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The Japan Society Review

The Japan Society Review is an digital publication covering Japan-related books and films, as well as theatre and stage productions, tv series and exhibitions. Published since 2006, it is released now on a quarterly basis and is available online on our website and printed for members. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and encourage readers to explore the works for themselves.

The Japan Society Review is possible thanks to the work of volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to help us to promote the learning and understanding of Japanese culture and society.

To become a reviewer, please fill the form here and let us know a little about you, your professional or academic background, your interest, passion or expertise regarding Japan and the type of works you would like to review.

If you have any questions, please contact reviews@japansociety.org.uk.

The Library of Heartbeats

Books

The Library of Heartbeats

By Laura Imai Messina In The Library of Heartbeats, the heart stands out as the central theme, infusing this charismatic tale with depth and resonance. Review by Renae Lucas-Hall

The Meiji Guillotine Murders

Books

The Meiji Guillotine Murders

By Yamada Futaro Set in 1869, two decades after the Black Ships forcibly lifted Japan’s policy of isolationism and Western ideas began to flow into the country, The Meiji Guillotine Murders takes place in a fraught but fascinating time of clashing institutions and ideologies Review by Chris Corker

Evil Does Not Exist

Films & Series

Evil Does Not Exist

Directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s new film is without doubt one of the most divisive films of the year. With awards at BFI London Film Festival and Venice Film Festival in 2023 but also with many finding the film puzzling, wanting, or even lacking. Review by Michael Tsang

Mongrel

Books

Mongrel

By Hanako Footman Hanako Footman’s debut novel, Mongrel, follows parallel stories of three Japanese women: Mei, biracial and living in Surrey, Yuki, a musician in London and Haruka a hostess in Tokyo. Review by Shehrazade Zafar-Arif

Issue 104 (March 2024, Volume 19, Number 1)

Issues (PDF)

Issue 104 (March 2024, Volume 19, Number 1)

The first quarter of 2024 has brought to the UK an exciting array of books, films and events exploring different aspects of Japan. This new issue of The Japan Society Review covers six of them thanks to the fantastic writing our volunteer reviewers.

The Light of Asia

Books

The Light of Asia

By Christopher Harding ‘What is real? Who says? How should we live?’ - These are the three questions that lie at the core of Christopher Harding’s eminently readable effort on Asia, expanding the scope of his previous books focused on Japan to now encompass the continent as a whole. Review by Laurence Green

Japanese Fighting Heroes: Warriors, Samurai and Ronins

Books

Japanese Fighting Heroes: Warriors, Samurai and Ronins

By Jamie Ryder This multi-layered book by the founder of Yamato magazine, is difficult to categorise but it certainly is informative and thoroughly enjoyable offering a series of reviews of personalities in their factual historical, and occasionally mythological, contexts. Review by Trevor Skingle

On an Endless Road: Ito Noe and the Women Composers of her Time

Theatre & Stage

On an Endless Road: Ito Noe and the Women Composers of her Time

By Francesca Le Lohé An exploration of the female composers active in Japan during the life of Ito Noe, a feminist figure of the Meiji era whose story remains untold. Review by Cameron Bassindale

The Last Yakuza

Books

The Last Yakuza

By Jake Adelstein Written with the insight of an expert on Japanese organised crime, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein presents a biography of a yakuza, through post-war desperation, to bubble-era optimism, to the present. Review by Trevor Skingle

The Boy and The Heron

Films & Series

The Boy and The Heron

Directed by Miyazaki Hayao Released in Japan as How Do You Live? (Kimitachi wa do ikiru ka), the film might not be Miyazaki’s final film, but it certainly feels like a swan song and an homage to his illustrious career. Review by Shehrazade Zafar-Arif