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No56 [FOCUS] Scary stories

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  Japan has a long tradition of stories featuring ghosts and other monsters. Follow the guide. Halloween is that time of the year when the […]

No56 [CULTURE POP] Inescapable world

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  Yokai, monsters and other fantastic creatures still play a large part in Japanese popular culture. When Yo-kai Watch first appeared on the Japanese role-play […]

No56 [EXPERIENCE] Shirotani’s ghost stories

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  Opened by Kondo Hiroko in 2012, this bar has inspired numerous similar venues across the country. The Tokyo district of Roppongi is famous for […]

No56 [PROMENADE] Haunted Tokyo

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  The Japanese capital is full of strange places where you’re sure to come across even stranger characters. If it’s true that supernatural beings are […]

No56 [GUIDE] Nine places to avoid… or not

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

If you’re not on the look out for nervewracking experiences, here’s some places we wouldn’t recommend you visit. In order to be more faithful to […]

No56 [CHALLENGE] It’s raining yokai

14/11/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  After months of hard work, Matt Alt and Yoda Hiroko have succeeded in translating four of Sekien’s masterpieces. Everybody knows the Pocket Monsters, and […]

No55 [INITIATIVE] The importance of thinking big

17/10/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  One of the main challenges facing Japan in the years to come is the precarious situation for children. The Nippon Foundation (Nippon Zaidan) is […]

No55 [SOLIDARITY] Dandan: putting children first

17/10/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  Opened by Kondo Hiroko in 2012, this “children’s cafeteria” has been emulated countrywide. In the Ota district, not far from Haneda airport, Kondo Hiroko, […]

No55 [MOBILISATION] Improving the system

17/10/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  Founder and CEO of Second Harvest, Charles mcJilton is frustrated when encountering the reality of the situation. In two-speed Japanese society, where the privileged […]

No55 [CHALLENGE] The fighter against poverty

17/10/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  AMAMIYA Karin vigorously denounces the rise of poverty and the precariat in Japan. Tokyo’s western suburb of Koenji is famous for attracting many cultural […]

No55 [FOCUS] Woe are they…

17/10/2017 aConceptLondon 0

  The deep wounds inflicted by twentyfive years of economic crisis in Japan will be very difficult to heal. Exactly 40 years ago the Japanese […]

No54 [FOCUS] Bread is gaining ground

15/09/2017 aConceptLondon 0

It has become one of Japan’s favourite foods since the end of the Second World War. T his morning, Mayumi will eat bread and jam […]

No54 [TECHNOLOGY] Rheon always at the top

15/09/2017 aConceptLondon 0

This Japanese company has designed industrial bread-making machines, which have achieved outstanding results. fried kare-pan, a mountain of pink and green macaroons, shokupan, plaited brioches […]

No54 [TASTE] A strong need for education

15/09/2017 aConceptLondon 0

As manager of Le Grenier à Pain “The Bread Attic” franchise, Kozaki Yoshimaru depends solely on authentic traditional French products. Why did you choose to […]

No54 [PRODUCTION] Never stop innovating

15/09/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Shiga Katsuei, head chef of the Significant Signifié bakery, has created a unique kind of baguette. You’ve just reviewed your means of production. Why? What […]

No54 [SUCCESS] shokupan is crossing borders

15/09/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Appreciation for Japanese white sliced bread is on the rise across the archipelago, and it’s now about to be exported. It’s almost 10am, in Ginza […]

No.53 The holy land of otakism

17/07/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Not everyone can achieve their dream of making a living in Japan out of their passion for manga and cosplay. Otaku culture has never been […]

No.53 [HISTORY] The story of Frederik the Great

17/07/2017 aConceptLondon 0

One of the first to discover pop culture and popularize it, Frederik Schodt looks back on his illustrious career. Author and translator Frederik Schodt is […]

No53 [SUCCESS] Adam, or a passion for comics

17/07/2017 aConceptLondon 0

In the space of few years, Adam Pasion has succeeded in making his mark in the world of dojinshi (fanzines). while many foreign comic artists […]

No53 [IDOLS] Timeless Yuriko and Rebecca

17/07/2017 aConceptLondon 0

One cannot talk about pop culture without mentioning aidoru (pop idols) and cosplayers, like Yuriko and Rebecca. The history of Japanese pop idols is very […]

