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Atomic Sushi: Notes from the Heart of Japan
As the first British Professor of Philosophy since 1882 to be invited to teach at the prestigious and enigmatic University of Tokyo-- the Oxbridge of Japan--Simon May enjoyed a degree of access denied to other commentators. Each chapter of the book focuses on some everyday human matter, such as love, death, bureaucracy, hygiene, food, toilets, commuting, education, marriage and memory. Japanese attitudes to such issues are explored through a mixture of light-hearted anecdote and trenchant analysis, and through his vivid accounts of Kafkaesque bureaucracy, flying goldfish, gangsters at funerals, businessmen paying good money to be whipped, doctors faking death certificates and cover-ups at all levels of society, Simon May manages to expose the foibles of a people who have captivated and mystified the West for nearly two centuries.
- GenresJapanTravelNonfiction
217 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 9, 2019
Witty, humorous yet also deeply disturbing! May told a good story about his personal experiences in Japan incorporating at the same time some culturally sensitive problems too. This long term expat living in Japan really liked not only the humor and wit of Simon May’s writing, but also his more serious prose about Japan too.
Whilst the light-hearted humor was marvellous, this reader really thought that he hit upon some very serious problems that exist in Japan today. These included, but weren’t limited to at least some of the following: ‘keeping up appearances’ called ‘Freaky Cleanliness’ where he talked about the differences between station guards and nurses. He found that in Japan, it was the station guard who wore gloves because, even though they seldom never touch anyone, they were always in the public eye. But then, we were to find that nurses who perform blood samples did so often with their bare hands! He rightly pointed out that the station guard wore them because he or she was always in the public lime light while the nurse was often behind a closed door out of public view. So, with that logic, it followed that who cares what people do behind closed doors! Incidentally, a friend of this reader got an infection from poorly sanitized hospital equipment and the hospital (of course) denied all responsibility for it. Oh, Japan!
Just as disturbing was that behind closed doors and out of public interest (of course), AIDS and HIV are extremely under reported and even ignored because that sort of thing does happen, but it’s out of the public eye. Unfortunately, May is absolutely correct because, un-be-known to many people, Japan is one of the few developed countries in the world where AIDS and the rates of HIV infection are still on the rise and has been since the early 1990’s!
He also had a riveting chapter on ‘Cover-ups and Conspiracies’ where discussed how there are too few whistle blowers in a country that respects group harmony and group loyalty above all else. This translates very poorly when you look at the Japanese nuclear energy sector. May rightly pointed out that this industry is riddled with corruption, a lack of safety standards and has had one of the worst nuclear accidents the world has ever seen.
Very briefly, some other issues raised included, but were not limited to Japan’s ‘bureaucratic absurdness’; The poor standards of Japan universities, the lack of effort by its’ students and the lack of accountability of its’ academic institutions; In terms of Japans’ economic problems May concluded that there was, “a lack of transparency, rampant bureaucracy (it’s everywhere!), stifling innovation and corruption”. P.69.
One criticism this reader would like to offer, would be that May could have detailed a bit more on the structural problems in Japan rather than on so much of the human element. In a lot of ways, he skimmed over the issues that plague Japan. This reader believed that whilst it wasn’t not as good as Alex Kerr’s, “Dogs and Demons” (but then nothing else is), it wasn't a bad read. 3 Stars.
Whilst the light-hearted humor was marvellous, this reader really thought that he hit upon some very serious problems that exist in Japan today. These included, but weren’t limited to at least some of the following: ‘keeping up appearances’ called ‘Freaky Cleanliness’ where he talked about the differences between station guards and nurses. He found that in Japan, it was the station guard who wore gloves because, even though they seldom never touch anyone, they were always in the public eye. But then, we were to find that nurses who perform blood samples did so often with their bare hands! He rightly pointed out that the station guard wore them because he or she was always in the public lime light while the nurse was often behind a closed door out of public view. So, with that logic, it followed that who cares what people do behind closed doors! Incidentally, a friend of this reader got an infection from poorly sanitized hospital equipment and the hospital (of course) denied all responsibility for it. Oh, Japan!
Just as disturbing was that behind closed doors and out of public interest (of course), AIDS and HIV are extremely under reported and even ignored because that sort of thing does happen, but it’s out of the public eye. Unfortunately, May is absolutely correct because, un-be-known to many people, Japan is one of the few developed countries in the world where AIDS and the rates of HIV infection are still on the rise and has been since the early 1990’s!
He also had a riveting chapter on ‘Cover-ups and Conspiracies’ where discussed how there are too few whistle blowers in a country that respects group harmony and group loyalty above all else. This translates very poorly when you look at the Japanese nuclear energy sector. May rightly pointed out that this industry is riddled with corruption, a lack of safety standards and has had one of the worst nuclear accidents the world has ever seen.
Very briefly, some other issues raised included, but were not limited to Japan’s ‘bureaucratic absurdness’; The poor standards of Japan universities, the lack of effort by its’ students and the lack of accountability of its’ academic institutions; In terms of Japans’ economic problems May concluded that there was, “a lack of transparency, rampant bureaucracy (it’s everywhere!), stifling innovation and corruption”. P.69.
