The Japan Society Review
The Japan Society Review is an digital publication covering Japan-related books and films, as well as theatre and stage productions, tv series and exhibitions. Published since 2006, it is released now on a quarterly basis and is available online on our website. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and encourage readers to explore the works for themselves.
The Japan Society Review is possible thanks to the work of volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to help us to promote the learning and understanding of Japanese culture and society.
To become a reviewer, please fill the form here and let us know a little about you, your professional or academic background, your interest, passion or expertise regarding Japan and the type of works you would like to review.
If you have any questions, please contact reviews@japansociety.org.uk.

Secrets of the Sun
By Yoshikawa Mako A searingly honest memoir detailing a daughter’s quest to understand her brilliant yet tortured father in the aftermath of his death. Review by Isabel Mermagen

The Typing Lady and Other Fictions
By Ruth Ozeki These are the types of stories that leave us stuck between wanting to know more and moved by Ozeki's observation of humanity. Review by Azmina Sohail

Six Months of Dreaming
By Charlotte Cory In this work, contemporary multimedia artist and author Charlotte Cory balances creative and archival curiosity through an imaginative reconstruction to revive the almost-forgotten ambitions of an innovative Japanese neck-tie designer in 1920s Japan. Review by Maxine Stacey

Exhibition - Kenji Yoshida: The Meaning of Life
This exhibition displays works by Yoshida Kenji, an Japanese artist whose life and career were profoundly shaped by the experience of war and survival. Review by Vittorio Cimino

The Thorn Puller
By Ito Hiromi A raw, unflinching narrative that confronts the body, memory, and the long process of survival. Review by Conor Hodges

The Restaurant of Love Regained
By Ito Ogawa Attempting to restart her life, Rinko opens a quirky little restaurant, catering to customers’ personal tastes and whims. Review by Laurence Green

The German Experience of Japan's Treaty Port System
By Prue S. Holstein This book examines the experiences in Kobe of two German merchants across the pre- and post-unequal-treaties periods. Review by Gergely Tóth

The Facepalmer's Husband
By Pete Tomlinson This personal story recounts the life in Japan of an Anglo-Japanese couple. Review by Halimah Khan

Ryoji Ikeda: music for choir
Japan’s leading electronic composer and visual artist Ikeda Ryoji present his most recent work Opuses 15-20 at the Barbican in London showing his unique musicality. Review by Shaun English

Modern Japanese Printmakers: New Waves and Eruptions
By Malene Wagner A visually striking introduction to post–World War II Japanese printmaking, showcasing a movement that blends meticulous craft with bold experimentation. Review by Laurence Green