She doesn't get interesting jobs to do. She is unhappy because the Japanese company does not use her abilities, and also because, she is not able to live like a Japanese worker. She is always surprised by the turn of events.
She lived in Japan when she was young. She knows very well how to speak, read, and write the Japanese language. She loves Japan, but she is disappointed.
There is no preface, no foreword, no dedication, no quotation, no title of chapters, nothing else than the main story; this is a little dry.
Fortunately, I watched a Bernard Pivot's TV talk show, where Amélie Nothomb gave more information. This story is almost entirely autobioghraphic. She is the daughter of a Belgian ambasador. At that time, she lived with a Japanese boyfriend. Although she speaks fluently Japanese, she talks, thinks, and wears clothes like a Belgian artist.
The year spent in the Japanese company was a painful experience for her. She blames the Japanese managers for this hard life. I think it is unfair, because I had similar experiences in France.
I see four other possible explanations, not mentionned by Amélie Nothomb: 1. The first job is always difficult. 2. Leaving childhood is also difficult. 3. Any non-artistic job is unpleasant. 4. She worked in an accountants department, although she was unable to make a simple addition.
I've heard of Amélie Nothomb since 1992. It seems that she is one of the most successful young French-speaking writers since Boris Vian in the years 1960. This is the first book of her that I read. Bernard Pivot, said that this was her second's best book. I wanted to judge for myself. I found this novel rather flat. The author writes like she phones, which is a severe judgement, but, at least, it is better than many books who are looking like scenarios of motion pictures.