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 August Check Ollie's instagram for more information about his London dates and other touring. ★ Support this podcast ★

Links to tickets! Get your tickets ASAP for guaranteed entry! https://peatix.com/group/12083451/events ★ Support this podcast ★

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 ★

Part one of a (potential?) two-part run down of every single news story that came out of Japan in 2022. ★ Support this podcast ★

Shinzo Abe was assassinated. But did he deserve it? Jake Adelstein gets remarkably close to making the case that he did.

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 challenges of mass producing sauce Ollie's latest stand-up adventures and how things are finally looking up for him a bit Ollie's thoughts on therapy and clarity Gratitude for your continued patience and support Joe's book Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City How different zoning restrictions create kind of spaces/businesses that we're used to seeing in Japanese cities Japan's narrow, dingy, alleyways and how they became a vibrant part of city life The sheer massive NUMBER of drinking/dining establishments and how they're sustainable Barriers for opening restaurants in the states and UK, as opposed to Japan The difference between what people WANT to do, and what laws make it possible for people to do Weird business operations hours with Shimokitazawa as a test case Running a business versus doing something you enjoy with your life/time Which district of Tokyo does Joe find fascinating and what does the district teach us about the creation of real physical pockets of subculture How countries choose to restrict or not restrict people's creative endeavours Why Joe's background in National Security Analysis helped him tackle this topic How the cityscape of Tokyo is built out of people's dreams and allows for self-exploration The control that landlords/land-owners wield over the tone/vibe of the city and local economy How concern with property value affects possibility Bobby's experience with selling products out of his home kitchen and getting the permissions to do that/open a restaurant How much do we trust strangers with our (food) safety? Japanese reactions to food poisoning outbreaks when they happen and Japanese reactive policy in general Cultural essentialism?? Shokunin, Otaku, and Bukatsu Get access to the extras by supporting the podcast. Become a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Extras this time include conversations about: The Robot Restaurant Chinese Militarism and Security Policy AND SO MUCH MORE Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Get a free therapy session Take the first step to a happier you by trying Better Help. Free first session if you use our link: https://jbrc.link/better-help. Social Media Links: Joe McReynold's Twitter | Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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 relationship milestones Ollie at the Brighton Fringe The highs and lows of performing live comedy Why did that couple excuse themselves from Ollie's show mid-performance? Therapy and catharsis and the overlap between joke writing and self-analysis Metaphors about the wrong kinds of transportation Gratitude for our wonderful listeners Michelle's experience covering Biden's Asian Tour Michelle being super professional in the face of very silly questions IPEF: DON'T CALL IT A COME BACK How does Japan feel about the US walking out of TPP All things politics around Biden's Asia Trip North Korean Covid: What do we know? Japan opened for limited group tours, limited group tours open for Corona-infection Get access to the extras by supporting the podcast. Become a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Extras this time include conversations about: How the pandemic turned Michelle's long-distance relationship into a long-distance marriage Bobby and Ollie's advice for surviving long-distance What it's like when you, as a journalist, become the focus of a piece of journalism How does Guam see its relationship with the mainland US/feel about mainland current events? US current events 😭 Ukranian "evacuees" and the unprecedented nature of Japan's willingness to let them in And LOT's more great content! Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Content Links: Michelle Ye Hee Lee at the Washington Post Social Media Links: Michelle Ye He Lee: Twitter | Asian American Journalist Association | Instagram Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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 to avoid Bobby's move to Karatsu, his girls' preschool graduation, and how being rich requires HAVING money Ollie's comedy career, his time in Barcelona, and the value of performing comedy (and podcasting) in a world that's falling apart ISSUING REFUNDS ALL THINGS CASTLES w/Oleg Benesch. Where did they come from? Why? What happened to them? Why? What's going to happen to them? WHY? Get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode. Become a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Content Links: Oleg's books: Japan's Castles: Citadels of Modernity in War and Peace Inventing the Way of the Samurai: Nationalism, Internationalism, and Bushido in Modern Japan (The Past and Present Book Series) Social Media Links: Oleg Benesch: Twitter | Homepage Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

Stand-up comedians Bobby Judo and Ollie Horn purport to report on the Japanese river cruise industry each week.

