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March 29, 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.
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.
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...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Jun 15, 2019
Children's author Kenji Miyazawa: Fundamental to the modern form
Author and poet Kenji Miyazawa's fantastical worldbuilding, poignant text and progressive morals laid the foundations of modern Japanese children's literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Jun 8, 2019
'Modern Japanese Short Stories' review: A bridge between past and present
A classic introduction to the Japanese short story, 'Modern Japanese Short Stories' is a literary time capsule of postwar Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 4, 2019
The Royal Ballet brings the best of British ballet to Japan with its production of 'Don Quixote'
For ballet fans across Japan, The Royal Ballet represents the pinnacle in dance, and its upcoming summer tour of Tokyo and Yokohama from June 21 to 30 keeps expectations high.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
May 25, 2019
Poop, realism and Ghibli: Enter the world of children's literature
To introduce our readers to this special subsection of Japanese literature, for the next 12 months, we'll be featuring one children's writer or illustrator on these pages each month.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
May 23, 2019
Dancer Kaiji Moriyama celebrates ninja in his latest work
A creative yet shy child fascinated with origami and crafts, Kaiji Moriyama discovered dance late, at the age of 21 while a university student. He has certainly made up for the lost time, though. Just seven years since first studying the art form, he performed to rave reviews at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival...
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
May 18, 2019
'The Diving Pool': Three psychologically subversive novellas
In these unsettling novellas — 'The Diving Pool,' 'Pregnancy Diary' and 'Dormitory' — Yoko Ogawa subverts expectations of traditional female milestones.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
May 11, 2019
Tomoko Keira's 'The Spirit of Huci': A year of living with an Ainu elder — review
One part Ainu cookbook and three parts a cultural record of Ainu values and beliefs, Tomoko Keira's 'The Spirit of Huci' offers, for the first time, the voices of Ainu women in English.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 4, 2019
'The Forest of Wool and Steel': Music and nature intertwine to paint a portrait of growth — review
Natsu Miyashita's 'The Forest of Wool and Steel' is a mesmerizing reading experience, a slow journey in how one young person renders an occupation into a vocation.
CULTURE / Books / WORKS BY JAPANESE WOMEN
Apr 20, 2019
Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon: Two pioneering women in Japanese literature
The Works by Japanese Women series wraps up by examining the various English translations of two of Japan's greatest works of literature, both penned by women: 'The Pillow Book' by Sei Shonagon and 'The Tale of Genji' by Murasaki Shikibu.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 13, 2019
'Zen: The Art of Simple Living': Habits, ideas and hints for living a happy life
'Zen: The Art of Simple Living' is a profoundly beautiful work, easy to read, encouraging deep thought and reflection, but most importantly, acting as a practical guide to Zen action.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Apr 10, 2019
Two English teachers stand up for their rights and win — a valuable lesson for anyone working in Japan
The closure of 51 Coco Juku eikaiwa (English conversation) schools in Japan last week, with more to come in June, illustrates just how unstable the English teaching market can be. Companies that used to provide fairly well-paying jobs are now, in many cases, restructuring them into something that resembles...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Apr 10, 2019
Know your rights as a language teacher
Dennis Tesolat is chair of the General Union based in Osaka. Founded in 1991, the organization is part of a national private sector trade union known as Zenkoku-Ippan (the National Union of General Workers), which belongs to a confederation known as Zenrokyo (National Trade Union Council).
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 4, 2019
The Tokyo Ballet's 'Swan Lake' gives fans a fresh take on a classic and an uplifting ending
Picture the scene: The Black Swan seduces the Prince away from the White Swan princess for one of the most timeless love triangles ever enacted on stage. Even those who aren't fans of dance are familiar with "Swan Lake." As Yukari Saito, artistic director of The Tokyo Ballet, puts it, "Swan Lake is synonymous...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 23, 2019
An impeccable new biography of Richard Sorge, one of Russia's master spies
Soviet spy Richard Sorge's story remains largely unknown to the Western world, but that's about to change with the publication of a remarkable new biography, 'An Impeccable Spy: Richard Sorge, Stalin's Master Agent,' by Owen Matthews.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / WORKS BY JAPANESE WOMEN
Mar 16, 2019
Yoko Tawada: Wondrously strange subject matter from a fantastical imagination
Prize-winning author Yoko Tawada tethers her playful prose to realistic social issues: gender roles, immigration, aging societies. Writing in both Japanese and German, her novels have crossed multiple cultural boundaries.
Japan considers all possible options as Trump threatens new auto tariffs
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama on Thursday.
Massive quake kills at least 150 in Myanmar and Thailand
Medical workers treat a earthquake survivor on a bed in the compound of a hospital in Naypyitaw on Friday, after an earthquake in central Myanmar.
Tokyo police seek public's help on Setagaya family murder 24 years ago
Police seek information from the public on a high-profile murder case, in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, on Saturday
Student suicides in Japan hit all-time high
A volunteer handles an incoming call at the Tokyo Befrienders call center, a suicide hotline center in Japan's capital.
Copyright questions loom as ChatGPT's Ghibli-style images go viral
A screenshot of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's Ghibli-style profile picture on X
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.
Hanami season to have record ¥1.39 trillion economic impact on Japan
Cherry blossoms along a road in Tokyo on Tuesday. The 2025 cherry blossom season is expected to have an economic impact of around ¥1.39 trillion on Japan.
Rise and shine with ‘The Wakey Show’
“The Wakey Show” is NHK’s first new daily children’s program in three years, and it carries on the station’s storied past in youth-centric educational entertainment.
Tokyo Series proves to be big business for MLB — and Japanese companies
An advertisement featuring Shohei Ohtani in Tokyo.
New SDF command will be key for contingency planning, Australian commander says
A Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K "Super Auk" from JS Shiranui prepares to land on HMAS Brisbane during Exercise Malabar 2023 while off the coast of New South Wales, Australia.

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