Dogs and Demons

May 7, 2007 on 11:58 pm | In Books | | Email This Post

I’m a little late to the party, but I just recently read Dogs and Demons by Alex Kerr.

This book is intense.

It answers a ton of questions I have always wondered about Japan such as, “What are those giant jack shaped concrete objects on the beaches?”, “Why does every single mountain seem to have a concrete ‘net’ built up along the side of it?”, and “Why are so few foreign companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange?”

The writing has enough momentum to keep even the most easily bored reader hooked, and Kerr doesn’t pull any punches as he points out - in seemingly well-researched detail, the problems in modern Japan. At first glance it may seem like he just has a bone to pick with the entire country, but Kerr grew up in Japan, has written books in Japanese and even studied at Keio University. He loves Japan, which is why he cared enough to write this book.

I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Japan in the slightest.

Most other foreigners in Japan with whom I have talked about this book agree that it has a lot of good points, but are put off by Kerr’s harsh tone. About halfway through, I also found myself occasionally checking Kerr’s biography again and again to remind myself that this is someone who enjoys Japan enough to have invested a lot of time in learning the language and culture. To put it simply, reading this book won’t make you want to pack up your bags and move to Tokyo.

On another note, there are some pretty biting reviews of this book on Amazon Japan. The book is harsh, that’s true, but I don’t think any of it is out of line by any means.

Has anyone here already read it? What did you think?

By the way, it is also available in Japanese under the title 「犬と鬼」.

- Harvey

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18 Comments »

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  1. Gravatar

    In the Katamari Games, they call the giant concrete jacks “breakwater blocks”.

    It’d be rather entertaining if you could roll up the giant net you’re talking about.

    Comment by Jess — May 8, 2007 #

  2. Gravatar

    I have never played the Katamari games, but I so need to… I so need to…

    Breakwater blocks. That’s a good name. They say they tame the surf and slow beach erosion.

    Comment by harvey — May 8, 2007 #

  3. Gravatar

    I do have the book (and read it). What struck me most is that it seems as if he describes Japan today. But in fact he wrote his book between 1995 and 2000, so it is already several years old. It makes you wonder if the Japanese ever reflect on their actions, and make corrections if deemed necessary.

    Comment by J. — May 8, 2007 #

  4. Gravatar

    Right on the money J. Seems like what Kerr said about the bureaucracy not being able to put on the brakes, or even change direction when necessary has some truth to it. When reading, I too felt like he was speaking about Japan, now, as I see it.

    One of my Japanese friends picked up the Japanese version today after I recommended it to her. I’m looking forward to her reaction after reading it!

    Comment by harvey — May 8, 2007 #

  5. Gravatar

    It’s one of the few about-Japan books I’ve read. I thought it was pretty much spot-on and it illuminated several things. I think the people who trash it probably have not spent as much time in Japan as we have.

    Comment by mdchachi — May 9, 2007 #

  6. Gravatar

    It makes you wonder if the Japanese ever reflect on their actions, and make corrections if deemed necessary.
    …
    They do make corrections, but it takes time. For example, environmental issues:
    …
    After decades of complaints that the Arase dam in Kumamoto prefecture has aggravated, rather than controlled flooding, and also led to the extinction of a local fish, it’s finally been marked for demolition starting in 2010. Unfortunately, however, the government can’t let any good deed go unpunished, so they are building a new dam 40km away. So much for learning a lesson.
    …
    Sometimes change requires criticism from outsiders. After spending tons of money erecting breakwaters along the Aichi shore, a large stretch of blocks was removed last year after conservationists from around the world complained that sea turtles were no longer able to reach the beaches where they lay their eggs.
    …
    A few years ago, a project to concrete part of Torii River was stopped due to the efforts of a former Canadian who became a Japanese citizen. An alternative strategy of willow planting and some strategic placement of natural boulders was adopted instead, and is now being carried out in some other rivers in Japan. Not my preferred solution to flooding, but it’s better than cutting down trees and putting concrete everywhere. I wish that people who build near rivers would take flooding into account with their structures (eg. build raised structures), rather than try to modify rivers to control flooding.

    Comment by Michael — May 9, 2007 #

  7. Gravatar

    When I first went to Japan, the professor who was guiding us kept pointing out flaws and complaining about this that and the other. I often found myself wondering, “Does he even LIKE Japan?”

    This post has made me rethink that somewhat. I’ll add the book to my list!

    Comment by Heather Meadows — May 9, 2007 #

  8. Gravatar

    Michael, I do agree that some examples show that reflection takes place. But those examples seem too few and too far apart to convince me. Maybe I should have used a bit more diplomatic phrases in my previous post.

    Comment by J. — May 9, 2007 #

  9. Gravatar

    I think the people who trash it probably have not spent as much time in Japan as we have.

    Actually one guy who told me that he didn’t like the general biting tone of the book is a guy I met who has been here for 10 years and lives in Kansai. He speaks Japanese, owns a home, married to a Japanese lady and has kids and everything. I only mention all those details to stress the fact that he’s just not another gaijin passing through.

