Issue 20 (May 2009, Volume 4, Number 2)

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. This Society was established in October 1908, having grown out of the Tokyo branch of our own Society. The work charts the first 100 years of its accomplishments, which include attracting several Japanese Prime Ministers to its events. The fact that there have been considerably more Japanese PMs than British ones, no doubt has given the Society an advantage over its British parent.

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!” (Farewell, Ministry of Finance!) which gives an insider’s view on the secretive world of Japan’s tight-lipped bureaucrats.

We then explore the much talked about Japan-influenced production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Southwark Playhouse. William Farr offers his sobering assessment of “The Book of Sake” while Helen McCarthy examines the superbly colourful “Japanese Quilt Blocks” publication.

We also analyze the merits of the Meiji Restoration from a modern day Tokugawa spin doctor perspective in “The Edo Inheritance.”

This issue also introduces a new semi-regular feature called East Asian Corner where we look at significant recent books on the East Asian region related to Japan. Our first offering in this category is Peter Lowe’s “Contending with Nationalism and Communism: British Policy towards Southeast Asia, 1945-65.