Every month, I like to look back on the books I’ve read—and March was no exception.
Books I Read
Fiction
Unnamed File by Yū Shinada
This month I became a huge fan of Yū Shinada (also known as Da Vinci Osorezan). He’s a remarkably versatile creator—many of you may already know him as a writer for Omocoro, and he’s quite popular on Twitter as well. Honestly, it feels thrilling to live in the same era as someone whose insights are so sharp and incisive. His writing cuts straight to the heart of our shared contemporary experience, and the very first story in Unnamed File resonated with me more than anything. The depiction of how people behave on social media—it’s uncanny in its accuracy.
Is Osorezan my “oshi”? Probably not—though maybe I am? I’m less interested in his personal actions than in the creativity he produces. I watch every episode of the Omocoro YouTube channel and subscribe to his paid “Oolong Tea Magazine” note. His work consistently inspires me.
Tsuda University–Related Reads
In March, I graduated from Tsuda University’s Department of Policy Studies. To commemorate that milestone, I read two books deeply tied to my alma mater.
- Watashi no Rirekisho (My Resume) by Ryoko Akamatsu
I received the Ryoko Akamatsu Prize for my graduation thesis, so I wanted to learn more about the woman behind its name. Akamatsu—often called the “Mother of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act in Japan”—spent her life pursuing a single, powerful goal. Reading her memoir, I was struck by her relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment to gender equality.- As part of the award, I also received a ¥10,000 book voucher and a signed copy of Chikuma Junior Shinsho’s Tsuda Umeko, which I happily dove into next.
- Tsuda Umeko by Takahashi Yuko
After finishing this biography, my biggest takeaway was imagining what Umeko might study if she were alive today. Her boundless curiosity suggests she’d gravitate toward a “cool” field—and given modern technological advances, I suspect she’d choose computer science. Historically, on her second trip to the U.S., she majored in biology (initially traveling there to learn teaching methodology as she was an English teacher in Japan). I admire how she broke away from prescribed roles to pursue what truly fascinated her. This stood out to me especially because I feel a tinge of sadness that so few women study computer science and engineering. Over the past four years in Women in Tech communities, I’ve noticed many tech‑interested women ultimately gravitate toward gender studies rather than technical fields. While understanding the social forces shaping women’s lives is vitally important, it doesn’t directly increase the number of female engineers. I want to be part of changing that dynamic—so like Umeko studying biology against expectations, I plan to deepen my technical expertise next.
Books on My April Reading List
With work starting again on April 1, I’m not sure how much reading time I’ll have—but I’m determined to carve out space for it because reading does wonders for my well‑being (at least according to my personal data!).
Fiction
- Chemistry Class Begins
- Aria on the C Line
Technology & Professional Development
- Skills of a Successful Software Engineer (Manning Publications)
- LLMs in Production (Manning Publications)
- AI kara Yomitoku Shakai: Kenryokuka suru Saishin Gijutsu
I first heard about the last title while giving a Lightening Talk at WTM Tokyo’s International Women’s Day 2025 event. Its lead author, Dr. Itazu, is also a Tsuda alumna—another uncanny reminder that this month has been a deep dive into everything Tsuda.
Lately, I’ve been fascinated (and frankly concerned) about the harmful social impacts of AI and other emerging technologies. Too many tech professionals blindly worship the latest innovations without critically examining their darker sides. I want to educate myself so I can speak up knowledgeably about these trends. If you have any book or article recommendations on this topic, please send them my way!
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