DEEP IN JAPAN

In this episode, I sit down with author and friend of the show, Munehito Moro, to discuss the classic 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. We dive into the movie’s wild portrayal of Japan, compare it to Ian Fleming’s original novel, and explore how cultural stereotypes, cinematic fantasy, and real-life Japan collide — sometimes hilariously, sometimes painfully.

Along the way, we meander into topics like racial identity in Japan, the strange history of English conversation schools, and our encounters with life in the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s a casual, wide-ranging conversation blending film critique, cultural observation, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation (C– audio quality jokes included).

If you would like to pick up a copy of Munehito's book, Empire of Blood, you can find it on both US Amazon and Amazon JPN. 

Enjoying the show?

Please consider supporting us on Patreon! おんしつ (audio fidelity) isn’t cheap, and every little bit helps keep the mics warm and the nonsense flowing.

Got something to say?

Reach out anytime on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email me at [email protected]. 

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I speak with Brian Daizen Victoria—Sōtō Zen priest, historian, and author of Zen Terror in Prewar Japan—to uncover a disturbing and often deliberately forgotten chapter in Buddhist history. We explore how Zen, far from being the purely peaceful tradition many imagine, became entangled with ultranationalism and domestic terrorism in 1930s Japan. Along the way, we dive headfirst into one of the most controversial questions in modern Japanese history: Was Emperor Hirohito responsible for Japan’s war crimes?

Listen and judge for yourself.

Got something to say? Drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or shoot an email to [email protected]. That said… I’m far more likely to respond to one of MY GLORIOUS, SUPPORTIVE, AND MYSTICALLY ENLIGHTENED PATRONS.

Which reminds me—if you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us. 🙏 It helps keep the podcast alive, the audio crisp, and my kids mildly fed.

And hey, if your ears liked what they heard, you can find the outro—and the full Deep in Japan Soundtrack™—on my SUNO page, where waveforms wobble and basslines whisper like ancient melodic sutras. 🎧

Thanks for listening, traveler of the ear.

Yoroshiku. And rockets. 🚀

In this episode, we discuss: The Great Ghiblification, Shinigami Totori, The Sayama Incident, Mr. Sato's Transformation, The Demon of Reiwa, The Watatsumi Shrine Incident (a False Poo Operation?), YOUは何をしに日本へ, Studio SIX Shibari (link purposefully excluded as it is NSFW), and some relatively unknown news stories related to Japanese tourists behavior poorly abroad, the picnic incident being my personal favorite. 

Additionally—please note this erratum: There appears to be approximately zero (0) evidence that Johnny Somali is commonly referred to as “The Oni of Reiwa” (aka 令和の鬼) across the cyberplanes of the Interweb. A classic AI-chan brain burp. An illusion. A shimmering mirage in the Data Desert.

This brings me to an important point: Please keep in the following disclaimer when listening to the Deep in Japan Podcast: We know nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Also, this reality is likely just a low-budget sim run by a caffeinated intern in a higher dimension who’s currently on break. So don't take anything srsly—especially not us. 

Please also note that Deep in Japan Podcast™ is entirely free-range, non-GMO, and listener-fueled—meaning it runs solely on the psychic energy and microtransactions of beautiful beings like YOU (hopefully). If you like what you hear, consider BECOMING A PATRON. Like most things, it only hurts the first time. 

If you've got something to say, drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email me at [email protected]. However, plz note that I'm far more likely to reply to MY AMAZING PATRONS. Apologies, but there are only so many hours in the day—and, well, some people are just better (perspectivally).

Lastly, for those rare souls yearning to tap into the Deep in Japan Soundtrack™—a collection of vibes, echoes, and probable spells—venture boldly to my SUNO page, where waveforms wobble and basslines whisper like ancient melodic sutras. 🎧⚡️ 

Thanks for listening, traveler of the ear. Yoroshiku and rockets!

