Setting Up & Operating

Setting up and Operating a Business in Japan was first written in 1988, reviewing this book twenty years after it was published reveals a number of interesting points. Firstly, even though a large number of structural changes have taken place in Japan since 1988, the book can be used a reference, for example: chapters that cover "Working with the Japanese" Chapter 2, "Employees" Chapter 7, "Pros & Cons of Being a Foreign Business" Chapter 10 and "Business Advice" Chapter 11 provide useful and important insights that are still of benefit. Secondly, the book provides a guide post of how many things have changed over 20 years and so acts as a history book. Thirdly, it provides a sprinkling of Japanese business vocabularly for those also studying the language. A sixteen chapter book that covers 191 pages, Helen Thian is to be commended for her foresight and the ability to draw a wide cross section of interviewees. It would be interesting to do a follow up edition and discover how many of those who were interviewed for the book are still in Japan.