Episode 68: Miho Tanaka is a former public relations manager, who recently established her own company Startup Japan. Startup Japan's mission is to support foreign entrepreneurs with starting businesses in Japan. In this episode, Miho tells us what you should consider before starting your own business in Japan. We talk about different types of visas, legal advice, company bank accounts, and picking a location (city) to start your own company. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks P...
Nov 19, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Episode 67: Tutti Quintella is the Director of Women Who Code Tokyo; a branch of the global non-profit organization Women Who Code. Tutti is also an engineering manager at the Japanese e-commerce company Mercari. In this episode, we discuss Women Who Code Tokyo's efforts to inspire and help women advance in the field of software engineering and other tech-related fields. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Women Who Code Tokyo - Facebook | Twitter | Meetup...
Nov 12, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Episode 66: Ryan Aynz is a marketing & advertising executive for the data analytics company Nielsen; author of the blog Advertising in Asia; and founder of Tokyo Digital Marketing Bootcamp and Japan Advertising & Marketing community (JAM!) Ryan has appeared as a marketing analyst on both Fox Business and Bloomberg News. He’s a seasoned entrepreneur, who has created six companies in the last 15 years. In episode 66, Ryan shares personal stories of career success and failure, and tells us ...
Nov 05, 2019•54 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Episode 65: Ocean Evers-Peete, also known by his music artist name, Dot.Kai, returns to the podcast to share a personal story about dealing with police and Japan's legal system. Ocean takes us through the details of what was suppose to be a fun night out with friends, but turned into a horrific year-long drama which includes being interrogated. He also shares a few lessons learned from this bad experience, which can be helpful for foreigners visiting and living in Japan. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcas...
Oct 29, 2019•52 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Episode 64: Brett Bull is the founder and chief editor/writer of the Tokyo Reporter; an English news site that offers salacious news bites on crime and culture in Japan. Japan is known as a relatively safe country with low crime rates (in comparison to other major countries). But heinous crimes and corruption exist more than one might imagine and Brett has highlighted the under side of Japan since 2008. His site has been featured inside a number of publications, including The Washington Post, CN...
Oct 22, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Episode 63: Seralyn Campbell is Chief Executive Officer of VReS Inc., a Japanese tech startup company. She is also a photographer and former talent manager of Bangladeshi-Japanese model, TV personality, singer and actress, Rola. In this episode, Seralyn details her social transition as a trans woman, which she decided to begin in Japan rather than in the U.S. We also briefly chat about her career as Rola's manager in Japan's entertainment industry. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Sp...
Oct 15, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Episode 62: Glen Wood is a 49-year-old Canadian and single father, who had been working as an Equity Sales Manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. (MUMSS). He filed a claim against the Japan-based brokerage, asserting that he had been the victim of "paternity harassment" initiated in 2015. He asked the Tokyo District Court to order the firm to reverse its decision to put him on unpaid leave (then fired him) and recognize his rights as a father. The case has drawn considerable att...
Oct 05, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Episode 61: Chalice and Bri, both American women and Tokyo residents for 5 plus years, spill the tea about dating in Tokyo. We discuss their preferences in men, and dating Japanese men versus foreign men. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Chalice - @afrodyty88 Bri - @tokyoburi [Social Links & RSS] RSS Feed: https://www.tokyospeaks.com/feed.xml Instagram: @tokyospeaks_ Twitter: @tokyospeaks_ [Support via Ko-fi] https://ko-fi.com/tokyospeaks...
Oct 01, 2019•44 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Episode 60: Originally from Osaka, Mai relocated to Tokyo for a new job and to experience what the big city has to offer. In this episode, we chat with Mai about her experiences of being ostracized and bullied for not behaving and thinking like most Japanese. She details her internal struggles, stemming from a broken relationship with her mother, which also led to long-lasting suicidal thoughts and a deep need for self-validation. [Episode length: 53 minutes] [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded ...
Sep 24, 2019•54 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Episode 59: Dr. Harriet Ocharo is a Research Scientist for a Japanese multinational conglomerate company, and she is also a single parent. Prior to moving to Tokyo, Dr. Harriet relocated from Kenya to rural Japan to study for a PhD in Information Science at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). Studying abroad is quite common; what is not common is doing this while raising a child in a foreign country. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Harriet about her life in Japan as a...
