Amenities (Be It Ever So Humble)

Abstract

A decade ago, there was almost a scandal when the European Community included in one of its briefing papers a reference to the Japanese as “workaholics living in rabbit hutches.” Naturally, all kindly and sympathetic foreigners thought one just doesn’t say things like that. It is necessary to be gentle and diplomatic in revealing Japan’s weaknesses. But there was no scandal. The Japanese liked the expression, found it rather apt and have since repeatedly referred to their dwellings as “rabbit hutches.”¹