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For that reason alone, the book is well worth reading.
It relates the personal stories of Japanese lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, and even one transexual person, who interestingly is a lesbian male to female.
I was hoping, however, that the book would be more detailed. I found most of the narratives quite generalized. I also would have preferred more of a "coming of age" slant to the naratives.
The book focuses more on coming out and social and political issues relating to Japanese homosexuals.
I found it quite interesting that it not a religious bias that causes discrimination against homosexuals in Japan, but rather a social and cultural prejudice. Japan is very geared towards the traditional idea of spouse and children.
Homosexuals are looked upon as being objects of ridicule and considered abnormal or psychologically sick.
Japanese homosexuals end up living quite closeted lives for the most part. Many are pressured into marriages.
There is hope, however, and several good organizations for lesbians, bi-sexuals and gays have sprung up. Hatred and ridicule against homosexuals is no longer tolerated unquestioningly in the media, these organizations are fighting it, and frequently they have been successful.
That said, this is an excellent introductory book, one-of-a-kind, in fact, of Queer Japan. In every story, translated by a trio of non-Japanese academics who have spent several years apiece in Japan and are active in gay-lesbian-bisexual-transexual groups, the author is awash with gratitude, to be allowed finally to speak in one's own voice, of the struggles, pain, and yes, the joys experienced. In such an oppressive culture, where candid, direct speech is not encouraged, or even actively discouraged as being childish and selfish, these essays are all the more remarkable.
My only complaint, which prevented me from giving 5 stars to the book, is technical: there are numerous grammatical errors, as well as careless word use. Sorry, I was an English major in college. I was trained to spot misuse of transitive/intransitive verbs, for example. It makes me sad that such errors suggest to me a lack of attention on the part of the publisher; in other words, this makes me feel that those involved in editing the book did not take as much pride in their own book as their subjects, which conflicts with the heartfelt call for those in the book, and others like them who struggle in Japan, to take pride in themselves, their essential beings.
In short, an excellent, though technically flawed book, for those looking to expand their understanding of modern Japan.
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