In all seriousness, though, I feel like it helps to have someone to complain to (and who will laugh at me when I complain).

This is from the acknowledgments of my book that was just published last month...

I am rereading Japan's Longest Day for the first time in a long time, and find myself struck by the presentation of how Japan's leaders in the August 14, 1945 Imperial Conference regarded their sovereign after he restated his desire to terminate the war.

Picked this up on a whim in Nagoya last month, but am finding it really enjoyable!

I only learned today that Santa wears a red suit because in 1931, Coca-Cola began using him for an advertising campaign. Mind blown.

Who taught me? As usual, my son.

For Gaijin Mommy: the OG.

For those who miss the Routledge sale, I am attaching here additional codes for 20% off.

Here's another: Frisk sparkling peppermint drink
(from the line of frisk mints that are sold across Japan).

My son and I drank it last summer and felt like vomiting. It costs more than frisk mints, is overpowering, and the cost performance sucks. I don't know why they made that either.

I just learned that during the first year of the Russo-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army required so much command talent that in 1904 it shuttered the Army War College 陸軍大学校 for one year and had its students return to their units/regiments.

The War College reopened in 1905.

For those tired of RFK Jr. and in need a Kennedy timeline cleanse, I recently published an article on JFK and the politics of storytelling about the PT-109 incident in Japan.

It's fun, features a colorful cast of characters, and can be read for free 👇!

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My new book has a cover!
I'll post about it later, but it will (apparently) be released on December 24, 2024.

Mr. Donut has arrived in Hong Kong! Unfortunately, every time I’ve gone they are already all sold out.

It more effectively shows the horrors of nuclear weaponry. There is much greater focus on the devastation of the bombs and the human damage. The main section takes people through more powerful stories that show the reality wrought by the bomb.

I just toured the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for the first time in almost twenty years, and noticed great changes to the layout and exhibition.

I’m working from memory, but I think the changes were positive.