Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Yuji Segawa

せがわ ゆうじ

Yuji Segawa

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1957-06-01 （Hiroshima Prefecture）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, German
Residence History
Hiroshima Prefecture → Tokyo, Japan → Berlin, Germany

Career

Occupations
German literature scholar, film researcher, film critic, university professor, translator
Active Years
1982-
Affiliations
Yokohama National University, Faculty of Education (lecturer → associate professor), Meiji University (Faculty of Science and Technology → School of Global Japanese Studies) Professor, Free University of Berlin, Institute for Theatre Studies (visiting researcher)
Influenced By
Shigehiko Hasumi, Günter Grass, Peter Handke

Education

Hiroshima University Senior High School
Period: 1970s
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: Japan
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters / German Language and Literature
Degree: BA
Period: 1978-1982
Year of Graduation: 1982
Country: Japan
University of Tokyo Graduate School, Humanities (MA program)
Graduate School / Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology / Faculty of Letters
Degree: MA
Period: 1982-1985
Year of Graduation: 1985
Country: Japan
Completed master's program
Free University of Berlin (study abroad)
Period: 1987-1988
Country: Germany
Studied as a scholarship student; intensive film viewing and research
University of Tokyo Graduate School (Doctoral program)
Graduate School / Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology / Faculty of Letters
Period: 1985-1989
Country: Japan
Left doctoral program before completion

Awards

Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Encouragement Prize (New Artist)
2001
Work: The Power of Beauty: The Truth of Leni Riefenstahl
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: 受賞
Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2002
Work: The Power of Beauty: The Truth of Leni Riefenstahl
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (related to Agency for Cultural Affairs)
Result: 受賞
Philipp Franz von Siebold Prize
2003
Organization: German Government
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The World of Nazi Entertainment Films

2000 Film history / research

A scholarly study analyzing the film industry and culture of Nazi-era entertainment cinema.

Nazi-era cinemafilm and propagandapopular entertainment

The Power of Beauty: The Truth of Leni Riefenstahl

2001 Biography / film studies

Based on extended conversations with Leni Riefenstahl, this book analyzes her aesthetics and the intersection of beauty and politics.

biographical studyaesthetics of cinemahistory and memory

The Radiance of Vienna as a Film City: A Complete History of Austrian Cinema

2003 Film history

A comprehensive history of Austrian cinema exploring the relationship between city and film culture.

national film historycity and cultureAustrian cinema

Billy Wilder's Romantic Comedies

2012 Film criticism

A critical reading of Billy Wilder's films from the perspective of romantic comedy.

genre analysisHollywood historyauteur study

The Secrets of 'The Sound of Music'

2015 Film commentary

Examines the making and reception of the classic 'The Sound of Music' and related factors that made it iconic.

film historyreception studiesclassic cinema

Casablanca: A Masterpiece Born of Chance

2024 Film history / criticism

Delves into the production and context of 'Casablanca' to examine factors that made it a classic.

film historyHollywoodproduction history

Bibliography

  • The World of Nazi Entertainment Films (Heibonsha, 2000)
  • The Power of Beauty: The Truth of Leni Riefenstahl (Pandora, 2001)
  • The Radiance of Vienna as a Film City: A Complete History of Austrian Cinema (Seidosha, 2003)
  • Billy Wilder's Romantic Comedies (Heibonsha, 2012)
  • Billy Wilder's Filmmaking Methods (Meiji University Press, 2012)
  • The Secrets of 'The Sound of Music' (Heibonsha Shinsho, 2015)
  • The Truth of 'Atarashiki Tsuchi' (Heibonsha, 2017)
  • Film Lectures: Romantic Comedy (Heibonsha Shinsho, 2020)
  • A Narrative History of German Cinema (Meiji University Press, 2021)
  • Casablanca: A Masterpiece Born of Chance (Heibonsha, 2024)

Translations by Author

  • Romy Schneider: A Life of Love (translator/editor, Heibonsha, 1991)
  • Wim Wenders: The Logic of Images (co-translator, Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 1992)
  • Wim Wenders: The Gaze of Dreams (translator, Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 1994)
  • Daniel Kehlmann: Me and Kaminski (translator, Sanshusha, 2009)
  • Felix Möller: The Film Minister (co-translator, Hakusuisha, 2009)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
scholarly and analytical styleclear argumentative film criticismevidence-based narrative
Recurring Motifs
relationships between film and politicsaesthetics of the imagenational and urban film histories

Legacy

A scholar who deepened understanding of German cinema in Japan through research, criticism, translation, and teaching; has had broad influence in film studies and film culture.

Trivia

  • Became an avid film fan since junior high; reportedly viewed over 1,000 German films during his stay in Berlin.
  • Conducted extended conversations with Leni Riefenstahl in 1999 and published the results in a 2001 book.
  • Served as general supervisor of the German Film Festival held in Tokyo from 2005 to 2008.
  • Has translated and co-translated numerous German-language works.