Pacific Rift: Why Americans and Japanese Don't Understand Each Other

It's funny: 15 years ago, we were all worried about Japan. After the bust in the Japanese economy, we're all worried about China now. Lewis's book is thus an odd historical document, which also illuminates in part how we might view China. He focusses on the structural impediments that kept the Japanese economy closed to Americans, and also caused Japanese companies to misunderstand American real estate. He argues more from anecdote than from any sweeping study, but he writes very entertainingly and observes keenly.

A finales de los noventa Michael Lewis consiguió convencer a la revista New York Magazine para que le financiara una estancia de cuatro meses en Japón. El autor se fija, en este artículo largo/libro corto, en un norteamericano que triunfó en los negocios en Japón y en un japonés que triunfa en los negocios en EE.UU. Con ellos dos como hilo conductor intenta articular las diferencias en la forma de hacer negocios entre estas dos potencias. Al final queda un ensayo deslavazado, que narra dos biografías pero que no acaba de fundirlas bien en una comparativa clarificadora, como pretende el autor. El estilo de escritura es, como siempre, florido y muy fácil de leer, pero el contenido me ha dejado un poco igual.

This is an interesting look at the business in economic relationship between the United States and Japan, focusing mainly on the late 80s and early 90s. This book highlights to businessmen: An American who conducts business in Japan, and a Japanese who conducts business in the United States.

Though many things have changed since the publication of this book, Lewis' observations give a historical context that is fascinating and informative.