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 content programming A brief look at the crypto crash: is it a big deal? Bobby's home renovations gone wrong Why DO people buy crypto? Tom's thoughts on whether or not the aging population is going to lead to the end of Japan Lots of thanks for new members and coffee buyers! An explanation of how we've improved access to the extras, which makes it an EVEN BETTER TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN AS A MONTHLY MEMBER AND GET ACCESS TO LITERALLY DAYS OF AMAZING BONUS CONTENT from our wonderful guests Why is North Korea being so active in the opening days of 2022? What does North Korea want? How seriously we take Mobile, Alabama Is what North Korea doing... normal? Why it might be even scarier BECAUSE we all know North Korea couldn't win in a war Might makes right in the Nuclear Club and why they didn't really have to go to all that trouble to get a meeting with Trump Japan's right wing wants to amend the constitution to allow for a military. We talk about why that doesn't matter. What the public thinks about remilitarizing A comparison of the robustness of the democracies of the US and Japan Ok, Japan, you can have a military. NOW WHAT? How the current social, political, and economic situation in Japan constrains attempts to remilitarize Can Japan make up for a lack of boots on the ground with technology? The importance of the presence of America Nuclear weapons, pacing ourselves as we end civilization Is war good for the economy? If it was in America, why wouldn't it be good for Japan? Financial priorities. War or social security? Who does the JSDF try to recruit and how? What is modern Japanese security policy most concerned with? What will life in Japan look like in 30 years and how can we heed the warnings evidenced in Tom's book. How Japan might be ahead of the curve Why Tom thinks characterizing Japan as unwelcoming to foreigners is unfair to large swaths of Japan, and who in Japan isn't being represented by the government's choices As always, we highly recommend this week's extras, in which you can find: EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT YASUKUNI JINJA: WHAT'S UP WITH THAT PLACE What the Japanese government SHOULD be paying attention to in terms of keeping its population secure The role of religion in Japan's past militarism, and what it means that politics is currently divorced from religion How the fallout from Japan's imperialism and World War II taught Japan and its neighbors in East Asia very different lessons about the effects of militarism Get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode. Become a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Social Media Links: Tom Le: Twitter | Tom's Research | Japan's Aging Peace Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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: New Japan Post policies Our goals for season 4 which starts just now HOW BRIAN WALKED OUT ON US Bobby gets some advice from Alex about making Japanese houses livable Old styles of Japanese house construction, and the challenge of respecting the construction while keeping the house WARM enough for humans Catching up with listener messages The continuing strict foreign entry rules and how the tourism industry is weathering things Domestic vs foreign tourism, and how tourism has picked up in more minor areas BECAUSE of Covid What Alex thinks of the overwhelming Japanese public support of the foreign entry ban HOW OSCAR BOYD GOT IT ALL WRONG Alex's take on Japan's pandemic response The AKIYA(abandoned house) BOOM and what Alex thinks of the global attention to the movement he started Akiya as social problem and Japanese cultural heritage A major MYTH about Japanese architecture Is the Akiya attention in the media birthing new myths about Japan? The reality of buying the 5 dollar country house How much of future tourism in Japan will involve properties like this? An update on Alex's thinking on construction development in Japan since "Dogs and Demons" featuring the development of Yoyogi Park Why there isn't more pro-preservation activism in Japan? The paradox of Japan taking pride in its nature and history while actively destroying it. When Buddhism backfires This week's extras feature lots more insights from Alex about Buddhism, tourism, and life between Thailand and Japan. Plus, is it true Get access to the extras for standard episodes by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now. or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Social Media Links: Alex Kerr: Homepage | Facebook Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses a Shure mic and a Scarlet Focusrite. Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic. ★ Support this podcast ★

