PODCAST · society
Real Gaijin
by Mark Kennedy
Experience the real Japan from the eyes of a transplanted American "gaijin" (foreigner) who is now a "lifer" and lives deep in the Japanese countryside. realgaijin.substack.com
Episodes
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-27) with Alex Dwyer, Writer, Tea Enthusiast, and Creator of the Tea w/ Dweez Substack
What can a cup of tea teach us about Japan—and about ourselves? This week, the Real Gaijin AMA podcast welcomed a fellow Japan-based writer and student of all things tea—one of Japan’s most popular beverages for centuries. Meet Alex Dwyer. Who is he? Alex Dwyer is an American writer and tea...
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🍻 Cheers to Everyone Who Joined the Second “Beers with Real Gaijin” -- Let’s Talk Japan (S-01, E-02)
🍻 Thank you to everyone who joined the second “Beers with Real Gaijin” live stream on Sunday evening! Like last month, what started as an experiment—an informal conversation without an agenda about recent Real Gaijin articles, Japan-related news, and whatever else was on your mind—turned into…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-26) with Lloyd Allen, Master's of Economics candidate at Kobe University from Australia and student of Japanese since the age of 16
So, what does it actually take to become proficient in Japanese—not just conversationally competent, but proficient enough to study economics at a Japanese university, conduct academic research, explore the history of kanji, and consider taking the Kanji Kentei (日本漢字能力検定) Level 1 exam? Real…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-25) with Tomomi Iwasaki, Japan country manager for a European beauty tech brand
What does it take to build a foreign brand in Japan and serve as the liaison between global headquarters and the realities of the Japanese market? Real Gaijin typically showcases foreigners living and working in Japan, as well as individuals working closely with Japan from outside the country....
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-24) with Tim Romero, a Tokyo-based innovator, author, entrepreneur, and host of the Disrupting Japan podcast
What happens when you come to Japan hoping to become a rock star, but end up becoming one of the most recognizable voices in Tokyo’s startup community? That’s the unlikely story of Tim Romero, who is, by the way, still very much of a “rock star” (intentional use of quotation marks). Who is he?…
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🍻 Cheers to Everyone Who Joined the First-Ever “Beers with Real Gaijin”-- Let’s Talk Japan (S-01, E-01)
🍻 Thank you to everyone who joined the first-ever “Beers with Real Gaijin” live stream on Sunday evening! What started as an experiment—an informal conversation without an agenda about recent Real Gaijin articles, Japan-related news, and whatever else was on your mind—turned into the kind of...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-23) with Michael (“Mike”) Thuresson, author of the recently published Salarymanhood: The Illustrated Jokes of an American Salaryman in Tokyo
If you have ever had the opportunity to live and work in Japan, Salarymanhood: The Illustrated Jokes of an American Salaryman in Tokyo will resonate with you. From office customs like VPs falling asleep during discussions they started to everyday life like accidentally buying funeral flowers on...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-22) with David Wagner, author of 24 books on doing business in Japan and coach to more than 30,000 leaders on media, crisis, and business communications skills
Have you ever wondered what it takes to command a room full of top-tier CEOs, advise government officials, and navigate Japan’s media landscape? Today, Real Gaijin was thrilled to welcome David Wagner, a veteran communications expert, media coach, and author who is a well-established fixture in...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-21) with Arie Meir, PhD, x-Google product leader and computer scientist on leaving the corporate world and career reinvention
What happens when someone leaves a successful career at one of the world’s most acclaimed tech companies to trade a major, global city for a quieter life in the countryside, leveraging their experience to develop the next stage of their career? In an era of aging populations, labor shortages, and...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-20) with Terrie Lloyd, Founder, CEO at Akiya 2.0 Inc, J@pan Inc Holdings KK, MetroWorks KK, Japan Travel KK, and Toursoft Pte Ltd
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build, scale, and successfully exit multiple businesses in one of the world’s most unique and tightly knit corporate landscapes? In this special interactive episode, Real Gaijin was joined by a legend of the Tokyo startup scene to discuss strategy, cultural...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-19) with Tiby Kuruvila, technologist/entrepreneur and CTO of POS+ (Postas)
The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is critical to Japan’s ability to reshape its economy. However, a key question is whether Japanese SMEs are ready. As labor shortages intensify and artificial intelligence transitions from hype to practical implementation…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-18) with Simon Partner, Professor of History, Duke University
