Japanese Literary Awards

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Yukiharu Takahashi

タカハシ ユキハル

Takahashi Yukiharu

Pen Names: Asano Ryo（Used as a pen name for novels since 2000）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-06-16 （Saitama Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Saitama Prefecture (birthplace) → São Paulo, Brazil (1975–1978) → Japan (returned 1978– )

Career

Occupations
non-fiction writer, novelist, journalist
Active Years
1975-

Education

Waseda University
First Faculty of Letters
Country: Japan

Awards

Shio Nonfiction Prize
1987
Work: Paradies of the Caribbean: 30 Years of Dominican Migration
Organization: Shio Publishing
Result: 受賞
Kodansha Nonfiction Award
1991
Work: Land of the Common People
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Oyabu Haruhiko Prize
2003
Work: Nationality: Unknown
Organization: Oyabu Haruhiko Prize Committee
Result: 候補

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Paradies of the Caribbean: 30 Years of Dominican Migration

1987 non-fiction

A reportage on Japanese migration to the Dominican Republic and the lives of immigrants over thirty years.

migrationJapanese diasporalabor

Land of the Common People

1990 non-fiction

Non-fiction depicting social structures from the perspective of marginalized people and immigrants.

social issuesdiscriminationimmigration history

Nationality: Unknown

2003 novel

A novel published under the pen name Asano Ryo, an ensemble drama about nationality and identity.

nationalityidentitysocial conflict

Organs of Death

2013 novel

A suspense novel concerning organ transplantation and medical ethics; later adapted for television.

medical ethicscrimesocial issues
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Organs of Death (WOWOW 'Drama W') (2015)

Bibliography

  • Asuka-chan Beautiful: Records of Patients Fighting Rare Diseases (1982)
  • Fly! Hiro: The Youth of a Thalidomide Child (1983)
  • Land of the Refugees (1984)
  • Paradies of the Caribbean: 30 Years of Dominican Migration (1987)
  • Land of the Common People (1990)
  • To Go or To Return: Migrant Workers in Japan (1992)
  • History of Japanese-Brazilian Immigrants (1993)
  • Island of Regret: Mindanao (1994)
  • Paula-chan's Japan Diary (1995)
  • Immigration History of Despair: Records of Discriminated Communities Sent to Manchuria (1995)
  • Challengers in Wheelchairs: To Live My Dream (1996)
  • Nikkeijin: The History of Immigration (1997)
  • To My Mother, Japan's Best: Thank You with Tears (1998)
  • The Emperor's Ship (2000, as Asano Ryo)
  • Nationality: Unknown (2003, as Asano Ryo)
  • Misjudgment (2008)
  • Organs of Death (2013)

Adaptations

  • Organs of Death — WOWOW 'Drama W' serial (5 episodes, 2015)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
reportage-style, emphasis on field researchfact- and testimony-driven narration
Recurring Motifs
migration and diasporadiscrimination and social marginalizationmedical and bodily ethics

Legacy

Recognized as a reporter-writer who chronicled Japanese diaspora and immigration issues. Winner of awards including the Kodansha Nonfiction Award; known for in-depth, documentary-style work on social problems. Also active as a novelist under the pen name Asano Ryo, with works adapted for screen.

In Popular Culture

  • TV adaptation of 'Organs of Death' (WOWOW, 2015)

Trivia

  • Lived in São Paulo, Brazil from 1975 to 1978 and worked for the Paulista (Paulista) Japanese-language newspaper (now Nikkey Shimbun).
  • Since 2000, he has published novels under the pen name Asano Ryo.
  • Won the Kodansha Nonfiction Award for 'Land of the Common People'.
  • 'Organs of Death' was adapted into a TV drama (2015, WOWOW).