The event is available in German (without headphones) or English (with headphones).

A well-adjusted office career, an obliging woman, really good food – Nitani knows what matters in life. The rules are clear, yet Nitani, whose greatest joy is eating instant ramen and who would rather get his entire nutrient intake from a pill, struggles to follow them. At his office, Ashikawa is the kind of woman he'll probably end up marrying: sweet-natured and determined to cure him of his instant-noodle addiction. But he finds it increasingly hard to respect her – or the sweet treats she hands out, securing her colleagues' affection through baking rather than hard work. His colleague Oshio is more unconventional – she's Nitani's drinking buddy. In the rigidly regulated world of the office, the two grow closer.

Written with humor and intelligence, Junko Takase’s novel asks why we sometimes take the wrong turn in life, using an office community to illuminate the absurdities of modern coexistence.

With Malu Schrader, Junko Takase will talk about writing her novel and publishing it in Japan, the UK and Germany – and about food in all its functions and facets and the office as a reflection of society.

Moderator: Malu Schrader

Consecutive Interpretation Japanese – German: Masako Tsuno

Simultaneous Interpretation German – English: Carmen Grau

The event is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan.

Organized by VIPO (Visual Industry Promotion Organization, Japan) and Litprom, an initiative of Frankfurter Buchmesse.

English edition: “May You Have Delicious Meals”, translated by Morgan Giles, Penguin Random House UK 2026