The Outnation: A Search for the Soul of Japan

Freelance journalist Rauch sets out to decipher the Japanese mindset in an edifying volume that analyzes Japan's contradictory aspects and swift rise to prominence in the world market. His observations on Japanese politics, education, business, hierarchies and homogeneity are loosely strung together and presented in concise segments, each less than a page long. Fallows ( More Like Us ), who differs with Rauch on matters of Japanese economics, points out in his foreword the difficulties in creating a lucid portrait of such a puzzling culture. Rauch's extravagant praise of Japanese skin and hair may cause readers to squirm, even if some Japanese are equally curious about blonds; his acceptance of Japan's notions of fairness and discrimination against women and foreigners will likely rattle liberals. Nonetheless, this provocative book invites attention from Americans attempting to comprehend the Japanese. First serial to Los Angeles Times . Photos. (Apr.)