The cumulative number of copies sold for "What Could Have Been Done?" by documentary director Tomoaki Fujino, published by Bungeishunju Ltd., has surpassed 20,000 copies.

"What Could Have Been Done?" (Author: Tomoaki Fujino) Book Cover

◇ Featured in Over 20 Media Outlets & Articles Recorded Approximately 7.8 Million PV

Since its publication on January 29th, the book has been featured in over 20 media outlets, including newspapers such as "Yomiuri Shimbun" and "Hokkaido Shimbun," and "Radio Shin-ya Bin" (NHK). Articles related to the book on the web media "Bungeishunju Online" have recorded a total of approximately 7.8 million PV. Furthermore, it achieved the No. 1 genre ranking in five categories on Amazon's best-selling list, including "Psychiatric Non-Fiction" and "Books on Film," becoming a long-selling hit nationwide while attracting significant attention.

Readers have been sending in heartfelt, lengthy reviews, such as, "I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one sitting that day," "It made me think deeply about what family truly means," "I couldn't read it without tears. I want as many people as possible to read it," and "I am grateful for sharing such a valuable record for individuals with schizophrenia and their families."

◇ Depicting the Behind-the-Scenes of a Shocking Documentary

"What Could Have Been Done?" by Tomoaki Fujino (Bungeishunju) / ©2024 Dougakobo Zoshima

His older sister, who was so intelligent that she was attending medical school, suddenly began to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia and started shouting. Her doctor and researcher parents kept her away from medical care, claiming she was "not ill," and locked her up at home with a padlock. The younger brother, worried about his changed sister and questioning his parents' actions, was unable to do anything.

A recording of the family's home environment when the sister first showed symptoms of schizophrenia (Illustration: Tomoaki Fujino). "What Could Have Been Done?" by Tomoaki Fujino (Bungeishunju)

The film "What Could Have Been Done?" by director Tomoaki Fujino, who has been filming his own family for 20 years, began screening in 4 theaters in December 2024, and has since been shown in 150 theaters nationwide, attracting over 170,000 viewers. Screenings are still ongoing more than a year and a half after its release, marking an exceptionally big hit for a documentary film.

An illustration of the family drawn by the sister. "What Could Have Been Done?" by Tomoaki Fujino (Bungeishunju) / ©2024 Dougakobo Zoshima

The book version of this work reveals shocking family truths that could not be included in the film, as well as the sadness, anger, confusion, conflict, joy, and hope experienced during the time spent with his sister and parents, expressed in the director's own candid words, conveying what could not be fully conveyed through visuals.

As you experience the history of one family, you will be struck by a breathtaking shock and inevitably ask yourself, "What is family?" "What is life?" and "What could have been done?" This is a book to be delivered to everyone who tries to live with someone, despite holding onto unmanageable feelings.

◇ Documentary Film "What Could Have Been Done?" Overview

"What Could Have Been Done?" by Tomoaki Fujino (Bungeishunju) / ©2024 Dougakobo Zoshima

His older sister, who was caring and talented at drawing, and 8 years his senior. Influenced by her parents, she aspired to be a doctor and entered medical school. One day, she suddenly began shouting things that seemed unreal. Schizophrenia was suspected, but her father and mother, both doctors and researchers, did not acknowledge it and kept her away from psychiatric treatment. Tomoaki Fujino (the director), her younger brother, who questioned his parents' decision, attempted to persuade them, but no resolution was reached, and he left his parents' home with lingering resentment.

"Nothing will remain if things continue like this." 18 years after she is believed to have developed the illness, Fujino, who had studied filmmaking, began documenting his family's life during his visits home. While filming outings and meals with his family, he listened to his parents and continued to speak to his sister, but the situation worsened. His parents began locking his sister in the house with chains and padlocks on the front door...

This work, which captures the dialogue with his family through the camera for 20 years, records the inside of the house, isolated from society, and his sister's condition. The question without an answer, "What could have been done?" transcends the screen and continues to resonate deep within us. A groundbreaking documentary for everyone living with the inability to understand each other.

◇ Comment from Author Tomoaki Fujino

As I read the reader reviews that come in every day,

I hope that my experiences and thoughts

can be of some help.

◇ Author Profile

Tomoaki Fujino (ふじの・ともあき)

Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1966. After graduating from Hokkaido University, he worked for a while before entering the Sound Recording Course at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. He studied under director Shigeki Chiba. In 2012, he returned to Sapporo to care for his family and in 2013, he established "Dougakobo Zoshima" with Yumiko Asano. He primarily produces films on the theme of human rights violations against minorities. His directorial works include the short documentary "Return After 85 Years to the Ainu Remains at Kitsuneus Kotan" (17), the feature documentaries "Torimodosu" (19), "Kamoichep Sake Fishing and Prior Rights" (20), and "Ainu Purri Burial, 2019, Toepokotan" (21). His film "What Could Have Been Done?" (24) has been screened domestically and internationally at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival [Japan Program], Taiwan International Documentary Film Festival, JAPANCUTS (New York), and Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. He is currently working on "What are Ainu Prior Rights? The Challenge of the Raporo Ainu Nation (tentative title)" and a documentary about the late Dahinnien Gendarnu of the indigenous Wita people, re-interviewing in Sakhalin. The film "Yūho No Border," directed by Yumiko Asano, for which he served as producer, cinematographer, and editor, is currently in theaters.

Book Information

Title: "What Could Have Been Done?"

Author: Tomoaki Fujino

Format: Paperback with cover

Pages: 200 pages

Release Date: January 29, 2026

Price: 1,650 yen (tax included) / E-book: 1,599 yen (tax included)

Publisher: Bungeishunju Ltd.

ISBN: 978-4-16-392064-1

Bibliographic URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784163920641

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 書籍
  • Organizations: NHK / Amazon / JAPANCUTS