Let the guest episodes begin! This week we have Coco, an American content creator who moved to Japan 6 years ago to teach English, and is making her dreams come true in Tokyo as a full-time influencer. Let’s talk US vs Japan, the pros and cons of living and working in Tokyo, getting started as a creator and how Coco showcases small businesses all over the country.

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Coco’s socials: @kawaiiicoco

https://www.instagram.com/kawaiiicoco/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kawaiiicoco

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Time stamps

00:00 intro/why Japan

05:23 moving to Tokyo in 2020

11:50 first and last teaching jobs

16:44 making social media a career

24:32 family 

27:43 traveling to other countries

31:59 making a living as a creator

36:08 online community & safety

42:34 long-term plans

44:49 cost of living in Japan vs US

50:40 pros and cons - wholesome experiences

54:22 pets, anime, Japanese food

1:04:27 showcasing small businesses in Japan

1:06:45 advice for aspiring creators

Anyone remember the Pokemon seizure incident of 1997 or the cursed tissue commercial that left people mysteriously ill? Let’s chat censorship in Japanese media, and media that has been banned or lost.

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

References/sources:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2385308

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2014/08/27/films/pink-eiga-a-brief-history/

https://www.eastasian.ucsb.edu/news/pink-film-and-censorship/

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/lost-jojos-bizarre-adventure-movie-shares-surprising-update/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSyev_EFa_U

https://www.vice.com/en/article/did-pokemon-actually-give-kids-seizures-in-the-90s/

https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP038

https://gamerant.com/pokemon-porygon-episode-english-dub/

https://rsf.org/en/rsf-urges-japan-stop-pressuring-media-fukushima-related-topics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOW6PHOUrQ8

https://youtu.be/4vgcYBwyw28?si=eI48XdU7M5UkpPR1

https://archive.org/details/moemanifestoinsi0000galb/page/n193/mode/2up

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-06-18/japan-confirms-execution-of-cannibal-killer/2475810

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LFlK1ssUDY

https://youtu.be/xKjtKMRFpAo?si=H4v_dusFCC14y0Jw

Time stamps

00:00 hey y’all

05:55 censorship

09:15 the lost JoJo film

11:43 Pokemon Seizure Incident

15:28 self-censorship after disaster

18:10 the haunted tissue commercial

25:04 The Otaku K*ller - TW - CSA

27:42 Shojo Tsubaki - TW - CSA 

Welp, Cheyenne’s been talking about her move to Shikoku for a while now, and sadly the time has finally come. Let’s reminisce about the last couple years doing this podcast together, and see where Frankie plans to take the podcast from here on out.

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

発表 happyo - to announce, publicize 

申し訳ない (moushiwakenai) - sorry, I feel bad

References/sources:

As bathroom behavior changes, these Japanese expressions can help explain why

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/26/language/bathroom-habits-japan-men/

The survery:

https://www.atpress.ne.jp/news/416518

Time stamps

00:00 

06:19 reminiscing on the past couple years

26:09 regrets?

28:48 toilet controversy 

35:32 awkward moments

39:01 the work behind the podcast

44:49 future of the pod

Reality tv is a thing pretty much everywhere, but what makes Japan’s tv shows, particularly dating ones, unique? 

The 5 shows we focus on in this episode:

Rea(l) Love

Badly in Love

Love Village

The Boyfriend

Love Transit

Any other recommendations? Let us know!

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

競馬 (keiba) - horse racing

傷 (kizu) - scar, damage, stain

お尻 (oshiri) - butt

詐欺 (sagi) - fraud

ノンコンプライアンス non compliance 

寝取られ (netorare) - cuckold 

寝取り (netori) - stealing someone else’s lover

ヤンキー (yanki) - troubemaker, delinquent 

転校生 (tenkousei) - transfer student

ぶりっ子 (burikko) - pick me, someone who acts cutesy 

古民家 (kominka) - farmhouse in the countryside

容積 (youseki) - capacity, volume

意外 (igai) - surprising, not what you’d expect

騙す (damasu) - to trick or deceive someone

明るい (akarui) - bright, cheerful

日系 (Nikkei) - Japanese emigrants and their descendants - of Japanese lineage

ホカンス (hocance) - staycation

やっぱり (yappari) - actually, on second thought

内容 (naiyo) - contents 

乗る (noru) - to ride (a car, bike, etc)

Time stamps

00:00 hello/life updates

07:34 how reality tv in Japan works

12:53 Rea(l) Love

33:32 Badly in Love

42:38 Love Village

57:12 The Boyfriend 

1:08:27 Love Transit

1:13:41 honorable mention: Terrace House

1:16:11 final thoughts + Offline Love

Okinawa is Japan’s 47th prefecture, known for its beautiful subtropical climate, unique culture, and its incredible longevity, though there is hardship and loss as well. Let’s chat about Ryukyu history, colonization by mainland Japan, the similarities it shares with Hawaii, US military presence, and on a happy note, Ryukyu crafts, food and culture we can still enjoy today!!