    I don’t know though. Personally, I think that the books points are valid, and do not go too far. Kerr certainly cares about Japan enough to write this book, so I don’t think he’s just a “hater”.

    He does seem to bring up how much more he enjoys Thailand than Japan a lot in the book though…

    Comment by harvey — May 9, 2007 #

  10. Gravatar

    It’s easy to confuse criticism with dislike. Typically, whenever a foreigner is critical of Japan, another group of foreigners who consider themselves self-appointed protectors of Japan’s honor jump in and accuse the person of being racist, bitter, having made no effort to appreciate Japan, and often throw in a “why don’t you go home if you hate it so much!” People have said all those things to me because I have a poor opinion of the overall quality of Japanese medical care. But those who really don’t like Japan leave. Generally they burn out pretty quickly, particularly the single ones, but some hang on for 5 to 10 years until they can’t take it any more or a spouse divorces them. Those remaining are usually people who truly love Japan, and their criticism is drawn from the same deep well of love that many have for their home country. I may not always agree with someone’s opinion or approach, but I can respect them if they seem genuine.
    —
    Indeed, more often it seems that none are quite so disillusioned with Japan as some of the Japanese themselves.

    Comment by Michael — May 9, 2007 #

  11. Gravatar

    J, sorry, didn’t see your comment there. I wasn’t trying to convince you. If anything, I was supporting your point. Sometimes it seems kind of like the song “Star Trekkin’”: Star Trekkin’ across the universe… only going forward ’cause we can’t find the Reverse. Positive change does happen from time to time despite government bureaucracy and citizen apathy, but a number of bad policies need a major overhaul before things will really turn around for the better. Those changes won’t begin from within government, either, but have to start with the people. To that end, I’m in the early stages of founding a free English school for which students would “pay” their tuition by becoming active in a variety of projects to help their communities, their country and the world. I sincerely hope that in getting more involved outside of our own personal lives, helping others and treating our planet with care, people will also be motivated to expect and seek the same sense of responsibility from the government.

    Comment by Michael — May 10, 2007 #

  12. Gravatar

    Michael, I fully agree with your comments “Typically, whenever a foreigner is critical of Japan, another group of foreigners who consider themselves self-appointed protectors of Japan’s honor jump in ..” and “But those who really don’t like Japan leave.”
    Once someone starts to build a grudge against Japan it is like a downward spiral, making that person to leave Japan very quickly, “burning out quickly” as you put it.
    Your approach regarding tuition sounds very idealistic (meant in a positive way). I wish you good luck in achieving those goals and dreams that you describe.

    Comment by J. — May 10, 2007 #

  13. Gravatar

    Your approach regarding tuition sounds very idealistic (meant in a positive way)

    Some of my Japanese friends gave me the idea. We were talking about volunteerism, and several said that they would like to be more involved if only they knew how. Combine that with tons of people complaining about how much money they spend on English study, and that’s when I decided this is worth a shot. It might be too crazy and naive to succeed, but we’ll see. So far I already have some support on the municipal level, several organizations are willing to loan out space, a textbook author wants to donate books, and one major corporation has tentatively offered to cover some of the expenses in exchange for advertising. But there’s still a ton to do that will have to wait until my wife and I get back from visiting the US.

    Comment by Michael — May 11, 2007 #

  14. Gravatar

    The book sounds very interesting, as does his other book, “Lost Japan”. I just put holds on them at the library. I’m really looking forward to read them to see what he’s got to say. Thanks for bringing them to my attention!

    Comment by Bruce Anderson — May 11, 2007 #

  15. Gravatar

    I just picked up dogs and demons and I’ve been scanning through it. A riveting read all right and certainly something I didn’t know about!

    It *IS* a little dated though, what with the Koizumi reform (attempt?) Is there something a little newer or updated I can refer to for the years in between?

    Comment by Blackmane — May 22, 2007 #

  16. Gravatar

    Koizumi Kaikaku!

    I don’t know of any books that discuss the situation in depth that Kerr does that is more modern. I guess to know how things have changed we’ll have to do research on our own…

    Anything specific you want to look into?

    Comment by harvey — May 22, 2007 #

  17. Gravatar

    If you read Japanese pretty comfortably, you might want to look up Karel Van Wolferen, a Dutch journalist who lived in Japan for close to 40 years, for more political and social commentary. I don’t know if any of his books besides The Enigma of Japanese Power (which sold nearly half a million copies in Japan some 15 years ago) have been translated into English, but that’s still an interesting read if you’re not put off by dry academic treatises.

    Comment by Michael — May 23, 2007 #

  18. Gravatar

    Ach. My Japanese isn’t *that* good unfortunately (And sadly I don’t have the time I used to to sit with a dictionary for every second word….)

    There’s gotta be something in English on the Koizumi reform and Abe san’s works currently right?

    Comment by Blackmane — May 24, 2007 #

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