This Week In Japan
Need a weekly round-up of the top news stories coming out of Japan? Look no further. Tokyo-based, British content-creator Julian and Japanese entrepreneur Yasu, are here to dive into the hot topics of the week. Recorded in Tokyo, 'This Week in Japan' is the perfect blend of current news, cultural insight, and in-depth discussions all woven through a friendly conversation between the two hosts. Stay up-to-date with the flow of stories streaming out of Japan, no matter where you are. You can also find us on our Japan Go! YouTube Channel at: youtube.com/japango. [Japanese Explanation] 毎週、日本で今話題のニュースについて、東京在住のイギリス人クリエイターJulianと日本人起業家Yasuが英語で意見を交わしています。楽しく話題のニュースを振り返りながら、英語のリスニングがしたい方へ！
Episodes
71 episodes
Japan's Favorite Snack Raises Price After 40 Years
This week we discuss the remarkable lengths one student went to cheat on an exam, the most unbelieve accident to ever happen when a man falling from a roof caused another woman to fall out of a window, Japan's favorite snack is finally raising ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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52:25
Jujutsu Kaisen Goes Big At The Box Office
This week we discuss the huge success of the latest anime movie hit 'Jujutsu Kaisen 0', how a firefighter is in trouble for moonlighting as a Youtuber & the unlikely new toy that's taking Japan by storm!Word of the Week:イクメン (ik...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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43:23
Japanese Team Invents World's First 'Lickable' Screen
This week we discuss the sudden snowfall in Tokyo, the police department that is currently in hot water over a couple of misplaced floppy disks, the world's oldest person Kane Tanaka turning 119, a team from Meiji University inventing a lickabl...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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51:45
Another Crazy Year in Japan: Christmas Special 2021
This week we discuss Yusaku Maezawa's successful return to earth after 12 days on the International Space Station, a mother's incredible bravery in saving her child from a burning building, an all-boys school in Tokyo that has started a Gentlem...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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47:07
The First Japanese Civilian Is Now In Space
This week we discuss billionaire Yusaku Maezawa who just became the first Japanese civilian to travel to space, how prolonged exposure to face masks is causing unexpected anxiety and outrage as a school in Tokyo asks students to relinquish thei...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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37:15
Japan’s Fried Chicken Wars Puts Christmas In Jeopardy
This week we discuss Japan's tightened border restrictions worlding the discovery of the new Omicron Covid variant, how Japan's favourite Christmas food (fried chicken) is facing severe shortages, and how Japanese workers are dreading the retur...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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28:55
Will “Shut the F*ck Up” be Japan's Word of 2021?
This week we discuss the nominations for Japan's 'Word of the Year' 2021 competition (流行語大賞), JAXA's search for new astronauts for the first time in 13 years, the seemingly positive return to normalcy with low COVID-19 numbers, and how Uber Eat...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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37:46
Tokyo Team Recreates World's Oldest Oil Painting with AI
This week we discuss 19-year old shogi master Sōta Fujii becoming the 'Dragon King', JR East performing the 1st ever test run of its new autonomous bullet train system, a 16-year old girl who engineered an AI system to prevent aggressive driver...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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35:49
84 Year Old Grandpa Becomes Pokémon Master
This week we discuss an Osaka landmark becoming the centre of an anti-vax photoshop controversy, a disgruntled JR West Train driver who is suing his employer for $0.50 and how an 84-year old Granpa who has become the countries oldest Pokémon GO...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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33:15
Princess Mako Marries & Leaves The Imperial Family
This week we discuss the conclusion of Princess Mako's long overdue marriage to Kei Komuro and how Tokyo's busiest train line was closed over the weekend for renovations on an impressive scale!Word of the Week:撮り鉄 (tori-tetsu)
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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33:53
Next-gen Vending Machines Take Japan By Storm
This week we discuss the huge volcanic eruption on Mt Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's foray into the world of Youtube, the end of a Japanese gamer's epic quest to collect every single Playstation game & how fr...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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36:06
Ramen Shops Ban Ramen Critics & YouTubers
This week we discuss the upcoming virtual Shibuya Halloween experience, Japan's 1st ever typhoon research institute, the 2021 results of the most appealing prefecture survey, and how ramen shops are starting to ban YouTubers and critics.
