Deep in Japan

In this episode, we welcome Justin Aukema (@aukemajk), self-described "Christian // Mammon disrespecter // History lover // Truth seeker 求道者 // Reluctant academic // Aspiring man of virtue (君子)" to talk about his EXPLOSIVE tweet on the economic plight of the Japanese countryside. For more info on Justin and his writings, check out his website - especially his essay, "Poverty in Japan."  The outro track was MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS - New Order ー and it's straight-up fire, so you'll definitely want to check that out. Oh, and don' sleep on that Japanese Marxist podcast I mentioned. It's called Against Japanism. Deep in Japan is completely independent, unsponsored, and commercial-free. Like what you hear? Make sure to support the show at Patreon. Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!  

Jake Adelstein is an author who has been covering Japan since 1993. His first book, Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter On The Police Beat in Japan was made into a TV series that debuted on HBO Max and WOWOW on April 7th. His next book, Yakuza Wonderland, will be released this year.To learn more about Jake, check out Unseen Japan's recent profile of Jake and his work: Tokyo Vice’s Jake Adelstein: Everything You Wanted To Know (But Were Mildly Afraid To Ask)And remember, kids, the Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please give a thought to supporting the show at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapanThe outro was Ryu Ga Gotaku from the famous Yakuza game franchise. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), a few anime sound bites, some kabuki, a cheap recording of my son’s Buzz Lightyear toy, and “Dubstep" from BenSound.Oh, and let us not forget the Japanese version of Simon and Garfunkel's Sound of Silence!Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comThanks for listening!

This is the third and final part of an interview series with Kieda Takao recorded on 2 February 2017, when I was still a podcast production novice. Apologies for the sound quality.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we survive on the kindness of your donations. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapanThe outro was a cover of Masahi Sada's "さよならにっぽん” and although I'm not sure who the female singer is (if you know, please tell me) the track I sourced can be found here. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites blended with “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comThanks for listening!

This is the second part of an interview series with Kieda Takao recorded on 2 February 2017, when I was still a podcast production novice. Apologies for the sound quality.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we survive on the kindness of your donations. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapanThe outro was a Japanese cover of Oasis's “Wonderwall” by なかたにつよし. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites blended with Gagaku and “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

This is the first part of an interview series with Kieda Takao recorded on 2 February 2017, when I was still a podcast production novice. Apologies for the sound quality.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we survive on the kindness of your donations. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapan LINKS!HistoryPod - The Mukden Incident of 1931Grunge - The Truth About Japanese Kamikaze Pilots is Pretty GrimUnseen Japan - The Siege of Asama Sanso: The Japanese Red Army’s Last Stand(Japanese Language) Documentary on The Asama Sanso IncidentAnother Interesting (Japanese Language) Doc on Asama SansoMUSIC!The outro was “Kamikaze” from the Sounds of War album. You can find English subs here, although the sound quality is not as good. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comThanks for listening! 

In this episode, we speak with author and critic Damian Flanagan about his most recent book, a biography of Yukio Mishima. To learn more about Damian and his books, visit his website. The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show at Patreon.com.The musical outro was 起て！紅の若き獅子たち - (Get Up! Young Crimson Lions) - Anthem of the Tatenokai which is available with Japanese and English subs here. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with "Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening! 

In this episode, we invite back Iain Maloney to discuss his latest book: Life is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags. Iain is the author of three novels, a haiku collection, and the memoir The Only Gaijin in the Village. You can acquire his work at www.liminalink.com. To learn more about Iain, head over to his website or follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @iainmaloneyThe Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show by becoming at Patreon.com.  The outro was “Time Flies” by Mothercoat. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with “Dubstep" from BenSound. Got something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we speak with Brett Bull of the Tokyo Reporter. The Reporter is a Japanese English-language news website whose reporting is based on Japanese tabloid journalism. Founded in 2008, the website translates or adapts reports by Japanese tabloid media about such topics as crime, sex, and entertainment in Japan. For more info and news, visit https://www.tokyoreporter.com/ The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show. The outro was “Brainwashing” by AwichGot something to say? You can reach me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening! 

In this episode, we talk with author and SoraNews24 journalist Scott Wilson about his life in Japan in general and about passing N1 of the JLPT in specific.  For more detailed info, see Scott's article on the JLPT, along with his website and Twitch page.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we eke out an existence on the kindness of your donations. Please give a thought to supporting the show here at Patreon.The outro was the original One Piece series opening. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with “Dubstep" from BenSound. Got something to say? You can find me at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com. And if you like what you are listening to, remember to support the show. Thanks for listening! 

