In May, we talked to The Japan Times' Magdalena Osumi about Japan’s entry-ban list, which is stopping foreign residents from leaving or returning to Japan. Today, we hear an update from Magda, as some residents start to be allowed to return but many are left trapped. Hosted by Oscar Boyd. Read more: Japan to allow back foreign residents who left before entry ban (Magdalena Osumi, The Japan Times) Re-entry ban horror stories pile up in Japan's Indian community (Megha Wadhwa, The Japan Times) Japa...
Aug 13, 2020•20 min•Ep. 60
The people alive today who survived the bombing of Hiroshima, and the subsequent destruction of Nagasaki, are known in Japanese as hibakusha . But 75 years on from the bombing, the number of survivors able to tell their stories is dwindling as they grow old and die. Japan Times contributor and Hiroshima resident Peter Chordas joins to discuss the effects of the bomb on the city, and how those survivors' legacies are being preserved. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read more: Is time running out to preser...
Aug 06, 2020•33 min•Ep. 59
This episode was made possible by Cicerone and its new guidebook "Hiking and Trekking in the Japan Alps and Mount Fuji," which features 27 walks and treks across the Japan Alps and in the Mt Fuji area. Order your copy now at bit.ly/hikingfuji .
Jul 29, 2020•46 min
The Japan Times' Alex Martin discusses the history of mask wearing and how it's changed from the Edo Period to the Spanish Flu to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read more: The history behind Japan’s love of face masks (Alex Martin, The Japan Times) Masks helped keep Japan's COVID-19 death toll low, says expert panel (Bloomberg, The Japan Times) Face masks in a pandemic: From 'useless' to 'indispensable' (AFP-Jiji, The Japan Times) Japanese shoppers queue and crash website for Uniq...
Jul 22, 2020•27 min•Ep. 58
That's the theory put forward by our guest on Deep Dive this week, Matt Alt , the author of the recently published book, "Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World." Taking its title from a quote by Oscar Wilde, "Pure Invention" is a cultural history of postwar Japan, told through the lens of the country's superstar inventions and how they spread across the globe. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read/hear more: More from Matt Alt Pac-Man: How a faceless character based on eating changed...
Jul 15, 2020•29 min•Ep. 57
Ryusei Takahashi gives us a run down on Yuriko Koike’s victory, as well as the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in the capital. Hosted by Oscar Boyd. Read/hear more: Episode 54: Yuriko Koike and the race for Tokyo governor (Deep Dive) Koike cruises to win in Tokyo governor race, vowing to continue fight against virus (Ryusei Takahashi, The Japan Times) Koike's Tokyo win may be springboard back into national politics (Ryusei Takahashi, The Japan Times) Opposition laments failure to unite after...
Jul 08, 2020•23 min•Ep. 56
Alexander Dmitrenko, head of Asia sanctions at law firm Freshfields and co-representative director of the Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network (LLAN) , joins to discuss the case for same-sex marriage being made by his organization and the many others fighting for equality on the issue. Read/see more: LLAN's viewpoint on marriage equality Fighting for the right to recognize same-sex marriage in Japan (Andrew McKirdy, The Japan Times) In a first, LGBT couples sue Japan over constitutionality of n...
Jul 01, 2020•33 min•Ep. 55
This week, staff reporter Ryusei Takahashi and domestic news head Kanako Takahara discuss the field of candidates, incumbent Yuriko Koike's chances for reelection and the effects of COVID-19 on the campaign. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Read more: As race to govern Tokyo kicks off, Olympics and coronavirus top agenda (Ryusei Takahashi, The...
Jun 24, 2020•35 min•Ep. 54
We hear from staff reporter Ryusei Takahashi about last weekend’s demonstrations in Tokyo, Black Lives Matter Kansai organizer Ayana Wyse about the Osaka marches and from Japan Times contributor Austin Freeman, who recounts his experiences of police harassment here in Tokyo. Read more: Black Lives Matter Tokyo (Facebook) Black Lives Matter Osaka (Linktree) Protesters hit Tokyo and Osaka streets with rallies against racism and police brutality (Ryusei Takahashi & Eric Johnston, The Japan Time...
Jun 12, 2020•38 min•Ep. 53
The Japan Times' Alyssa Smith and Tom Hanaway have been writing recaps of Terrace House and join Deep Dive to discuss Kimura's death, and what it might mean for the show going forward. Later, TELL Ambassador BJ Fox joins to talk about the mental health services offered by TELL Japan. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read more: TELL Japan Pro wrestler and ‘Terrace House’ star Hana Kimura dies at 22 (The Japan Times) 'Terrace House' season canceled following death of Hana Kimura (Tom Hanaway, The Japan Time...
