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Maki Tahara

たはら まき

Tahara Maki

Aliases: 田原拓治
Pen Names: Takuji Tahara（Used as legal/birth name in articles and publications）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Hokkaido
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, Arabic
Residence History
Hokkaido → Tokyo → Cairo, Egypt

Career

Occupations
Journalist, Non-fiction writer
Active Years
1987-
Affiliations
Tokyo Shimbun (Chunichi Shimbun)

Education

Azabu Junior & Senior High School
Period: 1970s-1980s
Country: Japan
Meiji University (attended, later expelled)
Faculty of Political Science and Economics / Department of Political Science and Economics
Period: 在籍期間不明
Country: Japan
Left/expelled amid conflicts with student sects and activism
Cairo American University (Arabic program)
Arabic program
Period: 1995-1996
Country: Egypt
Studied Arabic for reporting; research/immersive study period

Awards

Kaikō Ken Nonfiction Prize (12th)
Work: Islam Frontline: A Reporter’s View of the Middle East and the Future of Revolutions
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Islam Frontline: A Reporter’s View of the Middle East and the Future of Revolutions

2002 Non-fiction / Reportage

A reportage based on on-site reporting in the Middle East, summarizing local conditions, popular movements, and political changes. Published under the author’s legal name in some editions.

Middle EastRevolutionJournalismIslamic world

What Is the Neocon?: The Ambitions of American Neoconservatives

2003 Non-fiction

An analytical reportage examining American neoconservatism and its impact on international politics.

international politicsAmerican politicsintellectual history

Let It Be: How Self-determination Changes the World

2006 Essay / Non-fiction

A collection of essays about self-determination and personal choice, discussing social movements and perspectives from lived experience.

self-determinationsocial movementsindividual rights

The Truth of Middle Eastern Popular Revolutions: On-the-ground Reports from Egypt

2011 Reportage / Non-fiction

On-the-ground reports focused on Egypt and popular revolutions across the Middle East, detailing regional changes.

Arab Springpopular revolutionMiddle East affairs

Lingering Scent of Jasmine: What the Arab Spring Changed

2014 Non-fiction / Field reporting

A volume of field reports and essays examining the effects and aftermath of the Arab Spring.

Arab Springdemocratization movementssocial change

Bibliography

  • Islam Frontline: A Reporter’s View of the Middle East and the Future of Revolutions
  • What Is the Neocon?: The Ambitions of American Neoconservatives
  • Let It Be: How Self-determination Changes the World
  • The Truth of Middle Eastern Popular Revolutions: On-the-ground Reports from Egypt
  • Lingering Scent of Jasmine: What the Arab Spring Changed

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Reportage-style writing based on on-site reportingJournalistic prose emphasizing field details
Recurring Motifs
Middle East / Islamic worldRevolution and popular movementsPersonal self-determination and identity

Health

  • Gender identity disorder (GID)
    2000年頃〜現在
    Began hormone therapy around 2000 and has come out as transgender; this has influenced personal life and public commentary.

Legacy

Provided a distinct perspective to Japanese journalism through vigorous on-site reporting focused on the Middle East and by coming out as transgender. Recognized for insightful reportage on Middle Eastern affairs and noted for contributions as a public figure.

Academic Societies

  • Doshisha University Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Monotheistic Religions (visiting researcher)
  • Japan Arab Association (served as editorial committee member)

Trivia

  • Also writes under legal/birth name Takuji Tahara.
  • In 1987 was briefly arrested in Syria on espionage suspicions while reporting in Lebanon, but was released.
  • In high school attended Azabu and was a member of the sumo club.
  • Began female hormone therapy around 2000 and has publicly come out as transgender.