Amy Chavez opens the show by asking Friedman to give a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 25, 2025. Friedman then turns to the reason for writing his book, co-authored by music journalist John Weiderhorn. Friedman talks about the co-writing process and describes it as “putting his musical abilities into words.” His latest solo release, Drama, he calls his best and most romantic work to date — a largely orchestral album that stretches beyond his usual style.

Beyond music, Friedman reflects on being a “foreign talento” on Japanese TV, participating in variety shows, commercials, and thoughts on the Japanese entertainment industry. He reveals his inner growth writing the anime theme song Kirei na Senritsu (Beautiful Melody) for Kotoko.

Friedman also shares his favorite Japanese book, Ai no Eigyō Hōshin (The Principles of Love Management) by Japanese producer Tsunku, advising young Japanese men on how to cultivate confidence. His favorite J-Pop songs are AKB48’s “Heavy Rotation” which he recalls performing with them at the Budokan. He praises Kahala Tomomi’s “I’m Proud” as an example of the Japanese concept of heta-uma which he explains at length in the podcast discussion. He points to Ikimono Gakari as another recommendation for those interested in learning more about J-Pop.

For the full Show Notes with hyperlinks to Friedman's songs and a book review of his memoir Dreaming Japanese, visit the Books on Asia website at www.booksonasia.net

The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.

A few of Takemori's favorite books on Japan are:

1. Hitomachi, a photo book by Araki Noboyoshi
2. Walking The Kiso Road by William Scott Wilson (See our podcast episode with the author)
3. The Catalpa Bow by Carmen Blacker

Takemori's upcoming translations are Grave of the Fireflies by Akiyuki Nosaka (Penguin Modern Classics, Sept. 2025), Hollow Inside by Asako Otani (2026) and Family of the Wasteland by Atsushi Sato (May 2027).

Read a book review of Mornings Without Mii (previous title Mornings With My Cat Mii) on the BOA website.

Subscribe to the Books on Asia podcast.

The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.

Lina Terrell is a translator of Japanese historical texts. Today we are going to talk about her recently released translation of The Legacy of the Ryukyu Kingdom: An Okinawan History (JPIC, 2025) by Takara Kurayoshi, a native of Okinawa. Before Okinawa, the unified and independent Ryukyu Kingdom existed for 400 years. What was this island nation like and what kind of world did it exist in? Author and Okinawa native Takara Kurayoshi plumbs the depths of Okinawa's distant and obscure past.

Amy and Lina discuss the Ryukyu Kingdom before it became a part of Japan. They discuss noro priestesses, sea pirates, and trade with China.

Lina's favorite books on Japan are:

The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk through Japan b Alan Booth

The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan by Ivan Morris

The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.