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November 22, 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 / Children's Literature in Japan
Jan 18, 2020
Rieko Nakagawa: From 'Guri and Gura' to Studio Ghibli
Rieko Nakagawa, born in 1935 in Sapporo, was working as a teacher in a small nursery school near Komazawa Park when she wrote her first children's book.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 4, 2020
Books to get you in the mood for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
In this grand year of Olympic celebration, here are the books that view sport authentically, acknowledging both the very best and worst of humanity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Dec 7, 2019
For children's book author Mitsumasa Anno, pictures speak louder than words
Travel around the world with Mitsumasa Anno's iconic 'Anno's Journey' series, which introduces children to countries and customs through meticulous illustrations.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 30, 2019
'Travels with a Writing Brush': 1,000 years of travel writing, united by a poetic thread
From 'The Tale of Genji' to Matsuo Basho, Meredith McKinney travels across Japan through 1,000 years of Japanese poetry.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Nov 16, 2019
Keiko Sena: Whimsical books with a hint of horror
Keiko Sena's children's books, with their collage-like, simple illustrations, have been bestsellers for decades. This year, a special art exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of her first publication.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 9, 2019
Back to 'The Factory' in a new era of meaningless work
Hiroko Oyamada's award-winning debut novel, "The Factory," measures out in terse detail an indictment of contemporary work culture. Set in modern Japan where the norms of underpay and overwork are well-known, the novella evokes the worst of the Silicon Valley-type tech campuses and asks the question:...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 2, 2019
Our critics' favorite Japanese books of the decade
As 2020 approaches, The Japan Times' book reviewers look back at a decade of literature and their favorite and most impactful books written about Japan or by Japanese writers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Oct 26, 2019
'Cats of the Louvre': A storied museum reveals its secrets
In this surreal work by Taiyo Matsumoto, a small band of stray cats take refuge inside the attic of the Louvre. Their adventures and interactions with the humans of the Louvre unfold in connected chapters of 'secrets.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Oct 19, 2019
Naoko Takeuchi: 'Sailor Moon's' strong-willed guardian of girls manga
Naoko Takeuchi's 'Sailor Moon' is one of the most popular manga for girls of all time, and 'beautiful guardian warriors' remains a global trend across a wide spectrum of adolescent literature today.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Oct 12, 2019
'Noon: An Anthology of Short Poems': Wit and wisdom in 14 lines or fewer
In 'Noon: An Anthology of Short Poems,' editor Philip Rowland shows there's more to the short form poetry genre than haiku or tanka.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Sep 14, 2019
Mimei Ogawa: The father of modern Japanese children's literature
Often referred to as the Japanese Hans Christian Andersen, Mimei Ogawa's (1882-1961) numerous children's stories and fairy tales elevated the literary genre from simplistic tales to nuanced, humanist works.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Sep 3, 2019
The Royal Opera's Vittorio Grigolo is on a mission to bring opera to the masses
Forget its reputation as art for the culturally elite. If Italian superstar tenor Vittorio Grigolo has his way, modern opera will soon take its place as pure entertainment for the masses.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Aug 31, 2019
'Half of Each Other': Grief, marriage and tragedy
'Half of Each Other,' the newest novel from the prolific author and director, Roger Pulvers, considers how love, desire and grief intertwine in the aftermath of tragedy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Aug 17, 2019
The lifelong rebellion of children's author Eiko Kadono
Author of the beloved 'Kiki's Delivery Service' series about a young witch in training, Eiko Kadono continues to bring magic to the world of Japanese children's literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Aug 10, 2019
'The Memory Police': An island where a good memory won't do you any favors
In Yoko Ogawa's 'The Memory Police,' as memories of everyday objects are ripped away from society, one novelist sets out to conceal her editor — a person who cannot forget these missing objects — from a mysterious, state-sanctioned police force.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 20, 2019
'Night in the American Village': Touching base with the women of Okinawa
Akemi Johnson's 'Night in the American Village' is a meticulously researched volume on the intersection of cultures, the divides of power and gender, and on the politics and people behind the overseas American military presence.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Jul 13, 2019
Taro Gomi: Still writing, still drawing, still beloved
Children's author Taro Gomi has authored over 450 books in his striking visual style, many of which — 'Everyone Poops' included — have become classics of the genre, both in Japan and abroad.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Jun 29, 2019
'Diva Nation': Feminine empowerment throughout Japan's history
'Diva Nation' pays tribute to Japanese women through the ages who have found a way to triumph despite societal restrictions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 22, 2019
'The Fourth String: A Memoir of Sensei and Me': Music, life and reflections on the space in between
Janet Pocorobba's 'The Fourth String' reconfigures the typical Japan fish-out-of-water memoir into a meditation on music and mastery, relationships, culture and narrative.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 18, 2019
Ancient Greek ideas get a fresh airing in Japan with 'The Great Tamer'
Greek artist Dimitris Papaioannou burst fully-formed as a choreographer and director onto the international stage with his stunning triumph directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics in 2004. He has been popular ever since, yet his work consistently retains an avant-garde edge...
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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