No.68 [DESTINY] A good fairy called Asakawa
A great admirer of Tsuge Yoshiharu, Asakawa Mitsuhiro worked hard to ensure his work was finally published in […][...]
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No.68 [FOCUS] Tsuge Yoshiharu’s japan
Taken from “Ri-san ikka” (The Family of Mr Lee), which first appeared in issue no. 34 of Garo (June 1967, pp. […][...]
No.67 [MUSIC] Rock’n’roll attitude
Yoshiki considers himself to be the spokesperson of Turtle Island rather than its leader. A good exampl […][...]
No.67 [PUBLISHING] First impressions of Tokyo
Hajime is the first work to be published by the ToCo collective, in which artists recall their first impressio […][...]
No.67 [TREND] A new vision of economic exchange
Benjamin Parks for Zoom Japan In West Tokyo, there’s a new kind of market where people come to donate things t […][...]
No.66 [ENCOUNTER] The Mishima experience
Promoting zines is an important part of Cry in Public’s activities. Outside the Japanese capital, there […][...]
No.67 [FOCUS] An alternative Japan
Situated in the Kamagasaki district of Osaka, Cocoroom was founded by the poet Ueda Kanayo. After the m […][...]
No.66 [ORGANISATION] Converting the try
2019 RWc According to the Organising Committee of the 2019 RWC, arrangements for the competition are we […][...]
No.66 [REPORT] The oval ball as a cure
Benjamin Parks for Zoom Japan A victim of the 2011 tsunami, Kamaishi turned to its tradition of rugby p […][...]
No.66 [ENCOUNTER] A rapidly evolving game
Benjamin Parks for Zoom Japan A keen observer of rugby, the editorin- chief of Rugby Magazine shares hi […][...]
No.66 [FOCUS] Japan, home of rugby
© British library Rugby is not new to the archipelago. The 2019 World Cup will open a new chapter. In less tha […][...]
No65 [STRATEGY] Sake, an influential factor
After manga, animation and cuisine, sake is an essential element of Japanese soft power. Since the end of the […][...]
No65 [FOCUS] Japan according to Takahashi Gen’ichiro
The writer, who is considered to be one of the finest novelists in the archipelago, shared his thoughts with u […][...]
No64 [TASTE] Drinking is quite an art
To enjoy all of sake’s subtleties, the drinking vessel must be chosen with care. Here’s some advice. The taste […][...]
No64 [TREND] Mrs Imada is the master brewer
Like Imada Miho, more and more women are starting to work in the production of the drink of the gods. Some of […][...]
No64 [FOCUS] Kenbishi, the soul of sake
As one of the oldest breweries in the archipelago, it endeavours to preserve traditional methods of production […][...]
No63 [NEWS] Japonisme in the 21st century
The work of Yoshida Kimiko is representative of the multitude of connections between Japan and France. The Che […][...]
No63 [SUCCESS] A movement in perpetual motion
Are animation films an example of a kind of Japonisme, which continues to reinvent itself? The Blunt Sword (Na […][...]
No63 [TREASURE] Hokusai, an international artist
According to the leading collector of the famous Manga, its fame rests on the incredible imagination of the ar […][...]
No63 [TECHNIQUE] Prints -a magnetic attraction
The phenomenon that excited curiosity and fascinated collectors in the West has had a remarkable evolution. Th […][...]
No63 [TREND] Paris, a town under influence
From the second half of the 19th century, the French capital followed the example of Japan. Poster for the 189 […][...]
No63 [HISTORY] A multifaceted interest
During the past few decades, the extent of Japan’s influence on the Western art world has been revealed. This […][...]
