Greetings from Tokyo. I’m an editor at Eiji Press, a Japanese publishing company with a focus on social change. We released the Japanese edition of Jacqueline’s Novogratz’s book, The Blue Sweater, on February 2, 2010. Since then, we have received a wonderful response to the book and we believe that it will add momentum to the burgeoning social entrepreneurship movement in Japan.
In February 2009, Nana Watanabe, one of the most influential catalysts for the social entrepreneurship movement in Japan, sent me an email: “Jacqueline Novogratz is going to release a book in the US,” she said. I was excited because I had read about Jacqueline and Acumen Fund in Nana’s book, Changemakers: Social Entrepreneurs are Changing the World, so I asked the US publisher to send me a copy. It was one of the greatest books I’d ever read. We decided to buy the translation rights right away.
However, there were some concerns about the book. Generally, it is difficult to sell longer books like The Blue Sweater in Japan (the Japanese edition has 400 pages), and readers tend to choose books with clear titles, through which they can easily imagine the contents of the book. “The Blue Sweater” – what is the book about? Someone kindly advised me that it wouldn’t sell well with such a vague title.
But we believed in the power of The Blue Sweater. I asked a few authoritative figures to read the book and to write reviews in advance. Masahisa Kogure, a famous social entrepreneur in Japan, sent us a wonderful comment praising the book as a ‘must read’ for everyone conscious about our world. Mami Arai of Sanseido Bookstore said, “This book is really eye-opening, awaking us to sense of sympathy for this interdependent world. The Blue Sweater will change our future gently, steadily and extensively.” Our sales staff brought these reviews and a galley proof to many bookstores. “Please read this. You will understand the power of this book,” they said.
On the release date, The Blue Sweater was displayed at the front of many bookstores among many thinner and lower-priced bestsellers. After two weeks, the book was ranked in the top ten bestsellers in major book stores in Tokyo. Some newspapers, including Nikkei, also wrote great reviews. It didn’t take long for us to decide to do a second printing.
But the story had only just begun. Jacqueline visited Japan in April following our invitations. Tokyo Foundation and Japan Society organized a series of seminars featuring Jacqueline in Tokyo. They also gave Eiji Press a chance to organize an event on base-of-the-pyramid development in collaboration with The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI). The event was a great success and we received a lot of positive feedback.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet Jacqueline because I had to attend the London Book Fair that was held at the same time. However, I saw the impact of her visit. On many blogs and on Twitter, readers wrote about the book and recommended it strongly. Some magazines, newspapers and TVs contacted us to report on the book events. Readers sent us emails filled with delighted words. All of the book events featuring the author were filled to capacity.
The Blue Sweater is still selling well in Japan – we are currently considering a 4th printing. A circle of support has emerged among readers and a sense of cooperation has been growing among many people. Today in Japan, poverty is discussed more openly, and we hear more young people talking about what they can do to solve the problem, in part, thanks to The Blue Sweater.
The Blue Sweater is Jacqueline’s story, but it is not just one person’s story. It is also the story of the many people who appeared in the book, and it is becoming the story of the readers. As her blue sweater brought Jacqueline a great journey in life, the book itself has become a blue sweater for many readers. I hope it will spread all over the world.
Tatsunari Takano is editor of The Blue Sweater at Eiji Press in Japan. If you’re based in Japan and would like to get involved, a group of volunteers in Japan will be hosting a Blue Sweater book discussion in Japanese on July 9th in Tokyo. Please visit the event website for more details.
Tags: The Blue Sweater
This was a very interesting story. It showcases not just the impact that social entrepreneurship is making on a global level, but the desire of the people to learn through others’ experiences. Congratulations on the success of the book. I plan to pick up the titles mentioned in this post and will continue to spread the word. Here’s hoping to continued success in all areas of social entrepreneurship. Keep the fight to make positive differences alive.
Hi Michael,
I think you’re right – Jacqueline’s personal journey gives people insight into the challenges and dilemmas of charting new territory. I’m glad you’re planning to learn more and help us spread the word. Thanks so much for your support! Please keep it up and let us know if you have questions!
Wei Wei
Acumen Fund