What's On

YAGI Emi Photo: © ABE Mayumi 

Japanese literature has never been so popular in the UK!

Following the successful talk tour by YUZUKI Asako and TSUJIMURA Mizuki, the Japan Foundation is delighted to present two authors from Japan whom you should watch out for: YAGISAWA Satoshi, the author of the worldwide best-selling novel Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and its sequel, as well as our previous guest YAGI Emi (Diary of a Void) whose new book When the Museum is Closed is now available in English.

Although the two authors have different writing styles and storylines, both sincerely face and examine in their books the lives of women in a complex modern world and their journeys of coping with relatable personal issues.

They will talk about their own books in London and Manchester.

YAGISAWA Satoshi

Debuted in 2010 with Morisaki Shoten no hibi (Days at the Morisaki Bookshop), which was adapted into a hit film and followed up with a sequel publication. His Morisaki Bookshop series has since been translated worldwide, become an international bestseller and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. His other works include the Junkissa Torunka (Torunka Cafe) series. His hobbies include playing the guitar and he loves coffee and cats.

YAGI Emi

Born in Nagano in 1988, is the award-winning author of Diary of a Void and When the Museum is Closed. Her work has been translated into 25 languages and acclaimed internationally. Her first novel, Diary of a Void, won the Osamu Dazai Prize. She lives in Tokyo and is an editor at a leading women’s magazine.

Do we really know who we are and who others are? This is the main theme for the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026. Because of the complex nature of our minds and emotions, many filmmakers have employed the theme through various forms and narratives. Arguably, examples can be seen in KUROSAWA Akira’s Rashomon and our screening last year of Ichiko by TODA Akihiro, to name only a few. Recently, advanced technologies, widespread social networking services, as well as greater gender diversity, seem to bring fascinating new stories of self-images.

In this wrap-up online talk, we have invited experts who have long-standing careers in the film industries of Japan and the UK, to explore the theme of the true self by illustrating some concrete examples of their choices. Together, they will discuss the narratives, voices, and approaches of filmmakers to this theme by examining the course of film in the past and future.

This online talk is free to attend, but booking is essential.
Click here to book your place on Eventbrite.

The #JFTFP26 official programme is now live!

Dates: Friday 6 February to Tuesday 31 March 2026

Venue: Cinemas nationwide

Get your tickets for the UK’s biggest Japanese film festival, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, starting in February!

From one of the most talked-about social dramas by TAKASHI Miike, Sham, to The Hotel of My Dream, a light comedy based on the novel by the YUZUKI Asako (Butter), our diverse programme offers something for everyone.

We have even invited three filmmakers from Japan to visit various cities – do not miss our exclusive Q&A sessions!

Are you ready?

Directors Q&A Sessions:

IIZUKA Kasho (Director, Blue Boy Trial) 12 Feb: HOME, Manchester 13 Feb: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London 14 Feb: Chapter, Cardiff	YOSHIDA Daihachi (Director, Teki Cometh) 14 Feb: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London 15 Feb: QUAD, Derby 16 Feb: Showroom, Sheffield 17 Feb: The Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), Oxford	KAI Sayaka (Director, Adabana) 25 Feb: Storyhouse, Chester 26 Feb: Riverside Studios, London 27 Feb: Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT), Belfast 3 Mar: Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds

View our full exciting line-up at our official website:

https://www.jpf-film.org.uk/