This Week In Japan
News & Politics Podcasts
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！
Location:
Japan
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
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！
Twitter:
@RyuTokyoNews
Language:
English
Website:
https://ryutokyo.com/
Episodes
Japan's Favorite Snack Raises Price After 40 Years
2/5/2022
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 it's price by ¥2 after 40 years and a videogame developer has requested that fans do not send chocolate and presents to their favorite videogame characters this year.
Word of the Week:
アラサー (ara-saa)
アラフォー (ara-foo)
アラフィフ (ara-fifu)
This episode was recorded on February 4th 2022 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:52:25
Jujutsu Kaisen Goes Big At The Box Office
1/14/2022
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 (iku-men)
This episode was recorded on January 14th 2022 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:43:23
Japanese Team Invents World's First 'Lickable' Screen
1/7/2022
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 lickable screen you can taste and Convenience store chain Lawson's vision for a greener future.
Words of the Week:
ドンマイ - (don-mai)
バリアフリー (baria-furii)
レスバ (re-su-ba)
This episode was recorded on January 7th 2022 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:51:45
Another Crazy Year in Japan: Christmas Special 2021
12/22/2021
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 Gentlemen's Education curriculum and we reminisce on the biggest story of 2021 in Japan.
Words of the Week:
クリパ (kuripa)
タコパ (takopa)
パリピ (paripi)
This episode was recorded on December 22nd 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:47:07
The First Japanese Civilian Is Now In Space
12/10/2021
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 their social media passwords.
Word of the Week:
学歴フィルター (gakureki-firutā)
This episode was recorded on December 10th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:37:15
Japan’s Fried Chicken Wars Puts Christmas In Jeopardy
12/3/2021
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 return of the high pressure, end of year party known as bounenkai.
Word of the Week:
バップ (bappu)
This episode was recorded on December 3rd 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:28:55
Will “Shut the F*ck Up” be Japan's Word of 2021?
11/26/2021
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 Eats drivers are unhappy with the current state of flexible wages.
Word of the Year Nominations:
うっせえわ！ (usseewa)
ぼったくり男爵 (bottakuri-dan-shoku)
黙食 (moku-shoku)
ピクトグラム (pikutoguramu)
ウマ娘 (uma-musume)
リアル二刀流 (riaru-ni-tou-ryuu)
This episode was recorded on November 26th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:37:46
Tokyo Team Recreates World's Oldest Oil Painting with AI
11/19/2021
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 drivers, a Tokyo team of researchers that made a 'super clone' of the world's oldest but destroyed oil painting and KFC Japan was trending on Twitter this week for a comical reason.
Word of the Week:
二刀流 (ni-tou-ryuu)
This episode was recorded on November 19th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:35:46
84 Year Old Grandpa Becomes Pokémon Master
11/12/2021
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 Master!
Word of the Week:
割り勘 (wari-kan)
This episode was recorded on November 12th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:33:15
Princess Mako Marries & Leaves The Imperial Family
10/29/2021
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)
This episode was recorded on October 29th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:33:53
Next-gen Vending Machines Take Japan By Storm
10/22/2021
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 frozen food vending machines are pleasing customers and saving businesses all across Japan.
Word of the week:
バイトテロ (baito-tero)
This episode was recorded on October 21st 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:36:06
Ramen Shops Ban Ramen Critics & YouTubers
10/15/2021
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.
Word of the week:
フロリダ (furorida)
This episode was recorded on October 15th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:37:44
Japanese Climate Scientist Wins Nobel Prize
10/9/2021
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:
ロン毛 (ron-ge)
This episode was recorded on October 8th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:34:00
Japan to Lower Age Limit in Opposite-sex Onsen
9/26/2021
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 episode was recorded on September 25th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:32:53
Matcha is Gaining Worldwide Popularity
9/18/2021
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 Akasaka, Tokyo.
Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapan
Also, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:32:39
High School Creates First Ever Official Manga Course
9/10/2021
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 (furagu)
This episode was recorded on September 10th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:35:42
Sumo Wrestler who Lost 104 Consecutive Matches Retires
9/4/2021
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 recycled plastic.
Word of the Week:
逆ギレ (gyaku-gire)
This episode was recorded on September 3rd 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:35:40
Golf Is Becoming the New Trendy Sport in Japan
8/21/2021
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, Tokyo
Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:31:14
Tokyo Olympics Special: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
8/7/2021
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)
This episode was recorded on August 6th 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo
Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:48:58
TeamLab's Digital Art Museum Breaks World Record
7/24/2021
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 in the recording, unfortunately, there will be no 'Word of the Week' for this episode.
This episode was recorded on July 23rd, 2021 in Akasaka, Tokyo
Check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango
Duration:00:38:18