News

On August 19, 2025, Riaki Tanaka of the READ JAPAN PROJECT secretariat visited Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, to take part in a special DOKUSHO (reading) session with students.

Around 25 students joined a 90-minute discussion of Sayaka Murata’s novel Convenience Store Woman. The event sparked a lively exchange on the novel’s ending, the cultural significance of convenience stores, and broader questions such as “Are Japanese people shy—and why?” Students from various faculties contributed diverse perspectives, and their thoughtful, enthusiastic engagement left a lasting impression on the secretariat.

A short video of the event, including highlights of the discussion and an interview with Professor Emil F. Ubaldo, can be viewed at the following link:

　・Central Luzon State University (DOKUSHO reading session on Convenience Store Woman)

The READ JAPAN PROJECT secretariat extends its special thanks to the CLSU International Affairs Office for its support in filming and making this recording possible.

We are grateful for the warm hospitality extended by CLSU and the dedication of its faculty and students. We look forward to supporting future initiatives that foster dialogue and closer ties with Japan.