News
Daikons in the Rough: Making Friends in Japan
Anthony Palmer reflects on the ups and downs of trying to make freinds in a foreign culture. Check it out in our Writer's section!
On Stereotypes and Trust
Anthony Palmer takes a look at stereotypes in Japan on both sides of the looking glass. Read about his thoughts on the subject in our Writer's section!
Need to promote an event?
Looking for some more exposure for your cultural event? You can now submit your event for listing on our events page!
Calling all writers!
Got something to say? JAFA wants to hear from you! We're looking for articles on promoting cross-cultural communication for publication on JAFA. See our submissions page for details!
Join JAFA!
If you are interested in participating in some of our upcoming events, please go to our Sign-Up Page.
Kansai & Kanto Events
For anyone living in the Kanto or Kansai areas, check out our News & Events page for a listing of some upcoming activities, parties and events.
The JAFA bookstore is open for business
Lost Japan
Drawing on the author's personal experiences of life in Japan over a period of 30 years, Lost Japan takes the reader on a backstage tour of the country's cultural icons. The book explores different facets of Alex Kerr's cultural involvement: friendships with Kabuki actors, buying and selling art, studying calligraphy, exploring rarely visited temples and shrines. The author's experiences underscore the fact that Japan is heading towards environmental and cultural ruin.
Drawing on the author's personal experiences of life in Japan over a period of 30 years, Lost Japan takes the reader on a backstage tour of the country's cultural icons. The book explores different facets of Alex Kerr's cultural involvement: friendships with Kabuki actors, buying and selling art, studying calligraphy, exploring rarely visited temples and shrines. The author's experiences underscore the fact that Japan is heading towards environmental and cultural ruin.
Zen and Japanese Culture
One of this century's leading works on Zen, this book is a valuable source for those wishing to understand its concepts in the context of Japanese life and art. In simple, often poetic, language, Daisetz Suzuki describes what Zen is, how it evolved, and how its emphasis on primitive simplicity and self-effacement have helped to shape an aesthetics found throughout Japanese culture. He explores the surprising role of Zen in the philosophy of the samurai, and subtly portrays the relationship between Zen and swordsmanship, haiku , tea ceremonies, and the Japanese love of nature. Suzuki's contemplative discussion is enhanced by anecdotes, poetry, and illustrations showing silk screens, calligraphy, and examples of architecture.
One of this century's leading works on Zen, this book is a valuable source for those wishing to understand its concepts in the context of Japanese life and art. In simple, often poetic, language, Daisetz Suzuki describes what Zen is, how it evolved, and how its emphasis on primitive simplicity and self-effacement have helped to shape an aesthetics found throughout Japanese culture. He explores the surprising role of Zen in the philosophy of the samurai, and subtly portrays the relationship between Zen and swordsmanship, haiku , tea ceremonies, and the Japanese love of nature. Suzuki's contemplative discussion is enhanced by anecdotes, poetry, and illustrations showing silk screens, calligraphy, and examples of architecture.
The Encyclopedia of Japanese Pop Culture
Over seventy entries cover Japanese popular culture from 1945 to the present, covering music, comedy, fads, popular media, and all aspects which have fueled Japanese popular concerns over the decades. This does more than create listings of movements: it provides the historical references and connections essential to understanding how these interests developed.
Over seventy entries cover Japanese popular culture from 1945 to the present, covering music, comedy, fads, popular media, and all aspects which have fueled Japanese popular concerns over the decades. This does more than create listings of movements: it provides the historical references and connections essential to understanding how these interests developed.
What's What in Japanese Restaurants
The first and only guide of its kind offering practical tips on what to order and how to enjoy it. Alongside extensive sample menus, this handy volume also explores the history of Japanese restaurant etiquette, the emphasis on visual presentation, and regional variations.
The first and only guide of its kind offering practical tips on what to order and how to enjoy it. Alongside extensive sample menus, this handy volume also explores the history of Japanese restaurant etiquette, the emphasis on visual presentation, and regional variations.
