Japan: Why It Works, Why It Doesn't
Economics in Everyday Life
Edited by James Mak, Shyam Sunder, Shigeyuki Abe, Kazuhiro Igawa
(Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 1998. ISBN No. 0-8248-1967-5)
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This collection of twenty six essays furnishes concise explanations of everyday Japanese life in simplified economic
terms. They begin with such questions as, Do Japanese live better than Americans? Why don't Japanese workers
claim all their overtime? Why don't Japanese use personal checking accounts? Why do Japanese give and receive so
many gifts? The essays are written with non-technical accessible language intended for the undergraduate or advanced
placement high school students taking an economics course or studying Japan in a social science course. The general
reader will find the book a fascinating compendium of facts on Japanese culture and daily life.
Japan: Why It Works, Why It Doesn't is a must for those who have acquired more than a casual interest in Japan and
for visitors heading to or returning from Japan. The perspectives offered in this book will help readers organize their
observations and acquired knowledge into an economic framework, thus giving them a fuller, deeper understanding of
Japan.
"Every visitor to Japan notices many living and working arrangements that seem unusual--and
often are. The authors have made a remarkable effort to explain these anomalies as rational
responses to Japanese rules and regulations. Every curious visitor will benefit from, and enjoy,
their lively effort."
--Allan Meltzer, Carnegie Mellon University
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Copyright 1998 Shyam Sunder