Japan's LDP leadership election is underway & 'kuromaku' culture is in full swing - the shadowy power behind the curtain. One of the earliest practitioners, right after WWII, was the gangster & ultranationalist Kodama Yoshio, who helped lay the foundations of the LDP. A 🧵

‘The sense in Japan of a society and culture under threat and in need of defending is set to be a potent force in politics for a good while to come.’ My piece for @thetimes.com today: www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...

One of the things that first drew me to Japan was its philosophy: growing out of myths, rituals and an awareness of impermanence, and worked into everyday life & art. A short 🧵 for anyone new to this... @takeshimorisato.bsky.social

A new Today in Japanese Politics: The first candidates announce their intentions as the LDP debates how to elect a new leader. Plus, a milestone meeting of defense ministers in Seoul. open.substack.com/pub/observin...

Another one for the 'and they wonder why Japanese people don't like tourists' file... www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09...

Ishiba is off! Japan's PM is stepping down, following two disastrous sets of election results on his watch. A battle for the soul of the LDP - still Japan's largest party, despite its recent woes - ensues. Backstory: www.historywithchrisharding.com/p/rise-of-th... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

For someone not previously much interested in Japanese politics, the last few weeks and months have been fascinating - and maybe historic. A short 🧵 for anyone curious about what's going on.

A side to Japan that not many people have seen - even if they've heard of @yokoono.bsky.social Fascinating stuff!

Pride of place this morning at our local @waterstones.bsky.social. And no, I didn’t put it there… 😂 @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social

At the risk of bringing the tone down on Bluesky... 1. The Exchange of Fire 2. The Screen Defence 3. The Fart Bomb 4. The Drive-By 5. Teamwork The Top Five moves in Japan's celebrated 'fart battle' artistic tradition. More here (& turn up the sound) 👉 instagram.com/p/DOI3JtMDJ0B/

Really enjoyed this conversation!

Gaming Japan’s bloody past | @drchrisharding.bsky.social engelsbergideas.com/notebook/gam...

For anyone after a Saturday samurai fix, here's @thehistoryguy.bsky.social talking to one of the historical advisors for Disney's #Shogun: shows.acast.com/dansnowshist...

Can Japan hang onto its 'nice things'...? My weekly post for IlluminAsia. www.illuminasia.org/p/bin-lorrie...

Some thoughts on the hoo-ha over #AssassinsCreedShadows. #AssassinsCreed #ACShadows

Fascinating - and shocking - stats.

“We just wanted to see the historic electric substation.”

This is well worth a read. 30 years on, it remains one of the most shocking moments in postwar Japanese history - both the attack itself, on the Tokyo underground, and the fact that ordinary, intelligent young people had seen so little future for themselves in Japan that they joined a cult.

Great piece on the re-enchantment phenomenon - of which I suspect the #TelepathyTapes are a part, with their criticism of scientific materialism and push for Idealism.

What the controversy over Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets wrong - does Japan’s prime minister need a history lesson? www.illuminasia.org/p/assassins-...