Alternative perspectives on Japan - an interview with Gyaku.jp

On October 06, 2007 in Interviews

Today I want to introduce you all to gyaku.jp. I more or less stumbled upon this site while doing some research and contacted them about a past article they had featured. That will be the topic of tomorrow’s post. It is definitely information worth knowing so be sure to check back tomorrow for that.

But until then, I want you to hear about this website because I think that they offer something very unique. But don’t take my word for it, listen to what Shioyama has to say and then check it out for yourself!

Shioyama: The “about” section on the main page is a bit out-of-date, here’s something more up-to-date:
Gyaku is a media project run a handful of Japanese and non-Japanese people, featuring articles, interviews, and translations (J/E and E/J). The project is fairly unique in the degree to which it features both Japanese and English language content in roughly equal proportions, with a lot of correspondence (through translations) between each language. This takes a lot of time and effort, hence the pace of article posting is not anywhere close to that of a blog.

The goal of the project is to amplify (partly through translation) certain voices and stories in Japan that might not otherwise get heard in an international context. A dominant theme is to present perspectives rather than to argue positions, hence the emphasis on interviews. The range of themes covered is pretty broad: we have interviewed a percussionist, a documentary film director, a nuclear physicist, human rights activists, journalists, professors, and artists.

I cannot add anything to that, it was well said. All I can say is that I think this is a great project. And I hope you check it out.

That’s all for today. Stay tuned tomorrow for the real scoop.

Daily J

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