Read books to question and think about the boundaries of right and wrong in words and information
Bookshelves, hot springs, games, and movies. I have been proofreading "BRUTUS" for 16 years, and most of the text we see in our daily lives could be a source of information. These are three books that I found on the bookshelf of a proofreader.
"I found it fascinating to read the episode in Weak Ties about how, when someone searched for information about Chernobyl in Russian, they found a lot of information that they couldn't find in Japanese. There are multiple realities that can be reached through a search, and this is both a story about language and a story about the world that search engines lead to.
With this understanding as a premise, when proofreading, I use Japanese, English, and depending on the content of the feature or article, Hangul as well, and I also take into consideration the basis that the writer used when writing the manuscript before offering any questions or making any suggestions.
I read "Ecology of the Text" around 2009.
"This book explores how the texts of authors such as Soseki have changed over time, with editors and typesetters deciding on typos or inconsistencies, and so on. BRUTUS is a magazine in which proofreaders make the final markings, so if we mark up the text in red, it is printed exactly as we make it.
"There are various interferences in the process of creating magazines and books as products, and the text itself is generated. I was interested in this, but at a time when I was struggling with personal conflict, I read this book and began to wonder if there was a way to proofread in a way that was more faithful to the original text."
On his desk are dictionaries, encyclopedias, specialized books related to the special feature, back issues of BRUTUS, etc. There are also piles of manuscripts and galley proofs waiting for Nakane to read them. 
Check out the manuscript for Hakuhodo Kettle's bookshelf on page 34 of BRUTUS No. 999, "The Ideal Bookshelf."
The book I keep on my desk, "The Skeletons of Letters," is a practical book that I sometimes show to editors and writers.
"Watanabe's "Nabe" is a prime example, but the book allows you to read along with historical progression how the various character shapes came about, what is a correct character, and what guarantees correctness.
For example, if you're in a special feature on Japanese art and you're unsure about the kanji for "ki" (wear) and "cho" (approach), knowing that the two kanji have historically been used interchangeably will change your judgment about whether to question them. Proofreading and editing are often seen as the job of finding mistakes, but I believe my role is to judge how mistakes can be made and what kinds of mistakes are acceptable."
Three books in which the text fluctuates, the text changes, and search terms increase
"The Skeleton of Characters: Fonts / From Oracle Bone Script to Commonly Used Kanji" by Hajime Okuma
Dating back to ancient China, this book examines the characters that have been written and read from their birth to the present day, as well as their structure. It also includes information and explanations on the evolution of fonts and typefaces, as well as the events that influenced them. "It's a logical yet enjoyable book to read." Saiun Publishing / 2,200 yen.
"Ecology of the Text - Soseki, Ogai, Akutagawa" by Hiroshi Yamashita
Natsume Soseki's writing style has been changed from his original manuscripts both during his lifetime and after his death, such as standardizing the use of "I," "me," and "yohai." This is a specialized book that examines the connection between writers' expressions and writing and points out the problems. Published by the Japan Editor School / Out of print.
"Weak Ties: A Journey to Find Search Words" by Hiroki Azuma
What words do we use to name things? Search words that defy AI predictions, and what kind of world emerges when we change the search language? By contrasting the powerful internet with the weak real world, we explore the possibilities of irreplaceable ways of life. Gentosha Bunko / 594 yen.
Books by Nakane
