What Does War in Iran Mean for Japan?
What could this developing conflict mean for Japan? Looking at how the military, economy, energy and politics of Japan could all be shaped by this war.
Mar 11, 2026•18 min•Ep. 34
Japan Politics Podcast
A podcast about Japanese Politics in English. Host Luke Whittaker is a Japan history and culture enthusiast who tries to get to grip with Japanese politics and current events.
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Episodes
Japan's 2026 Election Results : Conservatives Wipe out the Left
Japan's conservative Leader, Sanae Takaichi, has won a super majority! How did she win her vindicating 316 seat victory? Why did Japan's centre and left perform so badly?
Feb 11, 2026•40 min•Ep. 33
Japan's 2026 Election - Preview
Japan's Leader, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election, but can she win it? Why is Japan having another election? What are the key issues? Plus, how each party could fare in 2026.
Feb 01, 2026•32 min•Ep. 32
Japan Faces Global Tensions
Japan faces global chaos with Ukraine, Venezuela and fears for Greenland and NATO. Is the global order Japan relies on for security under threat and how are they responding?
Jan 14, 2026•25 min•Ep. 31
Taiwan Tension: China v Japan
China-Japan tensions are high after PM Sanae Takaichi's comments about Taiwan. How has China responded and what happens now?
Nov 26, 2025•18 min•Ep. 30
Everybody Loves Sanae Takaichi?
The highs and lows of Sanae Takaichi's start as Japan's Prime Minister, plus why she's doing so well in the polls.
Nov 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 29
Sanae Takaichi Is PM - How the Conservatives Won
Sanae Takaichi is confirmed as Japan's first female Prime Minister! How did she and Ishin make a deal to keep the centrist/left coalition out of power?
Oct 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 28
Sanae Takaichi - Japan's Next Leader
Who is the new Leader of the LDP, and Japan's next PM, Sanae Takaichi?
Oct 12, 2025•17 min•Ep. 27
Can Shinjiro Koizumi be Stopped?
Japan faces a new PM as the governing LDP chooses its new Leader. Can anyone stop favourite Shinjiro Koizumi?
Oct 02, 2025•12 min•Ep. 26
PM Ishiba Has Gone
Japan's Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has just resigned. Why did this happen and who might replace him?
Sep 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 25
Japan and Manchuria
Interview with historian Quin Cho to discuss Japan and the Manchurian Crisis and its impact and lasting effects on the world.
Aug 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24
Japan's 2025 Election - Results Are In!
Japan's 2025 election is over and the results are in! Looking at what led to another bad result for the LDP, Sanseito's breakthrough moment and how each party did.
Jul 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 23
Japan's 2025 Election: Preview
Japan has an election! On 20th July 2025 , will Sanseito and Japan's populist right surge? What does PM Ishiba need to survive? What can we expect from each of Japan's parties? All on the Japan Politics Podcast.
Jul 08, 2025•27 min•Ep. 22
Japan Gives Money Away?
In this Japan Politics Podcast: Ishiba wants to hand out free money, Koizumi continues making a name for himself (as he tackles rice shortages) and Japan looks at regional links.
Jun 18, 2025•18 min•Ep. 21
It's the Rice Economy, Stupid!
In this Japan Politics Podcast the shortage of rice continues to hurt Japan (and it's government), leading to the Farming Minister resigning and a big opportunity for Shinjiro Koizumi the son of a former P.M.
Jun 04, 2025•15 min•Ep. 20
Ishiba Talks Tough
Japan's PM Ishiba talks tough on tariffs and those who want to lower tax. Also, does Japan need regional immigration, election talk, low rice supply, and some positive news for Japan.
May 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 19
Is Yuichiro Tamaki the Future?
Discussing if Yuichiro Tamaki or Sanae Takaichi could succeed Ishiba, Ishiba's tour to Vietnam and the Philippines, Komeito's concerns and snakes on a train.
May 01, 2025•16 min•Ep. 18
Japan Strikes Back
In this week's Japan Politics Podcast: Did Japan end Trump's tariffs? What could happen with the tariffs now? Also Japan sees record visitors, experiences population decline and Taiwan seems to love Japan.
Apr 17, 2025•16 min•Ep. 17
A New Alliance
This week Ishiba lives to fight another day, an alliance is formed between CDP and Ishin, Trump tariffs loom, a budget is passed and Komeito may be tiring of the LDP.
Apr 03, 2025•19 min•Ep. 16
Should Ishiba Stay or Should He Go?
Is time up for Japan's PM or can he survive his latest scandal? Also, who are his potential successors?
Mar 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 15
Women in Japanese Politics
Looking at the participation of women in Japan's politics, comparing participation to the USA and UK, who the prominent women in politics are and who are the SDP Party of Japan.
Mar 09, 2025•30 min•Ep. 14
Rice Price Baby
Rice prices soar across Japan creating a crisis. Elsewhere the balance between Japan and China/Taiwan is questioned, LDP work with Ishin and not the DPFP, there's more news on Governor Saito and a snow ball fight creates a potential criminal investigation.
Feb 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 13
Trump Finally Meets Ishiba
In a banner week PM Ishiba finally meets Trump, gets a poll bump and China makes concessions.
Feb 14, 2025•21 min•Ep. 12
Donald Trump Looks to Undermine Ishiba?
In Episode 11 I talk about Sanae Takaichi meeting Trump, the LDP's increased majority, marital surnames, more scandal for Governor Saito and Shohei Kondo gets censored for criticising Assassins Creed Shadows.
Jan 29, 2025•19 min•Ep. 11
Why Doesn't Japan Have a Military?
A deep dive into Japan's constitution, Article 9 and how Japan has coped with being legally forbidden from having a military.
Jan 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 10
More Chaos in South Korea
Episode 9 covering Yoon's failed arrest and ongoing impeachment, the Constitution Party of Japan, shrinking houses in Japan, regional tourism, Hiroshima vs Kansai okonomiyaki and remote workers in Lawsons.
Jan 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 9
Another Japanese Party Leader Bites the Dust
In episode 8 I discuss the Leader of the DPFP being suspended, Abe's widow meeting with Donald Trump, shared surname legislation and naming your child Pikachu.
Dec 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 8
Luigi Mangione and Japan
In episode 7 I talk Luigi Mangione and his connection to Japan, Tokyo's 4 day work week, Tokyo's efforts to increase child-birth, what a new South Korean President could mean for Japan and Mount Fuji.
Dec 13, 2024•18 min•Ep. 7
A Crisis in South Korea
In episode 6 I talk about the recent crisis in South Korea, what this means for Japan, shared surnames, family matters and a bear crisis in Akita City.
Dec 04, 2024•19 min•Ep. 6
An Asian NATO?
In episode 5 I discuss more problems for Governor Saito, a possible NATO for Asia, an immigration protest, the history of the Reiwa Party and Uniqlo.
Dec 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 5
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