SWET is open to suggestions for speakers for future meetings. If you would like to talk somewhat informally on something relating to writing, editing, or translation, or other related field, or if you have an idea that you wish someone else would address, please drop SWET a line. We have the room. We have the dates. Now all we need is you.

May 19 - SWET Kansai: A Digital “Roving Reporter” Walk Through Japan

Date: May 19 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00-5:00 p.m. (tentative) (to be followed by early dinner/drinks)
Place: Kyoto (to be announced)
Attendance fee: SWET & JAT members 1,000 yen; nonmembers 1,500 yen.

British journalist Mary King spent 15 months walking through Japan, from the top of Hokkaido to Yonaguni Island, Okinawa. She covered 7,500 kilometres on foot while reporting from Japan's five main islands, and some of the nation's smaller ones, for newspapers, magazines and websites. Her new book Japan on Foot (foreword by Donald Richie) chronicles her journey. She will talk to SWET Kansai about what it was like to undertake a digital "roving reporter" walk in 2001-2002, and how the development of New Media technologies would allow for a different style of recording her adventures if she were to set off today.

Profile
Mary King hails from the U.K. and has 30 years experience as a journalist. Specialising as a travel writer and photographer for a number of years, she covered news and features stories in more than 60 countries – from Australia to Zimbabwe. Adventure and challenge are lifeblood to her. In Japan, Mary was travel editor and writer for the Asahi Shimbun. In 2009, she moved from Tokyo to Beijing to join China Radio International as a multimedia journalist. She presently hosts China Now, a daily three-hour features show.