Foreigners have been visiting and trading with Japan for centuries, but from the 1630s the Tokugawa shogunate imposed strict limits on foreign contact. For more than two centuries, European trade was largely confined to the Dutch trading post on Dejima in Nagasaki, while Chinese merchants and a...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-17) with Carlos Lastres, Tokyo-Based Apple Design Awards-Winning Designer and Engineer
We are often told that the path to success in Japan is straightforward: study hard, join a company, work long hours, and repeat. This system is built on precision and discipline, but it often comes at a heartbreaking cost: the fading of our creative spark. Our guest today spent years observing…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-16) with Kevin Dias, Founder of Ambiki and The Problem-First Method
Imagine if pediatric therapists could spend less time on paperwork and more time helping children communicate, move, and thrive. Innovative software platforms are transforming how clinics operate across the healthcare industry, and pediatric therapy is no exception. In this episode, we explored…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-15) with Dominic Carter, CEO, The Carter Group and co-founder of Living Best
Japan is experiencing one of the most significant demographic shifts in modern history, including a shrinking population, rapid aging, labor shortages, depopulation of rural areas, and increasing strain on healthcare and social infrastructure. However, this seemingly dire situation is not all…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-14) with Daichi Kunii, CEO of ReDelta
Currently, there are hundreds of thousands of SMEs in Japan with no designated successor. Despite having solid financials and a long list of satisfied customers, many of these firms are at risk of ceasing operations because there is nobody to take over once the current owner retires, becomes...
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AMA Podcast (S-02, E-13, Session 3 of 3・The Fall) with Steven Gan, the founder of Japan's first debt collection agency run by a foreigner
Foreign businesspeople often push the boundaries of conventional business practices in Japan. They have the vision, technical expertise, and drive necessary to think outside the box and achieve their goals. Japan, a conformist and chronically conservative society, often needs this kind of...
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AMA Podcast (S-02, E-12, Session 2 of 3・The Rise) with Steven Gan, the founder of Japan's first debt collection agency run by a foreigner
Foreign businesspeople often push the boundaries of conventional business practices in Japan. They have the vision, technical expertise, and drive necessary to think outside the box and achieve their goals. Japan, a conformist and chronically conservative society, often needs this kind of...
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AMA Podcast (S-02, E-11, Session 1 of 3・The Beginning) with Steven Gan, the founder of Japan's first debt collection agency run by a foreigner
Foreign businesspeople often push the boundaries of conventional business practices in Japan. They have the vision, technical expertise, and drive necessary to think outside the box and achieve their goals. Japan, a conformist and chronically conservative society, often needs this kind of...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-10) with Andrew Neuman, a Japan-Based Professional and Adoptive Parent
Japan records relatively few adoptions each year. The majority are adult adoptions tied to family succession, not placements of unrelated children. True child adoptions, especially of children from the welfare system, remain limited. Against this backdrop, foreign adoptive parents are a small but...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-09) with Derek Cirillo and Nick McLoota, the Co-founders of Yuki Homes
Japan has consistently ranked high on the bucket lists of foreign visitors in recent years. While Japan is a wonderful place to visit year-round, it boasts some of the best snowboarding and skiing in the world, making it a must-visit destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Almost all...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-08) with "Anna," a Licensed Care Worker at an Elderly Care Facility in Osaka
Japan’s rapidly aging population is putting unprecedented pressure on its long-term care system. Few issues illustrate this strain more clearly than the debate over the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program. Supporters argue that foreign caregivers are essential to sustaining elder care...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-07) with Shohei Yoshida, Business Japanese Communication Coach and Founder of BizNihongo
According to documents submitted to the Cabinet by the Immigration Services Agency on March 10, 2026, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record high of approximately 4.13 million at the end of fiscal year 2025, surpassing the 4 million mark for the first time. The population...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-06) with Rochelle Kopp, Founder and Managing Principal of Japan Intercultural Consulting
In a global economy where deals fail more often due to misread signals than poor strategy, today’s guest on the Real Gaijin AMA podcast has built a career decoding the unwritten rules of Japanese business. Who is she? Few professionals have observed Japanese corporate culture from as many vantage...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-05) with Michelle Lyons, a British inventor and social designer who supports regenerative tourism in Japan
