本研究は、戦後から90年代にかけて、日本近現代文学が英語翻訳を通して世界の主要な文学（キャノン）になっていく過程を、英語翻訳の生産・出版・流通の側面から解明する。1）英語翻訳初動期のキャノン形成2)村上春樹の英語翻訳によるキャノンの変容を中心に据え、日本近現代文学研究に英語翻訳という新たな通史的な視野を拓く。文学研究における正典（キャノン）とは、その芸術的価値を権威によって跡づけられた作品を指す術語である。本研究では、日本近現代文学の英語翻訳における基準の確立とその変遷という観点から、日本文学が世界に普及する過程を明らかにする

家庭の事情において、2016年度は研究の進行がきわめて困難だったため、以下の基礎調査のみを継続して行いました。・電子書籍の市場観測（日本）・電子書籍コンテンツの現況観測(日本）・試作中の電子書籍アプリケーション二種類のテストおよびデータの補完電子書籍の環境の急速な普及(一般化)と変化についての過去2年間の観察を前提に、ソーシャル・リーディング・アプリケーションの試用実験および改良を予定していたものの、親族（出生した娘）の介護の必要が生じたため、上記計画は2017年度に繰り延べることとして、補助事業期間の延長申請を行いました。開発中のアプリケーションのテストと各種データの実装を、2017年夏を目標に行い、その試用実験をふまえて、2017年内に開発を終了、そのリポートとともに残る期間に研究報告書を作成することを目指しています。2016年度の社会状況を踏まえた試用実験を実施する

Research was conducted into contemporary Japanese literature (with a focus on the past decade) in English translation. Over a dozen book-length works (as well as many other shorter works) were analyzed in both the Japanese originals and English translations for themes, style, translation strategies, etc. We also examined paratextual factors (book covers, blurbs, reviews, etc.) and interviewed translators, editors, and other publishing professionals to gain a better understanding of 1) the process by which these literary texts were produced and 2) how these works were received in the Anglophone world. The basic research conducted as part of this project helped identify further research areas and ultimately lead to the publication of several articles on current trends in Japanese literature in the Anglophone field.    

Research was conducted into the translation, circulation and reception of contemporary Japanese literature in the Anglophone publishing sphere. While capital-rich institutions in both the source and target fields continue to have a major influence on the translation and circulation of contemporary Japanese literature in English translation, a significant number of new channels for publication have been opening up, resulting in the diversification of Japanese literature available in English translation (as well as the individual agents such as translators and editors involved in the process).

Haruki Murakami is the most widely read contemporary Japanese author today. Translated into almost fifty languages, his works have become bestsellers in many countries and have garnered critical acclaim internationally. Various scholars and critics have attempted to explain Murakami’s international success by connecting certain characteristics and themes in his work to perceived needs of readerships in various national and historical contexts. While there is no doubt that Murakami’s fictional worlds have spoken to readers worldwide, his phenomenal ‘commercial’ and ‘critical’ success cannot be fully understood through an analysis of his works alone. Needless to say, this has been possible due to the work of numerous individuals and institutions who have translated, rewritten, and (re)produced ‘Haruki Murakami’ and his within various national and cultural contexts. This project built on my previous research to examine in greater the depth the roles played by key ‘rewriters’ in establishing both Murakami’s ‘literary value’ and ‘popularity’ in the Anglophone world—in particular the role of the New Yorker magazine in strengthening Murakami’s image (particularly in the US and also internationally) as a serious literary author ‘committed’ to tackling important 'historical' and 'contemporary' issues.