The publisher says that several book reviews on Painless Civilization: A Philosophical Critique of Desire are scheduled to be published in newspapers. I look forward to reading them.

By the way, I am writing a paper for the forthcoming conference, Cross-Cultural Issues in Bioethics: The Example of Human Cloning, Bochum, Dec. 4-6, 2003 Ruhr-Universitat, Germany. I am going to present a paper on the debate on human cloning in Japan, and its legal regulation. The deadline for the paper has already passed, but I have not finished it.... I want to say something about "philosophy of life" in addition to legal issues.

Photo: Japanese shoji, a screen made of paper.

What's New: Nothing.

Three book reviews of Painless Civilization appeared in Nikkei Newspaper (by prof. Yoichiro Murakami), Tokyo Newspaper (by Etsuko Yamashita), and Kyodo News (by prof. Shuichi Kito) last week. I'll translate part of their reviews here soon....

Photo: A painting by a french painter.

What's New: Nothing.

Another book review appeared in Asahi Newspaper (by Tetsuya Miyazaki). This was an extraordinarily powerful article. I was moved by his book review. I'll translate it soon.

Photo: Light through a window

What's New: Nothing.

I am going to join the conference, Cross-Cultural Issues in Bioethics: The Example of Human Cloning, held in Bochum, Germany in December. I will present a paper on the debate on ethics of human cloning in Japan. Abridged excerpts of the paper was uploaded: The Ethics of Human Cloning and its Legal Regulation in Japan. After the conference, I will give a talk at Furankfurt University, and at an informal meeting at Bonn. I am planning to talk about bioethics in Japan, and Painless Civilization.

By the way, the second printing of Painless Civilization will arrive at bookstores on Dec.1. This is good news!

Photo: A painting by a Russian painter.

What's New: The Ethics of Human Cloning and its Legal Regulation in Japan.