PODCAST · education
Hāfu Voices - Living between two worlds in Japan
by Yuko Deneuville
This podcast is rooted in the lived reality of people known in Japan as “Hāfu”, individuals of mixed heritage whose identities are shaped by movement between cultures, languages, and social expectations. Being “Hāfu" in Japan is a distinct experience, marked by visibility, labeling, and constant negotiation of belonging. Although the word "Hāfu / Half" can feel reductive or painful, it remains the commonly used term in Japan, and this project chooses to engage with it honestly rather than erase it. Led by a host who is herself half Japanese and French, the podcast becomes both a personal and collective exploration of identity.From early childhood, identity is shown not as a choice, but as something imposed and divided. Growing up between France and Japan, the host lived under two names, Laurence outside the home, Yuko inside, embodying two identities from the very beginning. Language, too, became a site of loss and adaptation: encouraged to abandon Japanese in early childhood to “f
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Interview de Jun Dupont | Hāfu Voices - Mars 2026
Dans cet épisode du Podcast "Hāfu Voices", j'ai reçu un ami très cher, Jun Dupont, Franco-Japonais de 46 ans, qui a grandi en France et navigue depuis toujours entre deux cultures sans jamais se considérer “à moitié” de quoi que ce soit.Jun raconte son parcours d’apprentissage du japonais – entre une mère japonaise qui ne lui a jamais imposé une identité biculturelle stricte, des cours au lycée puis à l’INALCO, et des séjours réguliers au Japon.Au fil de la conversation, il partage une réflexion très nuancée sur l’identité Hāfu :✔️ se sentir complet, même quand on est perçu à travers des étiquettes✔️ l’importance de l’humour et du lâcher-prise✔️ comment la culture se transmet… ou non✔️ comment nos parts françaises et japonaises peuvent entrer en contradiction✔️ pourquoi certaines micro-agressions passent inaperçues jusqu’au jour où une expérience ouvre les yeuxJun revient aussi sur un épisode marquant de discrimination envers un ami à lui, à la frontière d'un pays lorsqu’il avait 19–20 ans, un moment qui a changé sa manière de voir les discriminations: les siennes, celles des autres, et celles qu’il n’avait jamais remarquées jusque-là.🎧 Dans cet échange intime, on parle de langue, d’héritage, de transmission, de contradictions internes… mais aussi de cette envie profonde de renouer avec ses racines après la disparition de sa mère, et de comprendre ce qu’on peut (ou pas) transmettre à ses enfants.Ce que j’ai retenu de notre échange :💡Les micro-agressions existent même quand on ne les remarque pas.💡 Nos identités ne sont jamais “moitié-moitié”, mais faites de proportions changeantes.💡On transmet ce qu’on peut, et nos enfants en feront ce qu’ils voudront, et c’est OK.👉 Abonne-toi pour ne manquer aucun épisode sur l’identité multiculturelle, les hauts, les bas et tout ce qu’il y a entre les deux. 👉 DM si tu veux partager ta voix dans un prochain épisode.I believe that we all have different experiences and by sharing it openly, we could help other Hāfu, multicultural people and simply people who are questioning their identities.So if you are interested in sharing your experience, please contact me at [email protected] Gratitude, YukoI am Yuko, a French-Japanese Intercultural Transition Coach. Having lived abroad for over 30 years, I support people going through life transitions to dare to assert themselves, overcome their fears, and create a life without regrets.If you are looking for gentleness, momentum, freedom, and authenticity: welcome here. ✨Instagram : @yukodeneuvillecoachFacebook : @Yuko Deneuville🌐 www.yukodeneuville.comYoutube: @Yuko DeneuvilleIf you'd like to have a chat to see how I could support you live YOUR Life with NO regrets, schedule a time here 😉:https://calendly.com/deneuville-yuko-coach/30minBloom. Anytime, anywhere 🌸Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Between Worlds: Owning your Mixed Identity
During this webinar on March 12th, I was able to share about the diversity in Japan, the origins of the term Hāfu (being half Japanese and half from another country) and my own experience growing up as a Hāfu in Japan and then moving to other countries.This webinar marks the launch of my new Podcast Hāfu Voices, where I would like to invite other Hāfu to share their own experiences, wether they consider them to be positive or challenging.I believe that we all have different experiences and by sharing it openly, we could help other Hāfu, multicultural people and simply people who are questioning their identities.So if you are interested in sharing your experience, please contact me at [email protected] Gratitude, YukoI am Yuko, a French-Japanese Intercultural Transition Coach. Having lived abroad for over 30 years, I support people going through life transitions to dare to assert themselves, overcome their fears, and create a life without regrets.If you are looking for gentleness, momentum, freedom, and authenticity: welcome here. ✨Instagram : @yukodeneuvillecoachFacebook : @Yuko Deneuville🌐 www.yukodeneuville.comYoutube: @Yuko DeneuvilleIf you'd like to have a chat to see how I could support you live YOUR Life with NO regrets, schedule a time here 😉:https://calendly.com/deneuville-yuko-coach/30minBloom. Anytime, anywhere 🌸Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast is rooted in the lived reality of people known in Japan as “Hāfu”, individuals of mixed heritage whose identities are shaped by movement between cultures, languages, and social expectations. Being “Hāfu" in Japan is a distinct experience, marked by visibility, labeling, and constant negotiation of belonging. Although the word "Hāfu / Half" can feel reductive or painful, it remains the commonly used term in Japan, and this project chooses to engage with it honestly rather than erase it. Led by a host who is herself half Japanese and French, the podcast becomes both a personal and collective exploration of identity.From early childhood, identity is shown not as a choice, but as something imposed and divided. Growing up between France and Japan, the host lived under two names, Laurence outside the home, Yuko inside, embodying two identities from the very beginning. Language, too, became a site of loss and adaptation: encouraged to abandon Japanese in early childhood to “f
HOSTED BY
Yuko Deneuville
CATEGORIES
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