Dispatches from Japan

80 Episodes

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Fukushima's weird border

2023-09-1515:25

In Fukushima, northern Japan, there's an anomalous section of the border - a long thin strip of land. What's that all about? #Japan #Geography #History

Otosclerosis surgery in Japan

2023-09-0541:14

What's it like having surgery in Japan? And what is otosclerosis? Find out all about my first surgery and hospital stay experience in this episode. #Otosclerosis #Japan

Ito Noe: Anarcha-Ferminist

2023-03-2050:56

Who was Ito Noe and what did she do in her short 28 years? Quite a lot, in fact. Find out about this anarcha-feminist in this episode. There's arranged marriage! A love tri..quadrilateral! Bertrand Russell! Throat stabbing! Government censorship! And more! #Japan #History #WomensHistory #Feminism

Cyling in Japan

2023-03-1322:09

I read an article claiming Japan is a great place to ride your bike. But is it really? A lot of it depends on where you are and what kind of riding you want to do. Let's break it down and see where Japan is good for cyclists, and where it ain't. #Cycling #Japan

The Great Fire of Meireki

2023-03-0629:39

In March of 1657, a fire destroyed most of Edo (Modern day Tokyo). What started the fire? Why is it sometimes called the furisode fire?

A Kemper shirt in my classroom

2023-02-2722:57

One of the recent trends in Japanese fashion is US university sweatshirts. And sometimes they are not the obvious schools.

Randoseru? What's that?

2022-12-0524:46

It's a rite of passage for Japanese kids entering elementary school. But not having grown up here, it's slightly baffling to me, even though I "get it." What is a randoseru? And what up with that?

A mystery boat in Oga

2022-09-2219:37

In August of 1981, three suspicious men were spotted in a small rubber boat in Oga, Akita, northern Japan. Who were they? And why were people on the Japan Sea coast on edge at the time?

Who was Tsujimura Michiyo?

2022-09-1717:40

She was featured in a Google Doodle in 2021. But why? Who was Tsujimura Michiyo?

Taking the Skyrail

2022-09-1214:13

Down in Hiroshima, there is a short and, dare I say it, unique public transit line. It's not particularly flashy or fast. But it does stand out in its own ways.

The unexpected superfighter jet in Hakodate

2022-09-0620:58

In 1976, Hakodate airport had a very unexpected landing, one that would destroy the mystique of a new, still little known about plane. Listen to find out what happened on a cloudy day in September, 1976.

JAJ58: Graduation

2022-04-0523:03

What does it mean to "graduate" or "卒業"? Let's talk about differences in how the words are used.

JAJ57: Shirase Nobu - Polar explorer

2022-03-0139:00

Do you know about Shirase Nobu? Yes? Well, you're either a liar or a total Japanese history otaku. Don't know who that is? Well, listen and find out about Japan's entry into the race for the South Pole. (Spoiler - they didn't win the race, but it was still a success.)

JAJ56: The Sakaide Transmission Tower Incident (Shorty)

2022-02-2314:45

In 1998, an electricity transmission tower in Kagawa prefecture collapsed. What caused it? And what's up with the copycat crime? Listen to this shorty and find out.

JAJ55: University life in Japan

2022-02-1632:08

What is university life like in Japan? Well, I'm not a university student, but as an instructor, I have at least a reasonable idea. Listen and find out some of the ways university life differs here in Japan.

JAJ54: 50hz or 60hz - A quirk of history

2022-01-1724:51

Japan has two separate power grids, operating at two different frequencies. 50hz in the east, and 60hz in the west. How did that happen? And why won't anyone fix it?

JAJ53: Monkeys! (And other animals)

2021-11-2943:09

Let's talk about the wide diversity of animals in Japan. Well, at least land and air based animals. No aquatic wildlife in this one. But Monkeys! And Bears! And wild boars! And others. Get outside of the big cities and find the wildlife. And maybe get chased by it.

JAJ52: The Toya Maru

2021-11-1240:37

On September 26, 1954, the train ferry Toya Maru capsized less than a kilometer off the coast near Hakodate, killing more than 1000 people. Listen to hear about what happened and the legacy of the disaster.The report I quoted from a couple of times: http://www.shippai.org/fkd/en/cfen/CA1000609.html

JAJ51: Let's talk royals

2021-10-2935:43

You might have seen something about Princess Mako's wedding in the news. I share some thoughts about the Japanese royal family and the whole situation. #Content

JAJ50: Kisakata

2021-10-2126:45

Find out some about the town of Kisakata. Why did Matsuo Basho go and visit? Check it out!

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