Little message from Ollie to say that he's heading to Japan as part of his stand-up comedy tour. Tickets are available with a big JBRC discount if you use the promo code JBRC. https://tickets.olliehorn.com/tokyo - Friday May 5th @ Good Heavens https://tickets.olliehorn.com/fukuoka - Saturday May 6th @ Shimokitazawa - Tickets now on sale for Brighton Fringe previews and Edinburgh Fringe 2023 too! https://tickets.olliehorn.com/brighton - End of May https://tickets.olliehorn.com/edinburgh - All of ...
Apr 30, 2023•4 min•Ep. 121
Links to tickets! Get your tickets ASAP for guaranteed entry! https://peatix.com/group/12083451/events ★ Support this podcast ★
Feb 02, 2023•2 min•Ep. 120
We did it! The second half of all of the news that came out of Japan in 2022. All of it. And we don't get side tracked or distracted by other chats. ★ Support this podcast ★
Jan 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 119
Part one of a (potential?) two-part run down of every single news story that came out of Japan in 2022. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 118
Shinzo Abe was assassinated. But did he deserve it? Jake Adelstein gets remarkably close to making the case that he did.
Nov 02, 2022•56 min•Ep. 117
Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction. Cruises to deal with inflation and heat stroke. Topics discussed on this episode include: What to remember about your successes or failures on the JLPT Bobby's continuing BBQ tribulations and the experience of working together as husband and wife The challe...
Jul 09, 2022•59 min•Ep. 116
Joe Biden's Straight Talk Express comes to Asia! WaPo Bureau Chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee joins us to talk about what Biden took away from his time in Japan. If he's anything like most Americans, we're betting that list includes a Hello Kitty T-shirt and a fake sword. Ferris Wheel and Kintsugi River boats! Topics discussed on this episode include: How much we POTENTIALLY appreciate Elon Musk Bobby's BBQ shop gets even closer to completion Ollie rails against the propertied class Bobby's kids make r...
May 31, 2022•50 min•Ep. 115
Japan Scholar Oleg Benesch joins us to to talk about the past, present, and future of Japanese castles, and break down the debates around them, proving that when it comes to historical Japanese strongholds, things aren't always black and shiro. Bobby and Ollie mourn the loss of some of their river cruise sponsors, and play catch up. Topics discussed on this episode include: Our new, hopefully temporary show format Ukraine, Covid, North Korea, #japantravelban and other topics we're really trying ...
Apr 07, 2022•58 min•Ep. 114
Mar 10, 2022•3 min
Author of Japan's Aging Peace , Tom Le, stops in to talk about Japan's security concerns and help us think about an important hypothetical question. Ok, Japan, you CAN have a military. NOW WHAT? Ollie's river cruise recommendation is actually in Ukraine this week, but don't worry, if you wait long enough, it'll come to you. Bobby learned a little bit about haiku so he thinks he's better than you. Topics discussed on this episode range from : What you can expect from Disney's Japan exclusive cont...
Jan 27, 2022•30 min•Ep. 113
Author Alex Kerr may be single-handedly responsible for the current global spotlight on restoring old Japanese country homes, so we talk to him about how these homes may be at the forefront of a new style of Japan tourism... if tourism in Japan ever happens again. Ollie shows us how YOU can go home again, as long as you do it by river cruise. Bobby's pleased to see more Japanese river cruise companies adopting American business practices re:COVID-19. Topics discussed on this episode range from :...
Jan 20, 2022•30 min•Ep. 112
If you'd like to be entered for a chance to win Baye McNeil's book "Hi, My Name is Loco and I'm a Racist," Ann Kilzer's 禁 calligraphy, or one of three JBRC merch packs, please tweet and share your favorite episode from this year with a recommendation, and be sure to tag us in it! Archive is here ! Alternatively, you can also enter by retweeting your favorite JBRC twitter joke from the year with a recommendation to follow! We love you guys, and we'll be back with more next year! ★ Support this po...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 22 min
Author of the new book, "An Affair with a Village" and leading UK expert on Japan, Joy Hendry joins us to discuss a whole variety of things, like MEXT Scholarships, marriage, and other things that end up letting us down. Ollie gets Scandinavian with it. Bobby is surprised to find out there are as many as two. Topics discussed on this episode range from : How the current entry ban is affecting Academia Joy's perspective on the situation as someone who's been doing fieldwork in Japan for 50 years ...
