Japanese Society and Culture
Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Join us for our annual two-part review of cultural, societal and political developments in Japan.

Where is Japanese society and culture headed in the New Year? What social trends may shape Japan’s future? From the latest pop culture developments to the changing Japanese attitude toward women and families, our panelists will provide an up-to-date view of Japanese society today and beyond.

Mariko Fujiwara is Research Director of Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living (HILL). She is also a Partner in the consultancy Business Futures Network (London), Executive Director of Mobile Marketing Inc., and serves on ministerial councils including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Finance, and the Supreme Court. She has published reports on Japanese consumers, Japan’s post-war baby boom generation, second baby boom generation, changing roles of women and families, Japan’s aging population and emerging trends among senior citizens.

Roland Kelts is the author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., published in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. He is a Lecturer at the University of Tokyo, an editor of the New York-based literary journal, A Public Space and a columnist for The Daily Yomiuri. His first novel, Access, will be published next year. His articles, essays, and stories have been published in Zoetrope, Playboy, Salon, DoubleTake, The Village Voice, Newsday, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and The Japan Times, among others.

Location:
Delancey Screening Room
600 Embarcadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Time:
6:00 pm Reception & Registration
6:30-8:00 pm Panel and Q&A

Cost:
$5 Japan Society Members
$15 General Admission
Free for Japan Society Student Members

Co-sponsored by UC Berkeley Institute of East Asian Studies and the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center

2008 Year Ahead is made possible by the generous support of Union Bank of California