Memoirs of an American Housewife in Japan

The Hagers were firmly ensconced in their comfortable home in the seaside village of La Jolla, California, when one evening, Pauline's husband, Randy, came home from the office and asked her if she would like to live in Japan for two years. Randy had been offered a position in Japan to work on a multinational project. Pauline thought he was joking. But before she knew it, they were living in Japan in housing designed specifically for Westerners, surrounded by interesting friendly neighbors from Japan, the European Union, Canada, Russia and the United States.

In her funny and informational memoir, Pauline shares her experiences as she bravely overcomes her considerable culture shock, while attempting to make a home in Japan. Several adjustments had to be made to her new life; something as simple as opening a front door. She gingerly maneuvers through the complicated rules of Japanese social customs---never knowing when a simple faux pas would be construed as an intolerable violation of Japanese social behavior. For Pauline, life in Japan was, at times, confusing, impossible and challenging. Driving on the left side on narrow, open-trench roads was her biggest challenge. Japan may have a first class economy, but it has third world roads. Coping with a difficult language, learning to operate the ATM machines, shocked at the outrageously high prices of goods and the vastly different social customs kept Pauline constantly on her toes. Life in Japan was not dull. In spite of the many obstacles, she found a warm, supportive circle of Japanese and fellow expatriate friends. Fully entrenched in her new community, she enjoyed Japanese living to its fullest. In no time, Pauline conquered her fear of driving, navigated the public transportation system with ease and was not only learning the language, she went on to teach English.

In between Randy's heavy workload, the Hagers traveled to other exciting Asian countries. Their first trip was to Hong Kong, Lantau Island and mainland China. Later they visited Singapore and Malaysia. But Thailand was the most exotic. They visited an elephant work farm and took a hair-raising ride on an elephant. They witnessed the King of Thailand celebrate his 50th year on the throne, riding in a royal barge in a parade on the Chao Phraya River in a driving monsoon rain storm. Although the cost of driving, riding the train or flying in Japan was exorbitant, they managed to make trips to the venerated national park of Nikko, which dates back to the eighth century, and to the distant island of Hokkaido on a car ferry.

Pauline chronicles her two and one-half years in Japan with a lucid perspective and a wry sense of humor, describing her Japanese friends and places with fondness. She covers several topics including her Japanese friends' homes, their religion, customs, food, sumo wrestling, Japanese toilets, educational system, and the subtle complexities of Japanese culture.