author and journalist
Author and journalist who lives in Tokyo, Japan; contributing writer for the New Yorker and the Japan Times; author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.
PROFILE
Roland Kelts
Guest
FROM Roland Kelts
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Do Hiroshima Survivors and their Descendants Want Obama to Apologize? President Obama will be the first U.S. President to visit Hiroshima, Japan on Friday. He’s expected to push for a nuclear-free world while touring the city’s Peace Memorial, but the White House has made it clear that the President will not apologize for the atomic bombing of the city on Aug. 6, 1945. The bomb killed 140,000 people, and scores more suffered from the aftereffects of it. The Japanese government seems to be okay with Obama’s decision not to apologize for the actions of the United States more than 70 years ago, but how do the Japanese people and the Hiroshima survivors and their descendants feel?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Japan’s ISIS Hostage Crisis The Islamic extremist group ISIS has said it will kill two Japanese captives if Japan doesn’t pay a $200 million ransom by Friday. ISIS released a video of the two hostages kneeling down in orange jumpsuits, with a masked militant waving a knife around them, demanding the money. The eerie images are similar to other videos released by the group before the executions of four Western hostages last year. How are the Japanese public and government reacting?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Murakami Is Back The latest novel from Haruki Murakami is out in English today, and it’s already number 3 on Amazon’s bestselling book list. We take a look at the Japanese author’s wild popularity over the years and how this new book stacks up.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Fukushima Anniversary It’s been three years since the earthquake and tsunami that killed over 15,000 people in Japan and crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant there. And for tens of thousands of Japanese, the nightmare that started on March 11, 2011, continues to this day.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Japan's Fake Beethoven Japanese Olympic figure skater Daisuke Takahashi will probably be remembered for something other than his technical skill on the Sochi ice. Unfortunately, he chose to skate to music composed by one of Japan’s most beloved composers - who, it turns out, is a total fraud. We’ll get the background on Mamoru Samuragochi, who admits that he didn’t write his famous pieces and has been exaggerating about his hearing loss.
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Art Talk
Art Exchange Between Los Angeles and New York Edward Goldman talks about the recent cultural developments at the intersection of the Los Angeles / New York art scenes.
Second Opinion
It is time to expand and defend our lane for the public’s good. Its been way too long that we have lacked research and data to help end gun violence. The medical profession feels strongly that it’s time to move this to the center stage.
Orange County Line
How did OC Turn Blue Big money, grassroots, and the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee unite to flip Reagan Country.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Should we keep rebuilding in fire-prone Malibu? Private firefighters successfully defended Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s $50 million mansion from the Woolsey Fire. Insurance companies with a lot at stake have recently started hiring private wildfire defense teams to protect their clients’ properties.