You may know Yayoi Kusama for her polka-dotted pumpkins or Insta-ready exhibitions, but this artist from Matsumoto has a long history of radical forms of expression. This week, culture critic Thu-Huong Ha joins the podcast to explore Kusama’s past and the latest stage in her evolution. 

Hosted by Jason Jenkins and produced by Dave Cortez.



On this episode: 

Thu-Huong Ha: Articles | Twitter | Instagram



Read more: 

Is this Yayoi Kusama's final evolution? (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times)

Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  



Photo: People watch as a lifelike robot of Yayoi Kusama paints polka dots on the window of the luxury retailer Louis Vuitton store in Paris. | REUTERS






149: Infinity and beyond: Yayoi Kusama’s next evolution

Looking beneath the surface of Japan.

We talk to Japan Times journalists and guests about current events and trends in Japan.

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With an increase in tourists heading to these parts, some may be wondering if Japan is a safe destination for those with disabilities. If you’re concerned, Josh Grisdale from the website Accessible Japan is here to help. Check out this past interview with him on everything from accessibility in Tokyo to dealing with trains and the country’s shifting attitudes. 

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.



Read more: 

Accessible Japan

Breaking down barriers (Andrew McKirdy, The Japan Times)

Tokyo named among the world’s best destinations for disabled travelers (William Lang, The Japan Times)

Behind the push to improve universal access in Japan (Mara Budgen, The Japan Times)

New film honors life and legacy of disability pioneer Mark Bookman 


Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!



Photo: From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers. | REUTERS


Japan is doing better on accessibility than you think

We are revisiting some past content on the science, economics and culture of cherry blossom season. Most importantly, we talk about some of the best spots to check them out in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. 

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.



Read more: 


In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is a big deal. Warming is making it harder. (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times)

We invite you to get ready for this year’s cherry blossom parties (Cassandra Lord, The Japan Times)

Toshio Katsuki: ‘The cherry blossoms have been my vehicle to find new relationships’ (Himari Semans, The Japan Times)

Cherry blossoms are just as beautiful on a plate as a branch (Elizabeth Andoh, The Japan Times)

Japan’s economy to bloom as hanami season kicks off (Kathleen Benoza, The Japan Times)

Our guide to family hanami hot spots (Jason Jenkins, The Japan Times)


Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

190: Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami

Three residents with foreign roots have filed a lawsuit claiming Japanese police officers routinely target visible minorities with searches. In this week’s episode, we speak with the lawyer and one plaintiff about what prompted them to bring the case forward and what they hope to achieve with it. 



Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.



On this episode:

Shaun McKenna: Articles | X 



Read more: 


Lawsuit filed in Tokyo over alleged racial profiling by police (Karin Kaneko, The Japan Times)

Making Japanese history by being Black history (Baye McNeil, The Japan Times)

Brazilian files discrimination suit (Toshi Maeda, The Japan Times)

Racial profiling in Japan is prevalent but unseen, some residents say (Victoria Kim and Hisako Ueno, The New York Times)

Lawsuit to end racially discriminatory police questioning (CALL4.jp)

Stop racially discriminatory police questioning (change.org)

How Shohei Ohtani mastered the media (Jason Coskrey, The Japan Times)

How to be an all-star sports parent (Mai Yoshikawa, The Japan Times)

Ohtani is taken. It’s enough to make you cry. (Yukana Inoue, The Japan Times


Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  



Motoki Taniguchi (left) and one of his clients, Maurice Shelton, hope their lawsuit can change alleged police practices involving stop-and-search. | LOUISE CLAIRE WAGNER


189: A lawsuit puts alleged racial profiling by police on trial in Japan

This week on Deep Dive, contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein reads us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season.  

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.



On this episode: 

Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram

Lance Henderstein: Articles | Instagram | Threads



Read/Listen more: 


My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times)

Akiko Mizuno: ‘Time moves forward. Photographers stop time.’ (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times)


Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter! 



Photo: Aoi Suzuki’s son runs past a home in Taketomi on Iriomote Island (not to be confused with Taketomi Island, which lies to the east of Iriomote). The Suzukis run the Takemori Inn, one of the few hotels on Iriomote. | LANCE HENDERSTEIN


[Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart

At 12, Miku Narisawa experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ensuing and tsunami destroyed her home. Instead of running from the ocean, however, she is now working to try to protect it through her Odyssey Nature Japan initiative. 



On this episode:

Miku Narisawa: Instagram | Odyssey Nature Japan



Read more/Listen more: 


After 3/11, an environment education rethink takes shape in Japan (Francesco Bassetti, The Japan Times)

COP28, didn't the oceans deserve more attention? (Miku Narisawa, The Japan Times)

Japan is about to release 1.3 million tons of Fukushima wastewater. Should we be concerned? (Mara Budgen, Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

Anger at Fukushima’s wastewater; hope in its renewables (Gabriele Ninivaggi, Anika Osaki Exsum, Francesco Bassetti Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

Preparing for the hottest year Japan has ever seen (Eric Margolis, The Japan Times)
TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui


Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  



Photo: Yasuhiro Otomo and Miku Narisawa during one of Odyssey Nature Japan's educational fishing programs. | ODYSSEY

149: Infinity and beyond: Yayoi Kusama’s next evolution

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