Location:
United States
Description:
This is a bilingual English and Japanese language podcast, discussing news from Australia and Japan. This podcast gives an international perspective on local news stories and also provides listening practice for learners of both English and Japanese.
Language:
English
Episodes
Internet outages causing havoc and paying companies to make their employees take paternity leave
11/12/2023
In this episode we discuss how the impact internet outages can have, then discuss a scheme to incentivise fathers to take paternity leave. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231109/p2a/00m/0na/028000c https://www.instagram.com/p/CzW1A-vBswk/?igshid=Y3RpNGR1ZndydThy
Duration:00:23:10
Same sex couple gets visa rejected and top 100 bluey episode countdown
11/5/2023
In this episode we discuss the case of an American man in Japan having his partnership visa application denied, potentially due to his partner also being make. We then look at Haruka’s favourite bluey episodes. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231103/p2a/00m/0na/017000c https://www.instagram.com/p/CzPsFEnykgp/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==
Duration:00:26:25
Encouraging 14 year olds to go to clubs and kabuki suicide pacts
10/22/2023
In this episode we discuss the case of a man encouraging a young girl to go to a club and a kabuki actor assisting his parents to suicide. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231020/p2a/00m/0na/003000c https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/20/japan/crime-legal/kabuki-actor-ennosuke-trial/
Duration:00:23:27
Australia votes and renting as bad as smoking cigarettes
10/17/2023
In this episode we discuss the Australian referendum and new findings which suggests renting is as bad for your health as smoking. https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/referendum/2023/results?filter=all&sort=az&state=all&party=all https://amp.9news.com.au/article/9830b596-b8e5-4195-960f-19123ce8fd74
Duration:00:26:01
Protesting at a musical and Sake made from wood
10/8/2023
In this episode we discuss extinction rebellion activists stopping musicals to save the planet, and a Japanese startup making Sake from trees. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx_tslZIPZt/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230929/p2g/00m/0bu/060000c
Duration:00:25:20
Schools using AI to practice English and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews resigns
10/1/2023
In this episode we discuss how a Japanese school is utilising the power of AI to improve English speaking. We also chat about how the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has suddenly quit. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230923/p2a/00m/0na/015000c https://amp.9news.com.au/article/7c1f8e0e-0b83-4376-b3c0-ad36e3e299dd
Duration:00:24:32
Airbnb gets taxed and disabled students banned from riding school bus
9/24/2023
In this episode we discuss how Airbnb is facing a mandatory tax in Victoria, then look at the case of a special school in Nagoya holding a lottery for who gets to ride the school bus. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230920/p2a/00m/0na/008000c https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102878180
Duration:00:29:06
Gen Z slang and Iguana on the loose
9/17/2023
In this episode we try to get our head around gen z slang, and read about the curious case of an escaped 2 meter long Iguana roaming Kyushu. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw_7A3aImes/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230912/p2a/00m/0li/003000c
Duration:00:23:24
Child free flights and Johnny gets confirmed as a peso file
9/10/2023
In this episode we discuss how some airlines are beginning to offer child free flights, and look at how the rumours around Johnny have been confirmed. Links below https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw6gdGvp3ou/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230907/p2g/00m/0na/040000c
Duration:00:29:38
Publicly shaming celebrities and potentially dodgy Chinese online retailers
9/3/2023
In this episode, we look at the rise of online Chinese retailer Temu, then look at how the media is treating a Japanese actor caught with cannabis. https://www.instagram.com/p/CwmqcR3R02J/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230901/p2g/00m/0na/060000c
Duration:00:31:22
180 cats as pets and failing kids
8/27/2023
In this episode we discuss concerning results to national tests and a man who kept an incredible 180 cats as pets. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwUPhp9u22g/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwUPhp9u22g/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==
Duration:00:23:00
Rude Australian cities and hikikomori
8/19/2023
In this episode we discuss a published list of ‘most rude cities in Australia’ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv8yEzYP_j0/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== Then we look at the rise of female hikikomori in Japan. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230815/p2a/00m/0na/003000c#cxrecs_s
Duration:00:29:17
Women’s World Cup and porn addiction
8/13/2023
The title might give it away but this episode deals with potentially sensitive topics. In this episode we discuss the success of the Women’s football World Cup and how 5% of uni students in Japan profess to be porn addicted. https://amp.9news.com.au/article/64a76441-124c-480e-8b65-bcb84119290c https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230808/p2a/00m/0na/025000c?dicbo=v2-XiWAGSk
Duration:00:31:46
Ban the balloon! /People furious with Explosive Barbie meme in Japan
8/5/2023
In this episode we discuss how single use plastics such as balloons used for helium are being banned, while other single use plastics ignored. Then we look at a potentially problematic meme which some in Japan are not happy with. Links are below . https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvdma6uvyXq/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/japan-opening-of-'barbie'-marred-by-controversy-ahead-of-nuclear-memorials
Duration:00:29:26
No gas/ crackdown on street prostitution
7/30/2023
In this episode we look at a ban imposed on gas in new buildings in Victoria, and Japan’s unusual relationship with sex workers. Links are below. https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102659636 https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230725/p2a/00m/0na/013000c?dicbo=v2-Oi3YAHD
Duration:00:23:20
AI girls and divorce in Japan
7/22/2023
In this episode we discuss divorce and custody laws in Japan, then talk about the rise of AI generated influencers. Links are below. https://news.yahoo.com/fully-ai-generated-influencers-getting-143239162.html https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102603522
Duration:00:27:08
Dangerous surgeons and luxury trains
7/16/2023
In this episode we discuss the case of a famous surgeon losing his license to practice medicine, and a new luxury train linking Asakusa to Nikko. Links are below. https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/12/neurosurgeon-charlie-teo-found-guilty-of-unsatisfactory-professional-conduct https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/14924291
Duration:00:22:59
Classy McDonald’s wedding packages and competition for twitter
7/9/2023
I’m this episode we discuss the release of the new social media platform ‘Threads’ and how McDonald’s in Indonesia offers wedding packages. Links are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/CuV53uPvrqP/?igshid=MjA3NmNkZWY5Yg== https://www.newsweek.com/mcdonalds-wedding-package-jokes-memes-indonesia-1811064
Duration:00:27:29
Blind date with brings 23 closest relatives to dinner and bluey accused of fat shaming
6/11/2023
In this episode, we discuss a curious case of a Chinese woman who decided to bring her extended family on a blind date and how the father in Bluey, Bingo, has been fat phobic in a recent episode.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-05/qld-bluey-deleted-fat-shaming-scene-exercise/102309114
https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/man-gets-sued-leaving-blind-164913319.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkZGl0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAtMaySubNmRXnFXHj30TyabSoHNTYZfKkA9NE6NTtTV-IzBMafTX42c6mzKOB06BYiEXvBzfWdPf_9Ilv4Qlu-ZH9SBlbc_LnoHxYeb7fJ8gkQ0lP7KTTHiw1Lr9zm0CUP3e1-DR4zadZw8oOLi_cuQ9OB6UOqGpV_K0p4QTTY0
Duration:00:21:38
Going under the sea with the new little mermaid movie and are weightless medications essential?
6/3/2023
In this episode we discuss the new live action little mermaid movie, which Matt doesn't realise is a kids movie till half way through the chat, then we discuss how the WHO is considering making obesity medication an essential medication. Links below.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/the-little-mermaid-live-action-movie-review-disney-halle-bailey/102368246
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14872925
Duration:00:29:27