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November 21, 2024
 

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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.
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.
Japan Times
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 Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Jan 16, 2021
Jeffrey Angles: Being a translator is an honor and a responsibility
Not only is Jeffrey Angles an award-winning translator of contemporary Japanese works, he’s also an award-winning Japanese poet. In 2017, the American writer received the Yomiuri Prize for Literature for his collection of poems written in Japanese, "Watashi no hizukehenkosen" (“My International Date...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 26, 2020
‘Love Child’: A labor of love 20 years in the making
Rakuko Rubin's collection of short stories that traverse bicultural themes and universal mileposts in life was translated by her husband, Jay Rubin.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2020 in review
Dec 19, 2020
Our critics’ favorite books published in 2020
As 2021 approaches, six Japan Times book reviewers look back on their top reads released in English this year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Dec 12, 2020
For Meredith McKinney, translations must be ‘as natural as breathing’
Inspired by haiku translated by R.H. Blythe, Meredith McKinney studied Japanese, moved to Kyoto and eventually built up a career in translating Japanese literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 28, 2020
'There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job': How hard is it to find meaning in the modern workplace?
In Kikuko Tsumura's surreal and humorous novel, “There's No Such Things as an Easy Job,” an unnamed narrator sets her sights on trivial work after giving up her 14-year career.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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