YABUNONAKAーヤブノナカー

*YABUNONAKA* (by Hitomi Kanahara, Bungeishunju, 2025) is an ensemble drama that tackles the equally contemporary theme of “accusation.” Triggered by a woman’s decision to come forward about past sexual exploitation a decade later, a series of incidents unfolds. The novel delves deeply into how the line between justice and perpetration becomes blurred—through retroactive condemnation and vigilante justice—as well as how each character constructs a version of the truth that suits their own interests. Another aspect I personally love about Kanahara’s work is the abundance of beautiful Japanese phrases that beg to be read aloud. I don’t know of any other novel where you’ll come across a line like, “Men are harmful scum as long as they have sexual desire, and once that desire fades, they’re just harmful trash, aren’t they?”