Local novels go Japanese

SEMARANG: A novel written in 1983 by the respected literary figure Y.B. Mangunwijaya, Ikan-ikan Hiu Ido Homa, has been published in Japanese.

"I am very proud of it and consider it an extraordinary breakthrough for an Indonesian literary piece to be published in Japanese. As we all know they translate more European and American works, and are less interested in Asian ones," Mangunwijaya said when asked to comment.

Mangunwijaya, a priest better known as Romo (Father) Mangun, said it was because of Funachi Megumi, a 70 year-old Japanese cultural advocate, who translated his novel that his the book which was written in 1983, ever got published.

He said other Indonesian literary works have also been translated and published in Japanese. These include books by Muchtar Lubis', N.H. Dini's, and Pramoedya Ananta Toer's. The latter's works are mostly banned in Indonesia.

The Japanese translation of Ikan-ikan Hiu Ido Homa is published by Mekong Tokyo publishing company. (har/26)