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 podcast ★

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 Another historical entry ban and it's effects, and the story of Ron Dore What Joy thinks people can do in the interim Actions people are taking now to deal with it The Twitter response, and the twitter activism The awesome resource share project some Twitter academics are undertaking The network and community building that's occurring The way the internet has changed Japan-research, and what Joy's earliest Japan fieldwork experiences were like Joy's book An Affair With a Village How an anthropologist approaches and analyzes the things that all foreign residents of Japan live with Why Japan thinks we can't sort our rubbish Potential conflicts of interest and how anthropologists avoid moral judgements How Joy chose what village to study Joy's work studying the types of marriages, marriage by introduction and "love marriages" What Japan thinks is an incredibly important thing to do for anyone during research in the field in Japan How LONG AGO was the 1970s in terms of what things were like in Japan Love hotels, and what people who lived in communal family country homes before love hotels The tradition of "night-creeping" and the woman who told her "night-creeping" story to Joy The shift from "introductions" to "love marriages" during the time when Joy was researching it and how the delineations between the two weren't always clear Bobby's strategy in getting his wife's family's permission to marry their daughter How deeply marriage and other life events are tied to the Japanese idea of "continuing the line of the house" and carrying on the family business Marriage as the longest-form of anthropological research This week's extras feature lots more insights from Joy and her years of work. From religion in Japan, to generational change, rules of engagement for anthropologists, and more! Get access to the extras for standard episodes by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now. or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Joy's Book: An Affair With a Village Social Media Links: Joy Hendry: Extremis Publishing Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses a Shure mic and a Scarlet Focusrite. Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic. ★ Support this podcast ★

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 episode range from: The best way for this week's sponsor, oops, nope, we mean for you to benefit from a tour to Japan in 2022. Brian's looming marital crisis Commentating on Japan from afar What it's like to be an international policy and national security analyst and senior fellow for Asia and have to watch the rest of us dick about with our hot Japan takes on Twitter What Tobias thinks is the most uninformed Japan Take of All Bad Abe Opinions, and the impetus for Tobias's book What are our responsibilities when publicly posting Japan opinions? Wet aged beef Ollie's Podcast recommendation of the number one podcast for those involved or just interested in the production of beef animals and dairy herds. Kishida's approval numbers and whether or not Tobias thinks he's coming into power? The limits placed on Kishida by the LDP Past and present of LDP factions determining the course of the government The public reaction to Kishida's ban on international inbound flight and his backtracking The ratings bump he got AFTER enforcing a foreign national entry ban, and why Tobias thinks there is SO MUCH Japanese approval for that particular policy The lesson Tobias thinks Kishida learned from Abe's Pandemic Policy mistakes Is there a policy or image that Kishida might end up indelibly linked with? How much credit does Abe deserve for the latest economic stimulus package? Is it, as Abe claims, ALL OF IT? What's the legacy and the influence of Abenomics? Japan's appetite for deficit spending and what makes it sustainable What Japan's military spending bodes for it's future This is another one of those week's where the extras could've and maybe even should have been the show. Tobias is SUPER smart, Topics discussed on the extras include: The standard getting-to-know-you bullying How Tobias first got interested in Japan Ollie's assertion he liked Japan for (undisclosed) "normal reasons." How Bobby and Tobias missed Japanese pop-culture exploding worldwide by just a couple of years A recent Japan book that Tobias LOVES Did Japan miss out on the current global populist moment, or are they still in the wake of a slightly earlier one? The cause of the Japanese public's political fatigue/apathy Tipping points in being fed up with government, and why smaller things tend to galvanize the public more than HUMONGOUS THINGS Japan's revolving door prime minister era, and how it set the stage for Abe Why Tobias sees Abe as an Iconoclast, when many of us don't see him as a figure who challenged the institutional status quo Abe's ability to walk the line between nationalism/constitutional revisionism and international cooperation Does Tobias think Kono Taro will ever become PM? The secondary positive internationalizing effects of Japan's opportunistic globalist moves A continuation of the discussion in the main show, touching on potential conflict in Asia in terms of both hard AND soft power, and whether or not Japan is REALLY a pacifist country Get access to the extras for standard episodes by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now. or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Social Media Links: Tobias Harris: Twitter | Observing Japan Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses a Shure mic and a Scarlet Focusrite. Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic. ★ Support this podcast ★

