Tokyo Wave

When will Prime Minister Suga call a snap election? With the current House of Representatives term ending in October, time is running out. Aaron and Parker discuss the Japanese government's decision to release Fukushima wastewater into the sea, a foreign ownership probe into Fuji Media and 600 broadcasters, and Asahi Beer's new mug-cans selling out nationwide.

Thanks for listening to Tokyo Wave! This week is a special retrospective on the past year, looking back on each of our guest interviews, what it was like in the beginning starting out, and what's next. Aaron and Parker also discuss the Tokyo Olympics plan to pay up to $2,700 per day for each venue official, the possibility of Japan establishing a Children's Agency, and a group of schoolkids who chose to eat the flounders they raised.

Writer, translator, Cool Japan Ambassador, global communications specialist, and mahjong expert Benjamin Boas shares his experience as a senshusei, the intensive, 11-month aikido training program conducted at Yoshinkan Aikido's honbu dojo. Aaron and Parker discuss PM Suga's Olympics invite to Biden, the end of popular Japanese TV news program Tokudane, and the Japanese ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal.

How have local governments in Japan effectively cancelled Hanami? What is up with the NFT craze that has suddenly come to the forefront of magic internet money trends? Aaron and Parker discuss the three new apps that inbound travelers to Japan are now required to download and the sudden resignation of the Tokyo 2020 creative director.

Media training specialist and public relations industry veteran David Wagner explains how he played a role in the Japanese government's global communications in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 triple disaster. Aaron and Parker discuss the upcoming Suga-Biden summit and the Tokyo Electric Power Company chief's decision to skip visiting Fukushima on the 3/11 anniversary.

Asian public policy expert, political science professor, and politics commentator Dr. Stephen Nagy shares his insights on Japan's vision for a free & open Indo-Pacific and the situation in Myanmar, and his report card for the start of the Biden administration. Aaron and Parker discuss Tokyo's COVID-19 state of emergency extension, TEPCO's plan to spend $28M on a village hosting a new nuclear plant, and two love-hungry pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.

Akiya hunter, black metal musician, and real estate consultant Matt Ketchum talks about his experience escaping from a 38 meter tall tsunami on March 11, 2011 and what the experience taught him about resilience and being prepared for a disaster. Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's reaction to the Myanmar coup, US military helicopters flying at dangerous altitudes over Tokyo, and Japanese government officials punished for dining with a former egg-firm head.

Who is Seiko Hashimoto, the new chief of the Tokyo 2020 Games organizing committee? How is Japan's Covid vaccine distribution coming along? Aaron and Parker discuss a Japanese town's plan to give residents who get their vaccine ¥1,000 gift certificates, and the sudden popularity of the Clubhouse app in Japan.

Global communications strategist, public diplomacy professor, and nation branding expert Dr. Nancy Snow shares her insights on the Yoshiro Mori debacle and what it means for Japan's nation brand. Aaron and Parker discuss when Japan's foreign residents will get COVID-19 vaccines and a local mayor's objections to a new rail line up Mt. Fuji.

What is going on in the world of speculative day trading with Reddit, Robinhood, GameStop, and Elon Musk? Aaron and Parker discuss the wild world of global markets in the age of stonk memes, the Yoshiro Mori debacle, the future of the Quad dialogue on Info-Pacific defense policy, and the Imperial Hotel's new high-end apartment service.