We also chat with Christal, who studied abroad with Cheyenne, and has been living in Okinawa for the past 10 years, studying and teaching longevity and ikigai and interviewing many 90 and 100+ year olds.

Thank you Christal! https://www.instagram.com/christal.haitai/

https://haitailife.com/

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

References/sources:

Hajichi project: https://www.hajichi-project.com/

Awich song mentioned: https://youtu.be/p6vM08MGoQ8?si=v30U8cmADhMlBVIj

https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/a08203/

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/summit/2000/outline/eng/okinawa/oki0302.html

https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-base-defense-explosion-kadena-fa4797118e44728555c155460ade8f4a

Over 2,500 Okinawans rally against sexual assaults by US military personnel - https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241223/p2a/00m/0na/022000c

https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-military-sexual-assault-ruling-okinawa-3d0eb246d5425826b9afb3afdf44e43a

https://www.shinfujin.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/voices-of-Okinawa-women.pdf

U.S. Navy sailor accused of indecent acts on teen in Okinawa - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16170062

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/okinawa-link-between-socioeconomic-disparities-and-colonialism-in-japan

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14836699

https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1050288912145533056

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryYn202IdHk

https://www.japanesefoodguide.com/okinawa-food/

Time stamps

00:00 haitai/life updates

05:13 disclaimer/overview

06:44 the Ryukyu Kingdom

13:42 Okinawa & Hawaii

23:56 TW - SA - US military

31:00 economy, longevity, jobs

39:53 chat with Christal - longevity and ikigai

1:10:36 Ryukyu culture we can still appreciate today

Kodomo shokudo, or children’s cafeteria’s are popping up all over Japan as a safe space for kids to socialize and eat an affordable meal. Run by volunteers, it’s a great initiative, but should the responsibility of helping kids in need be on volunteer run programs, or the government?

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

子ども食堂 kodomo shokudo - children’s cafeteria

対策 taisaku - countermeasures

部活 bukatsu - club activities, extracurricular activities 

鍵っ子 kagikko - latchkey kid (child who often comes home to an empty house bc their guardian is working)

老人ホーム roujinhōmu - retirement home

References/sources:

Children’s Cafeterias in Japan Offer Promise (and Danger)

https://unseen-japan.com/the-promise-and-danger-of-japans-childrens-cafeterias/

https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/1008848

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02239/?cx_recs_click=true

https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/poverty-rate.html

https://en.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/youth/ending_child_poverty

Time stamps

00:00 hi/life updates

03:07 intro to kodomo shokudo

04:41 what are children’s cafeterias?

07:09 poverty rates in Japan

09:57 third spaces

16:50 support and criticism 

Japan is well known for its intense working culture and long hours, but when does that go too far? You may have even heard of the term “karoshi” death from overwork. Black (exploitative) corporations are infamous for their grueling overtime hours, lack of work-life balance, harassment from supervisors and more. Let’s go over some of the red flags and discuss the opposite end too, companies that have green flags all around. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

ブラック企業 burakku kigyo - black company

ホワイト企業 howaito kigyo - white company

過労死 karoshi - death by overwork 

朝礼 chorei - morning meeting/assembly 

残業 zangyo - overtime

就職活動 shūshoku katsudō - job hunting

ずらす zurasu - shift, slide

我慢 gaman - restraint, endurance, perseverance

固定残業手当 kotei zangyo teate - fixed overtime allowance

References/sources:

“Black Corporations” Still Common in Japan

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01840/ 

“Japan's Dentsu advertising agency charged over employee su*cide”

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40541609 

How to spot if you’re working for a BC

https://www.globarx.co.jp/post/working-in-japan-10-warning-signs-you-re-in-a-black-company%EF%BC%88and-how-to-protect-yourself%EF%BC%89

(Mainichi Shinbun) “Ad giant Dentsu declared Most Evil Corporation of the Year”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/23/national/social-issues/ad-giant-dentsu-declared-evil-corporation-year/ 

過労死等の防止のための対策に関する大綱

Outline for Measures to Prevent Death and Injury from Overwork

https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/ja/notices/view/93

Japan Recognizes Record Number of Deaths and Health Disorders Related to Overwork in Fiscal 2024

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02473/

Approximately 60% consider their current workplace to be a "black company"

https://woman-type.jp/academia/newsrelease/2023y/post-124/

“ホワイト企業ランキングTOP100！優良企業を見分ける6つの方法” (White Company rankings top 100! 6 ways to spot a white company)

https://web-camp.io/magazine/archives/41336/#st-toc-h-1

“Am I working for a black company?”

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/s/5YCppRPUE7

“JR east a black company?”

https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanJobs/s/B8QBh7H0S7

2025 Edition】Ranking of Worst Companies with High Employee Dissatisfaction Posts【Worst 5】4th Place: Japan Post; Which Major Manufacturer Tops the List?”

https://diamond.jp/articles/-/382706?page=2 

“Mitsubishi Electric Wins Black Company Award for Second Consecutive Year: Examining the Pattern of Cover-Ups Behind Repeated Karoshi Deaths”

https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/articles/2001/08/news018.html

YouTube video by @tokyosalaryman

https://youtu.be/4mdtYsksD9M?si=MkN2Y9LHJtuoA3fB 

Time stamps

00:00 hi / life updates

08:34 black companies intro

11:11 what is a black company and how to spot one

22:36 company charged with employee death

28:42 salaryman life

37:07 reporting labor violations

38:27 worst ranked companies

44:35 am I working for a black company? 

