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Deep Dive from The Japan Times

Deep Dive from The Japan Times

Written by: The Japan Times
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 Looking beneath the surface of Japan.

We talk to Japan Times journalists and guests about current events and trends in Japan.







The Japan Times, Ltd. Economics Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 195: Kabukicho: Tokyo's 'stadium of desire'

    195: Kabukicho: Tokyo's 'stadium of desire'
    Jul 22 2024
    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 by Dave Cortez.

    On this episode:
    Shaun McKenna: Articles | X | Instagram
    Alex K.T. Martin: Articles | X
    Moeka Iida: X
    Yukana Inoue: Articles

    Read more:
    • Christmastime in Shinjuku Golden Gai (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)
    • How Japan’s host clubs trap young women under mountains of debt (Karin Kaneko, The Japan Times)
    • The controversial cult of the host club in Japan (Moeka Iida, The Economist)
    • Toyoko Kids: The lonely street children of Tokyo (Yukana Inoue, The Japan Times)
    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!

    Photo: One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. | GETTY IMAGES
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    42 mins
  • 194: Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

    194: Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one
    Jul 4 2024
    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: Articles | Twitter | Instagram
    Patrick St. Michel: Articles | Twitter

    Read/watch more:
    • Can Japan’s summer music festivals adapt to a post-pandemic reality? (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)
    • Is Creepy Nuts’ catchy, rapid-fire ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Bong’ the song of the year? (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)
    • Japan’s summer offerings include jazz and classical music festivals (Alyssa I. Smith, The Japan Times)
    • “Scream inside your heart” (YouTube)
    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!

    Photo: You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival. | JAMES HADFIELD
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    34 mins
  • 193: Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet

    193: Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet
    Jun 20 2024
    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, the possible flooding that comes with it — worsens, sometimes it’s just fascinating to learn about the city beneath our feet.
    Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

    On this episode:
    Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram
    Alex K.T. Martin: Articles | Twitter

    Read/watch more:
    • Tracing Tokyo’s hidden rivers (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)
    • Tokyo’s hidden rivers (The Japan Times YouTube channel)
    • The complications in digging up Tokyo’s ancient past (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)
    • Tokyo underground: Exploring what lies beneath the world largest city (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)
    • Why half of Japan’s cities are at risk of disappearing in 100 year (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)
    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!

    Photo: A person walks among thegiant columns supporting the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel in Saitama Prefecture. | JOHAN BROOKS
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
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