Japan This Week

Japan Today
Japan This Week

A weekly roundup of the week's biggest — and smallest — national news, crime, politics and entertainment stories from Japan Today with a dash of opinionated commentary and a sprinkling of readers' comments. Ready for you every Friday evening (JST).

  1. Jan. 31, 2025 Month in Review: BOJ rate hike, Kyoto tax, record heat, Osaka smoking ban & ¥207M tuna

    1月31日

    Jan. 31, 2025 Month in Review: BOJ rate hike, Kyoto tax, record heat, Osaka smoking ban & ¥207M tuna

    📢 Japan’s Biggest Stories in January 2025 | BOJ Rate Hike, Kyoto Tourist Tax, Record Heat, Osaka Smoking Ban & $1.4M Tuna Auction 🔥 This week, we’re doing things differently! We’re recapping the biggest news stories from January 2025—from the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike to Kyoto's crackdown on over-tourism, record-breaking heat, a smoking ban ahead of the Osaka Expo, and a jaw-dropping tuna auction bid. Plus, some important updates about the future of Japan This Week—so stick around! ⏰ Timestamps: (0:00) Welcome to Japan This Week! 📢 (1:27 - 3:17) BOJ raises interest rates to a 17-year high 📈 (3:20 - 5:13) Kyoto increases hotel taxes to curb over-tourism 🏨 (5:16 - 6:57) Japan logs its hottest year on record—again! 🔥 (7:00 - 9:00) Osaka expands public smoking bans ahead of Expo 2025 🚭 (9:03 - 10:56) A massive tuna auction bid kicks off the new year 🐟💰 (10:59 - 11:48) Podcast update: What's next for Japan This Week? 🎙️ (11:48 - 13-06) New shows coming soon: Japan Today Spotlight & Japan Yesterday 🔍🎧 🔔 Don’t miss our latest deep dive! Check out our Japan Today Spotlight video covering the Fuji TV-Masahiro Nakai scandal and the fallout shaking Japan’s entertainment industry. Watch here: https://youtu.be/WKGGoNXl74k 💬 What do you think about Kyoto's new tourist tax? Is it fair? Let us know in the comments! 👉 SUBSCRIBE for more insights on Japan’s top stories! 🔗 Read more at Japan Today: https://japantoday.com 🎯 #JapanNews #JapanToday #BOJ #Overtourism #KyotoTravel #OsakaExpo2025 #ClimateChange #TunaAuction #Tokyo #JapanBusiness #JapanCulture

    13分
  2. Jan. 24, 2025: Fuji TV scandal, Trump-Ishiba relations, 7-Eleven security, Osaka Expo struggles & Shinto rituals

    1月24日

    Jan. 24, 2025: Fuji TV scandal, Trump-Ishiba relations, 7-Eleven security, Osaka Expo struggles & Shinto rituals

    In this episode of Japan This Week, we dive into some of the hottest stories making headlines in Japan. From scandals shaking up the entertainment industry to icy New Year rituals at Shinto shrines across the country, we've got it all covered. Timestamps: (0:00 - 1:00) INTRO (1:04 - 3:53) ENTERTAINMENT: Dozens more firms pull ads from Fuji TV over Masahiro Nakai sex scandal https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/dozens-of-firms-pull-ads-from-japanese-network-over-sex-scandal-linked-to-its-staff-and-celebrity One of Japan's most famous TV networks, Fuji TV, is facing major backlash after allegations emerged of a cover-up involving a 90-million-yen ($575,000) sexual assault settlement with entertainer Masahiro Nakai. Sponsors are pulling out, and the entertainment industry is under fire once again. (3:33 - 6:24) POLITICS: 'Japan First' mindset key for Ishiba in dealing with to Trump https://japantoday.com/category/politics/japan-first-mindset-key-for-ishiba-in-dealing-with-trump-ex-aide Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba navigates the complexities of U.S.-Japan relations under Donald Trump’s renewed leadership. With high stakes on defense spending, trade, and investments, can Ishiba strike the right balance? (6:28 - 9:25) CRIME: 7-Eleven to enhance security amid rise of solo workers at night https://japantoday.com/category/crime/7-eleven-to-enhance-security-amid-rise-of-solo-workers-at-night Japan’s convenience store giant 7-Eleven introduces stricter security measures for overnight shifts amid labor shortages and rising crime. Learn how these changes will impact workers and customers. (9:29 - 12:26) NATIONAL: PM Ishiba visits Osaka Expo venue to inspect process of preparations https://japantoday.com/category/national/pm-ishiba-visits-osaka-expo-venue-to-inspect-progress-of-preparations The Osaka World Expo faces lukewarm local interest, complicated ticketing systems, and countries pulling out. Is the event set to flop before it even begins? (12:30 - 14:26) NATIONAL: Japanese bathe in icy water at Tokyo shrine to purify soul https://japantoday.com/category/national/ap-photos-japanese-bathe-in-icy-water-at-a-tokyo-shrine-to-purify-their-souls Take a look at Japan’s centuries-old New Year tradition of ice-cold purification rituals at Shinto shrines. Discover the meaning behind this chilling practice. (14:29 - 15:48) OUTRO Catch the current Japan Today Spotlight episode, where we explore how Donald Trump’s re-election could impact Japan. And stay tuned for our next Spotlight episode, which takes a deep dive into the Fuji TV and Masahiro Nakai scandal. SUBSCRIBE TO JAPAN TODAY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japantoday_ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/japan-this-week/id517133982 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07x56ia2XhhD4BzjroPsGJ?si=vsuRamAwS6q_uTh-3R6Iog RSS feed: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:13702072/sounds.rss FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: Japan Today Instagram: @JapanTodayNews Threads: @JapanTodayNews X: @JapanToday

