Japan P.E.N. Club issues statement on World War II

Japan P.E.N. Club issues statement on World War II

TOKYO, Japan - Japan P.E.N. Club head Jiro Asada holds a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2014, to release a statement reflecting on the Pacific theater of World War II against the United States triggered by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on the same day of 1941.

Renowned Japanese writers at press conference

Renowned Japanese writers at press conference

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Award-winning Japanese novelists Jiro Asada, Arimasa Osawa, Mariko Hayashi and Keigo Higashino attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 20, 2011. A group of renowned writers and cartoonists, including the four novelists, filed a suit with the Tokyo District Court the same day seeking a court order to stop digital book scanning services, alleging copyright infringement. They argue that such book scanning services could lead to the mass proliferation of pirated works on the Internet and hinder the formation of a digital book market.

Japan literary group leader Asada speaks out against security bills

Japan literary group leader Asada speaks out against security bills

Novelist Jiro Asada, president of the Japan P.E.N. Club, speaks at a symposium hosted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations in Tokyo on July 15, 2015, expressing his opposition against the government's controversial national security bills that would expand overseas activities of the Self-Defense Forces. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Novelist suggests PM Abe include "invasion" in war statement

Novelist suggests PM Abe include "invasion" in war statement

Novelist Jiro Asada (2nd from L) speaks at a study meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's young politicians in the National Diet Building in Tokyo on May 25, 2015, saying Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should include the word "invasion" in his statement this summer for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Novelist Asada speaks against security bills

Novelist Asada speaks against security bills

Author Jiro Asada delivers a speech in Tokyo on May 15, 2015. He criticized a series of bills that will relax limitations on the operations of the Self-Defense Forces, saying the legislation would hollow out Article 9 of the Constitution. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Renowned Japanese writers at press conference

Renowned Japanese writers at press conference

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Award-winning Japanese novelists Jiro Asada, Arimasa Osawa, Mariko Hayashi and Keigo Higashino attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 20, 2011. A group of renowned writers and cartoonists, including the four novelists, filed a suit with the Tokyo District Court the same day seeking a court order to stop digital book scanning services, alleging copyright infringement. They argue that such book scanning services could lead to the mass proliferation of pirated works on the Internet and hinder the formation of a digital book market. (Kyodo)