Japan's strict border policies are finally relaxing — at least a little bit — and from March, new entrants will be allowed to come to the country once again.

118: Japan relaxes its border restrictions w/ Kanako Takahara

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 temperatures rising we can all feel how climate change is affecting our lives, but what if we could hear it too? This week, Japan Times climate editor Chris Russell joins us to discuss what researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology are listening to when it comes to biodiversity on the island.

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.



On this episode:

Shaun McKenna: Articles | X 

Chris Russell: Articles | X



Read more: 


Hearing the impact of climate change in Okinawa, one bird at a time (Chris Russell, The Japan Times)

Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990 (Bloomberg, Reuters)

Weary of overtourism, Japan town blocks one popular view of Mount Fuji (Caroline Gardin, AFP-JIJI)

Many COVID experts in Japan harassed after speaking to media, survey shows (Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times)

The politicians moving Japan forward on climate change (Eric Margolis, The Japan Times)

Why half of Japan’s cities are at risk of disappearing in 100 years (Alex K.T. Martin, 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!  



Photo: Toshihiro Kinjo (center), a research support technician at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, inspects an audio recording device in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on April 3 as Masako Ogasawara, a research support specialist at OIST, looks on. | CHRIS RUSSELL


191: What does climate change sound like?

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


118: Japan relaxes its border restrictions w/ Kanako Takahara

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