Based on an extraordinary understanding of the Japanese and English languages, the authors define issues with great clarity and outline useful approaches to cross-cultural understanding and communication. This book will be of enormous value for scholars starting to come to grips with the Japanese language as well as for those who have been struggling to learn it for many years. -- William Breer, retired US diplomat

The key to professional success in Japan is understanding Japanese people. The authors, seasoned cross-cultural trainers for businesspeople, provide a practical set of guidelines for understanding Japanese people and culture through David A. Victor's LESCANT approach of evaluating a culture's language, environment, social organization, context, authority, nonverbal communication, and time conception. Each chapter addresses one of these topics and shows effective strategies to overcoming cultural barriers and demonstrates how to evaluate the differences between Japan and North America to help avoid common communication mistakes. The book is generously peppered with photographs to provide visual examples. Exploring language and communication topics, international relations, and the business community, this book is an excellent intercultural overview for anyone traveling to or working in Japan.

"A nuanced, vividly illustrated set of practical recommendations . . . a must read for scholars and students in intercultural communication, sociology, language and social interaction, and linguistics." - Choice