S1 Ep153: The Japanese parliament expels some GaaSyy
He launched a career on YouTube running his mouth on celebs, but in less than a year Yoshikazu “GaaSyy” Higashitani has gone from that to running successfully for office to running from the law. Politics reporter Gabriele Ninivaggi joins the show this week to discuss what this parliamentary upstart’s rise and fall says about how politics is done in Japan. And, who exactly are the Party Politici...
25m Mar 29, 2023
25m
S1 Ep152: The cherry blossoms are here and business is blooming
It’s been three years since people in Japan could welcome spring with traditional picnics under the country’s millions of cherry trees. This week Kathleen Benoza explains how much money is at stake during the season, while Thu-Huong Ha and Alyssa I. Smith discuss the science, symbolism and culture surrounding the cherry blossoms in Japan. On this episode: Kathleen Benoza: Articles (https://www...
28m Mar 23, 2023
28m
S1 Ep151: Haruki Murakami’s new novel. Plus, allegations resurface in J-pop.
Last month, it was announced that Haruki Murakami would release a new full-length novel. True fans, also known as “Harukists” may note that the title for the upcoming work is the same as one of the author’s past “failures.” Harukist Daniel Morales joins the show to decipher clues as to what is going on. Later, Patrick St. Michel and Shaun McKenna discuss their thoughts on a BBC documentary on c...
33m Mar 15, 2023
33m
S1 Ep150: Moving to Fukushima? You’ll have to kick out the boars first
This week marks the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear meltdowns that took place in its wake. Alex K.T. Martin joins us to discuss where Fukushima is in terms of its recovery and drive to repopulate. Of course, before they bring people back, they’ll need to deal with the wild animals that have moved in. Hosted by Shaun McKenna (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/autho...
23m Mar 08, 2023
23m
S1 Ep149: Infinity and beyond: Yayoi Kusama’s next evolution
You may know Yayoi Kusama for her polka-dotted pumpkins or Insta-ready exhibitions, but this artist from Matsumoto has a long history of radical forms of expression. This week, culture critic Thu-Huong Ha joins the podcast to explore Kusama’s past and the latest stage in her evolution. Hosted by Jason Jenkins (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-jason_jenkins/) and produced by Dave Cortez (...
25m Mar 02, 2023
25m
S1 Ep148: A Japanese photographer heads to Ukraine; a student flees to Tokyo
On the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Gabriel Dominguez joins the podcast to talk about the effects this war in Europe has had on Japan. We then speak to Japanese photojournalist Saphryn Shikaze, who is on the front lines of the conflict. Then, we ask Ukrainian student Natalia Makohon about her experience as an evacuee here in Tokyo. Hosted by Shaun McKenna (https://www.japantimes...
28m Feb 22, 2023
28m
S1 Ep147: Living with disaster: Building the cities of the future
After a large earthquake struck Turkey and Syria last week, those of us living in Japan can’t help but worry about something similar happening here. This week, we speak to Prof. Hitoshi Abe, an architect who has some ideas on how to start designing our cities to better deal with such inevitable disasters. Hosted by: Shaun McKenna (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/) and Jason J...
22m Feb 15, 2023
22m
S1 Ep146: I can’t believe it’s not meat! Is lab-grown beef on Japanese menus?
The reviews are in, lab-grown meat is … good? This week, Oscar Boyd gives us a review of his cultured chicken meal and runs down the environmental implications of such an endeavor, while Tomoko Otake gets us caught up on where Japan stands in the great race to replicate beef. Hosted by Shaun McKenna (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/) and produced by Dave Cortez (https://www.j...
21m Feb 08, 2023
21m
S1 Ep145: The sword, the shield and the new face of Japan's military
As 2022 wrapped up, the Japanese government let forth a flurry of defense policy announcements. Those were followed by a five-nation tour by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and talk of a tax hike to pay for it all. Gabriel Dominguez joins the podcast this week to try to help us make sense of it all. Hosted by Jason Jenkins (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-jason_jenkins/) and produced by ...
28m Feb 01, 2023
28m
S1 Ep144: Japan on a plate: Our food critic reveals his favorite spots
From noodle stands to Michelin-starred restaurants, Japan has some of the most amazing food in the world. Food writer Robbie Swinnerton has been covering Tokyo’s culinary scene for decades, so for this week’s episode we asked him to pick out a few standout meals from last year. Hosted by Jason Jenkins (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-jason_jenkins/) and produced by Dave Cortez (https:/...
28m Jan 25, 2023
28m
S1 Ep143: Clutter, trash and hoarding disorder in Japan
With Marie Kondo and those tidy soccer fans representing Japan overseas, you’d be forgiven for thinking that everything is spick and span at home. This week, Alex K.T. Martin looks at what form compulsive hoarding disorder takes in Japan and how it manifests when combined with other aspects of life here. Hosted by Shaun McKenna (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/) and produced ...
