The Brothers:: The Hidden World of Japan's Richest Family

For avid readers, this is an underrated book not to be missed. It is the story about one of Japan's most powerful, wealthiest, and influential family, the Tsutsumis. Lesley Downer wrote this book with such vigour and prose that it reads like a compelling thriller. That is by no mean an easy feat considering that we are discussing about a business family here but not Kennedys. Lesley made it succinctly clear in the beginning that this is not an authorised biographies of the clan but she did manage to interview people that are related to the clan directly and indirectly. To aid readers in comprehending the family structure, a family tree is provided. A map of Japan is shown and as we slowly read through the book, we would start to appreciate the tentacles that the Tsutsumis are spreading through Japan over the years. Later in the book, we would find out that the territory would branch off overseas. The book is separated mainly into three major components: first, the founding father by the name of Yasujiro and subsequently, Seiji and lastly, Yoshiaki. There is also a mention of the sister, Kuniko (the so-called black sheep of the family and who would eventually path her way in Paris). There are discussions about Yasuhiro's wives and mistresses, business and political intrigues, and how that would eventually pass down to the younger generations; how the two brothers would tackle business in dramatically different ways. After reading this book, I can say that I have better appreciation of major corporations such as Saison and Seibu which the brothers have created, how much business and politics are interrelated in Japan, how management attitudes are changing over the years (what is deemed necessary and relevant post World War 2 might not necessarily be as effective in this modern days), the winter Olympics held in Nagano and the list goes on. I have no hesitation in recommending this book for those Japanophiles. A book written about Japan by a Japan-enthusiast. Highly recommended.