In December of 1968, the biggest heist in Japan was pulled off. The case of who pulled it off was never solved. Listen and find out how it happened and what clues were left behind.

Let's talk about sex...ism. In anime and manga. Sure, it's not exclusive to Japanese animation, but it is very common. So let's talk about that.

Some thoughts on the odd, and sometimes humorous English used on T-shirts and signs in Japan (and other places).

On the surface, Japanese Christmas looks a lot like Christmas in the US. But it's not. Learn a little about how KFC and sponge cake are connected.Atlas Obscura article on KFC and Japanese Christmas chicken: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-japanese-christmasAtlas Obscura article on Japanese Christmas Cake: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/japanese-christmas-cake

Between the 8th and 14th of December, 1915, the small farming village of Sankebetsu, Hokkaido, was terrorized by an extremely aggressive bear. In the end, 7 villagers and 1 bear would be dead. Find out the details in this episode.

Let's talk insurance! Talking about the Japanese health care system and insurance. Not the most exciting sounding topic, maybe, but I'd say the Japanese system beats the US system, hands down.

The one where I talk about my take on racism in Japan, including personal experiences and those of friends.

A fairly quick one. Rina Sawayama is ineligible to win the Mercury Prize in the UK, despite having what a lot of people, including Elton John, call one of the best albums of 2020 so far. And the commentariat are quick to pull some what-about-ism. Because she was born in Japan and retains her Japanese nationality.

Talking warring states. How the Ashikaga Shogunate fell, and the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Let's talk about Shoguns. Kamakura and Muromachi. Plus a few odds and ends I missed 1st period.