Japanese novelist Yuzuki's 'Butter' wins British book award
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese novel "Butter" by Asako Yuzuki has won the debut fiction section at the 2025 British Book Awards, its Japanese publisher said Tuesday, as translations of the work enjoy a boom in critical and commercial recognition abroad.
Yuzuki's novel, her first to be published in Britain, received the award on Monday local time, Shinchosha said.
Since its release in the country in 2024, the book has won acclaim for exploring themes of misogyny, fatphobia and sexism in modern Japan.
Yuzuki said it was "a great honor" and thanked English translator Polly Barton, her British publisher and booksellers and readers in a statement issued by the publisher.
"Butter" follows journalist Rika Machida as she investigates Manako Kajii, a woman accused of killing men she has seduced with elaborate meals. Through exchanges on food, Machida becomes fascinated by Kajii's tastes and faces some of the same body shaming as her subject.
Overseas sales of "Butter" have overtaken the around 300,000 copies sold in Japan since its 2017 release, with over 400,000 in Britain and more than 100,000 sold in the United States, Shinchosha said.
Last year, "Butter" was named the Waterstones Book Of The Year by the major British bookshop chain.
The win comes amid high interest in translated Japanese fiction in Britain. According to the sponsor of Britain's prestigious International Booker Prize, 14 of the top 30 translated novels sold in Britain in 2022 were Japanese works.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asahi Shimbun
2 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Turn the lever: Foreign tourists can't resist lure of capsule toys
No longer catering only to children, a store in Tokyo's Harajuku district offering about 1,700 capsule toy dispensers on its two floors drew Jo Hyeon-jeong in a recent day. The 25-year-old South Korean tourist said she visited the Capsule Lab outlet located in the Takeshita-dori shopping alley to look for figurines of Hello Kitty and characters from the "Chiikawa" manga and anime series. Jo said there are specialty stores in her country but Japanese shops offer more varieties that are cheap and cute. According to a staff member in charge of managing the shop operated by Capcom Co., the capsule toys were initially aimed at families. But there has been a growing demand from inbound tourists in recent years as seen by the many customers at the store on the weekday morning, many of whom were non-Japanese. SPECIALTY SHOPS SPROUTING UP Sixty years after the first plastic egg-shaped container tumbled to the bottom of the vending machine in Japan, capsule toys have continued to evolve to win the hearts of children and adults alike. Experiencing a boom for the fourth time, 'gacha gacha' toys are now available at specialty shops packed with foreign tourists. With gacha gacha toys becoming popular as souvenirs from Japan, overseas tourists now account for half of the customers. Capsule toys are usually sold in a price range between 300 yen ($2.10) and 500 yen, with some priced at 1,000 yen or more. "Previously, they were merely used to fill unused spots at commercial facilities and train stations, but there has been an increase in specialty stores since 2000," a staff member at Capsule Lab said. "They have gained popularity because of the special space in which customers can enjoy looking for their favorites from among many items." The Geo Group, which operates DVD rental shops and other businesses, has been operating Capsule Rakkyoku shops since 2022. It has been opening new outlets each year, aiming to operate 100 shops in the future. SEARCHING FOR 'NEXT BIG THING' Capsule toy makers are also making efforts in developing products. Industry leader T-Arts Co. releases new items from about 50 series every month. In recent years, pastel-colored, fluffy and cuddly products that are popular among women in their 20s and 30s have attracted attention. "Merchandise for which we go all out to bring out their cuteness are popular," said Kentaro Endo, senior general manager and head of the Capsule Toy and Candy Toy Division. When customers share photos of their capsule toys on social media, it creates a virtuous cycle in which others are captivated by their cuteness and want them for themselves, he added. Endo and his team monitor conversations on social media to seek inspiration for what will be the next big thing. Meanwhile, there has been an increasing number of gacha gacha toys produced in collaboration with other companies in recent years. T-Arts first collaborated with Japan Post Co. to jointly produce capsule toys in the motif of post office equipment. Then it worked with regional fixed-line carriers NTT East Corp. and NTT West Corp. to offer products modeled after public phones, more than 2.9 million units of which have been shipped. T-Arts has also joined hands with many other collaborative partners, including municipal governments. Taking note of the popularity, Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward office released Shina Gacha capsule toys themed on its local souvenirs. FOURTH BOOM According to T-Arts and other sources, the forerunner of capsule toy dispensers originated in the United States in 1930. Sales of capsule toys began in Japan in 1965 after Penny Sales Co. (present-day Penny Co.) imported the dispensers. Initially, they were set up in front of candy stores and other shops, gaining popularity among children. In the 1980s, erasers in the shape of characters from the "Kinnikuman" manga and anime series were all the rage. A wide variety of merchandise targeted for male customers have been released since then, including those featuring anime characters and trains. According to capsule toy critic Omatsu, a turning point came in 2012 when Kitan Club Co. released the Fuchico on the Cup figurine series. It features a female office worker in various poses that can be attached to the rims of glasses and cups. The series gained popularity through social media, attracting an increasing number of female customers. The capsule toy market continues to expand. According to the Japan Toy Association, the market was worth 64 billion yen in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, up 5 percent from the previous year. "We are in the middle of the fourth capsule toy boom," Omatsu said, explaining that it largely is due to specialty shops that grew in number during the COVID-19 pandemic to cut labor expenses. Specialty shops are also making their foray into foreign markets, he added. He continued, "Japanese people have a culture of collecting small things like capsule toys and being open to paying money to uncertain things such as 'omikuji' fortune slips. I think (capsule toys) have become popular among foreigners because they are 'so Japanese,' including that factor." (This article was written by Eriko Noda and Seri Ishikawa.)
Tokyo Reported
11 hours ago
- Tokyo Reported
How Japan Is Gradually Rethinking Cannabis
Despite some of the strictest cannabis laws in the industrialised world, Japan is quietly undergoing a cultural shift. Beneath the rigid surface of prohibition, attitudes toward cannabis – especially among younger generations and within creative subcultures – are gradually evolving. While legislation remains unchanged, public curiosity, wellness trends, and global influence are beginning to challenge long-held taboos. Unforgiving Law, Relentless Stigma Cannabis remains highly illegal in Japan. The Cannabis Control Act of 1948 prohibits possession, cultivation, and distribution, with violations punished by prison sentences of up to five years for personal use and up to ten years if linked to trafficking or profit. Even the smallest infraction can end a career and provoke intense media scrutiny. In 2020, actor Yūsuke Iseya was arrested for possessing 13 grams of marijuana and received a suspended sentence. Earlier cases involving celebrities like Pierre Taki and Erika Sawajiri led to similar public reckonings – including immediate removal from commercial campaigns, erased film roles, and public apologies delivered through tightly controlled press conferences. In Japan, punishment doesn't end with legal sentencing – it continues through prolonged social exclusion. A Legal Loophole and a Booming Market Yet even in this environment, cannabis-derived products are finding a way in – so long as they're THC-free. CBD, the non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, is legally permitted in Japan if extracted solely from hemp stalks or seeds. This distinction has enabled a booming CBD industry in Tokyo and beyond. The Japanese CBD market was valued at approximately ¥18.2 billion (around $130 million USD) in 2023, more than doubling since 2019. According to Statista's latest forecast, the market is projected to grow steadily and exceed ¥24.4 billion (roughly $175 million USD) by 2027. This surge reflects a rising demand for cannabis-derived wellness products, despite Japan's ongoing restrictions on THC. Trend-conscious districts like Harajuku and Shibuya now house CBD cafes, skincare boutiques, and even yoga studios that incorporate CBD into wellness rituals – an ironic contrast to the nation's zero-tolerance stance on THC. This duality has sparked debate among legal experts, with some calling for clearer definitions of what should be considered a cannabis 'drug' versus a wellness supplement. For now, CBD's popularity offers a culturally acceptable way for consumers to interact with the cannabis plant – without the social and legal consequences. Cultural Undercurrents and Global Influence Despite low reported use – less than 2% of Japanese people say they've ever consumed cannabis, compared to over 40% in the U.S., according to UNODC data – underground interest is growing. Young adults, especially those exposed to Western culture via music, fashion, and streaming platforms, are quietly shifting perceptions. Japanese hip-hop, streetwear, and nightlife increasingly borrow from cannabis-infused aesthetics. Artists like KOHH have referenced weed in lyrics. Visual design elements – from stylised leaf motifs to green-themed branding – have crept into fashion. Though subtle, these signals mark a generational change that's harder to detect in surveys but easy to spot in street culture. Globally, Japan is also under pressure to modernise. Nearby countries like Thailand have moved to legalise medical cannabis, and South Korea now permits some medicinal use under strict regulation. In 2023, Japan's Ministry of Health took a small but meaningful step by recommending revisions to the Cannabis Control Act that would legalise specific medical cannabis formulations such as Epidiolex, already approved in the EU and U.S. for rare seizure disorders. Such changes are incremental, but they indicate that the conversation – long absent from mainstream discourse – has officially begun. The Risky Business of Seeds and Access Where recreational use remains criminalised, demand often shifts to discreet, private alternatives. Some users cultivate their own cannabis, risking