SCBWI Japan In-person Event: What We Talk About When We Cotranslate: A Conversation and Workshop with David Boyd and Asa Yoneda
Nov 21, 2026
Tokyo Women's Plaza 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5 Chome−53−67
Join SCBWI Japan for this in-person workshop on translation, Japanese to English, with renowned literary translators David Boyd and Asa Yoneda
Translation is often a solo experience, conducted in a space dedicated to exploring the author’s work and mind. What happens when translation is taken out of that context and executed as a collaboration? In this event, award-winning translators David Boyd and Asa Yoneda describe their joint translation projects and how they differ from working solo. Following their talk, participants will have the chance to walk through a “live translation” of a passage with the translators and compare their own process to it. (Participants will receive the passage in advance and are encouraged to translate it before the session, however individual feedback will not be provided.) Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from the best and sharpen your own translation skills!
Tama and Baby
Tama and Baby published by Enchanted Lion Books Written & illustrated by Kaya Doi Translated from Japanese by David Boyd and Asa Yoneda From the acclaimed creator of the Chirri & Chirra books, Kaya Doi, comes this absolutely adorable book about Tama the cat and her baby sister.
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Night on the Galactic Railroad published by Penguin Random House By Kenji Miyazawa Illustrated by Osamu Tsukasa Translated by Asa Yoneda and David Boyd The most renowned work by the legendary Japanese writer who inspired Studio Ghibli, Night on the Galactic Railroad is a classic. An adventure story steeped in profound themes. Available Dec 1 2026
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 18:00 - 19:30 (room opens at 17:30 for set-up)
Format: In-person only, no recording
Location: Tokyo Women's Plaza
Fees: Premium members 1,200 JPY; Preview members/ non-members 1,500 JPY - Fees will be collected at the venue.
Optional Dinner: following the event at nearby Un Cafe
Event Details:
18:00 - 18:45 Introduction to the speakers’ work in kid lit, description of working as a team, Q&A from participants.
18:45 - 19:30 "Live translation" of a passage/few pages of a PB which has been provided to participants in advance. Participants will be encouraged to translate it before the session, and compare their process and translation to the speakers’.
David Boyd
David Boyd’s English cotranslation with Sam Bett of Mieko Kawakami’s Heaven was shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize. His translations include the following children’s literature titles: Kaya Doi’s Tama & Baby (with Asa Yoneda, Enchanted Lion, 2026), Kenji Miyazawa & Osamu Tsukasa’s Night on the Galactic Railroad (with Asa Yoneda, Elsewhere Editions, forthcoming), Ryōji Arai’s The Snow Theater (Enchanted Lion, 2025), Kaya Doi’s Chirri & Chirra (six titles, Enchanted Lion), Arata Tendō & Ryōji Arai’s What What What? (Enchanted Lion, 2017), Hiroshi Osada & Ryōji Arai’s Every Color of Light: A Book About the Sky (Enchanted Lion, 2020), Hiroshi Osada & Ryōji Arai’s Almost Nothing, Yet Everything (Enchanted Lion, 2021), and Kiyo Tanaka’s The Little One (Enchanted Lion, 2021).
Asa Yoneda
Asa Yoneda’s English translation of Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami was shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize. Her translations include Rin Usami’s Idol Burning—a YA novel and winner of the 2020 Akutagawa Prize. Her other children’s literature titles include Kaya Doi’s Tama & Baby (with David Boyd, Enchanted Lion, 2026), Kenji Miyazawa & Osamu Tsukasa’s Night on the Galactic Railroad (with David Boyd, Elsewhere Editions, forthcoming), and Atsushi Nakajima’s The Moon Over the Mountain (Kodansha, 2023).