Yoko Tawada's 'The Last Children of Tokyo' Imagines a Dystopian Future Japan in ArtReview Asia
Yoko Tawada's novella 'The Last Children of Tokyo' presents a grim vision of a near-future Japan, characterized by societal breakdown and ecological ruin. The plot centers on Yoshiro, a centenarian writer, who looks after his great-grandson Mumei, afflicted by severe physical deformities likely stemming from a hidden environmental disaster, possibly nuclear fallout. The language has evolved, replacing words like 'mutation' with softer terms. The contaminated earth has caused the extinction of many animals, leaving only 'rental dogs,' cats, and rabbits, while children are left with shortened life spans. The story critiques modern Japan, addressing concerns such as an aging populace and nationalist policies. A glimmer of hope emerges through a clandestine group that chooses children as emissaries to find cures, blending Shinto beliefs with technological and environmental themes. Released in Summer 2018 in ArtReview Asia, it explores the legacy of disaster and societal change.
Key facts
- Yoko Tawada authored the novella 'The Last Children of Tokyo'
- The story is set in a near-future dystopian Japan
- Protagonist Yoshiro is over 100 years old and cares for his great-grandson Mumei
- Mumei has physical abnormalities like soft teeth and a long thin neck
- English is banned in this future Japan, and global connections are prohibited
- An environmental disaster, possibly nuclear fallout, has poisoned the soil
- A secretive organization selects children as emissaries to other countries
- The novella was published in the Summer 2018 issue of ArtReview Asia
Entities
Artists
- Yoko Tawada
- Yoshiro
- Mumei
- Shinzō Abe
Institutions
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Japan
- Tokyo
- China
- Korea