Kamachi
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 5)
Director: Rokuro Mochizuki
Running time: 115 minutes
Language: Japanese
Currently showing
[See Japan Times movie listings]

"Live fast and leave a beautiful corpse" James Dean used to say -- and he famously followed his own advice by dying in a car crash at the age of 24. Writer Yukio Mishima took it one step further: He not only committed seppuku (ritual suicide) just as he was about to enter middle age, but worked for years to buff a once scrawny body to the appropriate state of perfection for the ultimate legend-making act.

A few Dead Legends, though, are genuine -- not self-made -- tragic figures, who died just as they were about to realize their greatest potential.

One, Kamachi Yamada, may not be as well known as Dean abroad, but his flame burns brightly for the thousands of fans here who still read his poems and view his paintings, more than a quarter century after his death at the age of 17.

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.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
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.

Our Planet

Rice fields in the town of Ozu, Kumamoto Prefecture. The water-filled paddies glistening under the sun is a symbol of a long-running effort to preserve the prefecture’s groundwater.
Japan's chipmaking rush pressures Kumamoto's special water supply
By Tomoko Otake

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’
Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Latest News

Bracing for Trump tariffs, China's Xi makes diplomatic push at global summits
8 hours ago
Japanese court rejects injunction against flights at Atsugi Air Base
10 hours ago
Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile during attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says
10 hours ago
Lutnick's China ties draw fire after Trump taps him for U.S. trade roles
10 hours ago
Tokyo Metro’s overseas efforts begin in earnest with London deal
11 hours ago