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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.

Teacher and Three Children (石内尋常高等小学校 花は散れども)

Films & Series

Teacher and Three Children (石内尋常高等小学校 花は散れども)

Directed by Shindo Kaneto (新藤兼人). 2008, 118 minutes. Review by Susan Meehan.

Your Friends (きみの友だち)

Films & Series

Your Friends (きみの友だち)

Directed by Hiroki Ryuichi (廣木隆一). 2008, 126 minutes. Review by Susan Meehan.

Nonko (ノン子36歳 – 家事手伝い)

Films & Series

Nonko (ノン子36歳 – 家事手伝い)

Directed by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi (熊切和嘉). 2008, 106 minutes. Review by Susan Meehan.

Nagasaki: The British Experience, 1854-1945

Books

Nagasaki: The British Experience, 1854-1945

By Brian Burke Gaffney. Global Oriental, 2009, 288 pages including index, bibliography, notes and 66 illustrations in colour and black and white, ISBN 978-1-906876-13-5. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi.

Japan Rising: The Iwakura Embassy to the USA and Europe

Books

Japan Rising: The Iwakura Embassy to the USA and Europe

Compiled by Kunitake Kume, eds. Chushichi Tsuzuki and R. Jules Young; with an introduction by Ian Nish. Cambridge University Press, 2009, 528 pages. Review by Roger Buckley.

Japanese Intelligence in World War II

Books

Japanese Intelligence in World War II

By Ken Kotani (小谷 賢), translated by Chiharu Kotani, Osprey, 2009, 224 pages including end notes, bibliography and index, ISBN 13-978-1-84603-425-1. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi “This study reveals a Japanese military that was in most respects dysfunctional in the field of intelligence. It was not so much a failure of the intelligence organizations themselves […]

Okamoto Yukio: Genba Shugi o Tsuranuita Gaikokan

Books

Okamoto Yukio: Genba Shugi o Tsuranuita Gaikokan

Okamoto Yukio: Genba Shugi o Tsuranuita Gaikokan [岡本行夫 現場主義を貫いた外交官], (Okamoto Yukio: A Diplomat Always in the Field). By Makoto Iokibe [五百旗頭真], Motoshige Ito [伊藤 元重] and Katsuyuki Yakushiji [薬師寺 克行]. Asahi Shimbun Publishing, 2008, 347 pages, ISBN-13: 978-4022504791, 2000 yen. Review by Fumiko Halloran.

Seiken Kotai – Kono Kuni o Kaeru [政権交代―この国を変える] (Change of Political Power – To Change This Country)

Books

Seiken Kotai – Kono Kuni o Kaeru [政権交代―この国を変える] (Change of Political Power – To Change This Country)

By Katsuya Okada, Kodansha, June, 2008, 253 pages, 1500 yen. Review by Fumiko Halloran.

Minshuto Kaibo and Minshuto No Yami

Books

Minshuto Kaibo and Minshuto No Yami

Minshuto Kaibo [民主党解剖] (Anatomy of the Democratic Party of Japan) & Minshuto No Yami [民主党の闇] (The Democratic Party of Japan in Darkness) Minshuto Kaibo, by Sankei Shimbun Political News Division, Sankei Shimbun-sha No Hon, July 2009, 228 pages, 1300 yen Minshuto No Yami, by Keisuke Udagawa, Seiko Shobo, July 2009, 253 pages, 1575 yen Reviews by Fumiko Halloran

Hatoyama Yukio to Hatoyama-ke Yondai

Books

Hatoyama Yukio to Hatoyama-ke Yondai

Hatoyama Yukio to Hatoyama-ke Yondai, [鳩山由紀夫と鳩山家四代] (Yukio Hatoyama and the Four Generation Hatoyama Family) By Seiho Mori, Chuko Shinsho La Clef, September, 2009, 186 pages, 720 yen Review by Fumiko Halloran