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 twitter reactions How the Entry Ban is going to affect TV Explaining jokes The Japanese trendy words of the year and what we think should win (in which we totally overlook the eventual winner because we don't care about Shohei Ohtani) Ollie getting confused between the News and the Extras How a McDonald's Spokesperson launched both Wes and Bobby's Careers Why is Foreigner Japanese represented in Katakana? Wes research into using variations in script and what it's intended to convey Other reasons for using katakana Reasons for varying scripting choices outside of the general conventions (katakana for loan words, etc) The affective associations with different writing systems The writing traps that non-native Japanese learners often fall into Our word choices as Japanese learners and how we might be adding social nuance that we don't intend to add Using excessive/unnecessary Kanji Choices and turtles all the way down Pronoun choices and how much of these choices are conscious or subconscious forJapanese people/Japanese authors The extensive inferences that Japanese people can make about a writer based on their scripting choices How technology has changed scripting choices, and what that can reveal about people who make those choices Young Japanese women pretending to be lecherous old men online because why not? The phenomenon of trying to represent another demographics language trends and getting it wrong Content Links: The Sociolinguists of Japanese Script Topics on this week's extras include: This week's extras are 40 plus minutes of intense Japanese linguistic analysis applied to joke writing and punnery, and also to Bobby's 6-year-old daughter's first heartbreak. Yes, really. And we talk more about the trending words, including "Ussee-wa." We get into some of the cultural reasons why trying to tell Japanese people you're just joking doesn't work and discover who Wes's least favorite comedian is. It's very insightful and fascinating stuff from Wes, and you'll only ever get to listen to it by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Social Media Links: Dr Wes Robertson: Twitter | WordPress | Book | Wes's Death Metal Linguistics Podcast: Lingua Brutallica Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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 Unseen Japan The way Unseen Japan is placed within the "journalistic/social advocacy" content creation environment Token White People Striking the balance between celebrating and criticizing Japan THE ONLY JAPANESE SURVIVOR OF THE TITANIC?? Fun with Homonyms! Ollie finds out about the word "ofay" and Thalia and Bobby learn the word "au faits" What were the breaking points for foreigners in Japan during the pandemic? The personal and political desire to be able to have access to your home country/culture Whether or not we're going home for the holidays this year Micro-aggggggresssssssssioonnnnnnnnsssssss Travel logistics The recipe for Japan's ineptitude cocktail Any positives to not having new incoming crops of foreigns? How informed are the folks who dream of moving to Japan? What's the generation cycle of new incoming g-folk? People going to Korea or China instead of Japan Topics covered in the Extras include: Thanksgivings The most labor intensive kind of vacation How many podcasts do we even have any more? Whether or not we listen to ourselves and how our shows age Some of our more recent episodes, and whether or not we've gotten better at talking to guests Bobby's Battle over his Mic Boom Arm Get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Content links Thalia's Unseen Japan page What is My Worth as a Foreigner in Japan? Social Media Links: Thalia Harris: Twitter Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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 better for the Conbini Boys to make the leap to the mainstream Why Motoko turned down our first invitation to appear on the show What her experience covering the Olympics was like When the Japanese media covers the western media coverage of Japan How all the Japan Olympic scandals stack up to other countries turns The Japanese media's interest in the NYT coverage of the royal marriage What Kishida's first month (and a half or so) has been like, and what he's been up to Why Motoko sees the LDPs victory in the general election as coming IN SPITE OF the party being on snooze, and IN SPITE of choosing Kishida as their leader Why the LDP chose Kishida Why the country's voters continue to choose the LDP Is Kishida starting to step into more power and control than he was generally expected to have? What are Kishida's policies, and what does he want to do for Japan? Kishida's incomprehensible attempts to ease travel restrictions into Japan Japan's silence on environmental reforms The lack of gender representation in Kishida's cabinet A big problematic trend with minority group political figures in Japan Topics discussed on the extras include: Crimes against Japanese