Small Talk Japan

By Small Talk JapanSociety & Culture Places & Travel

Small Talk Japan episodes

February 28, 2022 Japanese Pro Gamer Tanukana Fired for Bashing on Short Men | STJ 137
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

Articles from this week's episode
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/0a26bffcb705-olympics-japan-takes-silver-in-womens-curling-after-loss-to-british.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/09379c7e665e-govt-bans-firm-from-accepting-foreign-trainees-after-assault-case.html

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220222_36/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/c3ffe19b039b-cat-robot-serving-dishes-at-hokkaido-noodle-restaurant.html

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/23/when-was-the-first-anime-breast-bounce-japanese-twitter-debates/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/22/naomi-watanabe-sports-adidas-stripes-in-her-hair-to-celebrate-becoming-brand-ambassador/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/18/ukrainian-ambassador-to-japan-dresses-as-samurai-in-show-of-strength-against-russia/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/17/japanese-pro-gamer-kicked-off-e-sports-team-after-saying-short-men-shouldnt-have-human-rights/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
39 min
February 18, 2022 Valentine's "Love'Roni" Pizzas Blessed by Shinto Priests | STJ 136
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

Articles from this week's episode
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/195e19f47c36-us-european-business-leaders-urge-japan-to-end-covid-entry-ban.html

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14532405

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/4372eb10123a-returning-japan-olympians-to-have-smartphones-undergo-security-check.html

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220208/p2g/00m/0bu/055000c

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220207/p2a/00m/0bu/016000c

https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2022/02/07/regional-treasures-south-korea-and-japan-step-up-fight-against-country-of-origin-food-fraud

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/2c0b247a9739-urgent-us-says-agreed-with-japan-to-resolve-trump-era-steel-tariffs-issue.html

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14534323

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/12/ferry-takes-trip-halfway-across-japan-without-anyone-steering-it/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/12/pringles-can-drink-bottles-on-sale-at-japanese-bookstores-and-convenience-stores/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/12/japanese-man-caught-using-fake-ids-to-sneak-into-matchmaking-parties-with-younger-women/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/12/french-fry-rationing-continues-in-japan-as-mos-burger-suspends-sales-with-two-exceptions/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/11/cost-of-uneaten-ehomaki-sushi-rolls-in-2022-estimated-to-be-over-one-billion-yen/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/11/cats-and-dogs-apologising-at-japanese-press-conference-is-our-newest-gacha-capsule-toy-obsession/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/11/shinto-priest-blesses-dominos-pizzas-to-bring-love-to-those-who-eat-them-on-valentines-day/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/11/kfc-japan-releases-official-onigiri-rice-ball-miso-ramen-rice-recipes-to-level-up-fried-chicken/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/10/how-does-the-100-yen-scoon-match-up-against-the-celebrated-2000-yen-sugakiya-ramen-fork/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/10/starbucks-japans-substitute-frappuccino-aims-to-please-disappointed-customers-on-valentines-day/

https://soranews24.com/2022/02/09/keeping-up-with-the-kids-japanese-high-schoolers-most-popular-slang-of-spring-2022/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
1 hr 53 min
February 09, 2022 Special LIVE: Answering Questions on Reddit | STJ 135
This week Alex, Mitch, and Josh answer questions live on reddit about living in Japan.

Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
1 hr 30 min
February 01, 2022 Japan is Going to the Moon? | STJ 134
Mob attacking a police station in Okinawa, an 11 hour standoff with a shooter in Saitama, bomb shelters, lunar landers, umaibo, and why Japanese couples broke up at the start of 2022! Those are the topis of this week's episode of Small Talk Japan!

Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

Articles from this week's episode
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220127/p2a/00m/0na/025000c
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14534337
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14534413
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/3beabff2730f-man-shoots-medical-worker-takes-another-hostage-at-home-near-tokyo.html
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220126/p2a/00m/0na/014000c
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14532394
https://soranews24.com/2022/01/29/japanese-snack-maker-apologizes-for-commotion-caused-by-1-7-cent-price-increase/
https://soranews24.com/2022/01/24/japanese-survey-asks-exactly-why-people-broke-up-with-their-partners/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM

Thank you to our patrons!
Jan Myler
Jenn
SpiralInYourEyes
Justin Perkins
49 min
January 27, 2022 Interac's Don't Be Sick Controversy?! | STJ 133
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan
Articles from this week's episode https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220121/p2a/00m/0na/045000c#:~:text=IIZUKA%2C%20Fukuoka%20%2D%2D%20A%20family,by%20the%20father%20burglarizing%20houses. https://japantoday.com/category/crime/man-breaks-into-school-to-recover-stuff-teacher-took-from-him%E2%80%A6over-40-years-ago
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220121/p2g/00m/0na/033000c
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220121/p2g/00m/0na/035000c
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220121/p2g/00m/0na/064000c#:~:text=The%20figure%20is%20up%204.5,or%20%22not%20really%20good.%22 https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/miyagi-restaurant-refuses-to-accept-customers%E2%80%99-money-after-tsunami-warning-evacuation https://soranews24.com/2022/01/22/terrifying-snow-no-face-found-in-japan-gets-thumbs-up-from-studio-ghibli%E3%80%90photos%E3%80%91/#:~:text=Spirited%20Away's%20No%20Face%20is,huge%20contribution%20to%20character%20design.&text=None%20other%20than%20Studio%20Ghibli,Hayao%20Miyazaki's%20anime%20production%20house.

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
1 hr 1 min
January 23, 2022 How to Join the Yakuza?! | STJ 132
This week, Mitch and Natsuki talk about jobs for yakuza, Japan's economy vs the rest of the world, Studio Ghibli world, and more!

Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

Articles from this week's episode
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/b38936a5c597-urgent-tokyos-daily-covid-cases-top-4000-for-1st-time-since-late-aug.html

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220110/p2a/00m/0na/014000c

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/0b1789d42659-breaking-news-tokyo-reports-2198-daily-covid-19-cases-highest-since-sept-4.html

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220108/p2a/00m/0na/014000c

https://www.businessinsider.com/workaholic-japan-companies-introduce-four-day-workweek-panasonic-2022-1

https://www.ibtimes.sg/japanese-woman-gives-baby-sues-sperm-donor-she-met-online-lying-about-ethnicity-education-have-62235

https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2022011100485

https://www.thehindu.com/business/india-to-surpass-japan-as-asias-2nd-largest-economy-by-2030/article38195975.ece

https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2022/01/13/uniqlo-will-raise-prices-as-japan-shifts-attitude-on-holding-prices/

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220107/p2a/00m/0na/020000c

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/15/national/crime-legal/entrance-exam-stabbings-tokyo/

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/what-we-know-so-far-about-the-worlds-first-ghibli-park-opening-in-2022-061120

https://ghibli.jpn.org/news/gutiokipan/

https://soranews24.com/2022/01/15/long-wallet-or-bifold-what-your-wallet-says-about-you-in-japan/

https://soranews24.com/2022/01/13/japanese-rail-fans-heartbroken-as-tokyo-area-keikyu-chooses-to-retire-its-last-pata-pata-sign/

https://soranews24.com/2022/01/15/sailor-moons-moon-stick-becomes-the-real-worlds-coolest-subway-pass/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
51 min
January 19, 2022 Japanese Woman Has 119th Birthday?! | STJ 131
From same sex partenerships, to spikes in wages, this week, Alex and Mitch talk about all things Japan!

Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/79fa55017c0c-12000-sign-petition-to-ease-japans-tight-entry-rules-over-omicron.html

https://www.ucanews.com/news/japan-looks-to-blood-ties-to-address-labor-shortage/95560

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/38390593b798-japan-struggling-to-hold-coming-of-age-day-events-due-to-covid-surge.html

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220101_15/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/470a5632ca96-worlds-oldest-person-in-japan-celebrates-119th-birthday.html

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14503708

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/96abf7107327-japan-pm-calls-for-aggressive-wage-hikes-in-push-for-redistribution.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/b986153061ce-toyota-outsells-gm-in-us-in-2021-to-clinch-top-spot-for-1st-time.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/7ec51b18f01c-transgender-woman-referred-to-prosecutors-for-using-osaka-ladies-room.html

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kagoshima/20220104/5050017383.html
45 min
January 12, 2022 Tokyo High School for Pro Gamers? | STJ 130
Vaccine passports, bench pressing grandmas, a video game high school, and more! That's what Josh and Natsuki are talking about on this week's episode of Small Talk Japan!
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan
Vaccine passport for residents of Japan: https://www.digital.go.jp/policies/posts/vaccinecert

Articles for the week:

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/26/72-year-old-japanese-woman-has-sights-on-20th-world-bench-press-championship-in-a-row/

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/24/japan-is-opening-a-video-gaming-e-sports-high-school-and-the-idea-isnt-as-crazy-as-it-sounds/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/12/20/national/japan-digital-vaccine-passport-app-explainer/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/9c84a07d422d-breaking-news-musashino-city-in-tokyo-rejects-proposal-for-foreigners-to-vote.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/8fd330819677-mcdonalds-japan-only-sells-fries-in-small-sizes-due-to-supply-crunch.html

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
30 min
January 09, 2022 Miss Universe Japan's Fashion Fail | STJ 129
Japan's current corona situation, the Osaka fire incident, boycotting the Olympics, Miss Universe Japan's fashion fail, and more! That's what Alex and Mitch are talking about on this week's episode of Small Talk Japan!
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan
Articles for the week:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211218_03/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/4cdf1190b2aa-tokyo-city-committee-oks-plan-for-foreigners-to-vote-in-referendums.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/cd000f284b2a-japan-to-simplify-entry-process-for-wealthy-travelers.html

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211217_04/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/0382e9299dd6-china-envoy-urges-japan-not-to-join-diplomatic-boycott-of-olympics.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/c3adc78ec371-tokyo-lawyers-to-collect-info-on-police-treatment-of-foreigners.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/e70ee2178c0a-kishida-becomes-1st-japan-pm-in-9-yrs-to-live-in-official-residence.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/c2383ead2a6a-urgent-man-infected-with-omicron-variant-visited-stadium-for-soccer-match.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/6d2830224719-feature-theme-park-giving-s-koreans-a-japan-fix-despite-pandemic.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/160ab669a7fa-kanji-meaning-gold-picked-to-symbolize-2021-amid-olympic-year.html

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/16/how-a-bar-in-kabukicho-scammed-one-diner-out-of-their-money-and-how-it-can-happen-to-you-too/

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/15/miss-universe-2021-japan-entry-slammed-for-wearing-dead-persons-kimono/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
53 min
January 06, 2022 The Best Time for a Love Confession in Japan | STJ 128
Which date you should confess your love, mandatory grooming lessons for boys, and billionaires blasting off into space! All that and more on this episode of Small Talk Japan with Mitch and Natsuki!
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan
Articles for the week:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/12/04/national/crime-legal/nhk-supreme-court-fees/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/46b700b376e7-japans-annual-budget-for-hosting-us-forces-to-top-210-bil-yen.html

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/24a22aa739bb-japans-wholesale-prices-rise-90-in-nov-sharpest-rise-on-record.html

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/japanese-billionaire-maezawa-blasts-off-international-space-station-2021-12-08/

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/11/all-boys-high-school-in-japan-has-mandatory-grooming-lesson-teaches-about-skincare-hairstyling/

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/10/instagram-ideals-vs-reality-boyfriend-buys-me-pocari-sweat-photo-isnt-all-that-it-seems/

https://soranews24.com/2021/12/09/when-is-the-right-time-for-a-love-confession-in-japan/

Check out our sponsors!
STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes!
DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/

If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below!
mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ
mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL
camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu
headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64
amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM
43 min

About Small Talk Japan

From the publisher's feed

This is a weekly English podcast about all things Japan! If you want to learn English or about Japanese culture, news life, and other fun things, give us a listen.