Today we talk to J'Nique Nicole, singer-songwriter who you may have heard from games like NieR: Automata, Final Fantasy, or Street Fighter. J'Nique tells us about her journey in Japan in the music industry, advice for those looking to pursue a career as a singer, and how NieR completely changed the trajectory of her career.

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Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

On this episode we talk with Larisa, a stage manager that founded and is director of International Stage Academy. She talks about what it's like teaching performing arts in Japan and the ways in which theater education can be improved in Japan's theater scene to help students find success. We discuss what it takes to make it to Broadway, the differences in theater education in Japan vs the West, the reasons why Japan's theater scene is struggling to grow, And how to solve these issues and more.Learn more about International Stage Academy:https://www.facebook.com/larisa.amaya.baron/https://www.linkedin.com/in/larisaamayabaron/https://www.facebook.com/stageacademy.japanhttps://www.instagram.com/stage_japan/www.stagejapan.comFollow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

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Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today we talk with Khôi, founder of the rock band Kurrock which blends Vietnamese and Japanese to create a unique musical experience. Khoi explains what it's like creating a band in Japan, working with the cultural differences, navigating challenges, and finding Kurrock's musical identity.Follow Khôi and Kurrock:https://www.kurrock.net/enhttps://www.instagram.com/kurrockofficialhttps://www.youtube.com/@KURROCKhttps://x.com/kurrockofficialhttps://www.facebook.com/KURROCKOfficialhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kurrockofficialFollow us on our social media:https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today we sit down with Janelle, a former Nasa operations engineer, and current Flight Director working on lunar missions at a private space company in Tokyo. We dive into what it's like working in such high stake environments, what it takes to carry out a space mission, manning the control center, and the endless opportunities space exploration means for mankind. Hear all about her journey working with space, and also how quitting a dream job as a literal rocket scientist at NASA for an opportunity in Japan has changed her perspective on working in the industry

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In this episode we talk with Justin, a journalist who is based in Hokkaido working on rural revitalization programs. Justin explains the ways in which programs aim to keep lesser known rural communities alive through revitalization efforts including tourism PR, social programs, and a variety of other ways of stimulating the local economy. We also talk about what it's like living in Hokkaido with it's rich and unique cultural history, and the ways in which it can feel like an entirely different country from Japan.

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Today we talk with Sanyutei Kouseinen, one of the few foreigner professional rakugo performers. We talk about the differences between Western and Japanese comedy, what it's like to perform the traditional Japanese art as a foreigner, and the hard apprentice journey one must take to become a rakugo storyteller.

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Sitting down with us today is co-founder of Heaven Sake, Carl, who is aiming to expand the Japanese sake industry in foreign markets by creating an iconic sake brand that shows off both the elegance and rich flavors of the traditional Japanese drink, as well as redefining it's image from the "old man's" drink to a more contemporary and luxurious feel. Carl talks us through what makes sake unique to other alcohols and why it can be seen as the healthiest, and most versatile of the alcoholic drinks, as well as what it will take to make sake as common as wine in the global market.

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Today we're joined by one of Japan's most renowned artists, David Hewett. David has lived in Japan for 32 years and has become well known for his contemporary art which has been displayer in galleries and hotels due to it's unique style that that blend Western and Japanese techniques. David talks to us about what it's like being an artist in Japan, what it takes to be a commercial artist these days, and the challenges he's experienced pursuing art in Japan.

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Today we talk to Douglas, a boatbuilder who specializes in building traditional Japanese boats and has made an effort to keep this seemingly dying cultural tradition alive by learning from various masters around Japan. Not only does Douglas publish his research and teach at university classes, but his expertise has also allowed him to work on FX's Shogun as a consultant for maintaining historical accuracy for the boats used on the show.Follow Douglas:https://www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboatbuildinghttps://www.youtube.com/@DouglasBrooks-wz3fihttp://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/Follow us on our social media:https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapan

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