Terayama’s China Doll
“The director, Shuji Terayama, signed a contract stipulating at least six sexual acts…”
“I Love You, Ken Takakura”
The criminalization of sodomy that came in with a Western-style legal code in 1872 was repealed eight years later
Britain’s China Pivot Spells Opportunity for Japan
How would the UK react to a violent crackdown on protests in Hong Kong or a clash with Japan over the Senkaku Isles?
One Hundred Million Pop Song People
Seazer / Caesar was a futenzoku (Japanese hippie) who dropped out of art-school and joined Terayama’s avant garde theatre troupe in 1969
Busted – How Low Can Commodities Go?
Fear of shortages may be hard-wired in the human brain, leading us to worry about threats that are fading and downplay those that loom large.
Can Japan Survive Mass Tourism?
Putting wi-fi on the summit of Mount Fuji is the symbolic start of a long process of de-mystification
Planet Rugby Sends the World a Message
The arrogant hegemon who everyone fears and secretly hopes will slip up is New Zealand, which has a total population of 4.5 million.
China and the Three Japans
Today’s China resembles a blurry overlay of at least three different phases of Japan’s historical trajectory
Twenty First Century Schizoid Markets
We have something akin to a poorly microwaved pizza — parts are still frozen and parts hot enough to blister your lips.
Farewell to the Ark
The book has lent its name to a fine, cask-aged barley shochu, apparently much appreciated by Japan’s Crown Prince.