On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, independent researcher and translator Eric Shahan joins us to talk about his work translating forgotten Japanese books on topics like martial arts, tattoos, ropes, ninja and more. About Eric Shahan Eric Shahan is an independent translator of Japanese books on a variety of topics mainly Jujutsu, sword techniques, police manuals, Karate, Ninja …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kushwagra Kushwaha, an animator working in Japan’s anime industry tells us how he got to Japan, how he got his break in the Japanese anime industry, what it’s like working as an anime animator in Japan and more. About Kushagra Kushwaha Kushwagra Kushwaha is a professional animator working in the anime industry …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why is Japanese TV so bad? Topics Discussed Why Japanese TV is so “terrible” About Japanese variety TV shows How most TV around the world aren’t remarkable How Japanese TV shows can be useful for watching TV How Japanese TV game shows are not crazy How the idea of Japanese game …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, James Reynolds tells us about documenting extreme weather in Japan and around the world.. About James Reynolds James Reynolds is a professional storm chaser who spends his days documenting extreme weather events in Japan and around the world. Topics Discussed About moving to Japan and learning Japanese How James Reynolds got started …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is the lesson of Urashima Taro? Topics Discussed The story of Urashima Taro Discussing different versions of Urashima Taro About the mysterious box (tamatebako) seen in Urashima Taro How you shouldn’t trust strange talking turtles The history of the story of Urashima Taro About the origins of Urashima Taro About the …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Chris McMorran talks about what it’s like working at a rural ryokan (Japanese inn). About Dr. Chris McMorran Chris McMorran is Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the National University of Singapore. He is a cultural geographer of contemporary Japan focusing on the geographies of home across scale, from the body …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Weathering With You bad? (About Tenki No Ko) Topics Discussed The commercial success of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The cultural impact of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko About the plot of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Overall impression of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The animation of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Product …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr Thomas Baudinette talks about Shinjuku’s Ni-chome district and Japanese media as it relates to queer individuals/gay men in Japan. About Dr. Thomas Baudinette Dr. Thomas Baudinette is Senior Lecturer in Japanese and International Studies in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Languages and Literatures at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. He …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony talks to John Davis, a cheesemaker living in Okinawa, Japan. About John Davis John Davis is a cheesemaker living in Okinawa, Japan. He operates okicheese.com. Topics Discussed About moving to Japan and trying to find a job teaching English in Japan About why John Davis started making cheese in Okinawa About …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Japanese women’s language an illusion? Topics Discussed About Japanese women’s language About gendered language in Japanese How context affects people’s speech in Japan Directness vs indirectness About politeness and “women’s speech” in Japanese About steretypical speech styles in Japanese About direct and indirect indexicality About Japanese first person pronouns Constructing …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we talk to Wombat, one of the creators of Japan Trail Cam. About Wombat Wombat spends his day in Kyushu hiking and setting trail cams in order to capture footage for the YouTube channle channel/Twitter/Instagram account Japan Trail Cam. Topics Discussed Wombats in Hawaii How Japan Trail Cam got started About capturing …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho joins us to talk about her time living and studying in Japan, printmaking, ukiyoe and more. About Wuon-Gean Ho Wuon-Gean Ho is an accomplished printmaker and is currently a Research Associate at the University of the West England’s Center for Print Research. Topics Discussed About spending time in Kagoshima …