Dec 17, 2021•30 min•Ep. 111
Abe-ographer ( The Iconoclast ) Tobias Harris stops by to break down the power dynamics in the LDP, speculate on whether or not Kishida's going to get a belated honeymoon (and whether or not his wife will have to stand during it), and discuss why what kills US, makes Kishida stronger. Ollie does what we in the media do best: gives a platform to bigots. Bobby discovers that the stuff he loves is now devoid of humor, but at least it's more expensive than it's ever been. Topics discussed on this ep...
Dec 09, 2021•30 min•Ep. 110
Why do foreigners in Japan speak in Katakana? Well, Bobby does it because the TV director told him it's funnier that way. But Dr. Wes Robertson has actual NON-anecdotal research into writing system/pronoun choices and how calling yourself ORE isn't conveying what you think it is. Ollie reminds us that loose lips sink ships. Bobby comes to terms. Topics discussed on this episode range from : Brian getting himself into some hot water. Scholars of the sakoku-jidai The New Entry Ban and the online t...
Dec 02, 2021•30 min•Ep. 109
Thalia Harris stops by to talk about second-class citizenship in Japan during the pandemic, and also has such an interesting story about the Titanic that we had NO CHOICE but to actually talk about a cruise ship. Ollie recommends a ship that will have to change its name now. Bobby thinks Maezawa Yuusaku is wasting his money. Topics discussed on this episode range from: The Netflix Cobbo Beebo Remake, and how, boy, oh boy, it sure is something. Brian's prospects How Thalia got involved with Unsee...
Nov 26, 2021•30 min•Ep. 108
NYT Tokyo Bureau Chief Motoko Rich gets onboard to talk about Kishida's first month in office. What has he done so far? What does his administration mean for Japan? And the most important test of a Japanese government official: how well can the man mull? Ollie recommends a river cruise that succeeds, but at what cost? No cost. Bobby makes a point about the secularization of Christmas that no one has ever made before. Topics discussed on this episode range from : How the time has never been bette...
Nov 19, 2021•31 min•Ep. 107
Aya Shimada tells us what the fuss over Princess Mako's nuptials tells us about Japan's treatment of women, how the media affords privacy rights to the famous, and Ollie remembered that he thinks wedding stuff is over-priced again. Bobby knows which one of the two Rising Sun post-covid cruise options he wants to take. Topics discussed on this episode range from : Why Aya thinks Japan has what she calls a "purge" culture How bullying is used in Japan to isolate and force out undesirable differenc...
Nov 05, 2021•29 min•Ep. 106
Business consultant Pernille Rudlin helps us look back on the largely disappointing post-Brexit trade deal between Japan and the UK, which may have only been signed because Japan is sympathetic when it comes to saving face. Ollie remembers that people used to be shorter. Bobby gets an exclusive Aso Taro hot take on the silver lining of the death of the planet. Topics discussed on this episode range from : Bobby's NEW BBQ BUSINESS Brian's Time Off Pooey Rivers British Values and the massive post-...
Oct 29, 2021•29 min•Ep. 105
We're really sorry to say we were unable to get an episode to you this week, so enjoy these extras that were previously released only to our monthly members. Thank you sincerely to everybody who still supports this show by listening to the show each week, interacting with our nonsense on Twitter, and especially those who are kind enough to throw a bit of money behind the project. We really appreciate you - we'll be back soon!
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Anne Crescini talks about how Japanese schools don't have the resources to properly combat bullying, because those resources get used on student hair color and fingernail length. Ollie FINALLY starts studying Japanese again. Wait, wow WAS Bobby looking at the Holocaust before? Topics discussed on this episode range from : Brian's Birthday The HELL that is the PTA and how her experiences with it affected Anne's Japan-facing online persona How horrible it is to have to join a line group chat The r...