The Sun Also Rises Over Toledo
The Sun also Rises over Toledo is a first guidebook featuring practical communication strategies, inspiring case studies, and facts gathered from years of research on Japanese companies in the U.S. The Sun also Rises over Toledo offers: * A practical guide to successfully working with Japanese companies in the U.S. * An explanation of the fundamental thought processes of Japanese management. * Help for American executives and managers trying to understand the ABCs of prevailing Japanese management philosophy & techniques. * An analysis of the American employees' lack of motivation. * Steps to take to develop strong and cooperative working relationships with between American and Japanese coworkers. This book can assist American executives and managers to overcome or avoid frustrations by providing invaluable insights into Japanese business practices and a thorough understanding of the Japanese company's work environment.
The Sun also Rises over Toledo is a first guidebook featuring practical communication strategies, inspiring case studies, and facts gathered from years of research on Japanese companies in the U.S. The Sun also Rises over Toledo offers: * A practical guide to successfully working with Japanese companies in the U.S. * An explanation of the fundamental thought processes of Japanese management. * Help for American executives and managers trying to understand the ABCs of prevailing Japanese management philosophy & techniques. * An analysis of the American employees' lack of motivation. * Steps to take to develop strong and cooperative working relationships with between American and Japanese coworkers. This book can assist American executives and managers to overcome or avoid frustrations by providing invaluable insights into Japanese business practices and a thorough understanding of the Japanese company's work environment.
Office Ladies and Salaried Men
In large corporations in Japan, much of the clerical work is carried out by young women known as "office ladies" (OLs) or "flowers of the workplace." Largely nameless, OLs serve tea to the men and type and file their reports. They are exempt from the traditional lifetime employment and have few opportunities for promotion. In this engaging ethnography, Yuko Ogasawara exposes the ways that these women resist men's power, and why the men, despite their exclusive command of authority, often subject themselves to the women's control. Ogasawara, a Japanese sociologist trained in the United States, skillfully mines perceptive participant-observation analyses and numerous interviews to outline the tensions and humiliations of OL work. She details the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that OLs who are frustrated by demeaning, dead-end jobs thwart their managers and subvert the power structure to their advantage. Using gossip, outright work refusal, and public gift-giving as manipulative strategies, they can ultimately make or break the careers of the men. This intimate and absorbing analysis illustrates how the relationships between women and work, and women and men, are far more complex than the previous literature has shown.
In large corporations in Japan, much of the clerical work is carried out by young women known as "office ladies" (OLs) or "flowers of the workplace." Largely nameless, OLs serve tea to the men and type and file their reports. They are exempt from the traditional lifetime employment and have few opportunities for promotion. In this engaging ethnography, Yuko Ogasawara exposes the ways that these women resist men's power, and why the men, despite their exclusive command of authority, often subject themselves to the women's control. Ogasawara, a Japanese sociologist trained in the United States, skillfully mines perceptive participant-observation analyses and numerous interviews to outline the tensions and humiliations of OL work. She details the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that OLs who are frustrated by demeaning, dead-end jobs thwart their managers and subvert the power structure to their advantage. Using gossip, outright work refusal, and public gift-giving as manipulative strategies, they can ultimately make or break the careers of the men. This intimate and absorbing analysis illustrates how the relationships between women and work, and women and men, are far more complex than the previous literature has shown.
A Practical Guide to Living in Japan
Here's just what you need to happily establish yourself in your new home in Japan. You'll get the facts on banking, immigration, and insurance, plus daily-life tips on renting an apartment, utilities, transportation, and shopping for furniture. You'll also get insider advice on how to find a job, learn Japanese, and make new friends, as well as basic information on etiquette and customs. Packed with strategies, charts, and simple how-to instructions.
Here's just what you need to happily establish yourself in your new home in Japan. You'll get the facts on banking, immigration, and insurance, plus daily-life tips on renting an apartment, utilities, transportation, and shopping for furniture. You'll also get insider advice on how to find a job, learn Japanese, and make new friends, as well as basic information on etiquette and customs. Packed with strategies, charts, and simple how-to instructions.