The Japan Society
Publications Books & Journals

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.

Pray for Japan

Films & Series

Pray for Japan

Directed by Stu Levy The Japan Society organised a special charity screening for the European premiere of Stu Levy’s documentary film, Pray for Japan, at the British Academy for Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on 14 March 2012 […] Review by Susan Meehan

Mitsuko Delivers

Films & Series

Mitsuko Delivers

Directed by Yuya Ishii Mitsuko Delivers: the title made me think of the very funny film by the same director with a similar title, Sawako Decides and it did dispense the same style good humour and feel good factor. The screening at the ICA […] Review by Susan Meehan

Kokoro: The Art of Horiyoshi III

Books

Kokoro: The Art of Horiyoshi III

Exhibition at Somerset House. On the first day of spring 2012 a new exhibition opened up at Somerset House, although it is easy to get side tracked by Somerset House’s terrace which is always popular on warm spring days and by the spectacular sight […] Review by Michael Sullivan

Emerging Trends in Japan-Africa Relations

Books

Emerging Trends in Japan-Africa Relations

Talk by Professor Jun Morikawa. Professor Jun Morikawa, author of Japan and Africa: Big Business and Diplomacy (1997), spoke to the Japan Discussion Group at Chatham House on Japan-Africa relations. His basic thesis appeared to be that Japan’s Ministry of […] Review by Jason James

The Devotion of Suspect X

Books

The Devotion of Suspect X

By Keigo Higashino. Keigo Higashino was born in Osaka in 1958. In 2006 he won the 134th Naoki Prize and the 6th Honkaku Mystery Grand Prize for his novel, The Devotion of Suspect X, which had been published the previous year. [...] Review by Michael Sullivan

Kairakutei Burakku

Books

Kairakutei Burakku

By Ian McArthur. Editor’s note: Henry James Black was born in Adelaide, Australia on 22 December 1858. Due to his father’s work he lived in Japan from the age of three. He worked as an English teacher for about a decade before becoming a rakugoka […] Review by Inoue Atsuko (in Japanese)

Obtaining Images – Art Production and Display in Edo Japan

Books

Obtaining Images – Art Production and Display in Edo Japan

by Timon Screech. Professor Timon Screech is Professor in the History of Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and is a Japanese art expert who has made a particular study of the art of Tokugawa Japan […] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Himizu

Films & Series

Himizu

Directed by Shion Sono [園 子温], 2011, 129 minutes Review by Susan Meehan Film director Shion Sono was working on his adaptation of Himizu, a manga by Minoru Furuya [古谷 実 ,], when Japan was devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. Sono incorporated […]

Japanese Street Style

Books

Japanese Street Style

By Pat Lyttle Japanese Street Style claims to be ‘the first book of its kind to showcase the most innovative and cutting-edge looks in Japan today.’ There certainly does seem to have been a gap in the market since Fruits and Fresh Fruits […] Review by Ali Muskett

Fukushima Colours

Books

Fukushima Colours

By Elin Lindqvist, Published by Langenskiöld (see note at bottom), 2012, ISBN: 978-91-87007-04-0 Review by Ali Muskett Elin Lindqvist, journalist and author of three novels in Swedish, was born in Japan in 1982 and lived there for two years as a child. She currently lives in England, but has maintained a strong connection with Japan, […]