A novella and two short stories in the genre of the "business novel" critique Japanese commerce and culture from the viewpoint of workers at the infrastructure's lower rungs. The novella chronicles the struggles of a supplier to an automobile "keiretsu" (conglomerate) based on the Nissan Corporation. Both short stories' protagonists are women, one working in a bank and the other in the sex industry. The stories explore feminist concerns in modern Japan, the Geisha tradition, power, duty, and exploitation. A glossary and detailed introductions provide important background information. No index. Paper ediiton (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