No52 The family on the screen

14/06/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Japanese filmmakers have been fascinated by family stories, and have used them to create masterpieces. Japanese cinema is mainly known abroad for such genres as […]

No52 [REPORT] Unsustainably fragile

14/06/2017 aConceptLondon 0

The rising star of Japanese cinema, Fukada Koji, takes a hard look at the family unit in the archipelago. Fukada Koji’s Harmonium (original title: Fuchi […]

No52 [ENCOUNTER] The importance of family ties

14/06/2017 aConceptLondon 0

a master of science fiction addresses the question of the family in a brilliantly original way. Fans of SF anime know director Kamiyama Kenji very […]

No51 [COMMITMENT] Someone ready to fight

06/06/2017 aConceptLondon 0

NAKAMURA Fuminori takes an interest in the world around him. He doesn’t hesitate to share his views and put them to the test. Recognised for […]

No51 [SOCIETY] Someone who appreciates rules

06/06/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Murata Sayaka is unusual, both as a writer and in her attitude towards her part-time day-job. One of last year’s literary sensations was Murata Sayaka, […]

No51 [THE FUTURE] The one who observes change

25/05/2017 aConceptLondon 0

The novelist never misses an opportunity to question the way Japan is evolving.   In her work, Kawakami Hiromi looks at what awaits humankind, for […]

No51 [ECOLOGY] Humankind as the main point

25/05/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Quitting his job as a journalist has given a new impetus to his career as a novelist.   Shiraishi Kazufumi casts a critical eye over […]

No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget

No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget

25/05/2017 aConceptLondon 0

The tragic events of 11 March 2011 rekindled the author’s links to the region of his birth.   Furukawa Hideo talks about his roots, nuclear […]

No.51 FOCUS

No51 Five authors for one Japan

19/05/2017 aConceptLondon 0

A good novel is sometimes better than reading fifteen essays to get the measure of Japanese society.   Literature is a great way to immerse […]

No50 [INNOVATION] Stars in his eyes

15/04/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Based in the suburbs of Nagoya, Ogawa Shuji dreams of making space travel available to all. In Arimatsu, a district full of history in the […]

No50 The return of machikoba

15/04/2017 aConceptLondon 0

For a long time they were held in low esteem, but now small local factories are gradually finding favour with the Japanese again. Despite the […]

No50 [CHALLENGE] The Japanese Cool Runnings

15/04/2017 aConceptLondon 0

To save themselves from having to close down, several businesses have got together to build a bobsleigh. Tourist brochures often use the word shitamachi (literally […]

No50 [THE FUTURE] Make way for women!

15/04/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Suwa Takako’s success in a very masculine milieu has set a benchmark for women throughout Japan. For Suwa Takako, the decision to take her father’s […]

Hiroshima, station, trum

No49 [HIROSHIMA] A triumphant return

15/03/2017 aConceptLondon 0

The Hiroshima region has made a successful comeback thanks to its many assets and a strong urge to promote the passion for life here. Japan […]

No49 [ENCOUNTER] A quiet confidence

15/03/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Elected governor of Hirsohima Prefecture in 2009, Yuzaki Hidehiko has succeeded in setting up his agenda for change. The governor of Hiroshima Prefecture does not […]

abe shinzo, nippon kaigi

No48 [Politics] The phantom menace

16/02/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Founded 20 years ago, Nippon Kaigi has become the most influential conservative movement in the country. According to its website, Nippon Kaigi is just “a […]

No48 [Encounter] A well organised network

15/02/2017 aConceptLondon 0

The success of Nippon Kaigi is down to its ability to reach the greatest number of people, says a worried Nakano Koichi. Zoom Japan talked […]

kobayashi yoshinori, manga

No48 [Support] Making good use of pop culture

15/02/2017 aConceptLondon 0

Nippon Kaigi has benefitted from the support of the celebrated mangaka Kobayashi Yoshinori to promote its ideas. During its wide-ranging attempts at changing people’s attitudes […]

Your Name, Shinkai Makoto, Japanese anime, anime, animation

No47 [Anime] Anatomy of a success

15/12/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This November, British audiences were able to discover “Your Name”, the film phenomenon by Shinkai Makoto. For weeks, no-one has spoken of anything else. Shinkai […]