    16分
  3. Jan. 17, 2025: Ramen closures, Coming-of-Age Day, suicide leapers, Ghosn accomplice & 110 misuse

    1月17日

    Jan. 17, 2025: Ramen closures, Coming-of-Age Day, suicide leapers, Ghosn accomplice & 110 misuse

    Welcome to a brand-new season of Japan This Week! Join host Jeff Richards for your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today for the week of Jan. 17, 2025. This episode focuses on the rise in closings of beloved ramen shops to Coming-of-Age Day celebrations across the country. Plus, an increasing number of suicides that injure or kill innocent bystanders, a former Green Beret speaks out about Japan's penal system and opens up about helping Carlos Ghosn escape and the growing misuse of Japan's emergency number "110" — this episode covers the biggest headlines you need to know. Timestamps: (1:17 - 4:57) BUSINESS: Record number of Japan ramen eateries went bankrupt in 2024 --> A record number of ramen shops have shut down in 2024 due to soaring costs for ingredients and utilities. What’s next for Japan's favorite comfort food? (5:00 - 9:03) NATIONAL: Coming-of-Age Day ceremonies held across Japan --> Young adults across Japan don colorful kimono and celebrate a milestone with traditional and fun events. (9:06 - 11:21) NATIONAL: Teenager falls from building in Tokyo, killing himself, injuring passerby --> A tragic suicide leap in Shibuya results in the death of a teenager and injuries to a pedestrian. (11:24 - 14:18) CRIME: Ghosn accomplice calls for inmates to be treated humanely in Japan --> Former U.S. Green Beret Michael Taylor speaks out about the harsh conditions he endured in Japanese prison after helping Carlos Ghosn escape. (14:21 - 17:18) NATIONAL: Over 9.63 mil calls made to 110 from Jan-Nov in 2024 --> Over 9 million non-emergency calls were made to Japan’s 110 emergency number in 2024, highlighting a growing misuse of the system. 📰 Visit Japan Today for daily news updates from Japan. 🎙️ Stay Connected: Subscribe for weekly episodes of Japan This Week to stay updated on Japan’s biggest—and smallest—stories. Don’t forget to like, comment, and hit the notification bell! Listen & Watch Here: 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | YouTube Follow Us: 📱 Instagram | Twitter | Facebook: @JapanToday #JapanThisWeek #RamenShops #ComingOfAgeDay #MichaelTaylor #CarlosGhosn #JapanNews #Tokyo #JapaneseCulture

    19分
  4. 2024 Year in Review: Earthquakes, Inflation, Tourist Boom, Ohtani, Yamibaito & Kanji of the Year