20m Jan 18, 2023
20m
S1 Ep142: Culture in 2022: Good books, outdoor art and ‘Tokyo Vice’
For the final Deep Dive of the year, culture editor Alyssa I. Smith talks to culture critic Thu-Huong Ha about the books they read, the festivals they went to and how Japanese stories are currently capturing Hollywood’s attention. Hosted by Alyssa I. Smith (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/alyssa-i-smith/) and produced by Dave Cortez (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/david-cortez/) . On...
27m Dec 21, 2022
27m
S1 Ep141: Is it too late to save the Japanese giant salamander?
With the United Nations Biodiversity Conference taking place in Montreal this week, we thought it would be a good opportunity to look at how Japan is handling issues involving biodiversity here. Environmental journalist Mara Budgen comes on the show to talk about the Japanese giant salamander, which has been designated a "special natural monument" under Japanese law but is still vulnerable to e...
30m Dec 16, 2022
30m
S1 Ep140: 25 years on from the protocol’s signing, did we ever 'Kyoto'?
Dec. 11 marked the 25th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, a landmark treaty that put the idea of global effort to save the planet on many national radars. To mark the event, The Japan Times has launched a new section, Our Planet, that will look at the climate crisis, Earth science and disaster management from a Japanese perspective. Two of the section’s editors, Joel Tansey and Chris Russell, ...
21m Dec 14, 2022
21m
S1 Ep139: The Church, the State and Kishida's headache
When former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot earlier this year, the incident shone a spotlight on the links his fellow Liberal Democratic Party members had with the controversial Unification Church. Kanako Takahara joins this week’s Deep Dive to discuss what’s behind a new bill regulating faith-driven donations, investigations into the church and whether these actions will be enough to save P...
24m Dec 07, 2022
24m
S1 Ep138: How making alcohol from trees could give rural Japan a buzz
Could drinking help the environment and rural communities? You might be surprised. Researchers in Japan have figured out how to make drinkable alcohol from wood, and the knock-on effects are much bigger than a hangover. This week, Alex K.T. Martin joins us to talk about the science — and sustainable process — behind the process that may bring cedar, oak and sakura to your next cocktail session....
25m Nov 30, 2022
25m
S1 Ep137: Is Japan the model for Elon Musk’s Twitter?
As news about Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter continues to emerge, we’ll talk to Elizabeth Beattie about how the social media platform’s Japan team has been affected. Are you thinking of jumping the Twitter ship? Well, tech reporter Daisuke Kikuchi later joins us to discuss what social media services are doing well in Japan before recapping some of the year’s big tech and tech-related stories. ...
25m Nov 24, 2022
25m
S1 Ep136: Samurai Blues: The J. League, the World Cup and Japan’s place in global soccer
The Samurai Blue are headed for Qatar to play in this year’s World Cup. This year also marks 20 years since Japan co-hosted the event with South Korea and a lot has happened in this country’s soccer scene since then. Sports writer Dan Orlowitz joins the show to catch us up on where Japan stands in the global soccer landscape, the controversies swirling around the host nation of Qatar, and how ...
28m Nov 16, 2022
28m
S1 Ep135: ‘High waves and dangerous storms’: How China’s moves are affecting Japan
Despite a recent spate of North Korean missile tests, Japan’s larger concerns have mainly focused on activities taking place to the south of the country — specifically, those involving China and Taiwan. This week on Deep Dive from The Japan Times we speak with senior staff writer Jesse Johnson about Japan’s new alliance with Australia, the recent increase in defense spending and, of course, No...
28m Nov 09, 2022
28m
S1 Ep134: Hey Japan, are you happy?
If you’ve ever had to endure a Tokyo commute at rush hour, you may not get the sense that the Japanese are very happy. However, Japan Times senior staff writer Alex K.T. Martin has been keeping track of the mood of the nation, and he thinks the country could be a lot happier than we are usually led to believe. On this week’s Deep Dive he talks about his visit in the summer to Japan’s “happiest...
24m Nov 02, 2022
24m
S1 Ep133: Japanese pop culture in China: It's complicated.
Despite having played a major role entertaining Chinese citizens following the Cultural Revolution, Japanese musicians are finding it increasingly difficult to grab a toehold in the region thanks to government censors and somewhat militant netizens. This week, Japan Times contributing writer Patrick St. Michel joins the podcast to discuss notable moments in the two countries’ cultural exchange...
26m Oct 26, 2022
26m
S1 Ep132: Japan reopens its borders. Are tourists ready to return?
