The Nippon Challenge, Japan's Pursuit of the America's Cup - Hardcover

A fascinatingly detailed account of how a handful of Japanese sailing enthusiasts overcame cultural tradition and public disinterest to make their country a credible contender for one of yachting's greatest prizes--the America's Cup. As Smith (Tokyo bureau chief for the International Herald Tribune) makes clear, Japan has tended to view the seas that surround it as a moat against the outside world or as an avenue of conquest, not as a playground. In 1987, however, a salty business executive named Tatsumitsu Yamasaki began to promulgate the idea that the island nation should vie for the 1992 America's Cup, in part to prove its willingness to compete on a playing field that had been a Western preserve. Yamasaki recruited sailing talent at home and abroad (mainly in New Zealand) while raising billions of yen from scores of corporate sponsors, including Yamaha. The syndicate's brain trust has surmounted any number of technical and allied difficulties in its drive to mount a viable challenge; today, a sleek craft christened J-26 is faring well in trial runs offshore San Diego. Among other problems, the author explains, ocean racing, with its sudden-death decisions in one-on-one matches, goes against the Japanese grain. In their games as well as commerce, he notes, the Japanese prefer long campaigns equivalent to wars of attrition in which they can wear down opponents by outlasting them. Win, lose, or draw, however, the newcomers are in the high-stakes sport to stay, Smith reports. In fact, Yamasaki has incorporated a for-profit enterprise with a broadcasting network, marina, and allied properties to keep the yachting venture on a sound footing after the America's Cup finals have been held in May. A fine yarn for mariners, armchair or otherwise, and a cautionary tale for those who do business in great waters. (Illustrations--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Five years ago, Japanese business executive Tatsumitso Yamasaki suggested that Japan enter the 1992 America's Cup yachting competition to show the world that Japan was willing and able to join in Western sports competition. Business and industry agreed to support the Nippon Challenge and in the campaign have hired foreign expertise to develop native talent and have designed and built boats at a cost of nearly $70 million. Smith, Tokyo bureau chief for the International Herald Tribune and New Yorker correspondent, examines preparations for the event from which he draws insight into the Japanese character and culture. With a New Zealand coach and skipper, a carefully screened crew and the latest technology, big-time ocean racing still presents problems for the Japanese team in terms of learning per original; clearer?/fine.gs individuality and responsibility. The crew, according to Smith, faces a different emotional and psychological experience than do competitors in other sports. This compelling story should appeal to both the business and yachting communities.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.