My third "Letter from Tokyo" for The Japan Society of Boston
LETTER FROM TOKYO, JULY 2021: THE GAMAN GAMES One hot July day I was invited to give a TED Talk in Tokyo about “Japanamerica” and “Cool Japan,” the government’s campaign to capitalize on the international appeal of Japanese popular culture. But I didn't feel cool at all, and I didn't want to speak again about manga and anime, so instead I gave a talk about gaman : the virtue of enduring adversity with patience and dignity, and without whining. Every July in Tokyo puts gaman to the test. The rainy season evaporates and the sun reclaims the sky, blasting over the city’s concrete with a vengeance. Tsuyu ’s misty speckles on your brow turn to smears of sweat. Venturing outside of your air-conditioned cave is a trial. And after only a few 100-degree days, you know you're in trouble when sitting on your veranda at midnight feels nearly as stultifying as a lunch-hour stroll at high noon. This July, Tokyo has the added trials of a fourth Covid-19 “state of emergency” until Sept...