Japan

WAR: The fear of a third world war is becoming palpable. Last year, 59 armed conflicts were registered in the world, the highest number since the end of the previous world war. Can one today compare states at war with teenagers who have not yet developed the ability to think about consequences? Today, the possibility of nuclear war is undoubtedly present – with Norway linked to a nuclear-weapon dependent NATO.

WRITING: Murakami is charismatic without seeming pedantic. A mental training diary?

USA: Donald Trump broke down established norms and led democracy astray, but he would never have reached this far, if the groundwork had not been laid by others – this new tradition of imprecise wording, secrecy and dodgy methods.

PHOTO: Japanese women struggle between traditional gender roles, an expectation of work effort and reproduction while maintaining the role of "good wife, wise mother".

PROHIBITION: The world's largest Buddhist peace movement supports the initiative to ban the development and use of autonomous weapons and proposes to establish a group of friends for the ban on nuclear weapons.

ENVIRONMENT:  New Extinction Rebellion should be taken seriously.

Why are certain people in a position of power so preoccupied with killing those women who demand justice for the sex work they were forced to perform during World War II?

How can the story of a grocery store employee capture so many readers worldwide?

A different travelogue about two Norwegian women embarking on a monumental pilgrimage in Japan. On their way to 88 Shingon temples, they will let go of one and one mental blockage – the goal is redemption.

A suggestive tribute to the golden age of the avant-garde film draws me right in with its hypnotic soundscape – Japanese children's song, piano and a narrative voice. But then!

Horror, anime, samurai film, experiment, costume drama, monster movie and softcore – all Japanese films are in tension between east and west.