Sep 17, 2019•52 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Episode 58: Rochelle Kopp is a management consultant, columnist and author. She specializes in cross-cultural communication, human resources, leadership and organization development; working with Japanese companies doing business globally and global companies doing business in Japan. Rochelle writes for publications in Japan and the U.S., including ongoing columns in the Asahi Shimbun, Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun, the Newsweek Japan website, and U.S. Frontline News. She is also the author of 37 books,...
Sep 10, 2019•52 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Episode 57: Tokyo Kink Society (TKS) is an alternative performance arts group for like-minded individuals interested in sensual and artistic performances; and dressing up in cutting-edge fashion. The group creates a safe "fantasy space" that features various types of artistic expression through BDSM and fetish-style entertainment. In this episode, we chat with Charm, a TKS producer and original member, about TKS events and the art of Japanese rope bondage (referred to as "Kinbaku" or "Shibari")....
Aug 06, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Episode 56: Chioma Anyalewechi is Founder and Director of An-yal, a digital marketing company in Tokyo, Japan. In this episode, we have a fun chat with Chioma about backpacking in 23 countries, teaching English at prestigious Japanese companies, and starting her own company. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] An-yal - Website | Instagram | Facebook [Social Links & RSS] RSS Feed: https://www.tokyospeaks.com/feed.xml Instagram: @tokyospeaks_ Twitter: @t...
Jul 30, 2019•54 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Episode 55: Thom Peace is a consultant, English teacher, and owner of DC English. Lloyd Peace is a consultant, English teacher, and seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of sales and program management experience. Lloyd (father) and Thom (son) have a dynamic personal and professional relationship, as father-and-son business partners. In this episode, we discuss their combined 25 years in the Education industry and their companies DC English and Peace Works Japan. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast ...
Jul 24, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Episode 54: Mega and Late, hosts of the Mega Late Show, teamed up several years ago to create a platform that highlights local and traveling music artists, producers, and talented individuals in Tokyo's Hip-Hop community. This dynamic podcast duo has interviewed notable music artists and producers such as Hip-Hop legend Marly Marl, N'Dea Davenport, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge of the band "The Midnight Hour" (who are also members of the legendary Hip Hop group A Tribe Called Quest)...
Jul 17, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Episode 53: Bukky Odejobi is Founder and Creative Director of Awa'Tori. Awa'Tori's mission is to bridge gaps in creative industries between African and Asian markets. Serah Alabi is a fashion graduate and freelance photographer. Serah will have her first photo exhibition in Tokyo on July 26. Both Bukky (Nigerian-Canadian) and Serah (Nigerian-German) were born in Nigeria but emigrated to different countries. We bring these ladies together for a chat about their Nigerian roots, growing up in Canad...
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Episode 52: In her early 20s, Jasmine Griner (a.k.a Enlightize), worked at the World Bank Group, which she said was her dream job; however, Jasmine reached a point when she decided to move on—leaving behind a lucrative career—to follow in the footsteps of her grandma. In this episode, we learn how her grandma (and parents) influenced her journey at a young age. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Jasmine Griner (a.k.a Enlightize) - Website | Instagram [Soc...
Jul 02, 2019•54 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Episode 51: Dosing (short for Dreaming of Sleeping) are a Tokyo-based collective of artists and musicians creating forward-thinking art and music. We chat with three members of the crew—Steffen Yoshiki, Calumecs, and Dot.Kai—about the group’s music, individual projects, and the underground music scenes in Tokyo and Asia. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Dosing - Website | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter [Social Links & RSS] RSS Feed: htt...
Jun 25, 2019•50 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Episode 50: Award-winning Filmmaker, Pablo Absento, has gained global recognition for her horror short films at multiple festivals all around the world; also getting the attention of Academy Award-winning Director Guillermo del Toro ("Master of Horror"), who generously retweeted one of her works. Pablo joins us on the podcast to talk about her love for Japanese folklore and making horror films in Japan. She also shares some bizarre and horrific experiences while making those films. [Raw Urban Mo...
Jun 18, 2019•47 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Episode 49: Ebony Bowens is a Japanese fashion enthusiast, who works in the entertainment sector as a singer/performer. Ebony joins us to talk about girly fashion styles from Japan; the importance for women of color to be given equal opportunity and positive representation in Japanese society; and inspiring women to embrace their femininity. She details her experiences in the U.S. and Japan in regards to the aforementioned subjects. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on ...
