Alicia and Mizuki discuss the candidates for the Tokyo governor election! The two parse out each candidates’ stance toward key issues and histories to better grasp how the election fits into the greater Japanese political narrative. Listen to learn more about the differences between the opposition (ya-to) candidates, Utsunomiya Kenji  (Utsuken) and Yamamoto Taro, and how to use your vote!


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Special thanks to Stone Stewart for the intro music and Taro Hyodo for the break music.


Alicia and Mizuki tackle Japanese political parties in their latest episode. They discuss the ruling coalition (yo-to) and the opposition (ya-to), and their respective histories of separation, conversion, and bids for power. Check out the Episode Guide on our instagram to reference the the political parties' names, figures, and histories while you listen!

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Special thanks to Stone Stewart for the intro music and Taro Hyodo for the break music.

Live from their bedrooms (still): Alicia and Mizuki discuss the enforceability and legal aspects of the state of emergency in the context of the constitution, clashes between regional and federal governments, and the coronavirus financial aid packages. Update: the state of emergency now includes all 47 prefectures, and there are discussions in the government about providing a one-time payment of 100,000yen to all citizens. These changes were made because of widespread unpopularity and citizens’ vehement protest.

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Special thanks to Stone Stewart for the intro music and Taro Hyodo for the break music and research help.

Live from their bedrooms: Alicia and Mizuki discuss the effects of the Japanese government's inadequate response and lack of understanding of their citizens' needs during the coronavirus crisis.

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Intro music by Stone Stewart and break music by Taro Hyodo

In Part 2, Alicia and Mizuki continue to discuss foreign workers - specifically the nefarious Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). The two examine Japan’s declining labor force, the underlying issues of Japanese immigration policy, and how foreign workers and their working conditions affect Japanese people and their livelihoods.

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Intro music by Stone Stewart and break music by Taro Hyodo

Special thanks to Makoto Iwahashi for fact checking

Alicia and Mizuki discuss the different spheres foreign workers occupy in Japan, and how their visibility affects their vulnerability. Alicia talks about her work with POSSE, a labor rights NPO and their efforts to help foreign workers.

Donate to help Brenda reclaim her passport! 

English Crowdfunding Page: https://gogetfunding.com/help-us-reclaim-a-foreign-workers-confiscated-passport/?fbclid=IwAR1oTSppPFjkX9nXrH2R6yrlHpSGnR-9J6sYuIab7fLh7MUTMlTTZ-F2ZAU

Japanese Crowdfunding Page: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/224717?fbclid=IwAR2tfzLmvWuS7pHyhMpwncZ1SAbsJeOb6iTGVGlnKj_KmXaDi545X1jaUnY

Contact NPO Posse: https://foreignworkersupport.wixsite.com/mysite/english

Email: [email protected]

Music by Stone Stewart.

Live from Tokyo: Alicia and Mizuki quiz each other on Japanese mascots, then spiral into a conversation about their upbringing, identity, and how that affected the way they navigate Asian America.

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Music by Stone Stewart.