The Japan Society Review

By Gordon Daniels In this piece of detailed research, Dr Daniels has brought into focus the role of the Japanese Red Cross Relief Mission to Britain during the 1914-1918 war. For most of 1915, a team of highly qualified nurses and [...] Review by Gill Goddard

Edited by Suzanne Perrin and Jeremy Hoare This handy book comprises dialogues with ten distinguished personalities in the UK-Japan world who have made considerable contributions to the understanding of Japan in the UK. Review by Susan Meehan

By Donald Keene Takuboku Ishikawa (1886-1912), the subject of this study, is little known outside Japan and according to Keene increasingly overlooked in Japan. For a time he was ‘Japan’s most popular poet. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi 

By Lesley Downer The historical and emotional sweep of this book takes your breath away. This book takes Lesley Downer's tetralogy about the death throes of Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868) to new heights. Review by Elizabeth Ingrams 

By Shiraishi Kazufumi This novel by Naoki Prize winning author Shiraishi Kazufumi begins explaining that the ensuing work was discovered after the sudden death of his friend Mr K. What follows is mostly nihilistic ranting. Review by Poppy Cosyns

By Sir Hugh Cortazzi This volume marks a new high point in this excellent series which profiles people, organizations, and themes related to Anglo-Japanese engagement. The tenth volume is bursting with energy, containing [...] Review by Sean Curtin

By Higuchi Kazunori Foreigners who only meet a few officials and business executives, may foster the idea that the Japanese have no sense of humour. In fact as Higuchi points out laughter and fun have played a significant role in [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

By Ogura Kazuo In this survey Ambassador Ogura looks at Japan’s relations with China and Korea since the earliest times. He notes that previous studies have concentrated on the ideology of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity [...] Review by Hugh Cortazzi

By Matsumoto Seicho The story begins with a hardworking and dedicated government official receiving the news of his wife’s untimely death while he is away on a business trip in Kobe. This is followed by the proceeding twists [...] Review by Harry Martin

By Wataya Risa Written by a nineteen year old student while she was still at university, the bestselling I Want to Kick You in the Back is a slim, deceptively simple tale about teenage life and love. It won the biannual [...] Review by Eluned Gramich