The Japan Society Review

Our bimonthly eclectic mix of stimulating Japan- related book, film and stage reviews kicks off with Sir Hugh Cortazzi’s look at the centennial book of the Tokyo-based Japan-British Society. Susan Meehan looks at the mesmerising 2009 Oscar winner Okuribito (Departures), while Fumiko Halloran explores the insightful and best-selling Japanese language book “Saraba Zaimusho!”. We then explore [...]

We kick off our first issue of 2009 with a look at a fascinating new historical book, Kyushu, Gateway to Japan. As usual, we also offer a selection of some of the best new Japanese film and DVD releases. You will also find [...]

In our final issue of 2008, you will find a selection of book and film reviews. We also offer our first Japanese language DVD review, which we hope will become a regular feature. Simon Cotterill looks at the cult 2004 film “Kamikaze Girls” (下妻物語) which is due to be released on DVD in January 2009.

Amongst our line-up in this issue we feature two new biographical-related books, one about John Milne and the other on Charles Holme. As usual, we also offer a selection of prominent new Japanese language books including Fumiko Halloran’s examination of the turbulent relationship between Japanese film legend Kurosawa Akira and Hollywood.

It seems that in Japan changing prime minister every September is rapidly becoming a seasonal fixture, a trend no doubt Gordon Brown is hoping doesn’t spread to the UK. To mark the beginning of Taro Aso’s premiership we are reviewing his recent book (Totetsu Mo Nai Nippon) along with those of four of his rivals and potential future prime ministers.

During August it was just about impossible for anyone on planet earth (and possibly beyond) not to have known that the Beijing Olympics were being held. Offering the perfect antidote to the 2008 Olympic media-onslaught, Professor Ben-Ami Shillony, one of our regular review team, has produced a fascinating review of a new book on the Olympics that never were, the forgotten 1940 Tokyo Olympics.

In this issue our regular review team offers you another excellent selection of the latest books on Japan. Sir Hugh Cortazzi looks at a stimulating new book by Bill Emmott “Rivals: How the Power Struggle Between China, India and Japan will Shape our Next Decade.” As the title indicates, it explores [...]

Welcome to 2008’s first exciting edition of The Japan Society Review. In this issue we have some fascinating pieces spanning Japanese politics and literature to gardening along with a look at some recent fictional books plus our regular film feature and much much more!

In our final issue of 2007, we have some excellent reviews and previews of the latest Japan-related books hot off the printing press. Our first article looks at a major new work by Sir Max Hastings on the dramatic final year that lead to Japan's wartime defeat. We also feature three recently published Japanese language books which offer insights into the Koizumi years and the US-Japan relationship.

Along with our usual great selection of new book reviews in this issue we offer our first proper film review of the award-winning and highly popular movie Hula Girls. We now hope to start regular reviews of major Japanese films and DVD releases to complement our book line-up.