The Japan Society Review

Directed by Jonathan Teplitzy The Railway Man is a powerful film based on Eric Lomax’s book of the same name, featuring particularly wonderful performances by Colin Firth and Jeremy Irvine as, respectively, the young and older Lomax. Review by Susan Meehan

By Makiko Sano The book came out in 2013, it is a lovely looking book and a quick flick through reveals many beautiful photos. Before going into the specifics of making sushi, Makiko provides a very thorough explanation of [...] Review by Mike Sullivan

By Christopher Roberts In this meticulously researched book, Dr Roberts presents a detailed account of the work of the British courts operating in Japan under the terms of the 1858 Treaty. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Edited by Gregory Irvine This book is much more than another book on Japonisme in late ninetenth century Europe. Gregory Irvine describes the way in which Japanese art objects reached the west in a chapter headed [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

By Dazai Osamu This collection of short stories, released recently through the still relatively young Kurodhahan Press, can be seen as a quaint but pleasant divergence from the narrative and themes that fans of Dazai will [...] Review by Chris Corker

Directed by Yoshihiro Nakamura The movie begins with a newsreel about the ‘Projects,’ a housing estate where people can live, work, shop and go to school without ever leaving the local area. Happy families and housewives are shown living and [...] Review by Mike Sullivan

On Monday 7 October 2013, YoKOYA restaurant staged a launch party to announce to London that a new kind of Japanese restaurant had arrived. It is located near Camden and Mornington Crescent tube [...] Review by Mike Sullivan

Mike Sullivan interviews Haruka Abe on her life and work Interview by Mike Sullivan

The 2013 Japan Matsuri was held in Trafalgar Square, its second year at the world famous venue. The annual event brings the Japanese community and Londoners together to enjoy [...] Review by Sean Curtin

By Barak Kushner In delving into the history of ramen Kushner throws light on many interesting aspects of Japanese social and political history as well as on Japan’s lengthy and complex relationship with China. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi