
About this episode
In this episode…
Post-bubble Japan.
The history of socially-conscious Japanese literature.
And Yu Miri’s Tokyo Ueno Station, a powerful examination of Tokyo by one of the most invisible people imaginable—the ghost of a homeless day laborer.
Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.
Donate to RJL's Patreon.
Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)
Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.
Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.
Support RJL on Patreon.com.
Buy your books from Bookshop.org.
All content © 2025 Read Japanese Literature.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Read Japanese Literature publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Read Japanese Literature

Japanese Monster Stories on the Big Screen
Read Japanese Literature

The Japanese Cell Phone Novel
Read Japanese Literature

Lafcadio Hearn—The Master of the Japanese Ghost Story
Read Japanese Literature

Bullying in Japanese Literature
Read Japanese Literature