harsh penalties in exchange for personal supply. They often obtain seeds online through international seedbanks that operate in a legal grey zone. Platforms like Herbies Seeds, known for global distribution, are frequently cited in user forums and cannabis communities as a source of high-quality genetics – though importing even ungerminated seeds remains illegal under Japanese law. With growing digital literacy and access to encrypted messaging, such practices continue to spread below the radar. But the risks are real: Japanese customs and cybercrime units are well-resourced, and arrests for seed importation, while rare, can result in serious legal consequences. A Culture in Transition Japan's cannabis culture isn't being driven by protests or mass movements. Instead, it's evolving through quiet interactions – a CBD latte here, a discreet vape pen there, a whispered conversation between university friends or music producers backstage. Whether this gradual change will lead to meaningful legal reform remains unclear. But what's certain is that the rigid narratives around cannabis – once seen as absolute – are beginning to soften. For now, Japan remains a place where the plant is both feared and cautiously explored, vilified in headlines and quietly discussed over drinks. In this contradiction lies the truth: change, in Japan, rarely comes as a wave. It arrives slowly, patiently – and by the time it's visible, it's already well underway.
Tokyo Weekender
11 hours ago
- Tokyo Weekender
Enchanting Hydrangea Festivals To Visit in Japan This Summer
As rainy season sweeps across Japan, vibrant bursts of color begin to bloom in gardens, temples and parks — signaling the arrival of hydrangea season. Celebrated for their lush petals and shifting hues, hydrangeas, or ajisai in Japanese, hold a special place in the country's early summer landscape. Each year, cities and countryside alike come alive with festivals dedicated to these iconic flowers, offering visitors a chance to stroll through breathtaking displays, enjoy local traditions and embrace the serene beauty of the season. Take a trip to some of Japan's most enchanting hydrangea festivals happening this summer. List of Contents: Hydrangea Festivals Summer 2025 Related Posts Hydrangea Festivals Summer 2025 Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival 2025 See over 3,000 blossoming hydrangea shrubs at Hakusan Shrine. Experience the beauty of Japan's summer season with a wide array of ajisai, or hydrangeas, of various species all filling the area with bursts of blue, pink and purple. Enjoy the hydrangeas, alongside other festival attractions including food stalls, art exhibitions and interactive activities. Date & Time Jun 07-15・・10:00–17:00 (Saturdays), 10:00–16:00 (Sundays) Price Free Location Hakusan Shrine More Details Wonderful Nature Village Hydrangea Festival 2025 Wonderful Nature Village in Akiruno is home to over 15,000 blossoming flowers of an impressive 60 varieties. The hydrangea area covers 30,000 square meters that spreads along a hiking trail, so visitors can walk through the stunning scenery. Date & Time Jun 07-Jul 06・09:00-17:00 Price ¥850 Location Wonderful Nature Village More Info Free for elementary school children, admission to the dog park is also included with your ticket More Details Wisteria and Hydrangea Early Summer Goldfish 2025 Dive into the beauty of early summer at Art Aquarium Museum GINZA's Wisteria and Hydrangea Early Summer Goldfish 2025. Date & Time Apr 25-Jun 22・10:00-19:00・Last Entry at 18:00 Price ¥2,500 - ¥2,700 Location Art Aquarium Museum GINZA More Info Free Admission for elementary school children More Details Kaiseimachi Hydrangea Festival 2025 Every year, in the quaint town of Kaisei, Kanagawa, 5,000 vibrant hydrangeas blossom with the backdrop of countryside rice fields. The festival makes for a beautiful escape from city life. Date & Time Jun 07-15・08:30-17:15 Price ¥1,000 Location Kaisei Hydrangea Village More Details Related Posts The 10 Best Places To See Hydrangeas in Tokyo Rainy Season Style: How To Stay Both Dry and Fashionable During Tsuyu Less-Crowded Shrines To See Red Torii Gates (That Aren't Fushimi Inari)