Japan has become one of the most popular destinations for people in their early 20s to 30s. This is due to a combination of affordability, cultural richness, and social media visibility that few other countries can match. A weak yen has lowered the cost of long-haul travel, and efficient...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-04) with Richardson Handjaja, publisher and editor of the Animenomics newsletter
Anime is no longer just pop culture. It is a complex global business involving IP licensing, streaming economics, merchandising, live events, and, increasingly, technology-driven change. With more than 300 new anime series launched each year, it’s clear that the industry has gone global. In this...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-03) with the Founder of "Lisa in Sapporo," Interpreter, Local Navigator and Publisher of Unlocking Japan
Japan is currently welcoming record numbers of tourists, with more than 40 million expected again in 2026. The northern island of Hokkaido is famous for its “Japow” snow, winter festival, and delicious seafood, and it is a perennial draw for international and domestic tourists, especially during...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-02) with Dr. Izabelle Grenon, Intercultural Expert, Speaker & Japan Relocation Consultant
When a businessperson is offered the opportunity to relocate to Tokyo to manage a team in Japan, it is commonly recognized as a promotion. The emotions involved can range from elation at being selected for such a challenging and exciting international assignment to concerns about how to lead a...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-01) with Timothy Connor, Founder and CEO of Synnovate, a boutique advisory focused on Go-to-Market strategy in Japan
Foreign brands often misjudge Japan, not because it is “closed,” but because it is unforgiving of superficiality. Many arrive armed with global playbooks, confident that past success will translate. However, they discover that Japan quietly but methodically rejects offerings that feel rushed,...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-23) with Jeremy Sanderson, British entrepreneur, living in Japan since 1998
Over the past year, Real Gaijin has introduced a diverse group of foreigners who either live in Japan or have significant ties to the country. To spice things up, we have also interviewed a few Japanese nationals who are engaged with Japan’s foreigner community. As our viewers have learned, there...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-22) with Laurier Tiernan, a multidisciplinary Canadian artist living in Tokyo
Japan is home to many foreign residents who pursue creative endeavors, following in the footsteps of artists who found inspiration in their adopted homeland. For example, Ernest Hemingway developed his journalistic style and literary voice during his years in Paris with the “Lost Generation.”…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-21) with Biju Paul, Founder & CEO of TopTech Informatics, a Leading Provider of IT and Network Support Services to SMEs in Japan
As many foreign residents of Japan know well, settling in, developing your own network, and finding your footing in the business world can be challenging, especially at the beginning. Succeeding often requires superhuman effort and determination. Recently, Real Gaijin was pleased to introduce...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-20) with Daniel J. Mills, Ed.D., Professor at Ritsumeikan University and Publisher of The FI Professor Website
Disclaimer The information discussed in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed by the host and guest are their own and do not constitute recommendations. Always conduct your own...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-19) with Pascal Gudorf, founder & CEO of Japan Business Insights (JBI) and author of "Getting to 'Yes' in Japan"
Japan is back! Due to headwinds from the Chinese market, European manufacturers and brands have recently shown renewed interest in the Japanese market. While many large companies have been active in Japan for decades, small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are curious about new opportunities...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-18) with Larry Kieffer, aka The Headhunter Dad
There are the “old hands” of Japan—foreign professionals who arrived decades ago, before bilingual signage, Google Maps, and sushi restaurants on every corner. They’ve built careers, raised families, and witnessed Japan’s transformation from the bubble era to the digital age. They’re fluent not...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-17) with Charles McJilton, Non-Profit Professional
Although he still has a long runway ahead of him, today’s guest, who has spent decades living in Japan, has already had enough experiences to last multiple lifetimes. Who is he? Meet Charles McJilton. Charles’ journey took him from living in a cardboard house along Tokyo’s Sumida River to…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-16) with Menya Hinga, Founder and CEO of MH Health Coaching
Most of us want to be fit but struggle with time, habits, and the feeling that maybe it’s just “genetics.” Menya Hinga once felt the same way—until a decade of self-study transformed his health and mindset. Since 2011, he’s built a career in Tokyo helping thousands of individuals and top…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-15) with Mika Fukutomi, Founder and Managing Partner of INVJapan (Akamira Inc.)
If there were ever a time to search for a potential acquisition target or take an equity stake in a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Japan, it would be now. But how do you uncover such opportunities, determine the seller’s motivation, assess business performance, and navigate Japan's...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-14) with Tony R. Vega, a Digital Creator from Hawaii Who Also Just Happens to Be Legally Blind
All the recent talk about overtourism in Japan may be causing angst among the country's foreign residents and may even dissuade people from visiting. First, don't despair. There is still plenty to see and do in Japan, especially if you venture off the beaten path. Today, Real Gaijin spoke with...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-13) with Elizabeth Scally, an Experienced English Language Teacher from Canada
For many native English speakers, teaching English is often the gateway to an extended stay in Japan. Many of these individuals become Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), a specific role within Japan’s public school system and part of the country’s effort to promote English language education.…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-12) with Tim Bunting, a Practicing Mountain Ascetic from New Zealand
It is common for foreign visitors to fall in love with Japan, often during their first visit. Some of us take it to the next level by deciding to permanently relocate to the country. An even smaller number—perhaps fewer than can be counted on one hand—become so enamored with Japanese culture that...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-11) with Christopher Harding, Cultural Historian & Broadcaster Based at the University of Edinburgh
In this age of unprecedented inbound tourism to Japan, it is easy to forget that, until the Meiji Restoration in the second half of the 19th century, Japan had limited interaction with the West for most of recorded history. However, there have been several influential figures who played a major...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-10) with Derek Cirillo and Nick McLoota, the Co-founders of Yuki Homes
Japan has consistently ranked high on the bucket lists of foreign visitors in recent years. While Japan is a wonderful place to visit year-round, it boasts some of the best snowboarding and skiing in the world, making it a must-visit destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Almost all...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-09) with James Douglas, Writer, Horror Movie Screenwriter, etc.
Originally from the U.K., James does not readily fit into a particular category as defined by career path, area of study, or focus of interest. He is a true Renaissance man unafraid to make unconventional choices. James is living proof that foreigners can lead productive and fulfilling lives in...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-08) with Cory McGowan, Founder & Head Coach at Adventure Partner
Have you ever found yourself at a career plateau, unable to advance? Do you consciously or unconsciously feel that you have lost the characteristic mojo that defined you earlier in life? If so, what can you do about it? In Japan, an increasing number of organizations are hiring…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-07) with Digital Nomad Kristi Volchek
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a digital nomad? Have you accumulated some extra PTO and want to combine work and pleasure in an exotic destination like Japan? How can you practically pull this off? What is it really like? As its native population shrinks, Japan continues to attract large…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-06) with the Founder of RetireJapan Ben Tanaka
Life is a series of trade-offs. Many members of RetireJapan may not know that Ben Tanaka, the founder of this influential website and online community, may have chosen to keep his financial planning advice and insights a secret if he had joined Britain’s secret service. Hear the full backstory...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-05) with Japan-based Writer + Airbnb Co-Owner Allen Lindskoog
Today’s guest is a true Renaissance man who defies easy definition. Originally from the American Midwest, Allen Lindskoog has had many different roles in his long career before settling down with his wife as the co-owner of a beautiful 100-year-old traditional farmhouse in Japan, which they have...
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-04) with Tokyo-based Author Baye McNeil
Today’s guest isn’t just living in Japan—he’s been redefining what it means to be a foreigner here for over two decades. From Brooklyn to Tokyo, Baye McNeil has carved out a career as a critically acclaimed author, columnist, and cultural commentator. You might know him from The Japan Times’…
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▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-01, E-03) with Tokyo-based Entrepreneur Kevin McAuliffe
Join me for an hour-long deep dive into the colorful career of a fellow American expat who has long made Japan his home. Kevin McAuliffe is a personal friend whose story could be the inspiration behind the saying, "Life’s most implausible moments tend to come with receipts.” Parts of his story…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Real Gaijin have?
Real Gaijin currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Real Gaijin about?
Experience the real Japan from the eyes of a transplanted American "gaijin" (foreigner) who is now a "lifer" and lives deep in the Japanese countryside. realgaijin.substack.com
How often does Real Gaijin release new episodes?
Real Gaijin has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Real Gaijin?
You can listen to Real Gaijin on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Real Gaijin?
Real Gaijin is created and hosted by Mark Kennedy.
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