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Michael Thuresson
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The Salaryman: An American dude becomes a Tokyo white-collar warrior Paperback – July 2, 2019

by Michael Howard (Author), Rena Saiya (Illustrator)
4.3 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
A humorous memoir featuring more than 70 full-color manga illustrations from a Tokyo American who tried and failed to fit into Japanese office culture for almost a decade. The Salaryman is an immigrant's story from a land where there are few immigrants, with even fewer being crazy enough to do what the author did: become a real train-cramming, brow-wiping, late-night overtime-working, passed-out-drunk-on-the-train-ride-home salaryman. A working-man consumer's take on the U.S.-Japan culture gap, the book hums with authenticity, delivering deep middle-class insights between its illustrated punch lines.
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  1. Print length
    228 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 2, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    5 x 0.54 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    107593172X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1075931727
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thoroughly entertaining...A true insider's look at corporate Japan." - The Japan Times

Howard's first book is fun, digestible and relatable, without holding back on the nitty-gritty and at times painful episodes endured by the typical salaryman."- Tokyo Weekender

A candid and, at times, somewhat cynical view of how large, traditional Japanese enterprises work...you will enjoy reading Mr. Howard's thorough account of the often absurd facts of life for a foreigner working within such an environment."- Ryu Tokyo

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (July 2, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 107593172X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1075931727
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.54 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

About the author

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Michael Thuresson

Michael Thuresson

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Michael Thuresson hails from Chicago and was a journalist-turned-businessman in Los Angeles before he joined the Tokyo salaryman brotherhood in 2008. He has lived in Tokyo since 2008 and now works full-time as a product manager at an American technology company. The Salaryman, published in July 2019 and hailed by the Japan Times as “thoroughly entertaining”, was his first book. The Salaryman: Manga Edition is his first comic.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
72 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning laughing multiple times while reading. They also praise its readability, with one customer noting it's well written.

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4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning they laughed multiple times while reading.

"This is a fun book to read, revealing much about Japanese culture that is not easy to peer into. And it is well written and thoroughly entertaining...." Read more

"...Highly recommend. I enjoyed reading this book and wanted someone else's insight on the corporate world in Japan and he definitely..." Read more

"...Highly informative and entertaining with many humorous illustrations...." Read more

"Fun to read!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read, with one customer noting it is well written.

"...And it is well written and thoroughly entertaining. For anyone with an interest in Japan who wants to know more about it." Read more

"...lived in Japan working for a large US pharma company and his book was spot on...." Read more

"...Required reading for anyone brave enough to attempt assimilation into Japanese society. Hope to see a sequel!" Read more

"...You feel like you are right there with him! A great read!" Read more

Hope there is a sequel to this memoir
5 out of 5 stars
Hope there is a sequel to this memoir
In this memoir, the author accurately describes parts of Japanese corporate life which many foreigners would find to be shocking. Over the course of nearly a decade, the author's tribulations are painstakingly captured in this book. Those people conducting business with Japanese companies will find themselves nodding in agreement with this book's numerous episodes. The author connects with the reader in a self-deprecating manner and, in the end, we learn to respect the many people in Japan who choose to work for Japanese companies.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great view into Japanese culture in a very entertaining way.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fun book to read, revealing much about Japanese culture that is not easy to peer into. And it is well written and thoroughly entertaining. For anyone with an interest in Japan who wants to know more about it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andrew Hankinson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
    A great read about what it's really like to live the salaryman life in Japan. I know because I have also lived it for 20 years. Well written, great flow, "edutainment" at it's best. A funny reminder for us Japan-hands and a must-read, crash-course for anyone considering working for a Japanese company.
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  • JSC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Would highly recommend, an excellent read!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I just read The Salaryman by Michael Howard and found it excellent! I previously lived in Japan working for a large US pharma company and his book was spot on. Working as a ‘salaryman’ in a traditional Japanese company must not have been easy but his comments, both pro and con, were excellent. I recommend his book for anybody who has an interest in Japan.
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  • David Abney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and relatable for those that have lived in Japan
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    EDIT: I had to change this book to 5 stars from 4. I reread the book and realized it's well over 200 pages, I guess I got so into the book the first time I didn't even realize it was as long as it is! Highly recommend.