Wold Children, Hosoda Mamoru

No47 [Destiny] Hosoda’s little obsessions

15/12/2016 aConceptLondon 0

To make good films, one needs a strong team to rely on. So says a master director. In the last few years Hosoda Mamoru has […]

Hara Keiichi

No47 [Encounter] Hara: directing is in his blood

15/12/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The director of Miss Hokusai and Colorful takes a critical look at the changes in the animation industry. On a cold and cloudy October afternoon […]

In This Corner of the World

No47 [Production] Creators under threat

13/12/2016 aConceptLondon 0

In order to realize new projects, producers now need to be financially creative as well. There are times when the best ideas remain unrealized due […]

Genocidal Organ

No47 [Business] It’s all an adventure

13/12/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Anime production is not easy. Yamamoto Koji talks about some of the difficulties faced in the making Genocidal Organ. It’s tough being an animator. Although […]

tatoo, hatsune miku

No46 [Focus] Tattooing in all its forms

16/11/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Though it is more accepted abroad, the practice of tattooing is still challenged by the Japanese authorities. They’re all around us. They live in our […]

horiyoshi, tattoo

No46 [Encounter] A lifetime to achieve excellence

16/11/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The last grand master of traditional tattooing, Horiyoshi III recalls his long life in the profession. It is 9 a.m., and Hanasakicho is still asleep. […]

tatoo

No46 [History] An art endangered by secrecy

15/11/2016 aConceptLondon 0

After almost falling into oblivion tattooing has regained recognition across Japan, but tastes have changed. Perception of tattoos in Japan is paradoxical. The archipelago has […]

tattoo

No46 [Evolution] With a touch of kawaii

15/11/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Aki Bonten is certain that otaku culture will help irezumi emerge from the shadows. The future of Japanese tattooing is hidden behind an unmarked apartment […]

tattoo

No46 [Book] All about the art of tattoos

15/11/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Always at the top, Tuttle publishing has recently brought out an excellent book about irezumi. Since Donald Richie’s 1980 book first piqued western readers’ interest […]

Teatro for Dayz, nissan, tokyo motor show

No45 [Cars] Tomorrow’s already here!

14/10/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Once everyone dreamed about cars, then they lost some of their appeal. Now they’re back in style. In the first manga magazines in the 1950s […]

Hitachi, ADAS, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

No45 [Advance] A question of intelligence

14/10/2016 aConceptLondon 0

In a few years time, roads will be filled with cars that are intelligent, interconnected, and safer. In the last couple of years Automated Driving […]

suzu, kiriko

No45 [Experience] Suzu dreams of a driverless car

13/10/2016 aConceptLondon 0

With its ageing population and its lack of public transport, this small city has plans for the future. At the closing ceremony of the 2016 […]

Leaf, Nissan

No45 [Research] Nissan on the front line

12/10/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The company has made innovation its number one priority in anticipation of its future clients’ expectations. one of Japan’s foremost car manufacturers, Nissan is working […]

No44 [Focus] In the shade of the tea leaves

15/09/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The Japanese really know how to enjoy tea, and cultivation knowledge gained gradually over time has become a true art form. How do you make […]

No44 [Taste] New approach to an old tradition

15/09/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Sakurai Shinya, a lover of green tea, encourages his clients to rediscover the traditions surrounding this beverage. I t’s hard to be a traditional cultural […]

No44 [Retail] A matter of taste

12/09/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Eleven years ago, Stéphane Danton went into business selling tea. It turned out to be a great adventure. Long-time readers of Zoom Japan already know […]

No44 [Farming] Mr. Harima’s winning gamble

12/09/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Choosing to go into organic farming was a game-changer for this farmer from Ujitawara. Under the blazing August sun, the deep green of the tea […]

No44 [Atmosphere] A taste of sweetness

12/09/2016 aConceptLondon 0

There’s nothing like Japanese confectionary to accompany a cup of tea. Don’t miss out on a visit to Higashiya. Talk about Japanese green tea and […]

No 43 [Pop culture] A recipe for success

23/08/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Dance music and tonkatsu: an original combination which many manga and anime fans are going mad about. Young Katsumata Agetaro is the thirdgeneration heir-apparent of […]

