Author: Jake Adelstein in Conversation

In partnership with the Japan Society of Northern California
Wednesday, 5/28/2025
3:00 - 6:30
Koret Auditorium
Koret Lobby
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Join us to hear from Jake Adelstein about Tokyo Vice, his work as a journalist in Japan, and more.

About Jake Adelstein: 

Jake Adelstein was a reporter for Yomiuri Shinbun, Japan’s largest newspaper, from 1993 to 2005. From 2006 to 2007 he was the chief investigator for a US State Department–sponsored study of human trafficking in Japan. He is the author of Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan (2009), which inspired the Max original streaming television series Tokyo Vice (2022). He has published two subsequent books on the underworld in Japan, The Last Yakuza (2022) and Tokyo Noir (2024). Considered one of the foremost experts on organized crime in Japan, he works as a writer and consultant in Japan and the United States.

About Japan Society of Northern California:

Founded in 1905, the Japan Society of Northern California works to advance U.S.–Japan collaboration and understanding in a global context. The Society offers an array of programs and networking opportunities for people and organizations in the Bay Area with a strong interest in Japan. It is the place to go for U.S.– Japan insights, opportunities, collaboration, and networking.

Connect:

Jake Adelstein - Website | Jake Adelstein - X (Twitter) | Japan Society of Northern California - Website

Author Readings & Lectures

Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

Japanese Interest

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Japanese community and culture.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.