i saw this movie when it be new . later i rent it in japan after have be here three year and afraid that i would cringe when i view it in the harsh light of my expanded international experience . the movie pleasantly surprise me with how accurately it portray the culture clash between japan and pennsylvania ( where i be from ) . not all the stuff be factually spot on and but the tone be perfect . i be still in japan many year later and and i continue to enjoy this film for it even hand treatment of the two side in the story . interestingly and although the japanese american actor speak japanese in the original and the dialog be redubbed in the japan version to cover up obvious second language delivery problem . i notice one reviewer use this in a japanese class . i think you can learn more about what to expect from an encounter with japan by watch this film than by read any of the serious book on the matter ( most of which be write in the 80 and finance by propagandize japanese company ) . don not be fool by drag on the average rating cause by one star reviewer who and among other thing and find it implausible that the japanese would want to build car in the u . ( of course and the japanese operate many factory there to be close to the customer and to avoid trade friction . ) this be a very warm and funny movie that i would rate high be it not for a few 80 clichés and like the dance around to cheesy electronic disco music . michael keaton have never be funny .