No63 [FOCUS] The roots of “Japonismes”
To coincide with the opening of a season devoted to Japanese culture, we invite you to discover the origins of […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] Hanno, a secret garden
This green lung in the Tokyo region is ideal for those who love walking and unusual discoveries. The Greater T […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] Kurahashi – the gods’ choice
You’ll never grow weary of this island of paradise, which is often used as a film setting. i still exper […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] Oga, the wild coast
One of the most scenic areas in the country, the Oga Peninsula is really worth a visit Namahage are omnipresen […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] Yasugi’s taste of the eternal
Thanks to the Adachi Museum of Art surrounded by its magnificent garden, this small city is an essential place […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] Shichimen-san
Mount Fuji as you’ve never seen it before Awe-inspiring experiences typically start in mundane ways, and […][...]
No62 [FOCUS] A journey of discovery
From the north to the south of the archipelago, we invite you to discover original and authentic places to vis […][...]
No61 [TREND] A bold director
After working under the great Wakamatsu Koji, Shiraishi Kazuya knows exactly how to achieve his goals. SHIRAIS […][...]
No61 [AMBITION] Resolved to do it her way
In her films, Ogigami Naoko focuses on demonstrating that Japanese society needs to evolve. OGIGAMI Naoko woul […][...]
No61 [SHOWPIECE] In the footsteps of Cassavetes
The work of American director Cassavetes has greatly influenced Hamaguchi Ryusuke, the rising star of Japanese […][...]
No61 [CONSCIENCE] A universalist approach
A documentary and fiction film-maker, Funahashi Atsushi has numerous ambitious projects. FuNAHASHi Atsushi con […][...]
No61 [FOCUS] In search of renewed energy
Film director Aoyama Shinji agreed to give us an exclusive interview about his vision for contemporary Japanes […][...]
No60 [ANALYSIS] A pivotal year for theatre
An expert on Japanese theatre, William Andrews offers his analysis of how it changed at the end of the 1960s. […][...]
No60 [ENCOUNTER] A new cultural expression
As one of the foremost observers of contemporary culture, Kawamoto Saburo shares his views of turbulent Shinju […][...]
No60 [MEMORIES] Yokoo, Oshima and the others
A major player on the art scene of the period, Yokoo Tadanori recalls his years in this emblematic district. Y […][...]
No60 [HISTORY] 50 years of change
From its time as one of Tokyo’s culture centres, Shinjuku has experienced profound upheaval. Shinjuku in […][...]
No60 [FOCUS] Shinjuku 1968 – 2018
Just 50 years ago, this famous ward in the Japanese capital was one of the main centres of rebellion in the co […][...]
[FOCUS HOKKAIDO] An open air laboratory
The hill of hope (Yubari kibo no oka) has lost some of its splendour, but the city council hopes that all is n […][...]
[ENCOUNTER] Let the happiness in
In charge of Yubari since 2011, Suzuki Naomichi is fighting to transform the city. In your official pos […][...]
[FOCUS] Tezuka Osamu, the original
Tezuka Osamu and Mighty Atom at the Tezuka Productions office in Saitama. Frederik L. Schodt was one of […][...]
[FOCUS] A visit to Tezuka Productions
Black Jack is one of the most famous manga by Tezuka Osamu. The company aims to keep the memory of this […][...]
[FOCUS] Between fiction and reality
Above : Extract from Red-Shirt Troops. Below : Extract from Rubi’s adventure. We were able to immerse t […][...]
[FOCUS] There’s only one Atom statue
This character made Tezuka a legend in Japan and throughout the world, so naturally it’s been immortalised. As […][...]
[FOCUS] A passion for Tezuka
Hayashi Shinji has been collecting all he can connected to the work of the mangaka for more than 30 years. Whe […][...]
[FOCUS] Welcome to the Holy Land of Manga
This is the route to follow if you want to retrace the footsteps of Tezuka, and immerse yourself in the histor […][...]
No57 [FOCUS] Japan – Africa Connections to build on
Yasuke is the first foreigner to have reached the highest warrior rank in Japan. He was a native of either cen […][...]
No57 [ENCOUNTER] The most Japanese of Ghanaians
Michael, David and Sanshiro Yano had a tough time before they became well-known. After living in the ar […][...]
No57 [CULTURE] Singing for a better life
Michael, David and Sanshiro Yano had a tough time before they became well-known. The Yano Brothers have […][...]
