Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses our latest Mythbusters articles on foreign media misperceptions of Japan with author Prof. Earl Kinmonth. Access articles on today’s topic: [Mythbusters] Paper Jam: Foreign Reporting is Short on Facts About Fax in Japan[Mythbusters] Voting in Japan: Pencils-and-Paper System Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the new norm for fans returning to sports venues and events with longtime sports journalist, Ed Odeven. Access articles on today’s topic: Spectators Permitted to Attend July Grand Sumo Tournament NPB / Extra-Inning Games to be Limited to 10 Innings This Season Japan’s J. League To Relaunch Season on July 4
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the government’s initiative known as the “Go To Campaign” and their personal experiences with the challenges of domestic travel amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Access articles on today’s topic: Japan’s ‘Go To’ Domestic Travel Campaign: Here Are the Discounts You Can Enjoy Starting July 22 ‘Man-made Calamity’: Opposition Explodes vs Japan’s ‘Go To’ Tourism Push Amid COVID-19 ‘Go To’ Tourism Campaign Off to a Bumpy Start with Tokyo’s Exclusion Websites mentioned in the podcast as some of the many ways to support local businesses without having to travel: https://furunavi.jp/ https://furu-sato.com/ https://www.tabechoku.com/products https://jasaga.or.jp/ https://www.shibori-hisada.com/
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with graduate student and intern Mariko Azuma, who has returned from Kyoto to deliver insights and updates on Japan’s world-renowned Gion festival. *We apologize for the inconvenience of light static in a few brief sections.* Access articles on today’s topic: Gion Festival Amid the Pandemic: Smaller Events, Closer Communities The Men of Koiyama: Keeping the Gion Festival Tradition for the Next Generation
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, his background, low-key but decisive role in national initiatives and future ambitions for the nation. Access articles on today’s topic: Yoshihide Suga Reveals ￥170 Billion Yen Japanese Aid to Help World Fight COVID-19 in First UN Speech Big Challenges and Humble Origins: Prime Minister Suga Might Just Be Able to Pull it Off Continuity and Balance: Meet Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s Cabinet Yoshihide Suga Wins LDP Party Leadership Race With Overwhelming Support [Bookmark] Three Candidates Aim to Lead Japan Post-Abe; Here Are Their Key Policies Support for Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet Surges in Its Last Days The Man on Shinzo Abe’s Side: Yoshihide Suga, Top Bet for Japan’s Next Prime Minister
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team is joined by Sports Journalist Ed Odeven for a discussion on the status of Japanese teams, athletes and competitions in and outside Japan. Ed takes our questions and shares his analysis of sports in the coronavirus era. Access articles on today’s topic: [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] A Wide Range of Sports to Follow During Autumn Months BASKETBALL | B. League Completes Action-packed Opening Week BASEBALL | MLB Wraps Up Regular Season, Prepares for Unusual 16-team Playoffs ODDS and EVENS | Takuma Sato Navigates New Territory as Two-Time Indy 500 Winner FIGURE SKATING | Yuzuru Hanyu to Skip Upcoming Grand Prix Series [ODDS and EVENS] Cubs Pitcher Yu Darvish on Top of His Game TENNIS | Kei Nishikori Tests Positive for COVID-19, Withdraws From U.S. Open Tuneup Event
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Julian Gregory and Jonathan Howard, two members of the world-famed a cappella group, The King’s Singers, just days away from their Digital Online tour, ‘ Finding Harmony in Japan, Heiwa’ (peace). We learn about their recent activities and hobbies during the pandemic period, reminisce about their 2019 visit to Tokyo to welcome the Reiwa era, and hear about their favorite pieces in the new ‘Heiwa’ repertoire. Read more about the King’s Singers on JAPAN Forward in our pieces here: WATCH HERE: The King’s Singers ‘Finding Harmony in Japan’ October 24 Concert [Bookmark] ‘We Can’t Wait To Be Back!’ The King’s Singers on Touring in Japan, Life During COVID-19 JAPAN Forward Streams The King’s Singers’ ‘Finding Harmony in Japan’ Starting October 24 INTERVIEW| The King’s Singers During COVID-19: Looking Forward to their Japan Tour “Back in Harmony” The King’s Singers Bring A Live Concert Online for Fans All Over the World The King’s Singers Perform ‘One Day’ Exclusively For Fans During Covid-19 Crisis
Listen in as JAPAN Forward Editor in Chief Yasuo Naito and veteran journalist Yoshihisa Komori discuss some of the impacts of the 2020 U.S. election on Japan and the Indo-Pacific region, and how the outcome could influence U.S.-Japan relations going forward. Find articles in English by Yoshihisa Komori here, on JAPAN Forward: * Huge Polling Flops in U.S. Election: The ‘Great Blue Wave’ for Biden Never Arrived* End of Conciliatory Engagement: A Guide to the Trump Administration’s China Policy* Ruling Party Lawmaker Voices Rare Criticism of China in the National Diet* China Rapidly Dwarfing Japan in Naval Power, Would Establish Superiority in a Senkakus Showdown
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team and German journalist Agnes Tandler chat about her career as a seasoned foreign correspondent covering key conflict stories in the Middle East and several parts of Asia before she arrived in Japan, life in Japan, and what’s coming up in her career. Recommended Stories by Agnes Tandler for JAPAN Forward: * In Hokkaido Town of Yoichi, the Best Whisky You Can Never Try* A Vanishing Culture: Japan’s Ainu People are Finally Getting a National Museum – But will Visitors Come?* Finding the Rhythm of the Seasons in Sapporo’s Coronavirus Gardens* ‘Healthy Soul Food’ Hokkaido’s Soup Curry Creates a Frenzy* Inca Awakening, Shadow Queen, Northern Ruby: Hokkaido Potatoes Get a Fancy Makeover
Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team reflects on their favorite articles published throughout the year, and discuss how Japan’s trending words have impacted our lives in 2020. Articles mentioned in the recording: Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 25 - 21 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 20 - 16 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 15 - 11 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 10 - 6 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 5 - 1 Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Online「〇〇」 Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Animal Crossing Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Demon Slayer Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Amabie Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: 3Cs
~~ Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the stories that continue to shape our outlook after dominating Japan’s headlines over the last year. Articles mentioned in the podcast: * The Year in Our Stories: International Friction that Focused Our Attention in 2020* The Year in Our Stories: International Cooperation Shores Up 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific'* The Year in Our Stories: Japan's Democracy in Action (Domestic Politics)* The Year in Our Stories: Economy and Technology Battle COVID, Bring Inspiration* The Year in Our Stories: Pop Culture Brings Fun Relief to Japan and the World
~~ Listen in as JAPAN Forward sports journalist, Ed Odeven, and guest, Ice Time’s Jack Gallagher weigh in on key sports highlights of Japanese teams, events and individual athletes in 2020. Articles mentioned in the podcast: * [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] NPB’s Hawks, J. League’s Frontale Reign Supreme* TENNIS | Naomi Osaka Captures Second U.S. Open Title* Sports Replay 2020: A Banner Year for Top Japanese Teams* Sports Replay 2020: Athletes Displayed Mettle, Overcame Obstacles* Sports Replay 2020: How COVID-19 Impacted Athletes, Teams and Events* Sports Replay 2020: Most Read Sports Stories
~~ Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with author and finance guru Peter Tasker about predictions in his New Year’s essay – Peering Into 2021: Tanjiro Kamado Battles Big Tech, including his take on some of the big choices we’ll face in the coming year. Find other articles by Peter Tasker here.
~~ Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Senior Fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), researcher and commentator on Asia’s security affairs, Dr. Monika Chansoria about the regional priorities she identifies in her New Year’s essay – 2021 Security Priority: Better Integration of Indo-Pacific, Partner Nations. Find other articles by Dr. Monika Chansoria here
~~ Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with professional action and sports photographer, Jason Halayko about the New Year’s predictions in his article, “Expect Innovations in the Photography Industry in 2021” and what it’s like to work in Japan. Find other articles by Jason Halayko here.
Listen in to the conversation as the JAPAN Forward editorial team talks about February festivals – from the 2022 Winter Olympics and differences between the Tokyo and Beijing host cities, to Japan’s Setsubun traditions, and cherry blossom expectations. Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.
Listen in to the conversation as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with foreign correspondent Agnes Tandler on living through the historic snowfall in Sapporo this winter, the city’s famous soup curry, and world sporting events that face climate challenges. Related Articles Sapporo is Snowed In, and it’s All Natural Amidst Omicron Surge, Restrictions Threaten to Dampen Beijing Winter Olympics ‘Healthy Soul Food’ Hokkaido’s Soup Curry Creates a Frenzy Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.
Listen in as veteran music journalist Daniel Robson, Editor in Chief of popular video game and entertainment website IGN Japan joins the JAPAN Forward editorial team to chat about his recent interview and the latest hits in the entertainment market.
Listen in as guest Peter Tasker chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team about culture and politics from the Beijing Olympics to his favorite Olympic-themed movies and recent Japanese works. Related Articles Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.
Listen in as Galileo reconnects with former Fukushima JET Programme colleagues to talk about some of their experiences during the Great East Japan Earthquake. First, about the people on the recording: Billy McMichael was and is currently living in Fukushima City. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, McMichael coordinated volunteer activities to help clean up the city and coastal areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Fane Malieta was living in Tomioka-machi, a town along the east coast of Fukushima Prefecture at the time. The town was heavily affected by the tsunami, and had strict evacuation regulations due to its proximity to the TEPCO Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Gene Lyu was living in Shinchi-machi, which is near the border of Miyagi Prefecture in the northeast part of Fukushima. Gene wasn’t able to return to his apartment for a couple of months. John Au-Yeung was living in Iwaki, a coastal city in the eastern part of Fukushima. The fishing ports near him were greatly affected by the disaster. Jastin M. was living in Koriyama City, which is in the center of Fukushima Prefecture. Jastin volunteered in the city and coastal areas in the aftermath of the earthquake. Related Stories #20 Real Issues, Real Voices, Real Japan Podcast – [Remembering 3.11] 11 Years on From the Great East Japan Earthquake Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.