Tokyo Underworld: The Fast Times and Hard Life of an American

Tokyo Underworld: The Fast Times and Hard Life of an American Gangster in Japan

"A fascinating look at some fascinating people who show how democracy advances hand in hand with crime in Japan."--Mario Puzo

In this unorthodox chronicle of the rise of Japan, Inc., Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa, gives us a fresh perspective on the economic miracle and near disaster that is modern Japan.

Through the eyes of Nick Zappetti, a former GI, former black marketer, failed professional wrestler, bungling diamond thief who turned himself into "the Mafia boss of Tokyo and the king of Rappongi," we meet the players and the losers in the high-stakes game of postwar finance, politics, and criminal corruption in which he thrived. Here's the story of the Imperial Hotel diamond robbers, who attempted (and may have accomplished) the biggest heist in Tokyo's history. Here is Rikidozan, the professional wrestler who almost single-handedly revived Japanese pride, but whose own ethnicity had to be kept secret. And here is the story of the intimate relationships shared by Japan's ruling party, its financial combines, its ruthless criminal gangs, the CIA, American Big Business, and perhaps at least one presidential relative. Here is the underside of postwar Japan, which is only now coming to light.
Country USA
Brand Vintage
Manufacturer Vintage
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber 9780375724893
Color Brown
ReleaseDate 2000-09-26
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780375724893

Country	USA
Brand	Vintage
Manufacturer	Vintage
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	9780375724893
Color	Brown
ReleaseDate	2000-09-26
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780375724893

Tokyo Underworld: The Fast Times and Hard Life of an American Gangster in Japan