Not since 1853, when U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan to open its borders to trade, has a reopening been so newsworthy. This time, instead of Black Ships, the country faced a trickle of tourists looking to hit up Kyoto and indulge in their pop culture obsessions. Ahead of the reopening on Oct. 11, the Japanese people asked themselves what to do if the new arrivals didn’t wear masks, w...
23m Oct 19, 2022
23m
S1 Ep131: It's Shotime!: Shohei Ohtani and the future of baseball
Sports writers often dabble in hyperbole when describing athletes at the top of their game, but when it comes to Shohei Ohtani, the player they call “Shotime,” phrases like “once in a generation” and “the best baseball player ever” are written in earnest. Why all the hype? Because almost nobody has come close to achieving what he has since the 1920s. This week on Deep Dive, Jason Coskrey and D...
25m Oct 12, 2022
25m
S1 Ep130: Deep Dive is back! And the climate crisis is still a problem.
Our minds have been largely preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic the past couple of years, but that doesn’t mean the threats caused by the climate crisis have gone away. Still, sometimes it feels like environmental issues don’t loom as large in Japan as they do in other countries. Two of our guests on this episode of Deep Dive, Hanae Takahashi and Eric Margolis, currently cover climate issue...
24m Oct 05, 2022
24m
S1 Ep129: Deep Dive is on a break
The podcast is on hiatus for the next few months. For all the latest news from Japan, please subscribe to The Japan Times (http://bit.ly/JTimessub) and help support its journalism. Thank you to all our listeners, guests and supporters of the show. ポッド疲れ様
1m May 19, 2022
1m
S1 Ep128: When will Japan open to tourists? w/ Kanako Takahara
Over the past few months, Japan has been slowly easing its COVID-19 related border restrictions. In March, after almost two years, it started allowing in students, academics and business people. Then in April, parents and immediate relatives of foreign residents were allowed to enter the country. But the borders are still closed to tourists, a broad category of people that includes everyone fr...
23m May 12, 2022
23m
S1 Ep127: Japan is losing people, but is it all bad? w/ Alex Martin
Since 2008, Japan’s population has been falling, and each year the amount it falls by grows larger and larger. In 2008, the country lost around 20,000 people. In 2010, 100,000, and by 2019, the figure stood at over half a million. The most recent data, released earlier this month, shows that in 2021, Japan lost more than 640,000 people.  This week on Deep Dive Japan Times staff writer Alex Mar...
27m Apr 27, 2022
27m
S1 Ep126: Why the yen has fallen to a 20-year low w/ Yuko Takeo
Since the beginning of March, the value of the yen has plummeted against the dollar, the euro and the British pound. Bloomberg economy reporter Yuko Takeo joins Deep Dive to explain why. Read more: Yen falls to ¥129 against U.S. dollar, refreshing a 20-year low (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/04/20/business/129-yen-against-dollar/) Amid deepening yen weakness, a mixed blessing sours ...
28m Apr 20, 2022
28m
S1 Ep125: Nakagin, Nakagone: Demolishing an architectural dream w/ Chris Russell
Demolition of the Nakagin Capsule Tower — an iconic representation of Japan’s metabolist architectural movement — officially kicked off on Tuesday, with fans of the building showing up to take a last glimpse before it is torn down. On this week's Deep Dive, Japan Times editor Chris Russell joins to discuss the story of Nakagin and why he thinks it has captivated so many people over the years. ...
32m Apr 14, 2022
32m
S1 Ep124: Tokyo's energy crisis — a decade in the making w/ Shoko Oda
Two weeks ago, Japan's government issued its first ever electricity supply warning for Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures, calling on citizens to conserve power to avoid blackouts. Bloomberg energy reporter Shoko Oda joins Deep Dive to explain why that crisis was a decade in the making. Read more: Japan’s power crisis was a decade in making and won’t go away (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/n...
32m Apr 06, 2022
32m
S1 Ep123: How the pandemic exacerbated Japan's gender inequality w/ Hanako Montgomery
During the pandemic, women in Japan have been more likely to lose their jobs, face increased pressure at home and be victims of domestic violence. And data released earlier this month showed that in 2021 suicides increased among women for the second year running, whilst declining for men.  Hanako Montgomery, a reporter for Vice World News in Japan, discusses Japan’s poor record on gender equal...
32m Mar 30, 2022
32m
S1 Ep122: One month into war, a Ukrainian family reunites in Japan w/ Kanako Takahara
March 24th marks one month since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, starting a war that has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their country.  Kanako Takahara explains Japan's efforts to help these refugees, and why the government here isn't calling them by that name. Later in the episode, we hear the story of Maria, a 71-year-old Ukrainian woman who was reunited with her daughter Natali...
