Japan

Daisuke Miyao talks with audience members following his lecture on Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in Houston on Sept. 12, 2010. (Asia Society Texas Center)

Kurosawa in the 21st Century

Film scholar Daisuke Miyao discussed the genius of Akira Kurosawa as part of a retrospective on the director held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. more
Yoshitomo Nara describes his creative and collaborative processes, with Hideki Toyoshima, in New York on Sept. 10, 2010. (3 min., 6 sec.)Photo: Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society

Serious Fun: A Conversation with Yoshitomo Nara and Hideki Toyoshima

Inside the unique creative process of the Neo Pop artist and his chief collaborator. more
Photographer Dan Bailey offers his take on Tokyo's fashion subculture, in particular what he sees as the all-encompassing Harajuku look. (1 min., 2 sec.)

Young, Rebellious, Stylish: Tokyo! Look!

Tokyo is a living laboratory for experimentation in youth taste and fashion. more

Rivers of Ice

Rivers of Ice showcases the work of photographer and mountaineer David Breashears, who has retraced the steps of photographers of the past century to recapture images of these mountains and their glaciers from exactly the same vantage point more
The capsules at Green Plaza Shinjuku. (Eric So)

A Capsule Fit for a Gaijin

A travel blogger checks out one of Japan's capsule hotels. more
Mariko Mori (born 1967, Japan). Kumano, 1997-1998. Single-channel video, sound. 8 minutes, 50 seconds. Edition 4 of 5. Asia Society, New York: Purchase with funds donated by Carol and David Appel

Mariko Mori: Kumano

June 8 - August 1, 2010 more
Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan answers questions during a press conference in Tokyo on June 4, 2010. (Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images)

Clock Is Already Ticking for Japan's New Leader

As the fifth Prime Minister in four years takes office, the US should be concerned about its "indispensable ally." more
Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Democratic Party Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama in Toyko on June 2, 2010 to announce his resignation. (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

Discuss: Japanese Prime Minister Resigns

What will it take for Japan to get back on top economically and politically? more
Excerpt: The Cove director Louie Psihoyos discusses the recent SeaWorld tragedy, and similarities between his film and Avatar, at Asia Society, March 9, 2010. (2 min., 15 sec.)

Health Concerns Key to Ending Dolphin Slaughter

Director Louie Psihoyos discusses his film and dolphin slaughter in Japan. more
Pedestrians walk past a share prices board in Tokyo on October 2, 2009. Japanese shares fell 246.77 points to close at 9,731.87 at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, hit by heavy losses on Wall Street. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)

Time for Change, But How Much?

Change can help Japan re-emerge dynamic--or unsettle the region. more