One criticism this reader would like to offer, would be that May could have detailed a bit more on the structural problems in Japan rather than on so much of the human element. In a lot of ways, he skimmed over the issues that plague Japan. This reader believed that whilst it wasn’t not as good as Alex Kerr’s, “Dogs and Demons” (but then nothing else is), it wasn't a bad read. 3 Stars.
August 22, 2008
Some interesting observations, but overshadowed by the author's self-important, somewhat obnoxious persona.
May 24, 2019
May was able to write an account of his life in Japan, compellingly and entertainingly. But these observations and insights are sometimes overshadowed by the author's preconceived notions of how Japan should be viewed. In some parts, the book reeks of bias. Overall, it was the author's writing style that made me stay till the end of the book.
February 12, 2019
Very fun and insightful into some of the aspects of Japanese culture. Could perhaps delve more into Japanese culture itself and be less episodic, but very enjoyable and easy to read.
February 24, 2019
Worryingly accurate.
March 26, 2020
Entertaining, amusing and at times most peculiar indeed.
November 15, 2009
While this book is entertaining enough, I feel that May uses most of his anecdotes solely to reinforce his preconceptions of Japan. I could never work out whether he actually speaks Japanese: he seems to communicate perfectly with his students at Todai and restaurant workers, yet 外人 (foreigner) is romanised as 'gaigin' rather than 'gaijin' - a killer blow to credibility in my book. May tries to delve into the enigmatic Japanese psyche, but other foreigners who have lived in Japan for a long time (Donald Keene or Alex Kerr, for example) do a much better job of this.
September 8, 2008
Bought this in advance of a long trip to Japan, looking for a light/fun way to start to get my head around the cultural difference. May occasionally transcends the stereotype humor on which he bases his vignettes and succeeds in giving you a serving of the human condition, Japanese-style. It's both funny and informative, just not loads of either, and my attention has petered out about 2/3s of the way through.
April 6, 2008
I was in Boarders in Perth Au, and thought that id rather spend my money on historical books rather than a light read.. BIG MISTAKE. I can only say that I thankfully bought the book and on the first day read half of it. I was consumed in a fit of laughter.
The only thing stopping me reading it in one is that I did not want it to end. The sushi bar with the Allatolla is the best!
The only thing stopping me reading it in one is that I did not want it to end. The sushi bar with the Allatolla is the best!
March 20, 2009
this book gave some insight into what i was to expect in japan. his experiences were a little different then mine since he lived and taught there. i also had a feeling he just wanted to get it on with a bunch of japanese girls.
June 29, 2013
I thought that this book would be more light hearted but it's actually quite serious in places. Sad to say but I didn't enjoy reading it as it focused more on tedious facts and inner thoughts than the author's actual interactions in Japan.
December 31, 2015
This is Japan from the video of a white older male. Unfortunately it seems to be written for other white older males, none of which apply to me. I found less empathy and more of a sense of patronising superiority with several dashes of objectification of women. Frustratingly unfulfilling.
July 15, 2008
This book was SO hard to stay interested in. There was absolutely NO continuity from one chapter to the next, which made it really hard to stay focused on.
July 27, 2011
Snippets from a philosophy professor's time in Japan as a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo.
April 15, 2017
This book is rather odd. I should stop reading but it's like a Netflix-binge.
April 15, 2017
The author, a professor of Philosophy, takes on a one year engagement to lecture at the University of Tokyo. He describes many incidents from his visit, and reflects on Japanese attitudes, cultural practices and thought. Light and entertaining.
He notes the Japanese propensity for bureaucracy, their need for extreme cleanliness, their tendency to believe in conspiracies, . He describes his encounters with Seitai healing and a Buddhist monk. Incidents from weddings, funerals and other public ceremonies are included. Japanese traits include laughing when encountering intimidating and incomprehensible situations. Upon visiting Hiroshima, he finds that the Japanese are in denial of their fascist policies leading to WW II.
In the final chapter, he describes how once he left his university position he was no longer recognized by his previous students and felt like a stranger. He states that the Japanese are only ever comfortable with other Japanese, are concerned with the purity of their culture. He feels that while it is acceptable to learn Japanese habits for use i n Japan, mincing their manners and speaking Japanese too fluently are not welcome - it is expected that a "gaigin" should act like one.
While a reasonable story, it seemed anecdotal and one was left wondering whether the author read too much into a limited set of experiences.
He notes the Japanese propensity for bureaucracy, their need for extreme cleanliness, their tendency to believe in conspiracies, . He describes his encounters with Seitai healing and a Buddhist monk. Incidents from weddings, funerals and other public ceremonies are included. Japanese traits include laughing when encountering intimidating and incomprehensible situations. Upon visiting Hiroshima, he finds that the Japanese are in denial of their fascist policies leading to WW II.
In the final chapter, he describes how once he left his university position he was no longer recognized by his previous students and felt like a stranger. He states that the Japanese are only ever comfortable with other Japanese, are concerned with the purity of their culture. He feels that while it is acceptable to learn Japanese habits for use i n Japan, mincing their manners and speaking Japanese too fluently are not welcome - it is expected that a "gaigin" should act like one.
While a reasonable story, it seemed anecdotal and one was left wondering whether the author read too much into a limited set of experiences.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews