Top Book about Japanese Cooperatives (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–45 … My Adventures in Japan)

"The poor people of Hokkaido’s fishing villages in post-war Japan struggled to free themselves from the clutches of the usurious money lenders.”

This is the only good book on the subject. Well, actually … it’s the ONLY BOOK on the subject. But it’s pretty good.    

My long-time friend Naoyuki Tao wrote the entire text in Japanese, after which he translated it into English. Then, he asked me to edit the text, which I did.    

Tao-san’s writing was excellent, such that this was one of the easiest and most enjoyable editing / proofreading jobs that I undertook during my many years in Japan. Since its publication, I’ve heard praise from more than a few people around the world about the quality of the writing and the readability of the text.    

Each time I hear that, I have to clarify that my editing is not the main reason for the quality. Without Tao-san’s engaging story-telling, his superb writing, and his great colloquial prose, I would never have been able to polish it into the fine readable book it turned out to be.     _{(Image source)}

Let’s all cooperate … and prosper 

As for the content, it’s an intriguing history about how the poor people of Hokkaido’s fishing villages in post-war Japan struggled to free themselves from the clutches of the usurious “money lenders.” By adopting the principles of the cooperative movement and working together for the benefit of all, they were able to develop thriving businesses and vibrant communities, all within a decade or so. And they continue to prosper – thanks to their cooperative spirit and their unwavering focus on mutual development.   

Tao-san, your spirit and ideals live on, in many fishing villages in Hokkaido, throughout Japan, and in various regions around the world.    _{(Image source)}

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 8 Possible Titles for a Great Novel about Life in Japan

Bottom 2 Worst Foreign Columnists in The Japan Times

Top 3 Foreign Columnists in The Japan Times

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)}

_{Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}