Why are we so obsessed with Japan? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 17, 2026 · 30 MIN

Why are we so obsessed with Japan?

from The New Society | culture from the New Statesman

A professional sumo tournament in London in October 2025 offered more than sporting spectacle. It became a lens through which to view Japan’s growing cultural pull in the West, a society where ancient ritual, hierarchy and Shinto belief coexist with hyper-modern life. Tanjil Rashid is joined by historian Christopher Harding to explore how Japan balances tradition and modernity, and why that balance is proving increasingly compelling to Western audiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why are we so obsessed with Japan?

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This episode was published on January 17, 2026.

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A professional sumo tournament in London in October 2025 offered more than sporting spectacle. It became a lens through which to view Japan’s growing cultural pull in the West, a society where ancient ritual, hierarchy and Shinto belief coexist with...

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