Audio Japan | Learning Japan with you

Audio Japan
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This podcast is to discover Japan through data and history. Through this episodes, I aim to make you gain new perspectives and remind of it at a moment's notice.The audio is available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcast, etc. ■Audio Japan Japanese ver https://open.spotify.com/show/1R1kLHZ6O5vu https://listen.style/p/audiojapan1?drS00O7L

  1. 08/20/2025

    #2-2 Japan’s 2025 Upper House Vote: Opposition Gains, Ruling Bloc Loses Majority

    Today's Key words. ・House of Councillors The upper house of Japan’s National Diet, similar to the Senate in some countries. ・ruling coalition A group of political parties that together hold power and form the government. ・numerical Related to numbers or expressed in terms of quantity rather than quality. ・be fueled (by) To be driven, powered, or strongly supported by something. ・grant To officially give someone a right, power, or permission. ・filter bubbles An online situation where algorithms only show users information that matches their existing opinions, limiting exposure to diverse views.

    13 min

  2. 08/18/2025

    #2-1 Demon Slayer’s Latest Movie Earns Over 22 Billion Yen

    I will upload articles two to three once a week. ▼Vocabulary and Phrases ・took Japan by storm ・cross the ... mark ・structure ・mighty ・despise ▼note https://note.com/bignoblemen/n/n39695d5d83ab

    11 min

  3. 06/06/2025

    #2-0 Season2 start : 3 Reasons Why I'm Back

    ■ What This Episode Is About It’s been almost a year since my last episode. Even while focusing on my main job, this podcast was always in the back of my mind. I’ve realized that even when I’m busy, it’s worth making time for what truly matters. Here are 3 reasons why I’m restarting this podcast: ① To share in both Japanese and English I want people around the world to listen. I also want to improve my own English skills. There’s a good chance I’ll be guiding foreign visitors in Japan a year from now! ② To explore my intellectual curiosity Curiosity is one of my core values. When I think deeply and take action with my own hands, it helps me remember things more clearly. And I love sharing what I learn with others. ③ To build more connections I believe that new encounters can lead to unexpected opportunities. I want to connect with people based on shared interests and curiosity. ■ Share Your Thoughts or Get in Touch https://forms.gle/f3CwW64FesBkjz7Z6

    6 min

  4. 02/18/2024

    9. Selective Surnames: The Background of Japan's Non-Adoption and the Process to Legal Amendment

    ■The flow of discussion February 13th is "Surname Establishment Memorial Day." Chairman Tokura of Keidanren mentioned, "Introducing the selective separate surnames system should be a top priority." What is the selective separate surnames system? Why aren't common-law marriage or aliases enough? Why has the issue been shelved? How is a law amended? Drafting the bill Review of the draft Cabinet approval Submission to and approval by the Diet Proclamation and enforcement From April 1, 2022, the legal age of adulthood was lowered. From April 1, 2024, the prohibition period of 100 days for women to remarry after divorce will be abolished. ■References: "Separate surnames 'a top priority,'" says Keidanren Chairman Tokura, in favor of introduction. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA13CSK0T10C24A2000000/ "How are laws amended? Explaining the process and timeline for law amendments." https://www.docusign.com/ja-jp/blog/how-laws-to-be-amended "Civil Code Amendment: Lowering the Age of Adulthood." https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001300586.pdf ■Books introduced in the episode: "Selective Separate Surnames: What an IT Executive Thought and Did in His Lawsuit." https://amzn.to/3SU3ztf "[Public 702] High School Textbook for Civics." https://amzn.to/3UGr4ay ■Survey form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform ■Twitter（現X） https://twitter.com/bignoblemen ■YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen ■notehttps://note.com/bignoblemen

    16 min

  5. 02/12/2024

    8. Cup Noodles Completed in a Dream?! Ando Momofuku's Innovation from Bankruptcy

    Flow of Discussion Ando Momofuku, the inventor of instant ramen, lost his parents in childhood and was raised by his grandparents. In his early 20s, he succeeded in the textiles (meriyasu) business. He also succeeded in various other businesses such as manufacturing slide projectors, charcoal, and barracks housing. However, he was suspected of tax evasion by the GHQ and became bankrupt when the bank he chaired failed. Reminded of post-war scenes of people queuing for a bowl of ramen in Osaka, he was inspired by the Japanese love for noodles. He thought, "Without food, there can be no clothing, housing, art, or culture," and decided to start a business in his pre-50s. After a year of early mornings to late nights in his shed, struggling with the balance between preservation and convenience of instant ramen, he witnessed his wife frying tempura. This observation led to the idea of flash-frying noodles, solving the preservation issue while ensuring convenience with the addition of hot water. This method is known as "instant hot water drying." In 1958, "Chicken Ramen" was launched. Despite its high price compared to traditional udon, the novel product quickly became popular due to its quality and convenience. Other factors contributing to its success included the timing with supermarkets establishing a mass distribution system for processed foods, effective television commercials, and a rising demand for convenience among the growing number of dual-income and nuclear families. The package’s mascot, "Hiyoko-chan," was redesigned in 2010, endearing it to consumers of all ages. Viewer Letters and Reference Data "Inbound Marketing 2024 Edition: How Foreigners Decide on Dining Establishments in Japan" ⁠https://pro.gnavi.co.jp/magazine/t_res/cat_3/a_4139/⁠ "Agricultural Cooperative Bank: Survey on Japan's 'Food' from the Perspective of Foreign Visitors" ⁠https://www.nochubank.or.jp/efforts/pdf/research_2023_01.pdf⁠ Survey Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform Profile of Taiki Arai Education designer specializing in online English learning and essay writing strategies. Holds a TOEIC score of 840 and Pre-1st Grade in EIKEN. Enjoys running and weight training. Twitter (currently X) https://twitter.com/bignoblemen YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen Note https://note.com/bignoblemen