    2024/12/20

    2024 Year in Review: Earthquakes, Inflation, Tourist Boom, Ohtani, Yamibaito & Kanji of the Year

    Join Jeff Richards and Kamasami Kong for a special year-end episode of Japan This Week as they recap the biggest news stories that shaped Japan in 2024. From the devastating Noto Peninsula Earthquake to Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking year, the impact of rising prices, a surge in tourism and even the Kanji of the Year selection, we’re wrapping up the year in a jam-packed episode. 🎙️ Main Stories Covered (0:09 - 1:19) Introduction (1:21 - 5:36) Noto Peninsula earthquake (5:40 - 9:01) Rising prices & economic challenges (9:04 - 15:14) Record-breaking tourism boom & overtourism issues (15:17 - 17:38) "Yamibaito" crime trend (17:41 - 22:12) Shohei Ohtani’s golden year & interpreter scandal (22:14 - 25:33) Kanji of the Year: "Kin" (Gold) What are your thoughts on the top stories of 2024? Share your views in the comments! ➡️ What are your thoughts on the top stories of 2024? Share your views in the comments! ✨ Thanks for tuning in all year long! We’ll be back in 2025 with more weekly recaps and exciting updates to the Japan This Week podcast and the Japan Today YouTube channel. #Japan2024 #JapanNews #ShoheiOhtani #KanjiOfTheYear #JapanToday #Overtourism #RisingPrices #NotoEarthquake #JapanCrime #Yamibaito #DarkPartTimeWork #EarthquakeJapan #JapanThisWeek

    28分
  5. Dec. 13, 2024: Nobel Prize, forced suicide, Miho Nakayama's death, izakaya woes & JAL pilot scandal

    2024/12/13

    Dec. 13, 2024: Nobel Prize, forced suicide, Miho Nakayama's death, izakaya woes & JAL pilot scandal

    Welcome to Japan This Week for Dec. 13, 2024! This week we cover: 🎖️ (0:57 - 3-48) NATIONAL: Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Japanese atomic bomb survivors https://japantoday.com/category/national/japanese-survivor-of-atomic-bomb-recalls-its-horrors-in-nobel-peace-prize-acceptance-speech ⚖️ (3:51 - 6:59) CRIME: Forced suicide case involving workplace bullying shocks Japan https://japantoday.com/category/crime/4-men-arrested-for-coercing-co-worker-to-walk-into-path-of-train-making-it-look-like-suicide 🎭 (7:01 - 9:35) ENTERTAINMENT: Beloved actress Miho Nakayama found dead at 54 https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/japanese-actress-nakayama's-death-ruled-accident-while-bathing 🍻 (9:37 - 14-01) BUSINESS: Record bankruptcies for Japan’s iconic izakaya pubs https://japantoday.com/category/business/tough-times-for-japanese-pubs-as-izakaya-bankruptcies-come-at-highest-rate-in-more-than-a-decade ✈️ (14:04 - 16-28) NATIONAL: JAL pilots fail alcohol test delaying a Melbourne-Tokyo flight https://japantoday.com/category/national/2-jal-pilots-consume-alcohol-before-flight-cause-3-hour-delay Get the latest headlines, hear reader reactions and stay updated on Japan’s top stories. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and follow us wherever you listen to podcasts! 🎧 Listen now and join us next week for our year-end recap of Japan’s biggest stories in 2024!

    18分
  6. Dec. 6, 2024: China's view of Japan, record heat, My Number debate, Akita bear drama & Aussie smuggler sentenced

    2024/12/06

    Dec. 6, 2024: China's view of Japan, record heat, My Number debate, Akita bear drama & Aussie smuggler sentenced

    First, a survey reveals nearly 90% of Chinese respondents have unfavorable views of Japan due to issues like the Senkaku Islands dispute and the Fukushima water release. We also discuss Japan’s record-breaking warm autumn, which has delayed the country's iconic fall foliage. In other news, Japan transitions to integrating health insurance cards into the MyNumber system, sparking debate about privacy and security. Plus, a bear creates chaos in an Akita supermarket before a tragic end and an Australian woman faces six years in prison after being tricked into smuggling drugs. (0:53 - 3:39) NATIONAL: Negative views of Japan in China https://japantoday.com/category/national/nearly-90-of-chinese-view-japan-negatively-2nd-highest-level-poll A survey finds 87.7% of Chinese respondents view Japan negatively, citing territorial disputes, wartime history and environmental issues. Social media's role in amplifying these views is explored. (3:40 - 6:12) NATIONAL: Japan’s warmest autumn on record https://japantoday.com/category/national/Japan-experiences-warmest-autumn-on-record This year marked the hottest autumn in 126 years, with delayed fall foliage and extended tourist seasons in Kyoto. Scientists link the warming trend to climate change. (6:29 - 9:14) NATIONAL: Health insurance cards integrated with My Number system https://japantoday.com/category/national/Health-insurance-cards-to-no-longer-be-issued-as-info-will-be-integrated-with-My-Number-cards Japan stops issuing standalone health insurance cards, moving toward integrating personal data with the controversial MyNumber system, sparking concerns over privacy and security. (9:33 - 11:28) NATIONAL: Bear intrusion in Akita supermarket https://japantoday.com/category/national/bear-killed-after-2-day-rampage-through-northeast-japan-supermarket A bear's two-day rampage in a northeast Japan supermarket ends tragically, raising questions about urban wildlife management. (12:14 - 15:45) CRIME: Australian woman sentenced for drug smuggling https://japantoday.com/category/crime/japanese-court-convicts-australian-who-says-she-was-tricked-into-smuggling-drugs Donna Nelson, who claims to have been tricked in an online romance scam, receives six years in prison for unknowingly smuggling amphetamines into Japan.

