The Japan Society Review
The Japan Society Review is published on a quartely basis, both online and printed (members are entitled to receive a copy by post). Since the starting of the publication in 2006, each issue covers a selection of Japan-related books and films, as well as theatre and stage productions, tv series and exhibitions. 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.
Books
Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese TroupeBy Frederik l. Schodt The author, who has written other books about popular Japanese culture, gives a colourful account of the life and travels of Richard Risley Carlisle, who [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi
Books
My Life as Li XianglanBy Yamaguchi Yoshiko The dramatic life the author describes in this memoir illustrates the fate of a beautiful and talented girl who grew up in Manchuria when Japan established a puppet state there in 1932. Review by Fumiko Halloran
Books
Mental Health Care in JapanEdited by Ruth Taplin and Sandra J. Lawman This impressive multi-authored work comprehensively examines the current state of the mental health system in Japan. It furnishes an excellent overview of [...] Review by Sean Curtin
Films & Series
Eclair: Okashi HouroukiDirected by Akio Kondo The film is based on the autobiographical book written by Shigeru Nishimura in 1975, telling the story of an orphaned boy sent to [...] Review by Mike Sullivan
Events
Kaidan Horror Classics [妖しき文豪怪談]By Shinya Tsukamoto; Sang-il Lee; Hirokazu Kore-eda. This year, The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is showing (among others) three films of the ‘Kaidan Horror Classics.’ All three are based on [...] Review by Lucy Searles
Events
Japan Society Review writer Mike Sullivan wins the prestigious JFTC Essay Competition 2012We are proud to announce that Japan Society Review writer Mike Sullivan has won the prestigious Japan Foreign Trade Council Essay Competition 2012 with his article “Strategies for a Depopulating Japan ” A British Model and a Japanese Legacy. By Mike Sullivan
Theatre & Stage
SIRO-ASIRO-A are a six member group originally from Sendai. Their unusual performance can only be described as an amazing blend of dance, music and technology, as the boundaries between [...] Review by Michael Sullivan
Books
Maritime Strategy and National Security in Japan and Britain, From the First Alliance to Post -9/11Edited by Alessio Patalano This book arises from a conference held in London in 2009 organized by the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London and the Japanese Embassy. ‘This project represents [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi
Books
Contemporary Japan: History, Politics and Social Change Since the 1980sBy Jeff Kingston In this book Professor Kingston looks at the risks and challenges facing Japan in the twenty-first century. He draws particular attention to Japan’s “demographic time bomb” and [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi
Books
A History of Japanese Political Thought, 1600-1901By Watanabe Hiroshi Students of Japanese history, philosophy and politics will find this book of outstanding value. It is clear, well-constructed and informative. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi