This Week In Japan
by Japan Insider
Need a weekly round-up of the top news stories coming out of Japan? Look no further. Tokyo-based, British content-creator Julian and Japanese entrepreneur Yasu, are here to dive into the hot topics of the week. Recorded in Tokyo, 'This Week in Japan' is the perfect blend of current news, cultural insight, and in-depth discussions all woven through a friendly conversation between the two hosts. Stay up-to-date with the flow of stories streaming out of Japan, no matter where you are. You can also find us on our Japan Go! YouTube Channel at: youtube.com/japango. [Japanese Explanation] 毎週、日本で今話題のニュースについて、東京在住のイギリス人クリエイターJulianと日本人起業家Yasuが英語で意見を交わしています。楽しく話題のニュースを振り返りながら、英語のリスニングがしたい方へ！
Episodes
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Japan's Favorite Snack Raises Price After 40 Years
This week we discuss the remarkable lengths one student went to cheat on an exam, the most unbelieve accident to ever happen when a man falling from a roof caused another woman to fall out of a window, Japan's favorite snack is finally raising it's price by ¥2 after 40 years and a videogame...
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Jujutsu Kaisen Goes Big At The Box Office
This week we discuss the huge success of the latest anime movie hit 'Jujutsu Kaisen 0', how a firefighter is in trouble for moonlighting as a Youtuber & the unlikely new toy that's taking Japan by storm! Word of the Week: イクメン (iku-men) This episode was recorded on January 14th 2022 in Hiroo,...
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Japanese Team Invents World's First 'Lickable' Screen
This week we discuss the sudden snowfall in Tokyo, the police department that is currently in hot water over a couple of misplaced floppy disks, the world's oldest person Kane Tanaka turning 119, a team from Meiji University inventing a lickable screen you can taste and Convenience store chain...
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Another Crazy Year in Japan: Christmas Special 2021
This week we discuss Yusaku Maezawa's successful return to earth after 12 days on the International Space Station, a mother's incredible bravery in saving her child from a burning building, an all-boys school in Tokyo that has started a Gentlemen's Education curriculum and we reminisce on the...
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The First Japanese Civilian Is Now In Space
This week we discuss billionaire Yusaku Maezawa who just became the first Japanese civilian to travel to space, how prolonged exposure to face masks is causing unexpected anxiety and outrage as a school in Tokyo asks students to relinquish their social media passwords. Word of the Week: 学歴フィルター...
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Japan’s Fried Chicken Wars Puts Christmas In Jeopardy
This week we discuss Japan's tightened border restrictions worlding the discovery of the new Omicron Covid variant, how Japan's favourite Christmas food (fried chicken) is facing severe shortages, and how Japanese workers are dreading the return of the high pressure, end of year party known as...
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Will “Shut the F*ck Up” be Japan's Word of 2021?
This week we discuss the nominations for Japan's 'Word of the Year' 2021 competition (流行語大賞), JAXA's search for new astronauts for the first time in 13 years, the seemingly positive return to normalcy with low COVID-19 numbers, and how Uber Eats drivers are unhappy with the current state of...
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Tokyo Team Recreates World's Oldest Oil Painting with AI
This week we discuss 19-year old shogi master Sōta Fujii becoming the 'Dragon King', JR East performing the 1st ever test run of its new autonomous bullet train system, a 16-year old girl who engineered an AI system to prevent aggressive drivers, a Tokyo team of researchers that made a 'super...
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84 Year Old Grandpa Becomes Pokémon Master
This week we discuss an Osaka landmark becoming the centre of an anti-vax photoshop controversy, a disgruntled JR West Train driver who is suing his employer for $0.50 and how an 84-year old Granpa who has become the countries oldest Pokémon GO Master! Word of the Week: 割り勘 (wari-kan) This…
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Princess Mako Marries & Leaves The Imperial Family
This week we discuss the conclusion of Princess Mako's long overdue marriage to Kei Komuro and how Tokyo's busiest train line was closed over the weekend for renovations on an impressive scale! Word of the Week: 撮り鉄 (tori-tetsu) This episode was recorded on October 29th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo. Join...
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Next-gen Vending Machines Take Japan By Storm
This week we discuss the huge volcanic eruption on Mt Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's foray into the world of Youtube, the end of a Japanese gamer's epic quest to collect every single Playstation game & how frozen food vending machines are pleasing customers and...
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Ramen Shops Ban Ramen Critics & YouTubers
This week we discuss the upcoming virtual Shibuya Halloween experience, Japan's 1st ever typhoon research institute, the 2021 results of the most appealing prefecture survey, and how ramen shops are starting to ban YouTubers and critics. Word of the week: フロリダ (furorida) This episode was recorded...
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Japanese Climate Scientist Wins Nobel Prize
This week we discuss Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a brief update of Princess Mako's wedding, and the Japanese (who is now an American citizen) climate scientist Shukuro Manabe, who just won a Nobel Prize. Word of the Week: ロン毛 (ron-ge) This episode was recorded on October 8th 2021 in...
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Japan to Lower Age Limit in Opposite-sex Onsen
This week we discuss Japan's new rules on age limits for children in opposite-sex onsen & a new app is being developed to help protect the human rights of foreign works in Japan. Word of the Week: バッシュ (basshu) This episode was recorded on September 25th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo. Join the…
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Matcha is Gaining Worldwide Popularity
This week we discuss the growing worldwide popularity of Matcha powder and how the industry in Japan is adapting to meet demand. Word of the Week: 親ガチャ (oyagacha) This episode was recorded on September 17th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo. Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan Also,...
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High School Creates First Ever Official Manga Course
This week we discuss Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's decision to step down after only one year on the job and a high school in Kumamoto Prefecture will be opening the first-ever manga course for students. Word of the Week: フラグ (furagu) This episode was recorded on September 10th 2021 in Akasaka,...
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Sumo Wrestler who Lost 104 Consecutive Matches Retires
This week we discuss the underdog Sumo Wrestler, Shounan-zakura, who finally called it a day after a record breaking losing streak of 104 matches and Bandai's popular Gunpla (Gundam Plastic) aims to cut waste and create products from more recycled plastic. Word of the Week: 逆ギレ (gyaku-gire) This...
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Golf Is Becoming the New Trendy Sport in Japan
This week we discuss the crazy seasonal weather in Japan and how Golf is becoming the new sporting trend for young Japanese adults. Word of the Week: 銀ブラ (Gin-bura) This episode was recorded on August 20th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
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Tokyo Olympics Special: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
This week dive into the many stories surround the Tokyo 2020 games, including Japan's impressive medal haul and a Mayor in Nagoya who is under fire for chomping on a gold medal! Word of the Week: 陰キャ (in-kya) 陽キャ (you-kya) This episode was recorded on August 6th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out…
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TeamLab's Digital Art Museum Breaks World Record
In this episode, we discuss multiple scandals involving Olympic contributors, TeamLabs Digital Art Museum becoming the most visited in the world & a Ugandan weightlifter who went on the run, hoping to remain in Japan. Due to a glitch in the recording, unfortunately, there will be no 'Word of the...
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Giant Head Appears in the Sky over Tokyo
In this episode, we discuss "Giant floating head appears in the sky of Tokyo" and "IOC Chairman refers to Japanese as 'Chinese'". Word of the Week: マンツーマン (Man-tsuu-man) This episode was recorded on July 16th, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel! (youtube.com/japango)
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Sushi Ninja Busted for Industrial Espionage
In this episode, we discuss a suspected molester who jumped from a bridge at Shibuya Station, Tokyo Olympics is to be held without spectators, and Sushi Ninja busted for industrial espionage. Word of the Week: メリケン (Meri-ken) This episode was recorded on July 9th, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out...
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Government Officials Turned Into Anime Characters
In this episode, we discuss the delayed rainy season in Japan, the Mt. Fuji reopening for the first time in two years, and the Japanese government officials turned into anime characters. Word of the Week: イメチェン (Ime-chen) This episode was recorded on July 2nd, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out our...
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Government Encourages 4-Day Workweek
In this episode, we discuss Emperor Naruhito's unconventional, personal statement regarding the Olympics and the Japanese Government's new guidelines to make 4-day working weeks the new normal. Word of the Week: ペアルック (Pair Look) This episode was recorded on June 25th, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo…
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Foreign Residence Card Checker Sparks Controversies
In this episode, we discuss the controversies in Japan over a new app that allows you to check the authenticity of a foreigner's residence card with a smartphone. Word of the Week: ブラインドタッチ (blind touch) This episode was recorded on June 18th, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo Check out our "Japan Go!"...
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We're Back! - Japan Gambles on Successful Olympics
Yasu & Julian are back after a short hiatus! We've made a few small changes to the show, but we're still providing the same informative and funny conversations that you've come to love! On this week's show, we discuss the current state of affairs regarding the Tokyo Olympics and share some…
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Japanese Entrepreneur Plans Journey To The Moon
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: Japanese Entrepreneur Plans Journey To The Moon Word of the Week: 天下り (Coming down from the Heaven) Important Announcement regarding our Podcast [Japanese Explanation] This Week In...
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Popular Manga Character Catches COVID-19
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: Popular Manga Character Catches COVID-19 Word of the Week: ベア (Be-a) [Japanese Explanation] This Week In Japanでは毎週、日本で話題のニュースについて、イギリス人アーティストのJulianと日本人起業家のYasuが英語で意見を交わしています。他にも日本文化や、面白い日本語のフレーズを紹介しています。 (Recorded on February 26th…
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Netflix To Offer Full-scholarships To Anime Creators Open To Foreigners
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: A Massive Earthquake Rattles Tohoku Region and Eastern Japan Featured Story of the Week: Netflix to offer full-scholarships open to foreigners at Tokyo anime school Word of the Week: Various new kinds of harassments [Japanese…
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Clubhouse App Is Making Big Waves In Japan
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: Clubhouse App Is Making Big Waves In Japan Featured Story of the Week: Ramen-Loving Researcher Discovers Tonkotsu Absorbs Radiation Word of the Week: 意識高い系 (Ishiki-takai-kei) [Japanese Explanation] This Week In...
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President of Tokyo Olympics Committee Under Fire for Sexist Comments
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: President of Tokyo Olympics Committee Under Fire for Comments Towards Women Featured Story of the Week: News rules are given to fan artists and cosplayers Word of the Week: ぴえん (Pie-n) [Japanese Explanation] This Week In...
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Pandemic Boosts Rice Consumption in Japan
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: Japan Aims to Vaccinate Around 75% of Country by October Featured Story of the Week: Pandemic Fuels Rice Consumption in Japan Word of the Week: 朝ラー (Asa-raa) [Japanese Explanation] This Week In...
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Silent Eating Is Trending In Japan
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! Main Story of the Week: Japan Rules Against Dual Citizenship Featured News Story: Silent Eating Is Trending In Japan Word of The Week: リアタイ (Ria-tai) [Japanese Explanation] This Week In...
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Big Setbacks for the Japanese Entertainment Industry
Welcome back to This Week In Japan! Main Story of the Week: 2nd State of Emergency causes Big Setbacks for the Japanese Entertainment Industry Featured News Story: Sapporo’s Newest Beer Label Error Leads to Controversy and Confusion Word of The Week: Roke-han (ロケハン) [Japanese Explanation] This…
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State of Emergency 2.0: Welcome to 2021
Welcome to Season 2 of This Week In Japan! News Story of the Week: Prime Minister Suga Declared the Second State of Emergency for Tokyo and Three Other Prefectures Featured News Story: Slam Dunk to Receive New Anime Movie Adaptation Word of The Week: “Second Sheet (二枚目: Ni-mai-me)” [Japanese...
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This Year In Japan - 2020 Review
This Week In Japan, we have a special episode, as this is the last episode of the year 2020. We first discuss the Three Biggest News Stories in Japan in 2020. Then Julian and Yasu each pick the Favorite News Story from all the news stories that we covered. And lastly, we announce the Most Random...
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Nintendo Company Brochure Becomes Valued Collector’s Item
This Week In Japan, Nintendo Company Brochure Becomes Valued Collector’s Item, Japan Plans To Phase-out Gasoline Car Sales, and Children are Choosing Demon Slayer Characters Over Their Parents. Random News of The Week: Nestle Announces A Stop of Sales for “MILO” Drink after Sales Increase Seven...
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Novelist Sues Square Enix over Game Character's Name
This Week In Japan, Go-To Travel Campaign Revised Due to Rising Corona Numbers, U.N. Council Finds Carlos Ghosn’s Arrests “Illegal”, and Novelist Sues Square Enix over Game Character's Name. Random News of The Week: Online Crane Game Hoax Exposed Word of The Week: “Grass (草)” [Japanese…
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Suga Pushes Digital Transformation Agency
This Week In Japan, Japan to Launch the Digital Transformation Agency, CAPCOM Repeatedly Threatened by Cyber Terrorist Group, and Princess Mako struggles with marrying her partner. Random News of The Week: A Rice-Growing Game Sells Out in Japan Word of The Week: “Galapagos (ガラパゴス)” [Japanese...
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A Countryside Mayor is the Japanese Joe Biden
This Week In Japan, Crown Prince Akishino Becomes the Official Successor to the Imperial Throne, A Countryside Mayor is the Japanese Joe Biden, and Nintendo’s Sales Are Booming while Sega Falls on Hard Times. Random News of The Week: A 117-year-old will carry the torch at the Olympics. Word of…
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Breaking News from Osaka Interrupts Anime Broadcast
This Week In Japan, News Story from Osaka Interrupts Anime Broadcast and Outrages Fans, Instant Noodle Sales are Exploding, and Boxing World Championship Match is Canceled Due to Corona on the Day of the Event. Random News of The Week: Women's Tights Company Comes Under Fire for Sexualized Ads....
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Osaka City Is On The Verge Of Being Abolished
This Week In Japan, Osaka City Faces the Possibility of Being Abolished, The Demon Slayer Movie Shatters Records and Faces Unique Problems, and A New Model Bullet Train is Set to Reach Brand New Speeds. Random News of The Week: An Idol Group Apologizes for Baseball Game Disturbance with Signed...
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Journalist Shiori Ito Sues Politician For Liking A Tweet
This Week In Japan, Shiori Ito Sues a Japanese Politician over Liked Tweets, Thomas the Tank Engine Introduces New Bullet Train Character Named Kenji, and Japan Prepares to Intercept Cyber Attacks for Olympics. Random News of The Week: Foreigners Arrested for Selling Sweets on the Street Word of...
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The Demon Slayer Movie Sees Record Screenings In Japan
This Week In Japan, The Demon Slayer Movie Sees Record Screenings in Japan, Major Banks Decide to Bail Out All Nippon Airways, A Nuclear Power Plant to be Reactivated for the First Time Since The 2011 Tsunami, and The Police Are Called Over An Undefeatable Crane Game. The Word of The Week: “ワンコイン...
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Japan Aims to Accept Tourists from April 2021
This Week In Japan, Japan to Allow International Tourists to Enter the Country from April 2021, JR Unveils a New Special Rail Pass Targeted for International Residents, Japanese Entrepreneur Forces a Local Restaurant to Shut Down After Not Wearing a Mask, and A Glitch in A Restaurant's System...
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Life-size Moving Gundam Is Activated
This Week In Japan, NTT to Buy NTT Docomo for 430 Billion Yen in Largest Take-over Bid in Japan’s History, Japan Plans to Get Rid of Hankos, Paperwork, and Fax Machines, Life-size Moving Gundam in Yokohama will be Activated on December 19th, and A Boy Successfully Infiltrates Elite High School…
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Prime Minister Suga Vows to Cut Mobile Phone Fees
This Week In Japan, Prime Minister Suga Vows to Cut Mobile Phone Fees, An Online Scam is Tricking Buyers with Non-cancelable PS5 Pre-orders, TV Stations are Eager to Buy Anime Copyrights, and The Sand From A Baseball Stadium Sells For Thousands of Yen. The Word Of The Week: “タピる (Tapi-ru)、メンブレ...
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Naomi Osaka Wins Third Grand Slam Title
This week in Japan, Yoshihide Suga is Named Japan's New Prime Minister, Naomi Osaka Wins the Third Grand Slam Title, Digital Theft on the Rise with Multiple Cases of Hacking, Final Fantasy XVI and Other Big Titles Announced During PS5 Presentation, and Mother and Son Arrested for Selling…
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Tokyo's Curfew For Bars Is Finally Lifted
This Week In Japan, Tokyo’s Curfew Lifted for Bars, Actor Yusuke Iseya Is Arrested For Possession oF Marijuana, Plane Is Forced To Land As Passenger Refuses To Wear Mask, Japan’s Biggest Year-end Celebration Prepares for No Audience For The First Time, and The Proper Way to Eat Onigiri Sparks Up…
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Race For The Next Prime Minister Begins
This Week In Japan, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo Announces His Resignation, The Race for the Next Prime Minister Begins, Japan's First Flying Car Test is Successful, Tokyo Exit Number Exceeds Entry Number for the First Time Ever, and A Mailman Keeps Over 500 Pieces of Mail and Packages For Over 14...
About this show
Need a weekly round-up of the top news stories coming out of Japan? Look no further. Tokyo-based, British content-creator Julian and Japanese entrepreneur Yasu, are here to dive into the hot topics of the week. Recorded in Tokyo, 'This Week in Japan' is the perfect blend of current news, cultural insight, and in-depth discussions all woven through a friendly conversation between the two hosts. Stay up-to-date with the flow of stories streaming out of Japan, no matter where you are. You can also find us on our Japan Go! YouTube Channel at: youtube.com/japango. [Japanese Explanation] 毎週、日本で今話題のニュースについて、東京在住のイギリス人クリエイターJulianと日本人起業家Yasuが英語で意見を交わしています。楽しく話題のニュースを振り返りながら、英語のリスニングがしたい方へ！
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