Fear and Trembling is a story about a Belgian woman named Amélie who reflects on her experiences working at a Japanese corporation in Tokyo in 1990. Amélie, who was born in Japan and lived there until the age of 5, returns to Japan after college graduation with a one-year contract as an interpreter.
The vice president and section leader at the corporation are described as boors, but Amélie's immediate supervisor, Ms. Mori, is portrayed as beautiful and trustworthy. However, Amélie's troubles begin when she impresses clients by speaking perfect Japanese and writes an excellent report for a colleague.
Unfortunately, the person she least expects betrays her by exposing her work, leading to a series of humiliations for Amélie. The story raises questions about the future of her relationship with Ms. Mori and with Japan as a whole.