No57 [DISCOVERY] A taste of africa in Tokyo
140 square meters where you can eat, drink and recall Africa to mind in all its diversity. Calabash is […][...]
No56 [FOCUS] Scary stories
Don’t be afraid. The Japanese ghosts and monsters are ugly but not so bad. Japan has a long tradition o […][...]
No56 [CULTURE POP] Inescapable world
Pompoko (Heisei tanuki gassen ponpoko, 1994) features tanuki defending their forest home. Yokai, monste […][...]
No56 [EXPERIENCE] Shirotani’s ghost stories
The kaidan Live Bar decor creates just the right kind of eerie atmosphere for the audience. Opened by K […][...]
No56 [PROMENADE] Haunted Tokyo
Sogen-ji is a temple devoted to kappa, those mischievous characters who live in close proximity to rivers. &nb […][...]
No56 [GUIDE] Nine places to avoid… or not
If you’re not on the look out for nervewracking experiences, here’s some places we wouldn’t recommend you visi […][...]
No56 [CHALLENGE] It’s raining yokai
Published in 2017, this translation of works by Toriyama Sekien is a real tour de force. After months o […][...]
No55 [INITIATIVE] The importance of thinking big
Nippon Foundation’s HANAoKA Hayato. One of the main challenges facing Japan in the years to come is the […][...]
No55 [SOLIDARITY] Dandan: putting children first
According to Asahi Shimbun, there were 316 kodomo shokudo in the archipelago in 2016. Opened by Kondo H […][...]
No55 [MOBILISATION] Improving the system
Charles mcJilton is critical of the “village mentality” of the Japanese. Founder and CEO of Second Harv […][...]
No55 [CHALLENGE] The fighter against poverty
AMAMIYA Karin’s mission is to fight in defence of the precariat. AMAMIYA Karin vigorously denounces the […][...]
No55 [FOCUS] Woe are they…
Piggy banks by the exit of the Dandan cafeteria, where children (on the left) and adults (on the right) pay fo […][...]
No54 [FOCUS] Bread is gaining ground
Some of the speciality bread made and sold at the Signifiant Signifié bakery in Tokyo. It has become one of Ja […][...]
No54 [TECHNOLOGY] Rheon always at the top
Rheon’s factory is located an hour’s train journey away from the capital. This Japanese company has designed i […][...]
No54 [TASTE] A strong need for education
Aware of the need to educate Japanese’ taste buds, Kozaki Yoshimaru has taken on the role of teacher. As manag […][...]
No54 [PRODUCTION] Never stop innovating
For the past ten years, this baker has worked passionately to improve his products. Shiga Katsuei, head chef o […][...]
No54 [SUCCESS] shokupan is crossing borders
To appreciate the difference in flavour of the three varieties of shokupan, customers get three slices. Apprec […][...]
No.53 The holy land of otakism
Not everyone can achieve their dream of making a living in Japan out of their passion for manga and cosplay. O […][...]
No.53 [HISTORY] The story of Frederik the Great
One of the first to discover pop culture and popularize it, Frederik Schodt looks back on his illustrious care […][...]
No53 [SUCCESS] Adam, or a passion for comics
In the space of few years, Adam Pasion has succeeded in making his mark in the world of dojinshi (fanzines). w […][...]
No53 [IDOLS] Timeless Yuriko and Rebecca
One cannot talk about pop culture without mentioning aidoru (pop idols) and cosplayers, like Yuriko and Rebecc […][...]
No52 The family on the screen
Without a doubt, Kore-eda Hirokazu is the best at portraying the Japanese family of today, as in Still Walking […][...]
No52 [REPORT] Unsustainably fragile
In Harmonium, Fukada has chosen to present a broken family. The rising star of Japanese cinema, Fukada Koji, t […][...]
No52 [ENCOUNTER] The importance of family ties
a master of science fiction addresses the question of the family in a brilliantly original way. Kamiyama Kenji […][...]
