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April 01, 2025
 

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Kris Kosaka

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Kris Kosaka
Kris Kosaka, a resident of Japan since 1996, contributes regularly to The Japan Times. She is a lecturer at Meiji Gakuin University in the Faculty of International Studies.
CULTURE / Books
Mar 20, 2022
‘A Fictional Commons’: Rethinking alternatives to capitalism with literature
Michael Bourdaghs compellingly shows how influential literary figure Natsume Soseki imbued his classic works with challenges to the constrictive, patriarchal systems of property control.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 17, 2022
‘Woman Running in the Mountains’ carries on the literary legacy of Yuko Tsushima
Geraldine Harcourt's road to translating Yuko Tsushima's stories parallels the writer's artistic conceits: a fiercely independent woman determined to construct her own path.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 13, 2022
‘Of Arcs and Circles’: Step into the fertile imagination of a garden expert
Landscape artist Marc Peter Keane's collection of essays experiments with form and offers practical observations as well as metaphysical musings.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 5, 2022
The dystopian society of ‘Monkey Man’ delivers a surreal sci-fi parable
Takuji Ichikawa's novella presents a fully realized world within its short span, with connections and contrasts to our world that are at turns bold and subtle.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Sep 27, 2021
'Colorful’: A second chance at a full life
Besides the requisite recently deceased soul and guardian angel, “Colorful,” Eto Mori’s English-language debut released on July 20 from Counterpoint Press, offers a unique take on the reincarnation trope.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Sep 27, 2021
‘The Baseball Widow’: A moving read on isolation
After a succession of young adult novels, Shikoku-based writer Suzanne Kamata returns to adult fiction with “The Baseball Widow,” out from Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing on Oct. 5.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Sep 19, 2021
'The Book of Form and Emptiness': Ruth Ozeki’s inquisitive side is still on point
An award-winning author with four titles and two film credits under her belt, Ruth Ozeki’s greatest talent may be her ability to ask the right questions. Her fifth novel, "The Book of Form and Emptiness," demonstrates that her inquisitive side is still on point.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Aug 15, 2021
‘Soul Lanterns’ approaches Hiroshima's past with childlike curiosity and compassion
Shaw Kuzki's middle grade novel takes place 25 years after the atomic bombings, with middle schoolers seeking out memories of World War II from their community to reclaim their history.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 9, 2021
'Black Box' shines a light on shadowy realities of sexual assault in Japan
Shiori Ito's memoir highlights shortcomings of justice for survivors in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Jun 20, 2021
Morgan Giles: ‘I’m astounded by the sense of community among literary translators’
The World of Translators series wraps up with Morgan Giles, whose first full-length work, Yu Miri's “Tokyo Ueno Station,” won the National Book Award for translated literature in 2020.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 17, 2021
‘Three Japanese Buddhist Monks’ explores the merits of reclusion
Penguin's latest addition to its “Great Ideas” series features three texts that delve into the evolving revelations of Japanese medieval Buddhist thought.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 27, 2021
Mieko Kawakami's 'Heaven': The world as seen through the eyes of bullied children
Mieko Kawakami examines violence and power in her latest English-language release.
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
May 16, 2021
Masatsugu Ono: ‘I always feel for those on the periphery of society’
Translator and Francophile Masatsugu Ono draws on stories of his hometown in Oita Prefecture to inform his writing.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 25, 2021
Ginny Tapley Takemori: ‘Translation is a community’
The “Convenience Store Woman” and “Earthlings” translator works to support writers and translators through a collective she started with colleagues Lucy North and Allison Markin Powell.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 18, 2021
‘At the End of the Matinee’: Love and longing in the recent past strike a chord
In his novel, Keiichiro Hirano provides a detailed view of politics, culture and economics at the start of the 21st century alongside a story about star-crossed lovers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Mar 13, 2021
Cathy Hirano: Translation is a door to another world
Translator Cathy Hirano balances her time between freelance translations and young adult literature, and has earned accolades for both. Although her most recognized translations are for lifestyle guru Marie Kondo’s wildly popular works, starting with “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Hirano’s...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 6, 2021
Foraging in Japan: What to eat and where to find it
In her book, “Eating Wild Japan,” Winifred Bird traverses the country searching for edible plants and the stories of those who pick them, eat them and live surrounded by them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 20, 2021
A daughter reclaims her mother’s heritage in ‘Speak, Okinawa’
Elizabeth Miki Brina's memoir reveals how country and culture are connected to identity by weaving her narrative with the history of Okinawa.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Feb 20, 2021
Stephen Snyder: Distilling the essence of a literary work
In recent years, Japanese literature has earned a reputation abroad for its edgy, socially-conscious fiction, which translator Stephen Snyder, 63, has had a hand in encouraging. Snyder has translated titles like “Coin Locker Babies” by Ryu Murakami, “Out” by Natsuo Kirino and last year’s finalist...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Jan 23, 2021
Poetry and translation are intertwined for Sawako Nakayasu
For poet Sawako Nakayasu, 45, a multicultural upbringing is what forged her distinctive perspective of language and artistic expression. Nakayasu was born in Yokohama and moved to the United States with her family when she was six. Although she was raised mostly in the U.S., Nakayasu also lived in France...
Japan's biggest beef bowl chain Sukiya to shut nearly 2,000 stores after rat and bug contamination
Zensho Holdings, operator of fast-food chain Sukiya, said it will close all of its stores in Japan, except for a small number in shopping centers, between Monday and Friday following recent contamination incidents.
Alert raised for volcano in southwestern Japan
Shinmoedake, a volcano located between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, in November 2019
Japan considers all possible options as Trump threatens new auto tariffs
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama on Thursday.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.
Who among the opposition would join the ruling coalition?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Friday.
Traveling the Three-Star Road, the tourist route made from thin air
Scenes like this snow-covered bridge leading to the village of Shirakawa-go are what make the Three-Star Road worth traveling — its name notwithstanding.
Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change
Smoke and flames rise from a wildfire in Andong, South Korea, on Tuesday.

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