    I enjoyed reading this book and wanted someone else's insight on the corporate world in Japan and he definitely delivered! It came along with some good humor and art to match. I found myself laughing multiple times throughout reading and finished it quickly. The only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 is because I was expecting the book to be longer. It was still well worth the purchase though! I hope to find more like it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • R. Nelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Anyone Moving to Japan
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this glimpse into Japanese culture, which was largely a mystery to me before reading. Highly informative and entertaining with many humorous illustrations. Required reading for anyone brave enough to attempt assimilation into Japanese society. Hope to see a sequel!
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  • Rochelle Kopp
    5.0 out of 5 stars new words and unforgettable characters
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I've read many books on working for Japanese companies (and written one myself), but this book has a completely fresh approach to the topic. I learned some new words for describing Japanese company phenomenon, and some of the characters the author worked with are unforgettable! The cute cartoon illustrations are a nice touch too. But what was most interesting to me was the excellent portrayal of just how shocking culture shock can be.
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  • Fred
    5.0 out of 5 stars An insider's personal/funny/poignant view of being a Japanese Salaryman!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Loved following this American "dude's journey as he transitions from life in America to adapting (and sometimes struggling) to life and culture in Japan. You feel like you are right there with him! A great read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Thursty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Hilarious accounting of ‘fitting in’ and coping as a Salaryman in Japan.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Colton Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A social gathering
    Reviewed in Canada on July 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As someone whom is interested in living in Japan, this book is not only educational, but entertaining to boot.

    Easy to read, each chapter feels like it's own story. Definitely recommend.
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  • Simon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rare Insight Into Working in Sales in a Japanese Company
    Reviewed in Japan on August 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've lived in Japan 20 years, working in and out of Japanese companies, and meeting all manner of Japanese and foreigners in different roles. I've always considered the tribe of Japanese salespeople to be the most extreme embodiment of Japanese business culture and although I have worked WITH Japanese salespeople, and I've met those rare foreigners that have been successful in Japan as managers, engineers and whatnot, I've never met a foreigner who has gone as deep into the world of Japanese sales as Michael discusses in his book.

    I think the book works best on two levels - for those interested in learning the culture before coming to Japan, the account is legit, and presented in a way that is accessible to those interested in Japan but not yet here. His anecdotes and insights are detailed and many, and resonate with me as true, so I'd recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding Japanese sales culture, be it as someone coming to Japan aspiring to be a Japanese saleperson, or as someone sitting across the table from a Japanese salesperson trying to understand what is going on.

    Secondly, as an anecdote of someone who I think has had a bunch of pretty unique personal experiences, and shares them in a humorous and easily accessible manner, the book is an easy read with stories broken up into short accessible chapters and the stories themselves, aside from being well written, are also illustrated humorously. I found the book insightful and interesting as a veteran, and I'd also recommend it for anyone interested in working in Japan for a sense of what the most harcore version of this looks like.

    It's a great read and recommended for anyone interested in working in Japan or with anyone from Japan. Great job!
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  • Seishain22
    5.0 out of 5 stars A highly entertaining behind-the-scenes look at Japanese companies!
    Reviewed in Japan on July 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    As someone who has lived the salaryman experience in Japan, I can say this book captures it all accurately, and with laugh-out-loud humor. The perfect novel for anyone wanting to be entertained while learning about the challenges and benefits of working in the Japanese business world.
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  • Sabado
    5.0 out of 5 stars Expats can relate, new transplants can learn
    Reviewed in Japan on July 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Learn about glimpses into the salaryman white collar JPN work life from the view of an American. Sometimes sticking out in a really homogenous(98% of Japan’s population is Japanese) country has its benefits. And laugh about it while you learn the hard earned lessons. You might be able to speed read it on your hour and a half commute to work...
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  • Alex T
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and cautionary!
    Reviewed in Japan on November 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Stories of the "salaryman" life in Japan, and how a fresh-off-the-boat American navigates its waters! It is also a clear warning to stay clear of accepting an offer for entry-level work at these kinds of traditional Japanese companies if you are a foreigner - even if you do have good Japanese-language skills and know Japanese culture well!
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