Dogs and Demons: Tales from the Dark Side of Modern Japan (Paperback)

[Powerful T]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0809039435/sr=8-1/qid=1154267847/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8334513-8635333?redirect=true&ie=UTF8

Kerr (Lost Japan), a 35-year resident of Japan and the first foreigner to win that country's Shincho literary prize, contends that the Japanese miracle has become a Japanese mess. Once admired, and perhaps feared, for its spectacular economic successes, Japan, Kerr claims, has become a land of "ravaged mountains and rivers, endemic pollution, tenement cities, and skyrocketing debts." What happened? He says that ideology and bureaucracy are to blame. Japan is in effect managed by an autonomous and corrupt government bureaucracy, driven by an ethos of economic growth at any cost and a mania for control. Everywhere Japan's natural beauty is being destroyed by useless construction projects, as nature must be controlled and construction companies rewarded. The great ancient cities too representative of old, underdeveloped Japan are being replaced by monuments and hotels that are concrete monstrosities. Japan's banking system has failed, yet no one really knows the extent of the damage, as the bureaucracy keeps accurate information hidden. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy continues to pour money into older industries, while Japan falls dangerously behind in the development of new information technologies. There is popular discontent, but protest is hard to come by, because the bureaucratically controlled educational system emphasizes obedience above all else. Japan is stuck, concludes Kerr, and he sees no easy way out. While perhaps alarmist in his message, Kerr fascinates with detailed descriptions of Japan's dilemma and offers a surprising, if controversial, vision of a land in trouble.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Okay, I just roasted the crap out of the Sacred Cow that is Japan. Proceed to argue.

[sofakingdom]

Sounds like an interesting read. Something that isn't necessarily true to only Japan however. The sacrificing of the environment for economic success is something most industrialized countries do. It's short-sighted, but it's reality.

Up in Canada right now, there's a documentary series called "China Rises" (I think?). The other night they focused on the corrupt government in China who only sees the dollar signs when dealing with issues regarding the environment.

They focused on some leather manufacturing plant in China which has the equipment necessary to properly dispose of the waste, but chooses not to in order to cut costs. Complaints from nearby villagers fall on deaf ears as the government neglects to do anything about it. A lawyer in China is trying to fight the government and their lax laws but is finding it difficult (surpise, surprise!).

In one scene, the lawyer travels to a river where the waste is disposed and scoops out a sample to take to the lab. The water -- no joke -- is about as thick as porridge, lumpy as old milk, and black as paint. The water has killed all the fish in the river effectively taking away the local fishermens' jobs and the water seeps through the soil, destroying the crops making it harder for farmers to grow.

[Powerful T]

To be honest, though, too many people view Japan as being paved with streets of gold and so forth, so after this read it should ease up the rush to buy that ticket to Japan.