Gamblers, Fraudsters, Dreamers & Spies

Critically acclaimed author and longtime Japan resident Robert Whiting turns his attention to the fascinating stories of foreigners who made waves and achieved notoriety in post-World War II Japan.

In this rare insider's look at Japan through the eyes of foreigners, this book covers a fascinating swathe of Japanese history, from the immediate postwar period up to the 2022 assassination of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The fascinating stories of the gamblers, dreamers, and other chancers who made their mark in modern Japan include US servicemen running Vegas-style gambling dens; baseball managers Like Bobby Valentine; hostesses, bar managers and wannabe yakuza gangsters; religious fanatics such as Members of the Moonies, and businessmen like disgraced Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.

This fascinating book provides an unvarnished look at the post-war history of Japan and offers cautionary tales about how welcoming Japan really is towards outsiders. It is based on original research and reporting by the author, a 60-year resident of Tokyo.

戦後日本に名を残した外国人たちの物語
『You Gotta Have Wa』などで著名なロバート・ホワイティング氏による、戦後日本に名を残した外国人たちのドキュメンタリー。外国人の視点を通して見た日本、という貴重な内部告発であり、戦後から2022年の安倍晋三元首相暗殺まで、もうひとつの戦後史を紹介します。