Unpacking Japan

In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we chat with the quick-witted half Japanese half American comedian Yurié Collins aka @babypinkhaus! Yurié opens up about her experiences growing up biracial in Japan and the US, her journey into stand-up comedy, and the cultural challenges and humor she navigates between both countries. From awkward family moments to hilarious audience interactions, this is an honest and entertaining look at life as a hafu comedian in Japan.

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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/

Meet Emirichu, a popular artist and content creator known for her storytelling, animations, and deeply personal yet humorous content.

From her unexpected start as a teacher to moving across the world, Emirichu opens up about adapting to life in Japan and how her art and voice have changed along the way. We also explore her anime influences, her love of fan culture, and what being an artist means to her.

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https://www.youtube.com/@SpilledInkyt

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On today's episode we talk to James, a video game music composer, to talk all about his musical journey and how it lead him to composing music for games and anime in Japan. We go over what it's like working as a western composer in Japan, joining a big company vs being independent, what makes a good song, and all the things a composer thinks about when creating music for video games.

Follow James & listen to his music:

https://www.jameslandino.com

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https://www.facebook.com/jameslandinomusic/

https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/james-landino/677816776

https://soundcloud.com/jameslandino

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xMMOflXnoIA3grU3seMjh?si=18L0en3qTUW_CkSl4FTbMw

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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/

In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we sit down with Chris Pellegrini, a leading expert on shochu and awamori, and the founder of Honest Drinks. Chris shares his journey from Vermont to Japan, how he fell in love with Japan’s traditional distilled spirits, and why shochu deserves more recognition globally.

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https://honkakuspirits.com/

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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 to Tristan, a historian and professor based in Nagoya, Japan. Tristan specializes in the history of Japanese urban development and infrastructure, and shares fascinating insights into how and why Tokyo is built the way it is. From Edo-era planning to post-war reconstruction and subway development, we explore how history has shaped the Tokyo we know today.

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Subscribe 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/

In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we sit down with Malachi, a stadium MC born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, who shares what it was like growing up as a foreign-looking local in Japan. Malachi talks about finding his identity, navigating life in Japan, and how he eventually ended up as an MC at major sporting events across the country. We also dive into his experience on The Bachelorette Japan, and how it changed his life.

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https://malachievans.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bigmalachi

https://localdream.jp/archives/3312

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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 to Kanchan, a Nepalese entrepreneur in Tokyo who runs both a restaurant and a fashion brand. From humble beginnings to creating a community hub, Adi shares what it was like building a business in Japan, blending Indian-Nepalese culture with Japanese customer expectations, and how his restaurant grew into something much bigger than just a place to eat.

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httpes://www.jiunu.co

https://www.instagram.com/adi.curry

https://www.instagram.com/kanchanadhikari_

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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 to Greg Irwin, a voice actor, singer, and wedding MC living in Japan. Greg shares what it’s like to hear your own voice all over Japan—from train stations and commercials to iconic roles like Street Fighter. We also dive into the experience of voicing characters that become part of people’s childhoods, his journey into Japanese voice acting, and the cultural quirks of working in Japan’s entertainment industry.

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https://www.gregvoice.net/

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Today we talk with Matt Alt, a writer, translator, and long time resident of Japan who you may recognize from appearances on Japanology. Matt shares how his childhood fascination with Japan shaped his life and career, and reflects on cultural changes, soft power, and the evolving image of Japan around the world.Follow Matt:

httpes://www.mattalt.com

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Today we talk to Jenn, a professional mahjong player and content creator based in Japan. She shares her journey into the world of Japanese mahjong, what sets it apart from other styles, and what it's like to be part of a male-dominated gaming industry in Japan. From the cultural nuances of the game to building a career around a passion, Jenn breaks down the tiles and the taboos in this insightful episode.

Follow Jenn:

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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/