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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37:44
Japanese Climate Scientist Wins Nobel Prize
This week we discuss Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a brief update of Princess Mako's wedding, and the Japanese (who is now an American citizen) climate scientist Shukuro Manabe, who just won a Nobel Prize.Word of the Week:&n...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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34:00
Japan to Lower Age Limit in Opposite-sex Onsen
This week we discuss Japan's new rules on age limits for children in opposite-sex onsen & a new app is being developed to help protect the human rights of foreign works in Japan.Word of the Week: バッシュ (basshu)This e...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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32:53
Matcha is Gaining Worldwide Popularity
This week we discuss the growing worldwide popularity of Matcha powder and how the industry in Japan is adapting to meet demand.Word of the Week: 親ガチャ (oyagacha)This episode was recorded on September 17th 2021 in Akasak...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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32:39
High School Creates First Ever Official Manga Course
This week we discuss Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's decision to step down after only one year on the job and a high school in Kumamoto Prefecture will be opening the first-ever manga course for students.Word of the Week: フラグ (...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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35:42
Sumo Wrestler who Lost 104 Consecutive Matches Retires
This week we discuss the underdog Sumo Wrestler, Shounan-zakura, who finally called it a day after a record breaking losing streak of 104 matches and Bandai's popular Gunpla (Gundam Plastic) aims to cut waste and create products from more recyc...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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35:40
Golf Is Becoming the New Trendy Sport in Japan
This week we discuss the crazy seasonal weather in Japan and how Golf is becoming the new sporting trend for young Japanese adults.Word of the Week:銀ブラ (Gin-bura)This episode was recorded on August 20th 2021 in Akasaka, Toky...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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31:09
Tokyo Olympics Special: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
This week dive into the many stories surround the Tokyo 2020 games, including Japan's impressive medal haul and a Mayor in Nagoya who is under fire for chomping on a gold medal!Word of the Week:陰キャ (in-kya)陽キャ (you-kya)T...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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48:58
TeamLab's Digital Art Museum Breaks World Record
In this episode, we discuss multiple scandals involving Olympic contributors, TeamLabs Digital Art Museum becoming the most visited in the world & a Ugandan weightlifter who went on the run, hoping to remain in Japan.Due to a glitch...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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38:18
Giant Head Appears in the Sky over Tokyo
In this episode, we discuss "Giant floating head appears in the sky of Tokyo" and "IOC Chairman refers to Japanese as 'Chinese'".Word of the Week: マンツーマン (Man-tsuu-man)This episode was recorded on July 16th, 2021 in Akasaka, Tok...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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26:57
Sushi Ninja Busted for Industrial Espionage
In this episode, we discuss a suspected molester who jumped from a bridge at Shibuya Station, Tokyo Olympics is to be held without spectators, and Sushi Ninja busted for industrial espionage. Word of the Week: メリケン (Meri-ken)
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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34:05
Government Officials Turned Into Anime Characters
In this episode, we discuss the delayed rainy season in Japan, the Mt. Fuji reopening for the first time in two years, and the Japanese government officials turned into anime characters.Word of the Week: イメチェン (Ime-chen)Th...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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36:35
Government Encourages 4-Day Workweek
In this episode, we discuss Emperor Naruhito's unconventional, personal statement regarding the Olympics and the Japanese Government's new guidelines to make 4-day working weeks the new normal.Word of the Week: ペアルック (Pair Look)
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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31:23
Foreign Residence Card Checker Sparks Controversies
In this episode, we discuss the controversies in Japan over a new app that allows you to check the authenticity of a foreigner's residence card with a smartphone.Word of the Week: ブラインドタッチ (blind touch)This episode was rec...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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31:46
