The Japan Society Review

By Prue S. Holstein This book examines the experiences in Kobe of two German merchants across the pre- and post-unequal-treaties periods. Review by Gergely Tóth

By Pete Tomlinson This personal story recounts the life in Japan of an Anglo-Japanese couple. Review by Halimah Khan

Japan’s leading electronic composer and visual artist Ikeda Ryoji present his most recent work Opuses 15-20 at the Barbican in London showing his unique musicality. Review by Shaun English

By Malene Wagner A visually striking introduction to post–World War II Japanese printmaking, showcasing a movement that blends meticulous craft with bold experimentation. Review by Laurence Green

By T.Y. Garner Set in the vibrant and bustling melting pot of 1893 Yokohama, The Hotel Hokusai weaves an engaging murder mystery while also exploring themes of loneliness, friendship, and adventure in foreign lands. Review by Isabel Mermagen

By Edward Marx The second volume of Edward Marx’s comprehensive biography of Noguchi Yonejirō (1875-1947), also known as Yone Noguchi, covers the period of his life between 1904 and 1921. Review by Peter Kornicki

By Andrew W. Bernstein From its deep geological beginnings to its modern designation as a World Heritage Site, in this exciting new book Andrew Bernstein unearths the mountain’s many contradictions. Review by Laurence Green

By Okada Saori This book takes us on a quiet journey of reflection, with each of its sixty lessons and proverbs inviting us to walk down a path we might have neglected or overlooked. Review by Joulanar Maayouchi

Structured chronologically, British Museum's exhibition traces how the samurai shaped Japan’s social order, cultural identity, and international presence over nearly a millennium. Review by Vittorio Cimino

This final issue of The Japan Society Review for 2025 turns its focus to the richness of contemporary Japanese fiction. From quiet psychological portraits to noir tinged thrillers, this selection of novels and short story collections reflects the diversity of voices and imaginative worlds shaping Japan’s literary present.