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.
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Trump says goodbye Paris Accord: What does it mean for U.S. and the planet? President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, the landmark international agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Trump was to renegotiate a new deal, but will that happen?
Design and Architecture
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?
Good Food
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.