Supercurricular Club: Japan's lost thirty years and its literature

“Japan’s Lost Thirty Years and Its Literature” explores how three decades of economic stagnation reshaped the stories Japan tells about itself. In this taster session, we will examine how novelists, manga artists, and filmmakers have responded to recession, precarious work, shifting family structures, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty. From quiet tales of everyday survival to surreal visions of collapse, we will consider how literature both reflects and challenges the social realities of post-bubble Japan. No prior knowledge of Japanese history or language is required - just curiosity.

This webinar is part of St Anne's Supercurricular Club - a series of online seminars aimed at students in Year 12 (or equivalent) looking to explore their interests ahead of applying to university. Sessions will be led by academics from St Anne's College, and will give students an introduction into university research and study. We will be running eight sessions on a range of different subjects (from pathogens to music to Japanese literature) every Thursday from 16 April to 4 June 2026.