On this episode of Japan Station, we’re joined by documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki to talk about her latest documentary The Making of a Japanese and her latest short documentary Instrument of a Beating Heart. During the conversation we focus on the making of these films, what makes Japanese elementary schools unique, the role Japanese elementary schools play in shaping Japanese society, …

Originally released on 3/21/2024 as pisode 80 of Ichimon Japan. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about what the best kind of English teaching in Japan is: Eikaiwa, JET Programme (ALT) or university teacher. Topics Discussed What it is like working in an eikaiwa school in Japan What the salary is for an eikaiwa teacher The good and bad …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Whar are buruma? Topics Discussed What buruma/bloomers are A brief overview of the history of school uniforms in Japan About the gakuran style school uniform About the supposed link between gakuran uniforms and Prussian military uniforms About sailor uniforms (sērā fuku) About “blazer” style uniforms The controversy over whether it was a school in Kyoto …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a yankī or furyō? Topics Discussed What a furyō is The literal meaning of furyō All about juvenile delinquent culture in Japan The possible origin of the term furyō What a yankī is The possible origins of the Japanese term yankī and its links to Osaka’s Amemura area What a tsuppari is Classic …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do students in Saga Prefecture still have to wear white underwear? Topics Discussed The decision by Saga Prefecture’s Board of Education to get rid of an existing rule in some of its schools that made it mandatory for students to wear white underwear under their school uniforms The possibility that some school …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony  Vega talks to Kevin O’Shea, host of the Just Japan Podcast, about the unique experience he had in 2020 when he got stuck in Japan due to the coronavirus pandemic. About Kevin O’Shea Kevin O’Shea is a content creator, educator, and longtime resident of Japan. Aside from producing over 200 episodes of the Just …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki discusses being inspired by Ichiro Suzuki and her latest documentary Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams. About Ema Ryan Yamazaki Ema Ryan Yamazaki is a documentary filmmaker who has worked on several Japan-related projects. Her most recent feature-length documentary is titled Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams and …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, manga creator and boxer Kofi Bazzell-Smith (a.k.a. Kofi Manga) stops by to discuss manga, the Japanese language, and the importance of perseverance. About Kofi Manga Kofi Bazzell-Smith is an American manga creator and boxer. He is active on YouTube and Instagram under the name Kofi Manga. Topics Discussed The anime/manga Hajime …

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear? Topics Discussed School rules concerning the color of a student’s underwear The story of one student who ended up having to go bra-less after it was found that she was not wearing white underwear during a school trip Some …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why are school rules in Japan so strict? Topics Discussed Experiences working at and attending Japanese schools A selection of “weird” school rules (kōsoku) from across Japan The history behind why school rules became strict in Japan The case of a female high school student who filed a lawsuit …

It pays to be old. It’s no secret that Japan’s population is steadily decreasing due to a combination of a low birth rate and a quickly increasing number of senior citizens. As a result, dwindling enrollment numbers are a constant concern for universities in Japan. However, one Japanese university is hoping to bolster their numbers by targeting people 50 and …

Looks like this social studies teacher needs a refresher on basic laws. A teacher at a public junior high school in Osaka who was arrested after allegedly trying to shoot illicit video of his female students in a school restroom with his smartphone is offering up a less than believable excuse for his actions. According to a report by Nikkan …