In this episode, we dive into the bizarre and brilliant world of Japan’s newest trading card sensation — おじトレカ / the Ojisan Trading Card Game. A quirky local trading card game from Kawara Town, Fukuoka—featuring real-life middle-aged men and their unique volunteer skills—is gaining national buzz. Created by a community council to honor local ojisan, the game has become a hit with kids and is even attracting fans from outside the region. Now seen as a creative way to connect generations, the project has caught the attention of Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

• Yahoo News Story (article)
• 福岡TNC ニュース (video)

The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and funded by listeners like you. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting the show to help keep it going. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Got something to say? Drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email me [email protected].

Enjoying those Deep In Japan Sounds? Find more at my SUNO page. 

Thanks for listening! 

The Deep in Japan Podcast is entirely independent and funded by listeners like you. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us to help keep the lights on. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Got something to say? Drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email me [email protected].

The outro and all BGM is from I AM ROBOTO AND PROUD:

• The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing
• Summer Colour

Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, we dive into Jeff’s latest obsession with a type of namazake called “domuroku”—a rich, unfiltered sake that’s as funky as it is fascinating. We also unpack the tale of how he got boondoggled into buying a cheap Chinese knockoff of the Shure SM7dB, proving once again that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and funded by listeners like you. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting the show to help keep it going. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Got something to say? Drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email me [email protected].

Musical outro: "Sake, Tears, Men and Women" by Eigo Kawashima. 

Thanks for listening! 

If you haven’t yet listened to my first interview with Brian Daizen Victoria from February 2021, do yourself a favor and check it out. Brian is an absolute legend, and I’m incredibly excited to have him back on the show. With any luck, the upcoming episode will sound a lot better than this test recording!

The Deep in Japan Podcast is completely independent and crowd-funded, so if you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show.

The BGM was the Magical Mystery Mix's 70s Japanese Jazz Mix Vol.4

Got something to say? You can reach me at the following: [email protected]

Thanks for listening! 

In this epic journey, I sit down with author and friend of the show, Munehito Moro, to discuss the following:  

• "Nuisance streamers": Foreign streamers who cause trouble with local Japanese citizens.
• Japan's rising anti-foreigner sentiment.
• The importance of Mobile Police Patlabor 2: THE MOVIE in the history of Japanese cinema.
• Banned movies, including the documentary by Shiori Itō, a Japanese journalist, filmmaker, and prominent advocate for women's rights and sexual assault awareness in Japan. 

If you would like to pick up a copy of Munehito's book, Empire of Blood, you can find it on both US Amazon and Amazon JPN. Other related links include: 

• Japanese Man Explodes on Australian Tourist (Twitter) 
• Ken Shimura - English Lessons (with English Subtitles)
• What is a Bogan? (Wesda / Youtube) 
• Save the Whales! (Country Joe McDonald) 
• Bill Hader on The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
• 怒祭戰友魂 The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On (outro clip) 

Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon! Onshitsu isn't cheap. 

Got something to say? You can reach me at the following: [email protected]

Thanks for listening! 

In this episode we reflect on Happy Hour #1: The AI Waifu. And also on our lives.... 

• Support us on Patreon
• Dr. Waku - How DeepSeek built cutting-edge AI without top GPUs
• Chinese sex doll maker sees sales up by 30% in 2025 – thanks to AI
• Gatebox's Holographic AI Waifu
• Big Potential | Shawn Achor
• 1970s Japanese Jazz (BGM) 
• cLOUDS - J. Cole. (outro) 

Got something to say? You can reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we sit down with Munehito Moro (茂呂 宗仁), a Japanese author writing in English, to discuss his latest novel, Talking Cure, and the fascinating intersections of espionage, psychology, and storytelling. 

Links & More

• 📖 About the Author (Goodreads)
• 📚 Talking Cure on Amazon: US | Japan
• 🎙️ Enjoying the show? Support us on Patreon!

Got something to say? You can reach me at the following: [email protected]

Thanks for listening!