Via I'm pointed to Takayuki Iwasaki's piece in Nikkei Asian Review finding Japan's literati impervious to politics -- meaning that, despite tensions with nearby South Korea, China, and Taiwan, Japanese titles are still selling well in those markets.
But, while the Americans and Europeans don't have similar beefs with the Japanese: "exports to Europe and the U.S. are not progressing as desired".
Yes:
Yes:
Japanese literature is struggling in Europe and the U.S. Writers such as Fuminori Nakamura and Yoko Ogawa have garnered attention, but Haruki Murakami is about the only widely recognized author. It is difficult to get Japanese literature translated and sold in the U.S. and European markets, where commercial success is a prerequisite.I note that Higashino also gets published in English (The Devotion of Suspect X and Naoko, among others) -- even if he has not enjoyed anywhere near as much success and popularity as he has in easter Asia --, and Isaka's Remote Control is also available. But, yes, overall the US/European picture is pretty dismal regarding translation-from-the Japanese.