On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, comedian, TV personality, and co-host of the Japan By River Cruise podcast Bobby Judo stops by to chat about the Japanese river cruise industry, iguanas, working Japan’s entertainment industry, and more. About Bobby Judo Bobby Judo is a stand-up comedian and TV personality based in …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, award-winning author Peter Tieryas talks about his alternate history book series, United States of Japan, as well as answers many of the lingering questions at the end of his most recent book, Cyber Shogun Revolution. About Peter Tieryas Peter Tieryas is the award-winning author of the United …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re exploring the history of Japanese aidoru (idols) and discussing the dynamics behind one of Japan’s most popular idol groups: AKB48. About Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith is a lecturer at Senshu University in Tokyo. He is one of the world’s leading experts on the …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re digging into the world of Japanese spycraft and the history of Japan’s intelligence community with one of the world’s leading experts on the subject: Dr Richard Samuels. About Dr. Richard Samuels Richard Samuels is Ford International Professor of Political Science and director of the …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What was it like in Fukushima during the Tohoku earthquake? Note: This is part two of a two part series. If you have not listened to part one, you should go back and listen to it first. Topics Discussed What it was like being in Iwaki City, Fukushima in …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What was it like in Fukushima during the Tohoku earthquake? Note: This is part one of a two part series. Topics Discussed A firsthand account of what the 2011 Tohoku earthquake felt like in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture The 2011 tsunami The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and concerns over …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What’s it like being a fake priest in Japan? Topics Discussed What a nisebokushi is The different terminology for priests in Japanese (shinpu vs bokushi) The phenomenon of having foreigners dress as priests to officiate weddings in Japan How most “fake priests” in Japan tend to be white men …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re exploring the world of the bamboo flute known as the shakuhachi.. About Christopher Yohemei Blasdel Christopher Yohmei Blasdel is a master of the shakuhachi, an educator, and an award-winning author. He began instruction in the instrument in Japan in 1972 and has spent almost …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we’re talking about learning Japanese, running a business, and a whole lot more with the creator of Tofugu, Koichi. About Koichi For more than a decade Koichi has been helping people learn about Japan, Japanese culture, and the Japanese language via the blog Tofugu and …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we take a look at the fascinating intersection between Japanese culture, society, and video games. About Dr. Rachael Hutchinson Dr. Rachael Hutchinson is an associate professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Delaware. She has taught classes on Japanese language, film, anime, manga, and …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast I sit down for a chat with the award-winning creator of the Usagi Yojimbo comic book series, Stan Sakai. About Stan Sakai Though born in Japan, Stan Sakai grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving to California to pursue a career in comics. Once in …

On This Episode On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we’re digging deep into the world of Japanese Buddhist statues and iconography. About Michael VanHartingsveldt Michael VanHartingsveldt is an expert on Buddhist art and iconography. In 2016, Michael obtained a Master’s degree in East Asian Art Business through a joint program offered by the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and …