend it to anyone who has traveled in Asia.
June 16, 2012
This book resonated with me because it largely mirrored the experiences I had working in a Japanese office in the early 1980s. I could completely relate to the author's loneliness and frustration, as well as the way her experiences changed her, helped her grow, and left her with an abiding love of Japan.
September 22, 2012
An interesting account of an American woman's time working in various departments at Honda in Tokyo and surrounds. I like the fact that her tone is overwhelmingly positive. She has the ability to make the best of cultural difference and learn from the experience. A thoughtful and compelling read. A rare insight into old school corporate Japan through the eyes of an outsider.
November 8, 2022
3.5 ⭐ Reading about corporate Japan really gave me anxiety 😂 The work environment is so stressful, rigid, misogynistic and toxic overall, I don't think I would last even just a week. I admire the author for being so patient and determined to fit in and learn about the culture and language in depth, despite all the obstacles she was facing. Truly inspiring.
February 14, 2016
I liked her story and related to her on so many levels. I am a Honda certified mechanic with a BA in Japanese and I lived in Japan during college. Laura, we are the same person. Thank you for sharing your story.
September 26, 2007
An interesting read for anyone introducing themselves to Japanese culture. An easy read with sprinklings of Japanese phrases to add to your vocab.
April 12, 2008
Excellent account of Kriska's time working for Honda in the late 80s--while I was also in Japan--I was reminded of all the faux pas I made back then!
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