Jun 05, 2020•50 min•Ep. 52
Japan is the only G7 member denying entry to long-term and permanent residents and has set no clear criteria for their return. Japan Times staff writer Magdalena Osumi joins to discuss. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read more: Foreign residents stranded abroad by Japan's coronavirus controls (Magdalena Osumi, The Japan Times) Japan's re-entry ban list (The Japan Times) Japan to expand entry ban to visitors from India and 10 other nations (Kyodo) Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified eve...
May 28, 2020•22 min•Ep. 51
In the U.S., the Asian giant hornet recently made its way into the headlines after it was recorded as an invasive species in the Pacific northwest region. Just this month, the New York Times dubbed them “murder” hornets. Matt Alt joins to discuss how a simple translation error might have given the hornet its new macabre nickname. Hosted by Oscar Boyd. Matt Alt is a Tokyo-based writer, translator and NHK presenter and author of the soon to be published book " Pure Invention: How Japan’s Pop Cultu...
May 21, 2020•28 min•Ep. 50
The Japan Times' Ryusei Takahashi tells us how recovering COVID-19 patients' lives have changed after those patients have been discharged. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . Read more : Loss, stigma, guilt: Life after recovering from COVID-19 in Japan (Ryusei Takahashi, The Japan Times) Japan to lift coronavirus state of emergency in 39 prefectures (Satoshi Sugiyama, The Japan Times) Japanese go...
May 14, 2020•25 min•Ep. 49
Newspick's Yuzuha Oka and The Japan Times' Chris Russell , Joel Tansey and Oscar Boyd discuss all things convenience store. Special theme music by composer Ben Wong, follow him on Soundcloud . Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . With everyone spending more time indoors than ever before, we've just made all of The Japan Times' delicious, seasonal recipes free to read to. Find them all at jtimes.jp/kitchen . Read more: T...
Apr 29, 2020•45 min•Ep. 48
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a monthlong state of emergency on April 7, giving his government and prefectural governments more powers to tackle the spread of COVID-19. Japan Times politics reporter Satoshi Sugiyama joins to discuss. Also, Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki on what she learned about isolation from her time aboard the International Space Station. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdive...
Apr 15, 2020•34 min•Ep. 47
In this episode Joe recounts his experience of being tested in Tokyo's SDF military hospital in Setagaya, including the notorious PCR test that goes up your nose. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: http://jtimes.jp/covid19 Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . Read more: Running out of beds and gear, Tokyo medical staff ...
Apr 08, 2020•29 min•Ep. 46
Japan Times entertainment writer Patrick St. Michel discusses Shimura's life and death, and whether it will change the discussion around coronavirus in Japan. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: http://jtimes.jp/covid19 Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . Read more: • Ken Shimura’s entertainment legacy spans generations...
Apr 06, 2020•30 min•Ep. 45
Staff writer Ryusei Takahashi on what we know about the postponement of the Olympics so far. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: http://jtimes.jp/covid19 Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . More : Japan makes history by putting Tokyo 2020 on hold in favor of 'recovery Olympics' next summer (Ryusei Takahashi and Dan Orlo...
Mar 25, 2020•17 min•Ep. 44
To see how difficult it is to live a life without it, JT staff writer Andrew McKirdy spent a week trying to avoid single-use plastic. Also on this episode, Mona Neuhauss of No Plastic Japan . Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: http://jtimes.jp/covid19 Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . This podcast is part of The Japa...
Mar 18, 2020•27 min•Ep. 43
The Japan Times' Ryusei Takahashi , Jason Coskrey and Dan Orlowitz discuss. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: http://jtimes.jp/covid19 Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/deepdivesub . Read more: • Tokyo Olympics will most likely go ahead as planned, but coronavirus could still damage attendance (Ryusei Takahashi, The Japan Times) ...
Mar 11, 2020•36 min•Ep. 42
Brad Glosserman talks about where the country could and should be doing better. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . The ad at the top of the episode was paid for and sponsored by Democrats Abroad Japan, a volunteer organization to help Americans overseas register to vote. They are having their primary right now and you can cast a remote ballot until March 10, 2020 at democratsabroad.org/primary Visit The JT's dedicated COVID-19 site for all the latest updates on the coronavirus situation from around Japan: h...
Mar 03, 2020•30 min•Ep. 41
Today we speak with Hilmneh Tegegn Tesfaw, who for the last 11 years has battled Japan’s immigration system as he’s tried to claim asylum and earn refugee status. We hear about his love for the country, his troubles with immigration officials, where he thinks Japan's asylum system is heading and his longing to be reunited with his family. Interview by Jesse Chase-Lubitz , hosted by Oscar Boyd . Sign up to the Deep Dive mailing list and be notified every time a new episode comes out: jtimes.jp/de...
