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For a long time I have wondered why we can enjoy music, fashions, and movies from around the world nearly at the same time as anywhere else, while there is always a considerable time lag before books that are successful abroad come slowly into our midst. In our rapidly moving world, I like the slow pace of translation, which can assure one of producing quality work; therefore, the anxious process of awaiting publication can itself be rewarding when the book is published.
In translation, the translator is everything. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have my work translated by many fine translators even though I don't speak a word of their language. The translators are of different nationalities, genders and personalities, yet they all seem to share a certain talent. They share their love of Japan and their deliberate choice to learn Japanese, knowing it would not be easy. But, there is something more-a certain skill for rendering subtleties of meaning. The depth of understanding that translators display has often made...