大江健三郎 interview
I watched an interview of Kenzaburo Ooe, 
the 1994 Noble Price in Literature. He talked about different subjects. But one of them that attract my attention is when he was wondering what the intelectuals can do in such situation in Japan. Mr wrote in one of his essay: "The fundamental style of my writing has been to start from my personal matters and then link it up with society and the world." This time the bad situation on the national level has put even one of japanese prominent writer to ask what he and other intelecutals can do.
We see them only after big problems giving their point of vue and explaining the actual situation (Akihabara killing spree...).
Politicans need sometimes helping hand from non politicians, Mr Kanzaburo said before that he is not policymaker but he can combine his service with them to find solutions. I think japanese politicians need that now more than anytime in the past.
To the question:"What a japanese writer need to add to the discourse in Japan which apparently is so materialist and apparently lacking in humanist values?" His answer was that he criticized Japan in the past before and after the war for beeing what it cannot be. Now the ultranationalism is back and putting in danger the relationship with Asian countries and the rest of the world.
Some who have never read any essay from Mr Oe (I am one of them (-_-)) know him by his long fight for democracy. He even once refused "The Imperial Order of Culture" awarded days after he received the 1994 Noble Prixe for Literature.
It is so sad that people who can help bring some fresh ideas and hope to an ailing country are not part of the process of construction.
the 1994 Noble Price in Literature. He talked about different subjects. But one of them that attract my attention is when he was wondering what the intelectuals can do in such situation in Japan. Mr wrote in one of his essay: "The fundamental style of my writing has been to start from my personal matters and then link it up with society and the world." This time the bad situation on the national level has put even one of japanese prominent writer to ask what he and other intelecutals can do.
We see them only after big problems giving their point of vue and explaining the actual situation (Akihabara killing spree...).
Politicans need sometimes helping hand from non politicians, Mr Kanzaburo said before that he is not policymaker but he can combine his service with them to find solutions. I think japanese politicians need that now more than anytime in the past.
To the question:"What a japanese writer need to add to the discourse in Japan which apparently is so materialist and apparently lacking in humanist values?" His answer was that he criticized Japan in the past before and after the war for beeing what it cannot be. Now the ultranationalism is back and putting in danger the relationship with Asian countries and the rest of the world.
Some who have never read any essay from Mr Oe (I am one of them (-_-)) know him by his long fight for democracy. He even once refused "The Imperial Order of Culture" awarded days after he received the 1994 Noble Prixe for Literature.
It is so sad that people who can help bring some fresh ideas and hope to an ailing country are not part of the process of construction.