Untitled News - podcast cover

Untitled News

Matthew Smithpodcasters.spotify.com
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.
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Episodes

Would a 4 day work week really work?

In this episode we discuss the recommendations for a 4 day work week by a governemnt body, as well as a constitutional debate over whether people should be allowed to change their gender legally without gender reassignment surgery. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-10/four-day-work-week-paid-parental-leave-committee/102068586 https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230303/p2a/00m/0na/028000c

Mar 14, 202326 min

Would you like to watch a live baseball game from the comfort of a hot spring?

In this episode we discuss how a Japanese baseball team has upgraded their stadium to include an onsen, and the rising phenonemon of abandoned cars on suburban streets. Links are below. https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20230311/hpe/00m/0sp/001000g/20230311hpe00m0sp001000q https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmViXpvHpI/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

Mar 11, 202322 min

Robots help sick children attend school while manga sales smash records.

In this episode we discuss the use of robots to assist children to sick to attend school in person, as well as the rise in manga sales in a declining market for paper based media. Links are below. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230224/p2g/00m/0et/048000c https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOnZFKPRfv/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D

Mar 07, 202319 min

TikTok limitations for kids and vaping leaders

In this episode we discuss the media's reaction to the Premier of NSW admitting to the occasional vape, and how tiktok has placed time restrictions on under 13s. Links are below. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230302/p2g/00m/0et/003000c https://www.instagram.com/p/CpUQiY2y1ak/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D

Mar 05, 202320 min

Do you have too many files?

In this episode we discuss the concept of 'digital hoarding' as well as doctors in Japan not being happy with the introduction of a new digitial medical identifying number. Links are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co6dPzRBIKR/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230223/p2a/00m/0na/009000c

Feb 28, 202319 min

Bruce Willis has dementia and banning words in children's books

In this episode we discuss how actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with dementia and how class Roald Dahl books are getting an update to reflect modern standards of acceptable speech. Links are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/CovXixpsiDm/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D https://www.instagram.com/p/CovXixpsiDm/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D

Feb 25, 202327 min

Bluey and $18,000 cats

In this episode we discuss pet ownership and the popular animated Australian TV show bluey. Links are below. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230217/p2a/00m/0li/018000c https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-17/bluey-onesies-turtleboy-episode-rose-byrne-miranda-tapsell/101161262?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=whatsapp

Feb 21, 202323 min

Second hand fashion and beating people with bamboo poles

In this episode we discuss the rising cost of second hand cothing and a unique Japanese festival that involves battles with long bamboo poles. Links are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoorzyhN4l3/?igshid=N2Q2MGM2OGQ%3D https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230218/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

Feb 19, 202319 min

A special episode

This is a special episode on the topic of international marraige. No article this time.

Feb 14, 202321 min

Chat GPT and LGBT controversy in Japan

In this episode we discuss how schools are beginning to ban chat GPT and whether this is a good move, as well as Kishida's top aid being fired for anti LGBTQI+ remarks. Links to the articles are below. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/04/national/politics-diplomacy/masayoshi-arai-japan-same-sex-marriage-hate/ https://www.9news.com.au/national/artificial-intelligence-victorian-state-schools-to-block-access-to-chatgpt/222417a3-b1f6-483c-ab5a-89a139635bb4...

Feb 04, 202332 min

Novak Djokovic's father supporting Russia and gender gaps in Japanese education

In this episode we discuss Novak's father showing support for Russia's war in Ukraine and how Japanese universities are setting quotas to increase the number of female professors. Link to articles are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5j3B-PvLl/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230118/p2a/00m/0op/011000c

Feb 01, 202325 min

Prostitution to pay off debts and Medical English to save lives

In this episode we discuss the importance of helping people understand medical language when living outside your home country, and how a woman with a 10 million yen debt to a host club became a prostitute to pay her debt back. Links are below https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/01/23/national/crime-legal/host-club-prostitution/?cx_testId=16&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=0&cx_experienceId=EXCQMYRTC2XB#cxrecs_s https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-27/language-barrier-getting-...

Jan 28, 202325 min

Ardern resigns and a chat about weed.

In this episode we try to cope with the shock the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, resigning. Then we have a discussion on Weed in Japan. Below are the links to the articles discussed. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-19/jacinda-ardern-announces-resignation-as-nz-prime-minister/101871232 https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjp73v/japan-weed-marijuana-drugs-pension-fund

Jan 24, 202328 minSeason 1Ep. 8

Nobody wants to be a teacher and Australia day.

In this Episode we look at how different states in Australia all have different rules on public holidays, then look at how in Japan there is a shortage of teachers and try to work out why. The articels used are linked below https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-day-2023-trading-hours-whats-open-closed-january-26-state-by-state-guide/1cd0ef8c-06f9-4269-83fc-9f1c1f18a763 https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14819509

Jan 21, 202331 minSeason 1Ep. 7

Cranky about rental statistics and questions of culture

In the episode we discuss how news articles use bad quality data to come to conclusions, then look at the idea of cultural appropriation. Below are the articles used as stimulus for this episode. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-13/australia-most-affordable-and-expensive-suburbs-to-rent-/101845398 https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230113/p2a/00m/0na/022000c

Jan 17, 202328 minSeason 1Ep. 6

A Japanese only episode, Haruka's thoughts on from the last episode expressed more clearly.

Haruka feels terrible about how she explained herself in the last episode (I didn't see the issue and think I explained myself just as badly despite speaking in my first language). Here is a special episode, recorded exclusively in Japanese to clear the air. Just like in regular episodes though, there isn't any real conclusion.

Jan 16, 202312 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Is University worth it?

In this episode, we take a new approach and focus on one article/topic. This episodes includes plenty of disagreement and an unclear conclusion! A link to the article sparking this discussion is below. https://www.9news.com.au/national/the-top-10-highest-paying-jobs-in-australia-where-you-dont-need-a-degree/0747b41f-cd4c-4ee3-889f-2f931f03782f

Jan 14, 202328 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Scams and explosion tourism

This episode we discuss an article about how to avoid being caught up in a scam, as well as a new form of tourism involving explosives. Links to the articles/videos discussed are below. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLLA2VPD0b/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/ataglance/2301/

Jan 10, 202325 min

New Years resolutions and paying families to leave Tokyo

In this episode we discuss how most people fail to acheive their New Years resolutions, as well as how the Japanese government is now paying families to leave Tokyo. https://amp.abc.net.au/article/101787132 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/million-yen-per-child-to-leave-tokyo-japans-offer-to-families

Jan 07, 202329 min

Pilot

This was our very first attempt at recording so please be kind. In this episode we discuss Japan's performance at the world cup and how New Zealand has banned smoking for people born after a certain date.

Jan 03, 202346 min

Episode 1: EScooters and Christmas

In this episode, Matt and Haruka discuss ways to manage the stresses of the holiday season, and consider the future of E-scooters in Japan using the articles below. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/12/26/business/tech/luup-escooters-public-transport/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmkijj8LRaX/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

Dec 31, 202226 min
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