This week, we’re doing things differently! We’re recapping the biggest news stories from January 2025—from the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike to Kyoto's crackdown on over-tourism, record-breaking heat, a smoking ban ahead of the Osaka Expo and a jaw-dropping tuna auction bid. Plus, some important announcements about the Japan… Read
In this episode of Japan This Week, we dive into some of the hottest stories making headlines in Japan. From scandals shaking up the entertainment industry to icy New Year rituals at Shinto shrines across the country, we've got it all covered. Timestamps (0:00 - 1:00) INTRO (1:04 - 3:53)… Read
Welcome to a brand-new season of Japan This Week! Join host Jeff Richards for your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today for the week of Jan. 17, 2025. This episode focuses on the rise in closings of beloved ramen shops to Coming-of-Age Day celebrations… Read
Here’s your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today. Join Jeff Richards and Kamasami Kong for a special year-end episode of Japan This Week as they recap the biggest news stories that shaped Japan in 2024. From the devastating Noto Peninsula Earthquake to Shohei Ohtani's… Read
Here’s your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today. This week’s episode dives into global peace efforts, tragic workplace bullying, a beloved celebrity’s passing, the struggles of Japan’s izakaya and a troubling incident with JAL pilots. (0:57 - 3-48) NATIONAL: Nobel Peace Prize winner urges… Read
Here’s your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today. First, a survey reveals nearly 90% of Chinese respondents have unfavorable views of Japan due to issues like the Senkaku Islands dispute and the Fukushima water release. We also discuss Japan’s record-breaking warm autumn, which has… Read
From defense updates to weasel crime, here’s your weekly roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today for Nov. 29, 2024. In this episode, we explore: (0:59 - 4:55) POLITICS: Japan-U.S missile deployment Japan and U.S. gear up for Taiwan contingencies, with missile units on Japan's islands and… Read
Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of trending news stories from Japan Today. In this week’s episode: (0:58 - 5:36) CRIME: Tourist vandalism at shrines Arrest of a 65-year-old American man for carving letters into a sacred torii gate at Meiji Jingu Shrine. Discussion on… Read
Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of trending news stories from Japan Today. In this edition, we cover the latest in Japanese politics, including Shigeru Ishiba’s re-election as prime minister after a rare runoff vote, a record number of women elected to Japan's parliament and… Read
Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of trending news stories from Japan Today for Nov. 8, 2024. In this week's episode: NATIONAL: Customer harassment crackdown (1:01 - 5:40) Japan's service industry workers are facing increasing abuse from customers. Major companies like Ito-Yokado are implementing manuals… Read