On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Japanese to English translator/localizer Mel Ok tells about localizing Japanese video games and how he got into the translation/localization industry. About Mel Ok Mel Ok is a translator/localizer of Japanese video games and heads the translation/localization company Ace Honyaku. Topics Discussed The Japanese population in Hawaii Studying Japanese linguistics About doing play …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Gabriella Lukacs joins us to talk about some early internet history in Japan and the role of women in Japan’s digital economy. About Dr. Gabriella Lukacs Dr. Gabriella Lukacs is a professor in the department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of the book Invisibility by Design: …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Jonathan Wroot tells us about the movies of Ktano Takeshi, the fascinating history of the Zatoichi films, and more.. About Dr. Jonathan Wroot Dr. Jonathan Wroot is a senior lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Greenwich and the author of the book The Paths of Zatoichi: The Global Influence of the …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by baseball historian and expert on all things Japanese baseball Robert Fits. About Robert Fitts Robert Fitts is a baseball historian and expert ont he history of Japanese baseball. He has written numerous books on Japanese baseball including Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, and Assissination During the 1934 Tour of Japan. …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony talks to guitarist/actor/humanitarian Miyavi. About Miyavi Miyavi is a guitarist, musician, actor and humanitarian. He is particularly well known for his charactistic shamisen-inspired slap-style of playing the guitar. Topics Discussed Miyavi discusses his insecurities and what makes him nervous How Miyavi deals with his insecurities How Miyavi deals with stress and …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking with music journalist Patrick St. Michel. He’ll be telling us about Japanese pop music, Perfume, the city pop boom and one of his latest articles which focuses on the rise and fall and rise of eurobeat. About Patrick St. Michel Patrick St. Michel is a music journalist who specializes in …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking with Alex from the Sakura Stardust YouTube channel. She tells us about Japanese lost media and digs into some specific examples like Saki Sanobashi and the mysterious Akihabara cassette tape. About Alex (Sakura Stardust) Alex runs the popular YouTube channel Sakura Stardust. In her videos Alex focuses primarily on Japanese …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about archaeology in Japan and the case of Tsukumo No. 24, the world’s oldest known shark attack. Our guest for this episode is J. Alyssa White from the University of Oxford. About J. Alyssa White J. Alyssa White is a PhD candidate in Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Her …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about translation, learning Japanese and more with translator/podcaster Jenn O’Donnell. About Anna Lughezzani Jenn O’Donnell is a Japanese to English translator and podcaster. She lives in Osaka where she works as a Localization Director for a video game company. She also produces the podcasts The Translation Chat and Otafu Susume. Topics Discussed …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about Japan’s stressful job hunting process (shūkatsu) and how it–along with work in general–can be even more stressful and difficult for women in Japan. About Anna Lughezzani Anna Lughezzani, PhD candidate in anthropology at University of Padova, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and University of Verona (Italy). Topics Discussed The …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by J.J. Walsh of the Seek Sustainable Japan podcast/YouTube talk show and we’re talking about Japanese influences in Hawaii, life in Hiroshima and the ever-popular topic of remodeling akiya (abondoned homes in Japan). About J.J. Walsh J.J. Walsh is the host of the podcast/YouTube talk show Seek Sustainable Japan. Along with her …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about depictions of Japan and Japanese people on popular American TV shows with Dr. Alisa Freedman. About Dr. Alisa Freedman Alisa Freedman is a Professor of Japanese Literature, Cultural Studies, and Gender at the University of Oregon and the Editor-in-Chief of the U.S.–Japan Women’s Journal. Her books include Tokyo in Transit: Japanese …