Tokyo Weekender

Tokyo Weekender is an English-language magazine published in Japan. Founded in 1970 by Millard “Corky” Alexander, a Korean War veteran, and Susan Scully, it began as a free, regular publication intended for English-speaking residents and visitors in Japan. Its launch made it one of the country’s earliest dedicated English-language media outlets and, according to descriptions of its history, the first free regular English publication in Japan. The magazine originally appeared on a bi-monthly schedule. At an earlier stage it was distributed inside the Friday edition of the English Daily Yomiuri, linking the title to one of Japan’s established English-language newspaper channels. Tokyo Weekender subsequently developed as an independent magazine brand and is now published monthly. Its editorial subject matter has centered on life in Japan, with coverage and features spanning society, culture, entertainment, travel, events, food, business, and the experiences of the international community. The publication remained closely associated with its founding family after Corky Alexander’s death. His daughter and son-in-law took over the magazine before it was later relaunched by Caroline Pover. A major ownership transition occurred in 2008, when Tokyo Weekender was acquired by Bulbouscell Media Group. In 2015, Bulbouscell was purchased by Japanese public-relations agency Sunny Side Up Inc. The magazine later became associated with ENGAWA K.K., a Sunny Side Up group company established in late 2015, reflecting a broader shift toward integrating English-language media with communications, inbound marketing, and international business activities. Tokyo Weekender has maintained a recognizable presence in Japan’s expatriate and internationally oriented media environment. Its long-running contributors have included Bill Hersey, whose party column ran for more than four decades, as well as Ian de Stains OBE, Lisa Wallin, Annemarie Luck, Nicholas Narigon, Matthew Hernon, and others. Hersey’s social coverage continued in a successor column, “TW Social,” written by David Schneider. The title’s editorial and creative contributors have helped position it as a guide to Tokyo and Japan for readers who consume English-language information while living in, visiting, or engaging with the country. The magazine marked its 40th anniversary in 2010 and was featured by NHK and NHK World in connection with that milestone. In April 2020, Nick Narigon was appointed editor in chief, replacing Annemarie Luck. The publication also maintains an online edition and an archive of earlier issues, allowing the brand to operate across print, web, and historical-content formats. Its continuing identity is that of a Japan-focused English-language lifestyle and city magazine rather than a mass-market international publishing house.

Tokyo Weekender was established in Japan in 1970 by Millard “Corky” Alexander and Susan Scully, former colleagues at Pacific Stars and Stripes. Alexander was a Korean War veteran, while both founders had experience working in English-language media. Their publication was created for an English-speaking readership in Japan and initially appeared free of charge on a bi-monthly basis. The magazine’s early distribution included insertion in the Friday edition of the English Daily Yomiuri. This arrangement gave Tokyo Weekender access to an established newspaper audience while preserving its identity as a dedicated magazine. It became notable as the first free regular English publication in Japan and developed a long-running role in reporting on Tokyo life, social activity, culture, entertainment, and issues relevant to the international community. After Alexander’s death, ownership passed to his daughter and son-in-law. The title was later relaunched by Caroline Pover, marking a further stage in its editorial and commercial development. In 2008, Bulbouscell Media Group purchased Tokyo Weekender. Seven years later, in 2015, Bulbouscell was acquired by Sunny Side Up Inc., a Japanese public-relations company. Tokyo Weekender subsequently became connected with ENGAWA K.K., an SSU group company founded in late 2015. This ownership history placed the magazine within a communications group rather than leaving it solely as an independent family publication. The magazine’s publishing frequency eventually changed from its original bi-monthly schedule to a monthly format. Alongside the print edition, Tokyo Weekender developed an online presence and preserved an archive of original issues. Its editorial contributors have included Annemarie Luck, Lisa Wallin, Nicholas Narigon, Liam Ramshaw, Matthew Hernon, Ian de Stains OBE, and Japanese broadcaster NHK contributor Ian de Stains. Bill Hersey was the publication’s longest-running contributor; his party column appeared for more than 40 years until his death in 2018. The social-reporting tradition continued through David Schneider’s “TW Social” column. Tokyo Weekender received wider public attention when NHK and NHK World featured the publication during its 40th-anniversary year in 2010. In April 2020, Nick Narigon became editor in chief, replacing Annemarie Luck. The appointment represented a leadership transition during a period when the magazine was operating through both print and digital channels. The brand’s historical importance rests on its sustained service to English-speaking audiences in Japan. Rather than competing as a general global news organization, it has focused on Tokyo and Japan-oriented lifestyle journalism, including city guidance, society, culture, travel, entertainment, food, and community coverage. Its archive, long-running contributors, and continued monthly and online publishing have allowed it to retain a distinct position in Japan’s international media landscape.