Ben Tanaka is a teacher and writer based in Sendai who runs RetireJapan, a website dedicated to helping people improve their financial situation. For more about Ben and what he is doing, check out RetireJapan.com.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we eke out an existence on the kindness of your donations. Please give a thought to supporting the show at Patreon.comThe outro was Rich Man, Poor Man by Nipps. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), a few anime sound bites, some kabuki, a cheap recording of my son’s Buzz Lightyear toy, and “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can find me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

This week, we speak with Tim Romero, Tokyo-based innovator, author, entrepreneur, and host of the Disrupting Japan podcast. To learn more about Tim and his amazing podcast, check out the Disrupting Japan podcast website. The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, and by that I mean we eke out an existence on the kindness of your donations. Please consider supporting the show at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapanThe outro was プラネットマジック by the N'夙川BOYS. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), a few anime sound bites, some kabuki, a cheap recording of my son’s Buzz Lightyear toy, and “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can find me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/

In this episode, we are happy to welcome back Roger Pulvers to delve deeper into his writings: specifically, The Unmaking of an American, Star Sand, The Dream of Lafcadio Hearn, and LIV.Roger Pulvers is an American-born Australian playwright, novelist, film director, theater director, and translator who has lived the better part of 50 years in Japan. Throughout his long and prolific career, he has published more than 50 books in Japanese and English, and was assistant to the director of the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.”He has translated works from Russian, Polish, and Japanese, among them Gogol's "The Government Inspector," plays by Stanislaw Witkiewicz, the poetry of Miyazawa Kenji and Ishikawa Takuboku, and novels by Inoue Hisashi. His latest novels are “Liv” and "The Dream of Lafcadio Hearn," both published by Balestier Press. He wrote the screenplay for and directed the film "Star Sand" based on his novel of the same name. The film was released widely around Japan in 2017.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded. And by that, I mean we are broke, impecunious, poor. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron on our Patreon page.The outro was The intro was つれづれなるままに  Tsurezure Naru Mama ni off the 1974 folk album  Out Of Mind [アウト・オブ・マインド]  by Ryo Kagawa. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can find me at the following: www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we are happy to welcome back Roger Pulvers to delve deeper into his writings: specifically, The Unmaking of an American, Star Sand, The Dream of Lafcadio Hearn, and LIV. Roger Pulvers is an American-born Australian playwright, novelist, film director, theater director, and translator who has lived the better part of 50 years in Japan. Throughout his long and prolific career, he has published more than 50 books in Japanese and English, and was assistant to the director of the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.”He has translated works from Russian, Polish, and Japanese, among them Gogol's "The Government Inspector," plays by Stanislaw Witkiewicz, the poetry of Miyazawa Kenji and Ishikawa Takuboku, and novels by Inoue Hisashi. His latest novels are “Liv” and "The Dream of Lafcadio Hearn," both published by Balestier Press. He wrote the screenplay for and directed the film "Star Sand" based on his novel of the same name. The film was released widely around Japan in 2017.The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded. And by that, I mean we are broke, impecunious, poor. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron on our Patreon page.The outro was The intro was つれづれなるままに  Tsurezure Naru Mama ni off the 1974 folk album  Out Of Mind [アウト・オブ・マインド]  by Ryo Kagawa. The intro was my original mashup of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) anime sound bites with “Dubstep" from BenSound.Got something to say? You can find me at the following: www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

Katsura Sunshine (桂 三輝, Katsura Sanshain) is a Canadian traditional Japanese rakugo comic storyteller, theatre producer, and television personality, currently performing traditional Japanese rakugo on Broadway. To learn more about Katsura Sunshine, check out the following:Katsura Sunshine on BroadwayKatsura Sunshine on YouTubeKatsura Sunshine on FacebookKatsura Sunshine on TwitterDeep in Japan is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please give a thought to supporting the show. MUSIC: The intro was my original mashup of Fist of the North Star, a few anime sound bites, some kabuki, a cheap recording of my son’s Buzz Lightyear toy, and “Dubstep" from BenSound.The outro was "japanese [sic] jazz when driving on a warm night" taken from tardiobscurus_jp.Got something to say? You can find me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

