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Japan This Week

Japan This Week

Japan Today

A weekly roundup of the week's biggest — and smallest — national news, crime, politics and entertainment stories from Japan Today with a dash of opinionated commentary and a sprinkling of readers' comments. Ready for you every Friday evening (JST).
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Top 10 Japan This Week Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Japan This Week episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Japan This Week for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Japan This Week episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

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.
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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].
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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.
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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
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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
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In this week's news from Japan Today: The Japanese government wants companies to hire employees until age 70 as part of measures to address a severe labor shortage amid Japan's rapidly graying population; Nissan this week reported that its annual profit nose-dived 57.3% to less than half of what it earned the previous year, and forecast even dimmer future results; a 10-year-old girl who died in January after a series of assaults by her father had earlier been released from protective custody despite his suspected sexual abuse of her; a lawmaker was expelled from the opposition Japan Innovation Party this week after alluding to Japan waging war with Russia to regain control of islands at the center of a territorial dispute and Tokyo's busy Shibuya district has decided to ban drinking alcohol on some streets during the Halloween season following a number of incidents last year, including the overturning of a small truck. Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 GaijinPot Jobs: https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/ Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ This weeks stories: Work to 70 — https://japantoday.com/category/business/gov't-to-urge-firms-to-hire-employees-until-age-70-amid-labor-crunch Nissan Nosedive — https://japantoday.com/category/business/Nissan-profit-nose-dives-57.3- Fatal Sex Abuse by Dad — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/Child-fatally-assaulted-by-father-was-earlier-released-from-custody-despite-his-sexual-abuse-of-her War with Russia? — https://japantoday.com/category/politics/Lawmaker-expelled-from-party-over-remarks-about-possible-war-with-Russia Halloween Havoc — https://japantoday.com/category/national/tokyo's-shibuya-to-ban-drinking-on-streets-during-halloween
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In this week's news from Japan Today: Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn released a video message proclaiming his innocence via his lawyer that he recorded before he was arrested; the minister responsible for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has resigned after comments deemed insulting to people in the Tohoku area who suffered after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami; a new study released by the ministry of health finds that the number of Japanese adults in their 30s with absolutely no sexual experience is increasing;” police in Fukuoka Prefecture are using fashion shows to recruit college-age women to join the force plus a pair of mangoes has sold for $4,500 in Miyazaki Prefecture. Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ This weeks stories: The Defiant One — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/in-video-ghosn-says-he-is-innocent-and-victim-of-backstabbing Foot-in-Mouth Disease — https://japantoday.com/category/politics/japan-olympic-minister-resigns-over-disaster-gaffe Like a Virgin — https://japantoday.com/category/national/virgin-territory-study-shows-sexual-inexperience-rising-in-japan Fashion Police — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/fukuoka-police-tackle-shortage-of-female-recruits-via-fashion-show Mango Tango — https://japantoday.com/category/national/pair-of-mangoes-goes-for-record-500-000-yen-at-first-auction
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In this week's news from Japan Today: The Japanese government approved a plan to legally ban parents and guardians from physically punishing children; an American man was arrested for fatally stabbing his Japanese wife in the neck at family court; Japan plans to back a resolution in the U.N. opposing the creation of “killer robots;” a Hyogo Prefecture former mayor who quit last month over abusive language directed at another official has been re-elected plus the author of “Invisible Man,” Ralph Ellison, visited Japan in 1957 a few years after his iconic novel was published. Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ GaijinPot Jobs: https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/ Get updated via our telegram channel: https://t.me/japanthisweek This weeks stories: Child Abuse Ban — https://japantoday.com/category/national/update1-japan-gov't-oks-plan-to-ban-parents-from-physically-punishing-children Family Court Murder — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/American-man-arrested-over-murder-of-wife-at-Tokyo-Family-Court Killer Robots — https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-to-back-int'l-efforts-to-regulate-ai-equipped-killer-robots GaijinPot Jobs — https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/ Election Objection — https://japantoday.com/category/politics/ex-mayor-of-japan-city-who-quit-over-verbal-abuse-wins-re-election Invisible Man — https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/ralph-ellison-makes-himself-visible-in-1950%E2%80%99s-japan
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In this week's news from Japan Today: Two 12-year-old girls jumped to their deaths from a building in Aichi Prefecture leaving behind letters about being bullied; automaker Nissan is asking its shareholders to oust former chairman Carlos Ghosn as director; a Canadian man has been indicted for trying to smuggle a record haul of illegal drugs into Japan; a teenager in Yamanashi Prefecture has been granted approval from the courts to change his unusual given name to a more traditional one plus Tokyo Olympic organizers say the torch relay will begin at a revamped soccer facility in Fukushima Prefecture next year. Japan Today: https://japantoday.com/ GaijinPot Jobs: https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/ Rate and review us: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-today/id517133982?mt=2 This weeks stories: Virgin Suicides — https://japantoday.com/category/national/two-12-yr-old-girls-in-apparent-suicide-note-hints-at-bullying Too Far Ghosn — https://japantoday.com/category/business/nissan-asking-shareholders-to-vote-to-oust-ghosn-as-director Smugglers Blues — https://japantoday.com/category/crime/canadian-man-indicted-for-smuggling-record-amount-of-stimulant-drugs-to-japan Your Name? — https://japantoday.com/category/national/update1-teenager-ashamed-of-given-name-prince-adopts-traditional-one The Flame — https://japantoday.com/category/sports/olympics-tokyo-games-torch-relay-to-start-at-j-village-in-fukushima
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In this episode, Jeff covers election season in Japan, growing tensions between Taiwan and China, an atomic bomb survivors' group receiving the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, a cross-dressing man causing a stir at a Nagoya bathhouse and readers' thoughts on odd Japanese car names. Tune in for a mix of serious news and lighter, quirky topics with commentary from readers. Question of the week (answer in the comments): As the only nation attacked with nuclear weapons, should Japan join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)?
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FAQ

How many episodes does Japan This Week have?

Japan This Week currently has 77 episodes available.

What topics does Japan This Week cover?

The podcast is about News and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Japan This Week?

The episode title 'May 10, 2019: Toddler Deaths, Schoolgirl Suicide, Rope ’n’ Road, Quote of the Day and DIY PM.' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Japan This Week?

The average episode length on Japan This Week is 19 minutes.

How often are episodes of Japan This Week released?

Episodes of Japan This Week are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Japan This Week?

The first episode of Japan This Week was released on May 1, 2018.

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