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Breaking stories and deep dives into Japan’s news and changing society — in English, from Tokyo.
43 Episodes
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Renewed pressure from Donald Trump is testing Japan–U.S. relations, from defense spending demands to trade and regional security expectations. This episode examines what Washington is asking of Tokyo, how Japanese leaders are responding and what it could mean for the alliance moving forward.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s police are often seen as effective and orderly, but a series of recent cases has raised questions about training, accountability and how investigations are handled. From mishandled evidence to internal scandals, deeper issues are starting to surface. This episode examines where the system is falling short and why reform has been slow.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan has some of the strictest weapon laws in the world, including limits on what kinds of knives people can carry and why. A blade that seems ordinary in other countries can quickly land someone in trouble with police in Japan.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Escalating conflict involving Iran is raising new concerns for Japan. The country relies heavily on energy imports from the Middle East, much of it shipped through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints. This episode examines why Japan is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the region and what a prolonged conflict could mean for energy prices, the economy and national security. Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are facing a growing recruitment crisis. As regional tensions rise and defense spending increases, fewer young people are signing up. This episode examines why enlistment is falling, how demographic decline plays a role and what it means for Japan’s security strategy.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Tensions between Japan and China continue to simmer in the waters around the Senkaku Islands, with near-daily coast guard patrols and growing military activity. This episode examines what’s happening at sea, why the dispute matters strategically and how it fits into the broader rivalry between Beijing and Tokyo.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s prime minister is not elected by popular vote. Instead, the leader emerges through a parliamentary process shaped by party politics, coalition math and internal power struggles. This episode explains how the system works, who really decides and why the outcome can be predictable long before voters head to the polls.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan remains one of the few developed countries to retain capital punishment, carrying out executions in secrecy and with limited public scrutiny. Despite international criticism and periodic domestic debate, support for the death penalty remains high. This episode examines how the system works, why it persists and what could finally force change.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan remains the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, yet its stance on nuclear weapons is more complicated than it appears. Officially opposed, Japan still relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and periodically revisits the debate as regional tensions rise. This episode examines where Japan draws the line, how firm it really is and what pressures could force a rethink.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s schools are under pressure. Teacher shortages, unpaid overtime, rising burnout and cases of sexual misconduct are exposing deep structural problems in the education system — and raising urgent questions about accountability, student safety and reform.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan is tightening and reshaping its rules for foreign residents, from visa renewals to compliance checks and enforcement. This episode breaks down what’s changing, who is affected and what the new rules signal about Japan’s evolving immigration policy.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan is racing to expand AI and data center capacity, but power shortages, grid limits and climate targets pose major challenges. This episode examines whether Japan’s energy system can support an AI-driven economy — and what trade-offs policymakers face.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
From politics and the economy to social change and major scandals, 2025 was a turbulent year for Japan. This special year-in-review episode looks back at the biggest stories covered on Japan Today Spotlight and what they reveal about where the country is heading next.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
After decades of relative price stability, daily life in Japan is getting more expensive. From food and energy to rent and services, this episode looks at why costs are rising, why wages are lagging behind and what it means for households heading into 2026.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Once seen as a symbol of rural decline, Japan’s "akiya" — vacant homes — are now drawing investors, renovators and foreign buyers. This episode explains why interest is surging, what buyers often overlook and how the boom is reshaping communities across Japan.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan remains one of the safest countries in the world, yet online scams, phone fraud and impersonation schemes are increasingly catching residents off guard. This episode explains how scammers operate, why certain tactics work so well in Japan and what you should watch out for to stay safe.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
A diplomatic storm erupted after comments from Japan’s defense minister angered China and set off a tense exchange over Taiwan. This episode breaks down what was said, why Beijing reacted so sharply and how the situation exposes growing risks in Japan–China relations.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan continues to struggle with long working hours, service overtime and rising cases of karoshi and work-related suicide. This episode examines why overwork remains so deeply rooted, how reforms have fallen short and why political leaders are under pressure to address a crisis that costs lives every year.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s countryside is emptying out as young people leave for big cities, birthrates fall and entire communities face collapse. This episode explores why rural areas are shrinking so fast, what local governments are trying to save them and what Japan loses when its small towns disappear.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
Japan’s NHK reception fee has long been one of the country’s most unpopular charges, sparking debates about fairness, enforcement and whether the system still makes sense. This episode explains why the fee exists, how it’s collected and why so many people want it changed.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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