Oct 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 104
Syukuro Manabe and some other people win the Nobel Prize, illustrating a lot about how and why Japan claims people as Japanese. We talk to Mary Kobayashi about how she defines her Japanese identity, and how media representation works to define "Japanese..." as sexy, anime robot. The average age of Ollie's friends is getting lower. Bobby recycles. Topics discussed on this episode range from : Brian's back! Performance anxiety and the introvert/performer paradox Syukuro Manabe's Nobel Prize Win Ho...
Oct 08, 2021•29 min•Ep. 103
Japan's likely new Prime Minister, Marc Matsumoto talks about how to wield Japanese recipes responsibly, and more. Ollie's doing another podcast's work for them. Bobby looks at the new, very strict, tourist entry dress code . Topics discussed on this episode range from : NO PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE FROM BRIAN A question that is decidedly outside of Marc's expertise Successful predictions Marc's technique driven food content Demystifying Japanese cooking Japanese chefs hoarding secrets The Clarissa W...
Oct 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 102
Who will be Japan's next Prime Minister? Japanese Margaret Thatcher? The often shaken AND stirred Kono, TARO Kono? Mr. Speak-softly-and carry-no-nukes? Or Woman woman? Former Diet Aide Derek Wessman tells us "the thing" about each of the four candidates. Ollie's disappointed that the new boat doesn't work with the old charger. Bobby is tired of Japan asking him if he's cold. Topics discussed on this episode range from : How hard we all tried to avoid this. Something that's been weighing on Brian...
Sep 23, 2021•32 min•Ep. 101
Ollie's going to eat both of those pizzas by himself, but HEY, it's his birthday. Bobby looks at the river cruise unions ALLS-WELL-THAT-ENDS-WELL philosophy. Topics discussed on this episode range from : The "rulebook for integration" in Japan, and why it's never been properly translated. The actual rulebooks that are actually made in an attempt to help non-Japanese integrate in the way Japanese people want. Ollie's black and white striped t-shirt The lowdown on the Indian community in Japan. Th...
Sep 17, 2021•31 min•Ep. 100
Selena Hoy, outreach director from Suicide Prevention Lifeline, TELL, stops by to talk about the different cultural approaches to managing mental health, and why English-speakers in Japan can benefit from a service like TELL, in one of the rare episodes where we ask you to support something that ISN'T our riverboat. Ollie recommends a cruise that may have set their sights a little high. Bobby recommends a cruise that DEFINITELY did. SUPPORT THE JBRC TEAM in the STEP-UP CHALLENGE by GIVING MONEY ...
Sep 09, 2021•30 min•Ep. 99
Hiromu Nagahara talks about Princess Mako's engagement and upcoming move to New York and the split in Japanese public opinion, between nationalists, who are angry, and normal people, who don't care. Ollie pays close attention to the head chopping facilities list on this week's cruise recommendation. Bobby does NOT like that thing that you all like. Topics discussed on this episode range from : How sometimes it's okay to just do something to connect Hiromu's recommendation for a way to enjoy stud...
Sep 03, 2021•30 min•Ep. 98
An hour-long celebration of JBRC's 97th episode! We take a moment to catch up and make sure Ollie is actually surviving, roast some headlines, and have an extremely rare discussion about some things we love about life in Japan. Ollie recommends a river cruise that thinks you should quit nursing that beer, pussy. Bobby tells a group of people how they can get what they deserve. Topics discussed on this episode range from : A service that provides MORE than everything you need to do nothing Ollie'...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 97
After the unprecedented rain and landslides in western Japan, disaster sociologist Dr. Wes Cheek talks about the country's future, and how facing the climate crisis may require never-before-seen levels of "shikata-ga-nai." Ollie recommends a climate change simulating cruise that is ALREADY behind the times. Bobby throws some classic comedic misdirection in your face. Topics discussed on this episode range from : Whatever happened to all those RAINBOW HATS ? Updates with Ollie's continuing run of...
Aug 20, 2021•31 min•Ep. 96
Disability activist and historian Mark Bookman talks about how accessibility progress is bolstered by the international spotlight of the Paralympics but hampered by the lack of accessibility at the policy-making table. Ollie interrogates the patriarchy. Bobby seems pretty consumed by his anxiety about how much time we have left. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Ollie's disastrous start to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and how a Brian intervened to save the Day How AirBNB does in ter...
Aug 16, 2021•30 min•Ep. 95
