151: Haruki Murakami’s new novel. Plus, allegations resurface in J-pop.

<div>Last month, it was announced that Haruki Murakami would release a new full-length novel. True fans, also known as “Harukists” may note that the title for the upcoming work is the same as one of the author’s past “failures.” Harukist <strong>Daniel Morales</strong> joins the show to decipher clues as to what is going on. Later, <strong>Patrick St. Michel</strong> and <strong>Shaun McKenna</strong> discuss their thoughts on a BBC documentary on controversial J-pop titan Johnny Kitagawa. <br> Hosted by <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/">Shaun McKenna</a> and produced by <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/david-cortez/">Dave Cortez</a>.<br> <br> <strong>On this episode:</strong> <br> Shaun McKenna: <a href="https://twitter.com/jt_sloosh">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/slooshiness/">Instagram</a><br> Daniel Morales: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-daniel_morales/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/howtojapanese">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@howtojapanese">TikTok</a><br> Patrick St. Michel: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/patrick-st-michel/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mbmelodies">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://mbmelodies.substack.com/">Substack</a><br> <br> <strong>Read more/Hear more:</strong> </div> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/02/23/books/prepare-youre-expecting-one-murakamis-mammoths/">What to prepare for when you’re expecting one of Murakami’s mammoths</a> (Daniel Morales, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2017/04/24/language/murakami-relies-familiar-lexicon-new-book/">Conquering ‘Commendatore’: Murakami brandishes familiar lexicon in latest novel</a> (Daniel Morales, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/03/14/books/kenzaburo-oe-inspiration/?cx_testId=9&amp;cx_testVariant=cx_1&amp;cx_artPos=1&amp;cx_experienceId=EXOMNZ2EQYK1#cxrecs_s">The guilt of fatherhood helped shape Kenz