No43 [Focus] For the love of Tonkatsu

13/07/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Nowadays considered to be one of the country’s favourite dishes, a look at the history of tonkatsu reveals that it wasn’t always so. About 130 […]

No43 [Tokyo] Our top ten tonkatsu treats

13/07/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The next time you travel to the Japanese capital, think about visiting one of these top tonkatsu restaurants. Ask any ten people what their favourite […]

No43 [Accompaniment] Western roots, japanese taste

13/07/2016 aConceptLondon 0

One would never think of enjoying tonkatasu on its own. To enjoy the dish at its best, you need a good sauce. Fans of tonkatsu […]

No43 [A good idea] Tonki sets the ton(e)katsu

13/07/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This restaurant, situated in the heart of Meguro, is considered to be one of the best. You have to hand it to the Japanese: When […]

No42 [Discovery] Bicycles and beer forever

14/06/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Though public transport in the capital city is very efficient, nothing beats riding around it by bicycle. Tokyo’s Roppongi district on a Saturday morning is […]

No42 [Adventure] Three men on a bike

14/06/2016 aConceptLondon 0

43 days travelling from the north to the south of Japan. An amazing journey undertaken by a group of friends. over the years accounts of […]

No42 [Focus] To cycle or not to cycle…

14/06/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Contrary to appearances bicycles are ubiquitous in Japan. But there is more to be done. The word “Japan” conjures up many different images: from kimono-clad […]

No41 [Interview] In the shadow of the superheroes

12/05/2016 aConceptLondon 0

after playing the key character in Ultraman’s first series, kurobe Susumu still remains very popular 50 years later. Since the beginning of the Ultraman saga […]

No41 [Memory] Q-chan, or the testimony of a fan

12/05/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Since the character was first shown in 1966, the various Ultraman series have enjoyed a unprecedented level of popularity in Japan. The good folk who […]

No41 [Focus] Happy birthday Ultraman!

12/05/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Ultraman, a hero created by Tsuburaya Productions, inspires nostalgic memories in Japan. At a time when Hollywood superheroes are increasingly invading our screens, to the […]

No40 [Trend] A simple return to basics

19/04/2016 aConceptLondon 2

The incredible success of Muji, both in Japan and abroad, expresses a desire to return to basics. Since the end of the Second World War, […]

No40 [Encounter] The man who sees only white

19/04/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The celebrated potter Kuroda Taizo has travelled far in his search for simplicity. Todai moto kurashi (lit. it’s dark at the base of the lighthouse, […]

No40 [Focus]The design of everyday objects

19/04/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Japanese products are well-known for their quality and beauty. We found out how it all began. The “Zakka – Goods and Things” exhibition currently taking […]

No39 [Focus] Decline? No thanks!

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Though there are numerous indications that the situation in the Japan’s provincial regions is worsening, there are still signs of resistance. When travelling through the […]

No39 [Yamanashi] Misawa Ayana has a keen nose

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

In a region deep in crisis, winemaking has proved to be the best way to escape the current rural decline.  I wanted to prove that […]

No39 [Tourism] An el Dorado called minpaku

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

In the face of an expected shortage of tourist accommodation in the regions, there’s a growing interest in renting out rooms in private homes. The […]

No39 [Imabari] Organic farming to the rescue

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This town’s farmers have found a winning recipe in their search to promote local growth and supply good quality food.   These days everybody seems […]

No39 [Hiroshima] Onomichi revisits its past

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

A victim of population decline, this port city has been rejuvenated through innovative ideas to present its heritage. Last September the town of Onomichi, in […]

No39 [Miyagi] Onagawa rises up to the challenge

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This port city is being rebuilt five years after the ravages caused by the tsunami, thanks to the commitment of the local inhabitants. On the […]

No39 [Future] Hopes for a horizontal revolution

16/03/2016 aConceptLondon 0

For years the Japanese government has sought to revitalize the country’s regions, but their methods are outdated. At the end of 2014 the Abe administration […]

No38 [Discovery] A divine encounter at jab

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

The owner of a certain Jazz bar in Fukuoka entices his customers in with a selection of the best black American jazz artists. In the […]

No38 [Memory] The legendary Yoshida Mamoru

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

To experience the Japanese enthusiasm for jazz, one only needs to pay a short visit to Chigusa jazz cafe.    If you find yourself in […]

