I was very much saddened to read of the death of Donald Richie on February 19, 2013 in Tokyo at age 88. He was the greatest of the early postwar generation of expat Japan experts, commonly referred to as “the old Japan hands.” Although Richie, the author of some 40 books (and 50 years of Japan Times columns), was best known for his work on Japanese film, his body of work was all the more impressive because his writings consistently maintained a clear vision. He was neither an apologist for Japan nor a bitter critic. He was able to write perceptively about both Japan and himself with exceptional honesty and clarity. Among all the obituaries and tributes to his professional career, I’d like to take a moment to recall what a kind, humble and generous person he was. Continue reading →

The big news in the Japanese TV world this week is that the private television networks’ have finally discovered Japan’s burgeoning antinuclear movement. Despite their protests, petitions and pleas, proponents of the antinuclear cause have been edged out of the media spotlight this past year. Now the private networks are finally beginning to take off their blinders and pay attention. Continue reading →

Ah the joys of satellite TV. It saves me from the noisy, irritating, mind-boggling menagerie that Japanese TV–circa 2012–has become. Satellite TV takes me not only beyond Japan’s borders but back to the days when watching TV in Japan was actually fun. This month, SkyPerfecTV’s Lala Channel 372 is rebroadcasting the 1997 hit drama Virgin Road. (The title is a Japanese-English term for walking down the aisle on one’s wedding day.) Lala is airing two episodes at a time, Sundays from 9 p.m. and it’s a very pleasant journey back in time. Nostalgia for the past is often considered a sign of getting old and refusing to adapt. Yet, Continue reading →

This week’s questions: Can Twitter save Taira no Kiyomori?  Is the eruption of Mt. Fuji imminent? And why is Fiji becoming a favored destination for Japanese students? Continue reading →

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Well, nothing like promising a weekly blog and then promptly disappearing.  Actually, I didn’t really vanish. I just went off to join the half a million Americans a year who have their galll bladders removed—only I was doing it in Japan, in Japanese on the kokumin kenko hoken (national health insurance system). Continue reading →

The best laid plans of mice and men – and even Wilhelmina Penn – often go astray.Due to unforeseen circumstances, the blog will not be able to return until June. Until then, cheers! Wilhelmina

It’s hard to believe a month has passed already since I parted ways with the Daily Yomiuri. (See: “Penn sans Paper” below for details). During that time, I took my first vacation outside Japan in ten years.  I’m still dreaming of those lovely Dutch daffodils here in Sapporo, where it’s cold and grey even in April. Yet, I have had to come to grips with the facts: I’m back, the Televiews column is gone, and the big question looms–so now what?  What do I do next? Continue reading →

PENN sans PAPER

I’ve written the weekly “Televiews” column for the Daily Yomiuri since March 1987. This week, I decided to bring it to a close. It’s always hard to know when to bow out and when to carry on. Then, sometimes, something unexpected happens to hasten the decision and make the choice obvious. Late on the evening of March 1, Continue reading →