29m Mar 23, 2022
29m
S1 Ep121: Where is Japan's Great Resignation? w/ Alex K.T. Martin
From India to the U.S., the pandemic has spurred millions of people to leave their jobs in search of more fulfilling, flexible roles, in what has been dubbed the Great Resignation. But so far at least, Japan’s workforce is charting a very different course, with fewer people than ever moving jobs. This week, senior staff writer Alex Martin joins to discuss the changing face of work in Japan, an...
26m Mar 16, 2022
26m
S1 Ep120: Sanctions and sanctuary: Japan responds to Russia's war in Ukraine w/ Noah Sneider
As Vladimir Putin's grim war in Ukraine escalates, The Economist's Tokyo bureau chief, Noah Sneider, joins to discuss the reasons for the conflict, the lengths to which Japan is supporting Ukraine, and how the war will redefine relationships between Japan and its northern neighbor, Russia. Read more:  Noah's War in Translation (https://twitter.com/WarTranslation) project Japan resists pressu...
39m Mar 09, 2022
39m
S1 Ep119: The sublime boredom of walking Japan w/ Craig Mod
In a world where getting from A to B is dominated by cars, planes and trains, we all walk far less than people used to. 10,000 steps a day is an aspirational target for many. But for Craig Mod, that's just a stroll before lunch.
35m Mar 02, 2022
35m
S1 Ep118: Japan relaxes its border restrictions w/ Kanako Takahara
Japan's strict border policies are finally relaxing — at least a little bit — and from March, new entrants will be allowed to come to the country once again.
26m Feb 24, 2022
26m
S1 Ep117: Where the wild things grow — foraging in Japan w/ Winifred Bird
"The wonderful thing about foraging in Japan is that it's still a living part of the culture," says Winifred Bird, our guest on this week's episode of Deep Dive.
27m Feb 16, 2022
27m
S1 Ep116: The rise and fall of Japan's ski industry w/ Francesco Bassetti
Powder snow. It's one of Japan's finest natural assets.
34m Feb 09, 2022
34m
S1 Ep115: Beijing 2022: A second pandemic Olympics w/ Dan Orlowitz & Madeleine Orr
This Friday, the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing, the second Olympics to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first ever to be held on entirely artificial snow.
35m Feb 02, 2022
35m
S1 Ep114: The meteoric rise of anime w/ Matt Schley
Since 2002, Japan’s anime industry has doubled in size to become worth over ¥2.4 trillion annually.
33m Jan 26, 2022
33m
S1 Ep113: Trouble in paradise: Why is Ishigaki building a missile base? w/ Ben Dooley
Only 300 kilometers from Taiwan, Ishigaki is at the frontline of escalating tensions between China, Taiwan, Japan and the U.S.
27m Jan 19, 2022
27m
S1 Ep112: A surge in omicron across Japan w/ Gearoid Reidy
In the past week, COVID-19 cases have surged across the nation, led by an uptick in infections of the omicron variant in Okinawa, Tokyo and Osaka.
28m Jan 13, 2022
28m
S1 Ep111: So long, 2021
We hear from listeners about their high points in 2021.
25m Dec 29, 2021
25m
S1 Ep110: Chris Broad's Blade Runner fantasy comes to life
‘Tis the season to try to be festive, with Christmas and the New Year fast approaching. And who better to celebrate with than Japan’s grumpy Brit, Chris Broad.
30m Dec 22, 2021
30m
S1 Ep109: Are Japan's onsen sustainable? w/ Mara Budgen
After a long and warm autumn in Japan, winter has finally descended across the country. And with the cold weather comes the season for onsen, Japan’s hot-spring baths.
30m Dec 15, 2021
30m
S1 Ep108: What explains Japan's low COVID-19 case count? And can we expect another wave? w/Gearoid Reidy
In August, Japan recorded 25,000 cases a day in its worst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to date. On Monday this week, just 60 new cases and one death were reported nationwide.
32m Dec 08, 2021
32m
S1 Ep107: Chaos at Japan's borders w/ Rochelle Kopp
Japan announced on Monday that it will ban all new foreign entries for at least one month in an effort to prevent the omicron variant from spreading domestically.
29m Dec 01, 2021
29m
S1 Ep106: What did Japan bring to COP26? w/ Masako Konishi
COP26 was billed as the world's last chance to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.
31m Nov 18, 2021
31m
S1 Ep105: Japan's loneliness epidemic w/ Alex K.T. Martin
Surveys of the Japanese public show that 1 in 2 people in their 20s and 30s have felt lonely during the pandemic.
28m Nov 10, 2021
28m
S1 Ep104: How Japan is already being impacted by climate change w/ Eric Margolis
Japan Times contributor Eric Margolis walks us through how Japan is already being affected by climate change.
20m Nov 03, 2021
20m