Japan This Week

In this edition, we cover the latest in Japanese politics, including Shigeru Ishiba’s re-election as prime minister after a rare runoff vote, a record number of women elected to Japan's parliament and the impact of a tragic car accident that has reignited concerns about elderly drivers. We also dive into a controversial crime story involving social media and victim-blaming and wrap up with results from our latest reader poll on whether Donald Trump's re-election is good news for Japan. POLITICS: Shigeru Ishiba re-elected in runoff vote [1:01 - 3:55] POLITICS: Women in Japanese politics: Record wins, but still a minority [3:55 - 8:11] NATIONAL: Kagoshima car accident sparks elderly driver debate [8:11 - 11:29] CRIME: Sexual assault case in Saitama [11:29 - 14:55] READER POLL: Is Donald Trump’s re-election good for Japan? [14:55 - 18:13] Results show 57% of readers think Trump’s re-election is not good for Japan, with 33% in favor and 10% undecided.

Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of the most pressing news stories from Japan. In this episode hosts Jeff Richards and Kamasami Kong discuss the emotional defeat of Japanese judo star Uta Abe at the Paris Olympics, the orange juice shortage in Japan due to various economic and environmental factors, the ongoing mystery of Tiphaine Véron's disappearance in Nikko, and the logistical challenges posed by new electric vehicle models. They also highlight reader comments from the "Have Your Say" section on the Japan Today site, bringing diverse opinions on current events to the forefront. Sports: Paris Olympics drama Japanese judo star Uta Abe, known for her victories in the Olympics and World Championships, faced a shocking defeat in the women's 52-kilogram category at the Paris Olympics. Overwhelmed with emotion, she collapsed and cried on the mat before being escorted out by her coach. National: Orange juice shortage Japan is dealing with an orange juice shortage caused by the yen's depreciation, adverse weather conditions, and a citrus greening disease outbreak in Brazil. These factors have led to price hikes and a shift to alternative juice blends by companies like Morinaga Milk and 7-Eleven. National: The disappearance of Tiphaine Véron The UN committee has requested more information from Japan regarding the 2018 disappearance of French woman Tiphaine Véron in Nikko. Despite ongoing appeals and involving French President Emmanuel Macron, her family still seeks answers. National: Electric suitcase issues A new electric vehicle model is creating logistical challenges at Japan's airports and on the roads. Listeners are encouraged to share their opinions on the adoption of roundabouts in Japan to address these and other traffic issues. "Have Your Say" In the "Have Your Say" section on the Japan Today site, readers share their thoughts and opinions on various current events. Jeff and Kong discuss some of the most engaging and thought-provoking comments from the community. Subscribe to Japan This Week Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS feed Follow us on social media Facebook: Japan Today Instagram: @JapanTodayNews Threads: @JapanTodayNews X: @JapanToday Contact us: Have questions or comments? Email us at: [email protected].

In this episode, Jeff and Kong dive into topics ranging from Japan's upcoming cannabis laws to the resurgence of whale meat in Japan and record-breaking Emmy wins for a Japanese period drama. Plus, they tackle Japan's aging population and sushi chefs earning more overseas. Timestamps for the Main Stories: [0:00 - 0:11] – Intro Jeff introduces this week's key topics: new cannabis laws, whaling in Japan, population aging, Emmy wins for "Shogun," and a discussion on sushi chefs. [0:11 - 2:05] – Criminalizing Cannabis Use in Japan Japan will criminalize cannabis use on December 12th, with prison sentences of up to 7 years. Medical cannabis products will be legalized. [2:05 - 5:04] – Listener Comments on Cannabis Laws Comments from Japan Today readers: contrasting perspectives on Japan criminalizing cannabis vs. Western legalization trends. [5:07 - 7:34] – Whaling Industry Trying to Revive Whale Meat Demand Japan's whaling industry held a tasting event in Tokyo, offering whale meat to reignite consumer interest. We explore how whale meat consumption has changed and reader reactions. [7:34 - 9:01] – Listener Comments on Whale Meat A range of opinions, from nostalgia to environmental concerns, including the mention of mercury levels in whale meat. [9:19 - 11:06] – Japan's Aging Population: 100-Year-Old Milestone Japan now has over 95,000 centenarians, with nearly 90% of them being women. We discuss the societal implications of an aging population. [11:06 - 13:36] – Listener Comments on Japan's Elderly Population Readers share their personal experiences with pensions, medical expenses, and the struggles of Japan's elderly. [13:55 - 16:45] – Shogun Miniseries Sets Emmy Records The historical drama "Shogun" became the first non-English-language series to win Best Drama at the Emmys. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai also won individual awards. [16:46 - 17:32] – Listener Comments on Shogun's Emmy Success Discussion around the cultural impact of "Shogun" and its production. [19:59 - 23:30] – Sushi and Sushi Chefs Abroad Exploring how Japanese sushi chefs are in high demand overseas, where they can earn more than they do in Japan. Listener reactions to the statement from the principal of a sushi academy. [23:31 - 25:23] – Wrap-Up Closing thoughts and a call to comment on the discussed topics. Jeff and Kong sign off and encourage listeners to stay updated with Japan Today's news.