Jun 11, 2019•57 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Episode 48: Icon Andre Mizrahi, Founding Father of the House of Mizrahi, is one of the most notable figures of underground ballroom culture, which was started in NYC by the Black and Hispanic LGBT community. Not only has he achieved the highest status of "Icon" for his fierce competitiveness, awards, and leadership; Andre has inspired others around the world, including Konomi Shishido, who's better known as the Legendary Mother Koppi Mizrahi. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks P...
Jun 04, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 51
Episode 47: Jimi Okelana is Founder and CEO of ON-1, Inc. ON-1 is an interactive, multimedia event and production team established in the heart of Shibuya. In this episode, Jimi shares the many twists and turns of his professional career, which included attending graduate school in Japan. He also talks about why it was important for him to get a Japanese "seal of approval", as he strives to build an innovative and sustainable creative community driven by tech, fashion, art and music in Tokyo. [R...
May 29, 2019•52 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Episode 46: Amina Du Jean's dreams of being a J-Pop idol in Japan came true when she was scouted by a Japanese talent agency. In 2015, she moved to Japan to pursue her dream while also attending a Japanese university. Since leaving the J-Pop idol business, Amina relocated to London, where she's continuing her studies in sociocultural anthropology, writing her first book, and working as a sex worker. She also writes about popular cultures/subcultures and creates similar content on YouTube. We cha...
May 21, 2019•51 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Episode 45: Stephanie Haddad is a Food & Travel Writer, who is also the founder of Japan Food Trips. Japan Food Trips takes you on a culinary journey through the lens of a local - introducing you to hidden foodie gems in Tokyo and surrounding areas. We talk with Stephanie about bizarre Japanese delicacies (whale, blowfish, "natto" and more), the different trips Japan Food Trips offers, and her career in TV editing. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] J...
May 15, 2019•50 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Episode 44: Leza Lowitz is a writer, yoga instructor, and owner of Sun and Moon Yoga studio in Gotanda, Tokyo. Leza shares her spiritual path from meditation to martial arts to Yoga; as well as important life lessons in empathy, kindness, and interconnectedness. She also details what life was like in Tokyo after two major tragedies in Japan: Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack (1995) and Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami (2011). [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Sun an...
May 09, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Episode 43: This is a special edition of the Raw Urban Mobile Podcast presented by ON-1. Our special guests are Brooklyn Terry (Speakeasy TYO) and David Whitaker (Soul Food House), who are entrepreneurs and longtime residents of Tokyo. In this episode, we discuss the service they provide to the community, the challenges they faced running a business in Japan, and what it means to share their passion and culture with others. Speakeasy TYO and Soul Food House is more than just a place to eat and d...
May 03, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Episode 42: Amee Xu and Moeko Suzuki are co-founders of Startup Lady. Together with the other co-founders Koko Sato and Steffie Harner, these ladies are creating international communities and startup ecosystems which inspires women to discover their passion, realize their dreams and bring them to reality. In this episode, Amee and Moeko tell us about the services and programs Startup Lady offers women in Japan. We also learn about their upbringings, dreams, education, and their favorite game cha...
Apr 30, 2019•40 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Episode 41: Steve Marshall is a professional magician, mentalist and lifelong entertainer, who has resided in Japan for more than 20 years. We chat with Steve about how he got into magic, his training at a Clown College, and performing in the Greatest Show on Earth (Ringling Bros. Circus). Steve also gives his thoughts on creepy clown sightings in the U.S. [Raw Urban Mobile Podcast rebranded to Tokyo Speaks Podcast on Mar 7, 2020] Steve Marshall - Website | YouTube | Instagram [Social Links &...
Apr 23, 2019•56 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Episode 40: This week we chat with TELL’s Outreach Coordinator, Selena Hoy. Selena shares information about TELL’s extensive outreach programs that cover a wide range of issues that are important to the international community. We also discuss heavy topics such as mental health and suicide in Japan, Japanese work culture and more. TELL is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing effective support and counseling services to Japan’s international community as well as helping to address...
Apr 16, 2019•41 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Episode 39: Our guest this week is Designer, Brand Consultant and YouTube Influencer, Reggie Casual. Reggie is the creator and host of “The Casual” YouTube channel, which delves into international street fashion and culture with a major focus on Japanese street fashion – look nowhere else for in depth insight on the most popular and influential Japanese brands. In this episode we discuss Japanese brands vs. American brands; hip-hop culture’s influence on Japan; culture appropriation and culture ...
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 42