No38 [Talent] ‘Cherchez la femme’

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Of course, jazz is not just a man’s world, so here is an overview of the most renowned Japanese women involved in the genre. When […]

No38 [Sound] Pitch perfect for Dominique Fillon

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This French jazzman found not only inspiration in the archipelago, but also the desire to share his musical knowledge. For over 28 years, Dominique Fillon, […]

No38 [Music] In the Land of Rising jazz

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

Jazz music remains a vibrant symbol of freedom in the Land of the Rising Sun, where it is still greatly appreciated. One of the clichés […]

No38 [Guide] A jazz adventure in Yokohama

15/02/2016 aConceptLondon 0

This Japanese city port is famous for its jazz music. Here are some tried and tested venues.   The Sakuragicho district on the Yokohama waterfront […]

No37 [Focus] Once a biker, always a biker?

10/12/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Whether you like it or not, motorbikes are synonymous with Japan, if only because of the pivotal importance of Japanese motorbike manufacturers. Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki […]

No37 [Manga] Crazy hub caps

10/12/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Since the 1960s, motorcycles have played a considerable role in the world of manga as any manga. Fan knows, Japanese comics are famous for covering […]

No37 [Experience] How to negotiate the bends in life

10/12/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Biker culture is changing in Japan. It needs to adapt to an ageing population. For many people around the world, Japanese motorbikes are still synonymous […]

No37 [Movie] World of Bosozoku

10/12/2015 aConceptLondon 0

God Speed You! Black Emperor by Yanagimachi Mitsuo is an unusual film that bears witness to a bygone era. Since the end of World War […]

No36 [Tourism] The low down on Onomichi

12/11/2015 aConceptLondon 0

To attract more tourists, the local council has invited Lala the cat to help visitors discover the town from a new angle. The small port […]

No36 [Discovery] Aoshima has stopped purring

12/11/2015 aConceptLondon 0

A little island lost in the middle of the Inland Sea has become a tourist attraction for cat lovers, but the locals aren’t happy… As […]

No36 [Focus] No one can resist a cat

12/11/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Not everyone is allowed to keep pets, but the Japanese have found a way around the problem. An acute sense of alienation and isolation is […]

No35 [History] Publishers at work

12/10/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Tokyo Metropolitan Library Hokusai’s talent would not have gained such great recognition without the help of the publishing houses. One cannot talk about artists such […]

No35 [Portrait] The incredible Sugiura Hinako

12/10/2015 aConceptLondon 0

©Hinako Sugiura・mS.hS ©Masaya Suzuki Thanks to her talent and her wide knowledge of Edo culture, this mangaka’s work has become a point of reference. Born […]

No35 [Destiny] Portrait of a woman with a brush

12/10/2015 aConceptLondon 0

© 2014-2015 hinako Sugiura – mS.hS / Sarusuberi film partners The work of O-Ei, the main character in Miss Hokusai, remains little known. We investigated […]

No34 [Kitchen] A rice cooker named desire

12/09/2015 aConceptLondon 0

Since it first appeared on the market in the 1950s, this appliance has become a musthave for all those who love eating rice. Hong Kong […]

No34 [Trend] Returning to your roots

12/09/2015 aConceptLondon 0

In Kamagawa, southeast of Tokyo, one organization is preserving the increasingly rare terraced rice fields, with no help from grants or subsidies. For those who […]

No34 [Focus] Rice in search of a new lease of life

12/09/2015 aConceptLondon 0

For several years now, the consumption of this millennia old food has been decreasing across the Japanese archipelago. Can we even begin to imagine Japanese […]

No33 [Gunma] Ancestral tradition under threat

12/07/2015 aConceptLondon 0

The combination of an ageing population and a rural exodus is threatening the existence of matsuri in the provinces. As summer approaches Iwai Toshio gets […]

No33 [Kumano] Celebrating paintbrushes

12/07/2015 aConceptLondon 0

The spirit of the paintbrush is celebrated annually just twenty kilometres from Hiroshima. In the soft morning drizzle a dozen men and women line up […]

No33 [Tokyo] Even the yakuza are here…

12/07/2015 aConceptLondon 1

The matsuri is a communal event which unites all Japanese, whatever their origin. In his office in the heart of the old Asakusa district Watanabe […]

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