Amy Chavez has been a columnist for The Bali Times, HuffPo, and The Japan Times (the latter 23 years). She founded Books on Asia in May 2018. Her articles have been published in newspapers and magazines around the world including Japan, the UK, the US, Canada, Taiwan, Indonesia, and New Zealand. She lives in Japan. Her latest book is The Widow, The Priest and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island available at Bookshop.org  (an online bookshop that puts you in touch with local bookstores who procure your purchase for pick-up) for those in the US. You should also be able to find the book at Kinokuniya and The Laughing Oyster Bookshop in B.C. Canada, for all our B.C. canuck buddies out there.LINKS:The Facebook Page for the bookAmy on Twitter: @JapanLite and  @BooksOnAsiaBooks on Asia Podcast is here or subscribePLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please give a thought to supporting the show at https://www.patreon.com/deepinjapanMUSIC:The intro was my original mashup of Fist of the North Star, a few anime sound bites, some kabuki, a cheap recording of my son’s Buzz Lightyear toy, and “Dubstep" from BenSound.The outro was "Kanzan Bakuzen Bouzen" by "that old bad enka singer" Chiharu Matsuyama. Apparently, he was a well-coiffed renai baller back in the 80s though. Got something to say? You can find me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Caleb Carter about his book, A Path into the Mountains: Shugendō and Mount Togakushi.Caleb's chapter breakdown on TwitterA Path's publisher’s pageCaleb's New Books Network podcast interview Caleb's Interview with Global Buddhistdoor Pilgrims Until We Die Retro Casio Denshijisho CommercialsDogen on YouTube Master Dogen (wiki)The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) (wiki) The Sanshin Shamisen (wiki) Shugendo (wiki)Shamisen Hunter (musical outro) The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please give a thought to supporting us. Got something to say? You can reach me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we invite Professor John Rucynski back to discuss his book, Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching, and more generally the topic of joking in Japan. John is an associate professor at the Center for Language Education at Okayama University. His main research interest is exploring the role of humor in foreign language acquisition and intercultural communicative competence. In addition to editing two volumes about this passion, he has written numerous articles and given conference presentations around the world. His mission going forward is to at least slightly disprove the maxim that “Nothing is as unfunny as trying to explain why something is funny.” To learn more about John and his work, check out the following books and articles:Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching (Rowman & Littlefield; with Caleb Prichard)New Ways in Teaching with Humor (TESOL Press)Is This Thing On? Teacher Views of Incorporating Humor Into Online Language Classes (The Language Teacher, with Peter Neff)L2 Learners' Ability to Recognize Ironic Online Comments and the Effect of Instruction (System; with Caleb Prichard)Implementing Humor Instruction into English Language Teaching (English Teaching Forum; with Caleb Prichard)The English Classroom as “Warai no ba”: Instructor Views on Humor and Language Learning in Japan (International Journal of Educational Research; with Peter Neff)Second Language Learners’ Ability to Detect Satirical News and the Effect of Humor Competency Training (TESOL Journal; with Caleb Prichard)Japanese Perceptions of Humor in the English Language Classroom (HUMOR; with Peter Neff)Using The Simpsons in EFL Classes (English Teaching Forum)The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please give thought to supporting us.The outro was American Joke Man by JAM. Don't know who Spalding Gray is? You're not alone. I thought John was referring to a crayon color. For context, check out his 1987 masterpiece, Swimming to Cambodia.Got something to say? You can reach me at the following:www.facebook.com/groups/deepinjapan/ deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thank

Anne Crescini, an author, blogger, and media personality, has a unique journey that spans continents. Originally from the United States, she has called Japan home for nearly a quarter of a century. Recently, Anne took a significant step by naturalizing as a Japanese citizen. In this episode, I sit down with her to discuss her experience during the naturalization process and delve into some of the challenges she has faced—both with fellow expats and the infamous netto uyoko—on Twitter and beyond.Learn more about Anne and her work at the following: Anne's blogAnne on YouTube世界観を知ると人は変わる | Anne Crescini | TEDxFukuoka若者の可能性を引き出す魔法 | Anne Crescini | TEDxFukuoka | Anne Crescini | TEDxFukuokaAnne's writings on Amazon真田ナオキ ー「風に悟られて」 (outro)If you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show. It helps out a lot with hosting and equipment fees. Thanks for listening! 

Roland Kelts is a Japanese-American writer, journalist, and author of the book Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US. He has also written numerous articles for the Guardian, The New York Times, The Japan Times, The New Yorker, CNN, BBC, and NHK, among others, exploring how pop culture intersects with and influences society and politics. Kelts has taught at many leading universities such as The University of Tokyo, New York University, Columbia University, and Sophia University, and held talks at many embassies and pop culture conventions. He received a Nieman Fellowship in Journalism from Harvard University in 2017.In this episode, we discuss his most recent book, The Art of Blade Runner Black Lotus, a deep-dive into the artwork that went into making the first-ever Blade Runner animated series. Along with commentary from Roland, the book includes concept art, sketch work, pre-viz, animation tests, final frames, and interviews with the masterminds behind the show. It’s a gorgeous book that pairs well with coffee tables and kotatsu alike.LINKS:Monkey: New Writing From Japan Roland’s Personal Website/Blog The Lingering Tragedy of Japan’s Lost Generation (Pro tip: Google search the article title to avoid the paywall) United States v. Handley (Wiki) 'Obscene' U.S. Manga Collector Jailed 6 Months (Wired)Devil Lady (Wiki) Blade Runner Black Lotus OST (YouTube) Got something to say? You can reach me at the following:deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we speak with author, ethnomusicologist -- and now podcaster -- Jillian Marshall about nearly everything under the sun.Jillian's bookJillian's websiteJillian's podcastJillian's TwitterJillian speaking about her book JapanthemTaeko Ohnuki - 4 am (1978) Meshida's vid about Tobita Shinchi Paymoneywubby on Boundless Ryan I'm running through these hoes like draino Tohoku-ben/Tsugaru-ben (Norther Dialect) That Unregistered Podcast I briefly mentioned Got something to say? You can reach me at the following:deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.comAs always, thanks for listening!