1. 2025Fifty-fifth anniversary exhibition

   A Shibuya exhibition is reported in connection with Tokyo Weekender’s 55th anniversary.

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2. 2020Nick Narigon is appointed editor in chief

   Narigon replaces Annemarie Luck as editor in chief in April.

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3. 2015Sunny Side Up acquires Bulbouscell Media Group

   Sunny Side Up Inc. purchases Bulbouscell Media Group, bringing Tokyo Weekender into the wider Sunny Side Up group.

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4. 2010Fortieth anniversary coverage

   NHK and NHK World feature Tokyo Weekender as it marks 40 years of publication.

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5. 2008Bulbouscell Media Group acquires the magazine

   Tokyo Weekender is purchased by Bulbouscell Media Group.

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6. 1970Tokyo Weekender is founded

   Millard “Corky” Alexander and Susan Scully establish the English-language publication in Japan.

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7. 1970The magazine begins as a free bi-monthly publication

   Tokyo Weekender launches as a free regular English publication and is distributed in connection with the Friday edition of the English Daily Yomiuri.

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A Japan-focused English-language lifestyle and city publication serving international residents, visitors, and readers interested in Tokyo and Japanese culture.

• Tokyo Weekender magazineEnglish-language lifestyle magazine1970

  The core publication is an English-language magazine about Tokyo and Japan. It covers lifestyle, culture, society, travel, entertainment, food, events, and matters affecting the international community. The title began on a bi-monthly schedule and later became a monthly publication.

• Tokyo Weekender online editionDigital media

  The online edition extends the magazine’s Japan-focused editorial coverage to digital readers. It provides articles and features related to Tokyo, Japanese culture, travel, society, entertainment, and international life in Japan.

• Tokyo Weekender archivesPublication archive

  The archive preserves selected original issues and historical material from the publication. It gives readers access to the magazine’s long editorial record and documents changing international life and popular culture in Japan.

• 2020Editorial leadership transitionStrategy

  Tokyo Weekender continued operating as a print and online publication with a long-established editorial identity.

  What changed. The magazine appointed Nick Narigon editor in chief, replacing Annemarie Luck.

  Aftermath. The change marked a new editorial leadership phase for the publication.

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• 2015Sunny Side Up acquires Bulbouscell Media GroupM&A

  Bulbouscell Media Group owned Tokyo Weekender after acquiring it in 2008.

  What changed. Sunny Side Up Inc. acquired Bulbouscell Media Group. Tokyo Weekender later became associated with ENGAWA K.K., a Sunny Side Up group company.

  Aftermath. The magazine became part of a broader public-relations and communications group structure.

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• 2008Acquisition by Bulbouscell Media GroupM&A

  Tokyo Weekender had operated for decades as an English-language publication serving readers in Japan before entering a new ownership phase.

  What changed. Bulbouscell Media Group purchased the magazine.

  Aftermath. The acquisition preceded the magazine’s later integration into the Sunny Side Up group.

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• 2025Tokyo Weekender celebrates its 55th anniversary with a Shibuya exhibition

  A Shibuya exhibition was reported in connection with the publication’s 55th anniversary, reflecting the magazine’s continued historical presence in Japan’s English-language media.

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• 2020Nick Narigon becomes editor in chief

  Tokyo Weekender appointed Nick Narigon as editor in chief in April 2020, replacing Annemarie Luck.

  Leadership change
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• 2015Tokyo Weekender ownership moves into the Sunny Side Up group

  Sunny Side Up Inc. acquired Bulbouscell Media Group, which had purchased Tokyo Weekender in 2008. The magazine later became associated with ENGAWA K.K., a Sunny Side Up group company.

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• 2010Tokyo Weekender marks its 40th anniversary

  The magazine’s 40th-anniversary activities received coverage from NHK and NHK World, highlighting its longevity in Japan’s English-language media sector.

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1. Tokyo Weekender
2. English-language media Tokyo Weekender holds 55th anniversary exhibition in Shibuya
3. Tokyo Weekender online edition
4. Tokyo Weekender archives
5. ENGAWA