No51 [COMMITMENT] Someone ready to fight
NAKAMURA Fuminori takes an interest in the world around him. He doesn’t hesitate to share his views and put th […][...]
No51 [SOCIETY] Someone who appreciates rules
Murata Sayaka is unusual, both as a writer and in her attitude towards her part-time day-job. One of last year […][...]
No51 [THE FUTURE] The one who observes change
The novelist never misses an opportunity to question the way Japan is evolving. In her work, Kawakami H […][...]
No51 [ECOLOGY] Humankind as the main point
Quitting his job as a journalist has given a new impetus to his career as a novelist. Shiraishi Kazufum […][...]
![No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget](https://www.zoomjapan.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/focus02.png)
No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget
The tragic events of 11 March 2011 rekindled the author’s links to the region of his birth. Furukawa Hi […][...]
No51 Five authors for one Japan
A good novel is sometimes better than reading fifteen essays to get the measure of Japanese society. Li […][...]
No50 [INNOVATION] Stars in his eyes
The CEO of PD Aerospace has never abandoned his childhood dreams. Based in the suburbs of Nagoya, Ogawa Shuji […][...]
No50 The return of machikoba
Large multinationals rely on a fund of know-how in the nations’ small business enterprises, despite the […][...]
No50 [CHALLENGE] The Japanese Cool Runnings
Around a hundred small businesses have joined forces to achieve success in this challenge. To save themselves […][...]
No50 [THE FUTURE] Make way for women!
Suwa Takako had to fight to impose her ideas, but she finally succeeded. Suwa Takako’s success in a very mascu […][...]
No49 [HIROSHIMA] A triumphant return
This city and the surrounding region that were so devastated by the atomic bomb, has seen a rise in interest f […][...]
No49 [ENCOUNTER] A quiet confidence
Elected governor of Hirsohima Prefecture in 2009, Yuzaki Hidehiko has succeeded in setting up his agenda for c […][...]
No48 [Politics] The phantom menace
ABE Shinzo at the Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013. Nippon Kaigi relies on Shinto organizations to spread its […][...]
No48 [Encounter] A well organised network
Nagano Koichi, professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, is concerned about the Nippon Kaigi’s influence. […][...]
No48 [Support] Making good use of pop culture
Kobayashi Yoshinori used his huge talent to promote a patriotic vision of Japanese History. Nippon Kaigi has b […][...]
No47 [Anime] Anatomy of a success
Taki and Mitsuha are the two main characters in Shinkai Makoto’s latest feature film, which broke all records […][...]
No47 [Destiny] Hosoda’s little obsessions
The work of this renowned director was honoured at the Tokyo International Film Festival, which tookplace at t […][...]
No47 [Encounter] Hara: directing is in his blood
In the space of just a few years, Hara Keiichi has become one of Japanese animation’s most important directors […][...]
No47 [Production] Creators under threat
In This Corner of the World saw the light of day thanks to crowd-funding. In order to realize new projects, pr […][...]
No47 [Business] It’s all an adventure
Unlike many other anime, Genocidal Organ allows the viewer to concentrate on the characters. Anime production […][...]
No46 [Focus] Tattooing in all its forms
During the past few years the nature of tattoos has changed. Fans of manga and anime do not hesitate to sport […][...]
No46 [Encounter] A lifetime to achieve excellence
Horiyoshi III in his studio in Yokohama. At 70 years of age this unrivalled master tattooist continues to prac […][...]
No46 [History] An art endangered by secrecy
Tattoos were closely linked to the underworld in films during the 60s and 70s. After almost falling into obliv […][...]
No46 [Evolution] With a touch of kawaii
Once or twice a week Aki Bonten is asked for tattoos inspired by manga or anime. Aki Bonten is certain that ot […][...]
No46 [Book] All about the art of tattoos
This book covers all aspects of tattooing in Japan. Always at the top, Tuttle publishing has recently brought […][...]
No45 [Cars] Tomorrow’s already here!
Nissan’s Teatro for Dayz presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015. The prototype of a user-friendly, connecte […][...]