    17分
  7. Nov. 29, 2024: Japan-U.S. missiles, crash saga, suicide leap, Tokyo lost-found and shoe thief weasel

    2024/11/29

    Nov. 29, 2024: Japan-U.S. missiles, crash saga, suicide leap, Tokyo lost-found and shoe thief weasel

    From defense updates to weasel crime, here’s your weekly roundup of the biggest and quirkiest stories from Japan Today for Nov. 29, 2024. In this episode, we explore: (0:59 - 4:55) POLITICS: Japan-U.S missile deployment https://japantoday.com/category/politics/u.s.-to-deploy-missile-units-to-japan-islands-in-taiwan-contingency Japan and the U.S. gear up for Taiwan contingencies, with missile units on Japan's islands and the Philippines. Russia warns of retaliation. (4:58 - 7:42) CRIME: High-profile crash saga ends https://japantoday.com/category/crime/93-year-old-driver-in-fatal-tokyo-crash-dies-in-prison The convicted bureaucrat behind the high-profile 2019 accident that killed two people dies in prison. (7:45 - 12:37) CRIME: Tragic suicide case update https://japantoday.com/category/crime/girl-who-jumped-off-building-roof-killing-herself-and-pedestrian-below-to-be-prosecuted Police recommend charges in a heartbreaking case where a teenage girl’s suicide also claimed the life of an innocent bystander. (12:39 - 16:41) NATIONAL: Tokyo lost & found https://japantoday.com/category/national/tokyo-police-care-for-lost-umbrellas-keys-flying-squirrels How Tokyo police meticulously care for lost items, from everyday objects to exotic animals. (16:45 - 19:55) NATIONAL: Shoe-stealing weasel https://japantoday.com/category/national/stolen-shoe-mystery-solved-at-japanese-kindergarten-when-security-camera-catches-weasel-in-the-act A kindergarten mystery goes viral as a furry thief is caught in the act but remains at large.

    21分
  8. Nov. 22, 2024: Harassment madness, tourist crimes, APEC drama & pit bull attacks in Japan

    2024/11/22

    Nov. 22, 2024: Harassment madness, tourist crimes, APEC drama & pit bull attacks in Japan

    🚨 This week’s top Japan news stories 🚨 A tourist vandalizes the sacred Meiji Jingu Shrine torii gate 🏯 Prime Minister Ishiba faces backlash for APEC summit gaffes 🌏 Pit bull attacks spark safety concerns and calls for stricter regulations 🐕 An Australian woman claims she was tricked into smuggling drugs for love 💔 Harassment culture in Japan: Exploring 44 unique types of "hara" 🎤 Tune in for this week’s biggest and most surprising stories from Japan! 🇯🇵 Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Tourist crimes at sacred sites 🏯 5:42 PM Ishiba’s APEC Summit blunders 🌏 8:34 Pit bull attacks spark controversy 🐕 13:06 Australian woman’s drug smuggling case 💔 17:15 The rise of "hara" harassment terms in Japan 🎤 Don’t forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and leave your thoughts in the comments!

    26分
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番組について

A weekly roundup of the week's biggest — and smallest — national news, crime, politics and entertainment stories from Japan Today with a dash of opinionated commentary and a sprinkling of readers' comments. Ready for you every Friday evening (JST).

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    Japan Today
  • 配信期間
    12年 - 25年
  • エピソード
    80
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    Japan This Week

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