Deep Dive from The Japan Times

Jul 22 2024 214 ep. 28 mins 2.4k

Deep Dive from The Japan Times Podcast artwork

Looking beneath the surface of Japan. We talk to Japan Times journalists and guests about current events and trends in Japan.

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195: Kabukicho: Tokyo's 'stadium of desire'

Jul 22 2024 41 mins

What do street-kid influencers, fantasy boyfriends and around 280 bars crammed into six allies have in common? They are all a part of Kabukicho, an area of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward that is either a tourist trap or sleazy red-light district depending on who you ask. This week, join us to hear stories from one of Japan's most infamous neighborhoods. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced

194: Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Jul 04 2024 34 mins

Japan’s summer music festivals survived the pandemic but they now face new threats: extreme heat, a weak yen and aging audiences. Music writer Patrick St. Michel joins us to talk about the “Big Four” festivals and how these challenges are changing the way we have fun during summer. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articl

193: Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet

Jun 20 2024 28 mins

On this week’s Deep Dive, we speak to Alex K.T. Martin who has done a series of pieces exploring what lies beneath the surface of Tokyo. Hidden rivers, ancient artifacts and crumbling infrastructure are just a few of the discoveries he made during his reporting. And while it’s important to know how we’re going to manage these things as climate change — or more importantly,

192: The sweaty pleasure of Japan’s inconvenient art

Jun 06 2024 30 mins

Japan is known for its convenience, but if you want to see some of the best artwork the country has to offer you’ll need to travel way off the beaten path. It involves trekking, sweating and, on the odd occasion, you don’t even know if the art will be there when you arrive. This week, writer Thu-Huong Ha is our tour guide into the world of Japan’s inconvenient art movement.

191: What does climate change sound like?

May 23 2024 39 mins

With temperatures rising we can all feel how climate change is affecting our lives, but what if we could hear it too? This week, Japan Times climate editor Chris Russell joins us to discuss what researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology are listening to when it comes to biodiversity on the island. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this ep

Japan is doing better on accessibility than you think

Apr 16 2024 29 mins

With an increase in tourists heading to these parts, some may be wondering if Japan is a safe destination for those with disabilities. If you’re concerned, Josh Grisdale from the website Accessible Japan is here to help. Check out this past interview with him on everything from accessibility in Tokyo to dealing with trains and the country’s shifting attitudes. Hosted by Shaun

190: Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami

Mar 25 2024 26 mins

We are revisiting some past content on the science, economics and culture of cherry blossom season. Most importantly, we talk about some of the best spots to check them out in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. Read more: In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is a big deal. Warming is making it harder. (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times)

189: A lawsuit puts alleged racial profiling by police on trial in Japan

Mar 07 2024 38 mins

Three residents with foreign roots have filed a lawsuit claiming Japanese police officers routinely target visible minorities with searches. In this week’s episode, we speak with the lawyer and one plaintiff about what prompted them to bring the case forward and what they hope to achieve with it. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKen

[Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart

Feb 29 2024 20 mins

This week on Deep Dive, contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein reads us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Lance Henderstein: Articles | Instagram | Threads Read/Listen more: My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa (Lance Henderst

188: A young 3/11 survivor and her vow to protect the ocean

Feb 22 2024 32 mins

At 12, Miku Narisawa experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ensuing and tsunami destroyed her home. Instead of running from the ocean, however, she is now working to try to protect it through her Odyssey Nature Japan initiative. On this episode: Miku Narisawa: Instagram | Odyssey Nature Japan Read more/Listen more: After 3/11, an environment education rethink takes