Brokyos: 2 Bros in Tokyo

Hey guys! 

In this episode, we explore the life and mind of Abel Nakao. He's a Nigerian-Japanese "hafu" that was born and raised in Japan, works as a translator by day, and can be found modeling for some of your favorite brands. He grew up in a typical Japanese environment and didn't even learn English until he was 18 yrs old, yet his unique background presents a stark contrast to the rest of his Japanese peers growing up. 

Please tune in as we speak on his experiences growing up being mixed in Japan, his perspective on the Japanese modeling industry, and how being featured on NHK, amog other media outlets, has enabled him to speak on Japan Pre- and Post- BLM protests. [Audio improves after first few minutes]

Back in action with episode 11, we speak with software programmer and cryptocurrency enthusiast Sean Douglas about his math mind, personal and professional endeavors, and his recent relocation to Shizuoka, Japan.

We speak with Internet star and all-around badass Tiffany Rachel about her incredibly unique upbringing in Ibaraki, Japan, her experience relocating to the U.S. and confronting her racial identity for the very first time, and her views on American life and education (among other things). Best episode yet. Enjoy!

No special guests this time—just us Brokyos sharing our thoughts on the Japanese language, our experiences with and attempts to learn it, and some banter over our favorite idiosyncratic phrases. Hope you enjoy!

We’re kicking 2021 off with a special guest—Kai Kobayashi, formerly of Terrace House, joins us to talk about his art, comedy, and the importance of not being scared to suck at things.

Kai's IG: @kaicoxa

                @eddiehark

Kai's website: eddiehark.com

We speak with Ken Tanaka, a multilingual and multitalented friend of the show, about education, religion, capitalism, art, and his unusual upbringing in Fukuoka, Japan.

We speak with a man of many nations, Aryo Hadi, about what it‘s like to grow up as a non-ethnic Japanese person in Japan, his views on language learning, the ways in which language shapes culture, and changing portrayals of non-Japanese people in Japanese media, among other topics.

Jaime N. Smith is one of the main organizers of the BLM Tokyo Peace March that occurred June 14, 2020. We ask Jaime how she found herself at the center of the movement and about the relevance of the BLM movement in Japan. Topics covered include race and gender in Japan, Japanese law enforcement’s treatment of organized protest groups, and the role of LGBTQ identity politics within the larger BLM movement (as well as within Japanese society).

Jaime's IG: @jaime.in.japan 

BLM Tokyo IG: @blmtokyojp 

Brokyos IG: @brokyos

This time, we discuss technological advancement in Japan, as well as the rampant bureaucracy that prevents Japan from reaping the full benefits of its own technological developments.

Today’s subject is Japanese law enforcement—something you may not have considered while planning your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Topics covered include general and cultural differences in the ways in which societies conceive of law enforcement, the practical implementation of law enforcement in Japanese society, and contrasts between Japanese and foreign legal and police institutions. We also share some stories about personal run-ins with the law and touch on the topic of the Japanese yakuza. Thanks for listening!