Feb 26, 2020•29 min•Ep. 40
As the J. League season kicks off, Japan Times soccer (*cough* football) correspondent Dan Orlowitz tells us what makes the Japanese game so exciting to watch and what we can expect from the upcoming season. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read more : • Dan Orlowitz' season preview: Squads, not stars, could define J. League's 2020 season • The Japan Times' reporting on the J. League • Articles by Dan Orlowitz • Andres Iniesta says he hopes to finish playing career in Japan • Yokohama FC's Kazuyoshi Miura...
Feb 19, 2020•26 min•Ep. 39
Japan Times staff reporter Ryusei Takahashi has talked to passengers about their experiences on the ship. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Correction : At 13:15 we discuss a story by the New York Post about two passengers who had wine delivered by done. It turned out to be a hoax . Read/hear more: • Coronavirus Outbreak Updates live blog (The Japan Times) • 44 more on Diamond Princess cruise ship test positive for COVID-19 (The Japan Times) • Cabin fever on the Diamond Princess: Inside the virus-hit cruis...
Feb 13, 2020•19 min•Ep. 38
We pulled Japan Times reporter Satoshi Sugiyama out of the Prime Minister's office where he's covering the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus to give us an update on the situation in Japan so far. Hosted by Oscar Boyd for The Japan Times. Read more: • Japan to step up coronavirus action as Abe takes flak for response (Satoshi Sugiyama, The Japan Times) • Virus poses stark challenges to Abe's tourism goals as Tokyo Olympics loom (Reiji Yoshida, The Japan Times) • Novel coronavirus advice for the the...
Feb 03, 2020•19 min•Ep. 37
Staff writer Alex Martin explains how this shift is playing out in the small town of Otama. Hosted by Oscar Boyd for The Japan Times. We are looking to hear your audio from all around Japan to include in future episodes of Deep Dive, be it local festivals, waves lapping against rugged beaches or interesting happenings around your neighborhood. Send 1 to 2 minutes of audio to [email protected] with a short description of who you are, and where, when and why you recorded the clip. This pod...
Jan 29, 2020•22 min•Ep. 36
This podcast is part of The Japan Times' series on the climate crisis. Read the full articles: Emergency on Japan's lucky island (Jesse Chase-Lubitz and Oscar Boyd) Throwaway society: Rejecting a life consumed by plastic (Andrew McKirdy) Read/see/hear more: Why aren't more young people fighting climate change in Japan? (Ryusei Takahashi, The Japan Times) Living in Japan during a time of climate crisis (Jesse Chase-Lubitz, The Japan Times) 'Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy' spells out capital's plan ...
Jan 16, 2020•27 min•Ep. 35
JT staff writer Satoshi Sugiyama discusses how Ghosn managed that escape as well as his first public press conference since he was first arrested in November 2018. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Since recording this podcast, Lebanon has announced that Carlos Ghosn has been banned from leaving the country. Read/see/hear more: • Our previous podcast on Carlos Ghosn: The extraordinary fall of Carlos Ghosn • The Japan Times' reporting on Carlos Ghosn • Satoshi Sugiyama's reporting for The Japan Times • Form...
Jan 10, 2020•18 min•Ep. 34
Japan Times contributor Julia Bergin ( @juliabergin1) and editor Shaun McKenna ( @jt_sloosh ) join Oscar Boyd ( @omhboyd ) for a holiday special full of KFC, mulled wine and Christmas cheer. Read/see/hear more: • Japan's first Christmas (Joji Sakurai, The Japan Times) • Julia Bergin on Deep Dive episode 30: #StandwiththePooh — The Hong Kong protesters in Japan • Shaun McKenna on Deep Dive episode 20: Fear and loathing on Mount Fuji • The little-known legend of Jesus in Japan (Smithsonian Magazin...
Dec 24, 2019•42 min•Ep. 33
What has allowed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stay in office for such a long time? Shinzo Abe is now Japan's longest serving prime minister, and is approaching his 3,000th day in office. The Japan Times politics reporter Sakura Murakami discusses this remarkable run and what it is about Abe that's kept him in power. Hosted by Oscar Boyd . Read/see/hear more: Abe becomes Japan's longest-serving prime minister (Sakura Murakami, The Japan Times) Diet deliberations slow as opposition hounds governme...
Dec 12, 2019•29 min•Ep. 32