In this week's news from Japan Today: Two preschoolers were killed and a dozen injured when they were rammed by a car in Shiga Prefecture; verbal abuse and threats by a teacher have been blamed for the suicide of a junior high school girl in Ibaraki Prefecture; two teenagers were arrested for stringing a rope across a road in Osaka Prefecture and clothes lining a 77-year-old woman off her scooter; a quote by American crime reporter and former Japan resident Jake Adelstein inflamed Japan Today readers plus a social video of the Japanese PM goes viral internationally — and it has nothing to do with politics or scandal. Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ This weeks stories: Toddler Deaths — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/Car-hits-group-of-preschoolers-in-Shiga-Pref-2-dead Schoolgirl Suicide — https://japantoday.com/category/national/teacher%E2%80%99s-verbal-abuse-blamed-for-15-year-old-girl%E2%80%99s-suicide Rope ’n’ Road — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/2-teens-arrested-after-woman-injured-by-rope-across-road Quote of the Day — https://japantoday.com/category/quote-of-the-day/while-the-japanese-government-relentlessly-promotes-the-image-of-'cool-japan'-and-mega-tourism-the-current-reality-is-a-country-run-by-sociopathic-hitler-loving-plutocrats-with-plummeting-press-freedom-endemic-poverty-rising-censorship-deliberate-destruct https://www.thedailybeast.com/japan-has-a-new-emperor-naruhito-and-a-new-era-but-a-dark-future-under-shinzo-abe DIY PM — https://japantoday.com/category/politics/video-of-abe-installing-canadian-door-knocker-goes-global

In this week's news from Japan Today: Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is back in a Tokyo jail tonight facing new financial misconduct charges; the new era name for Crown Prince Naruhito’s ascension to the throne next month has been announced — and not everyone is happy; after a recent survey, the Japan Tourism Agency wants transit and tourist information signs cleaned of “Engrish;” a new labor reform law came into force limiting overtime for workers in a bid to combat “karoshi” or “death from overwork” plus a teacher in Yamaguchi Prefecture is in hot water after forcibly shaving the head of one of his students. Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ This weeks stories: Bail Fail Jail — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/Ex-Nissan-boss-Ghosn-served-4th-arrest-warrant-calls-it-%27outrageous%27 Autocrat Era — https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-gov't-says-era-name-translates-as-beautiful-harmony https://japantoday.com/category/national/Abe-explains-choice-of-Reiwa-for-next-era-name https://japantoday.com/category/business/Companies-looking-to-cash-in-on-new-era-name Karoshi Cap — https://japantoday.com/category/politics/japan-introduces-legal-cap-on-long-work-hours-under-labor-reform-law Lost in Translation — https://japantoday.com/category/national/odd-translations-found-on-english-websites-for-tourists-in-japan Velvet Buzz Cut — https://japantoday.com/category/national/high-school-teacher-in-hot-water-after-forcibly-giving-male-student-a-buzz-cut