49:29 white companies

59:23 karoshi statistics

Japan sees around 83,000 adoptions each year, but did you know that 98% of those are adults, mostly adult men in their 20s and 30s? Let’s find out when the practice of adult adoption started, and how it fits into modern day society. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

婿 muko = son-in-law

朝ドラ asa dora - morning drama 

おばけ obake - ghost

株式会社 kabushiki gaisha - ltd.

考え方 kangae kata - way of thinking

施設 shisetsu - facility

References/sources:

Adult adoptions: Keeping Japan's family firms alive

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19505088

Why Do Adult Adoptions Abound in Japan’s Business World?

https://unseen-japan.com/adult-adoptions-japan/

Everything You Need to Know about Adult Adoption

https://www.americanadoptions.com/adoption/adult-adoption

Can an Adult Be Legally Adopted in the UK?

https://www.crispandco.com/site/blog/family-law-blog/can-an-adult-be-legally-adopted-in-the-uk

Slow Progress for Women in Management Positions in Japan

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02517/

Share of female managers in Japan still short of government target

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/24/companies/women-managerial-positions-survey/

Marriage Hunting Service

https://www.ibj-gl.com/service/

More on matchmaking services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHk-w41LZwY

Houshi ryokan

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19505088

https://www.openculture.com/2025/04/hoshi-a-short-documentary-on-the-1300-year-old-hotel.html#google_vignette

Things are changing at the world's oldest hotel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8W2LIfl5RE

Ibaraki offers cash for tips on undocumented foreign workers

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16368466

Marriage equality in Japan: what alternatives are there?

https://whatthetrans.com/marriage-equality-in-japan-what-alternatives-are-there/

Many adoptions in Japan are not about raising children:

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2017/04/many-adoptions-in-japan-are-not-about-raising-children/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20prevent%20excessive,2.)

Ibaraki Prefecture To Offer Cash Rewards for Reporting Illegal Foreign Workers

https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/ibaraki-undocumented-worker-reward-program-2026/

Female leadership https://forbesjapan.com/articles/detail/76853?n=1&e=77114

Time stamps

00:00 hi/question for y’all

02:42 rewards for reporting undocumented foreigners

10:21 shoulder ramming in Shibuya incident

15:34 adult adoption

17:07 history of adult adoption

23:12 saving on inheritance tax

25:51 oldest family run businesses in Japan

37:44 companies where women took over

41:37 matchmaking for mukoyoshi

43:32 adult adoption for same sex couples

45:23 adult adoption around the world

47:07 final thoughts

With special guest Ami, we talk about pursuing higher education in Japan, chasing your dreams even when they don’t fit your family’s expectations, researching regenerative medicine in Japan, intense corporate life, and a lot of science stuff!

Find Ami here:

https://www.instagram.com/ami_and_coo?igsh=d2N4eGx0NWYwZGk0

https://www.tiktok.com/@amiandcoo?_r=1&_t=ZS-94KDlhUNeMP

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

自己紹介 jikoshokai - self-introduction

正社員 seishain - permanent employee of a company

怪しい ayashii - suspicious 

Time stamps

00:00 introducing our guest

01:52 higher education in Japan

07:27 first job out of grad school & moving on to a startup

13:13 language and public speaking skills

18:52 what Ami researches

21:30 regenerative beauty, future goals

25:06 insane overtime

28:38 Japan life in general

31:06 Ami’s advice 

Now that Cheyenne’s daughter is 8 months old, we thought we’d revisit the topic of parenting. How are mom and baby treated in public? Is it easy to find nursing rooms and changing stations? Child care leave? Paternity? Baby friendly spaces? Let’s see how they’ve been navigating. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words:

資格 shikaku - qualification, requirement

保育士 hoikushi - nursery school teacher

ハンコ注射 hanko chusha - BCG vaccine

麻疹 hashika - measles

一時預かり ichiji azukari - temporary childcare service

保育園 hoikuen - daycare, nursery, preschool

幼稚園 yochien - kindergarten

産後ホテル sango hoteru - postpartum hotel

転勤 tenkin - job transfer or relocation (within the same company)

産休 sankyu - maternity leave

育休 ikukyu - childcare leave

雇用契約 koyo keiyaku - employment contract (not freelance)

迷惑 meiwaku - trouble, burden

赤ちゃん広場 akachan hiroba -  baby play area

Time stamps

00:00 hello/chat

07:56 motherhood

09:06 doctors

17:25 daycare

25:10 childcare leave

30:33 how mom and baby are treated

36:34 nursing and changing areas

45:38 husbands, paternity leave

51:58 community, advice