food An initiative to recycle adult diapers as an alternative fuel source The TV announcer who measures "youthfulness" by the ability to impregnate idols Get access to the extras for standard episodes by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now. or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Social Media Links: Motoko Rich: Twitter | NYTimes Coverage Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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 differences Aya's experience in both Japan and the US and how she felt trying to integrate in both places The community of Japanese people who've been abroad and come home AND the community of Japanese people who left Japan and never came back How Aya found the strength to face Japanese societal pressure, especially as a woman How that social pressure can contribute to a brain drain in Japan Subtle ways in which Aya discovered sexism applied to Princess Mako in the media More Coffee (and BBQ sauce) thank yous What Aya identified as "cyberbullying" of Princess Mako What press coverage of the marriage focused on and why How much of the general public actually cares about Royals, and why in one sense Aya thinks they should care MORE Does the media feel EXTRA ownership of Royals? R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to Aya Does the imperial family lead the culture, or represent the past? How does the Japanese imperial family struggle when it tries to adopt progressive ideas? Why all the fuss about Mako marrying a commoner? What did Japan think of the British Megxit? How the treatment of Mako in media infantilizes her and all women Some possibilities about the relationship between Mako and Kei that we hadn't considered Could she have married a non-commoner? How the conversation around this gets carried out at Japanese schools among young people, and what Aya thought about the royal family when she was a child The Heisei Emperor (whose name we totally now) and the things he did to KIND OF make statements about what they think/feel about world issues What happened with that payment to Princess Mako and also WHO CARES? The Debt thing with Komuro, and Japan being a bit hypocritical about it Will things get better for the poor, poor royal family in the future? What could be done to improve the situation and the role of the Royal family in the future? As always, the extras are FANTASTIC, and they're like getting a whole extra show for free. Well, not for free. For like 4 to 5 dollars a month. You can get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Topics discussed on the extras include: Aya's company CultureLabs and how she helps Japanese companies with Design Thinking Japan's attempts to diversify and how Aya navigates the need for diversification with ingrained resistance to it Aya's article about the Tokyo Olympics and what she thinks about it looking back on it Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now. or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Content Links: On Japan's 'Megxit,' We Need a Feminist and ... - Newsweek As a Japanese citizen and a consultant, I know why the Tokyo ... Social Media Links: Aya Shimada: Linked-IN Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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-Brexit success Pernille's time living in Japan, and the surprising connections between Japan and her current locale: Norwich Do Japanese people know who Alan Partridge is? Do you? The universal currency of silliness RingerHut and the OG Gaijin Morally Questionable Foreigners Will we ever get any dirt on Rochelle Kopp? Lots of thanks for the literal deluge of contributions that literally rocked our boat Does the UK's claims about their trade deal with Japan hold water? Why this has become a trending topic right now. How different countries use Red and Blue What a trade deal is What changed for the UK Japan-trade wise since Brexit Ways in which the latest trade deal DID do more for the UK than the EU deal What people care about/talk about the most in terms of these deals Geographical origin naming rights How necessary are some of Japan's touted geographical origin products Cheese The trade deal as a PR win for Brexit Topics discussed on the extras include: Bobby and Ollie answering all of your questions from last week, including: Komuro Kei's hair and pinstripe suit EVERYTHING IMPERIAL WEDDING Meghan-Harry Parallels Forbidden love Plus lots more Get access to lots of great extra chat by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode. Become a member at http://buymeacoffee.com. Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com or Tweet to us at @jbrcpod Content Links: BOBBY'S BBQ CROWDFUNDING Bobby's Blend Instagram Social Media Links: Pernille Rudlin: Twitter | Japan Intercultural| Rudlin Consulting Blog Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Other things to click on Some are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

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!