    15 min

  6. 02/08/2024

    7. 【Spring Legalization】What's Next for Ride-Sharing?: The Japanese Model of Ride-Sharing and Why Uber Couldn't Enter the Market

    ■Flow of the Discussion Ride-sharing will be partially legalized this spring. There are mainly two types of ride-sharing: TNC-type and PHV-type. TNC-type involves a platform managing drivers, with examples of platforms being Uber, Lyft, and Grab. PHV-type is managed by the country, with drivers being regulated directly. In some countries, ride-sharing was introduced in the early 2010s. In Japan, taxi companies will manage ride-sharing drivers. Ride-sharing has been considered equivalent to unlicensed taxis. However, there are increasing instances of "taxi refugees," with people waiting over an hour to catch a taxi. Many taxi drivers are in their 70s. Partial legalization is planned for April, with full legalization expected by June. Factors preventing Uber's entry into Japan include differing values; Japan progresses with reforms while adhering to rules, whereas Silicon Valley sometimes breaks the rules. There was no demand for ride-sharing in Japan at the time. Plus, the principles of Impact, Risk, Governance, and Sense-making were not fulfilled. ■ Survey Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform ■ Twitter (currently X) https://twitter.com/bignoblemen ■ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen ■ note https://note.com/bignoblemen ■ Reference Material ・What is Ride-sharing? https://jidounten-lab.com/u_rideshare-rule-japan ・Ride-sharing Legislation and Safety Measures in Other Countries https://www8.cao.go.jp/kisei-kaikaku/kisei/meeting/wg/2310_05local/231106/local03_02.pdf ・The Potential of Ride-sharing, Limited Legalization from April 2024 https://business.ntt-east.co.jp/bizdrive/column/post_215.html ・Ride-sharing to be Legalized in April Next Year: The Japanese Model Managed by Taxi Companies https://www.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1555961.html ・Number of Uber Users https://backlinko.com/uber-users Ride-sharing Driver Recruitment https://gojob.go.goinc.jp/rideshare ・Why Did Uber's Ride Service Fail in Japan? https://coralcap.co/2021/04/why-uber-ride-failed-in-japan/ ・Digital Agency note https://digital-gov.note.jp/

    19 min

  7. 02/05/2024

    6. "Randoseru as a Premium Product?!: The Situation of Japanese Randoseru and Their Expansion Overseas"

    ■Flow of the Conversation: - Randoseru (Japanese school backpack) imported from the Netherlands / Originally like a "Furoshiki" cloth bag / Prototype of the modern box-shaped randoseru created when Emperor Taisho entered Gakushuin University, donated by Hirobumi Ito / Nationwide spread around 1955 / The number of pages in textbooks for randoseru has also increased / About double for elementary school students / About 1.5 times for junior high students / Modern elementary school randoseru are colorful / In 2001, Aeon introduced 24 colors / Popular colors for boys are black, navy, and blue / For girls, purple, pink, and light blue are popular / The purchase price of randoseru is rising annually / Increase in education expenses per child / Often purchased by grandparents, not parents / Seiban expanding randoseru overseas / Initially for overseas children / Actually sold for adults in Germany / Randoseru features: "durable and hard to break," "resistant to rain," "available in a variety of colors" ■【Seiban Official】Randoseru Selection Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Bic3Go2dY ■Research Data: - Survey on Randoseru Purchases https://www.randoseru.gr.jp/graph/ - Randoseru Market Remains Strong Despite Declining Birthrate - Early Purchasing due to "Randoseru Activities," Rising Average Prices https://www.nli-research.co.jp/report/detail/id=74083?site=nli - Current Situation and Issues in Textbook Publishing (Fiscal Year 2023) https://www.textbook.or.jp/publications/data/23tb_issue.pdf ■survey form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform ■X https://twitter.com/bignoblemen ■YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen ■note https://note.com/bignoblemen

    12 min

  8. 01/29/2024

    5. "Is Personality Determined by Birth Region?! : The Relationship Between BIG FIVE and Japan"

    ■Flow of the Conversation MBTI / Once popular among teens and twenties on social media / Today's topic is BIG FIVE / BIG FIVE determines personality based on the strength of five factors / Openness / Conscientiousness / Extraversion / Agreeableness / Neuroticism / High Openness in Kyushu, low in Hokuriku and Tohoku regions / Low Conscientiousness in Tohoku region / High Extraversion in metropolitan areas and Okinawa, low in Chugoku region / High Agreeableness in Kyushu and Okinawa / High Neuroticism in Tohoku and Chugoku regions, low in Okinawa / Differences between MBTI and BIG FIVE / MBTI is typological / For example, "You're a wizard" / BIG FIVE is trait-based / For example, "You're a wizard with HP40, MP120" ■Article: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jenvpsy/9/1/9_19/_pdf/-char/ja ■BIG FIVE Free Diagnosis Test: https://big5-basic.com/front/index.php?route=logic/diagnosis ■Feedback and Survey Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

    15 min
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This podcast is to discover Japan through data and history. Through this episodes, I aim to make you gain new perspectives and remind of it at a moment's notice.The audio is available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcast, etc. ■Audio Japan Japanese ver https://open.spotify.com/show/1R1kLHZ6O5vu https://listen.style/p/audiojapan1?drS00O7L

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