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Junya Yokota

よこた じゅんや

Yokota Junya

Aliases: ヨコジュン / 横田順彌
Pen Names: Maki Jun（Pen name used for some works (presented as a fictional female newcomer author)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1945-11-11 （Saga Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2019-01-04 （Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan） age 73
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Saga Prefecture (birthplace) → Midorigaoka, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan (grew up) → Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (later life)

Career

Occupations
Writer, SF writer, Meiji cultural historian
Active Years
1970-2019
Affiliations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (former secretary-general), Japan Classic SF Research Association (involved since founding)
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (left later), Japan Classic SF Research Association (founding participant)
Influenced By
Milton Lesser, Shunro Oshikawa, Shinichi Hoshi
Influenced
Fujikura San

Education

Hosei University
Faculty of Law
Country: Japan
Member of the rakugo study circle while at university

Awards

Japan SF Grand Prize (Special Prize)
2011
Work: Kindai Nihon Kisou Shousetsushi: Meiji Volume
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞（特別賞）
Taishu Literary Research Award (Popular Literature category)
2012
Work: Kindai Nihon Kisou Shousetsushi: Meiji Volume
Category: 大衆文学部門
Organization: Taishu Literary Research Association
Result: 受賞
Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Criticism and Other Works)
2012
Work: Kindai Nihon Kisou Shousetsushi: Meiji Volume
Category: 評論その他部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞
Japan Tondemo Book Award (Special Prize)
1993
Work: Reprint of 'Ryokujin no Maito' (for reprint contribution)
Organization: Japan Tondemo Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞（特別賞）
Japan SF Grand Prize (Merit Prize)
2019
Category: 功績賞
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞（功績賞、追贈）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Nihon SF Koten Koten (Classic Japanese SF)

1980 Classic SF research / criticism

A compilation of essays from SF Magazine; a major work on classic Japanese SF, presenting discoveries and introductions of prewar and postwar SF in a humorous style.

classic SFpopular literature history

The Dashing Man: Oshikawa Shunro

1987 Biography / research

A research-oriented biography focusing on Shunro Oshikawa and his milieu; includes collaborative work emphasizing a pioneer of Japanese SF.

Shunro OshikawaMeiji-era literatureSF history

A History of Strange Fiction in Modern Japan: Meiji Volume

2011 Research / criticism

A study exploring strange fiction and eccentric cultural phenomena of the Meiji period; a culmination of his Meiji cultural research developed from classic SF studies.

Meiji culturefantastic fictionpopular literature history

Bibliography

  • Space Garbage War (1977)
  • Classic Japanese SF (3 vols) (1980-1981)
  • The Dashing Man: Oshikawa Shunro (co-authored)
  • A History of Strange Fiction in Modern Japan: Meiji Volume (2011)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Humorous, 'hacha-hacha' SF styleScholarly, encyclopedic tone in research and criticism
Recurring Motifs
Puns and rakugo-like punchlinesMeiji-era oddities and character sketchesAntiquarian book collecting and bibliographic discoveries

Health

  • Asthma (health problems)
    2000年代以降（断続的）
    Caused cancellations of talks and convention attendance and intermittent suspension of serials
  • Heart failure (cause of death)
    2019-01-04
    Died at home on 2019-01-04

Legacy

A writer-researcher who bridged classic SF research and Meiji cultural studies, influencing popular literature studies and the antiquarian-book boom. Valued both as a humorous SF writer and an encyclopedic researcher.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Classic SF Research Association
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (member; former secretary-general)

Archives

  • National Diet Library (holds works / catalog entries)
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (award records, etc.)

In Popular Culture

  • Known affectionately as 'Yokojun' and often cited as a pioneer of the antiquarian-book boom

Trivia

  • Nickname: 'Yokojun'.
  • Used the pen name 'Maki Jun', presented as a fictional female author.
  • Reportedly bought so many antiquarian books that it contributed to a divorce.
  • Known as a fan of the Chunichi Dragons baseball team.