Dogs and Demons - by Alex Kerr (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A surprising assessment of the failures and successes of modern Japan.

In Dogs and Demons, Alex Kerr chronicles the many facets of Japan's recent, and chronic, crises -- from the failure of its banks and pension funds to the decline of its once magnificent modern cinema. He is the first to give a full report on the nation's endangered environment -- its seashores lined with concrete, its roads leading to nowhere in the mountains -- as well as its "monument frenzy," the destruction of old cities such as Kyoto and construction of drab new ones, and the attendant collapse of its tourist industry. Kerr writes with humor and passion, for "passion," he says, "is part of the story. Millions of Japanese feel as heartbroken at what is going on as I do. My Japanese friends tell me, 'Please write this -- for us.'"

Review Quotes

"Keen insight into the unique causes and disastrous results of the once heralded 'Japan Model' of development . . . a must read." --Michael Judge, The Wall Street Journal

"Should be required reading for anyone who writes about or studies the Japanese economy . . . " --Eric Johnston, The Japan Times

About the Author

Alex Kerr, educated at Yale, Oxford, and Keio Universities, is the author of many monographs and articles in both Japanese and English. He now lives in Bangkok.