“Robert advises the Board on the invisible currents of Japanese society. He helps our members navigate the subtle cultural and historical forces that often derail foreign ventures.”
Robert Whiting
Author, Tokyo Underworld
Author, You Gotta Have Wa
Renowned Japanologist & JournalistRobert Whiting is the definitive chronicler of Tokyo’s post-war evolution. While economists track the numbers, Robert tracks the soul of the city. His investigative works have shattered the monolithic image of Japan often held by the outside world, revealing the complex, gritty, and fascinating human networks that actually drive the society.
His best-selling book Tokyo Underworld is considered a masterpiece of investigative journalism, exposing the hidden history of organized crime and its intersection with politics and business. Conversely, his seminal work You Gotta Have Wa used the lens of professional baseball to explain the intricacies of the Japanese corporate mindset—teamwork, hierarchy, and sacrifice—to a global audience.
Currently chronicling the history of post-war Tokyo with a focus on the 1964 Olympics, Robert brings a depth of cultural literacy that is unmatched. He understands not just what happens in Japan, but why it happens, decoding the societal DNA that dictates behavior in both the boardroom and the backroom.