Shows
Talks from TokyoTFT Episode 34-The Far Right reaches the PrecipiceHow far right, does the far right extend? Why is the price of political ignorance? How long can Japan remain a country of peace when the Fascist are scrambling for power? Mentioned:Nippon KaigiLiberal Democratic PartyLangley Esquire (youtuber)2021-05-0532 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 33- Loose vs Strict 2Is Japan a strict country to live in? In our original loose vs strict episode we looked at Michele Gelfand’s paper on the looseness and stictness of countries’ social and cultural mores. Going from the broad to the particular, this time we look at the norms of Japanese and American interpersonal relationships, workplace relationships especially, and analyze the rules of interaction and behavior.2021-04-2042 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 32- Off the Cuff: Isekai, Galge, Love Hotels, and BibliophilesIn our most imitate and rambling episode yet, we barely manage to stay on the main topic while trading barbs in a cheap hotel room. Jordan shows off his paltry knowledge of recent anime, and Pradi asks weird questions.2021-03-2318 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 31- Off the Cuff: Closed JapanThis time we discuss the continuation of the emergency measures, our and other's experience of the lockdown. We talk big trips, tourists, and whatever else comes to mind.2021-03-1121 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 30: Whiskey in Japan (Part 2 of the Japanese Alcohol series)In this week’s episode we talk whiskey, from breweries to distributors and all the nitty gritty details we could scrounge up. All the while we enjoy a glass of Fukushima brewed whiskey and remember the 2011 Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami.You can check out this episode live at https://youtu.be/pPCFkdtZjW82021-03-0128 min
Talks from TokyoTFT Episode 29- Off the Cuff: Moving in JapanPardon the brief unplanned break but we are back! Here is the newest entry in our casual and interpersonal off the cuff series, and this time we are talking about the trials and terrors of moving in Japan2021-02-1920 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 28- Beer (Part one of the alcohol series)This time we get even classier, pinkies and glasses in the air, as we talk craft beer, draft beer, brewery, and comparisons with the American craft scene. Get a taste of what's there to drink and what it's like to drink in Japan. https://beertengoku.com/2021-02-0933 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 27- Whose is the real man? Masculinity and Gender in JapanIn this week's episode we dig deep into the topic of gender, focusing mainly on gender in the workplace and the construction of masculinity in Japan. We dig deep, say more than we can probably justify, take out the data, and get stupid personal in our delve.2021-01-2643 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 26: Ink Bleeds, Body art in a culture of silenceA history of tattooing and a culture that shuns it collides on the isolated island of Japan. We talk the art of hoshizumi, yakuza full body tattoos, law, modern Japanese tattoos, and the idea of a private art not shown to others.2021-01-1849 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 25: Fashion in JapanWe're finally back after a long winter break and this week is all about fashion: Harajuku fashion. What's with all the colors? Why is it so weird? What is Lolita fashion? How do they compare to gyarus? What the heck is going on? Join us as we try and break this thing down2021-01-1431 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 24: Wabi Sabi, the art of existential loneliness and minimalismIn this week's episode we discuss the Japanese artistic aesthetic of wabisabi. Jordan breaks down the history and meaning, and Pradi shares his mountain-teahouse experiences.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabihttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335266/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sen_no_Riky%C5%ABhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai-an2020-12-2833 minTalks from TokyoTFT episode 23: Adopting a Dog in JapanPradi and Jordan talk dogs and dog ownership in Japan, sharing personal experience and discussing the ins, outs, and challenges of dog care in Japan.2020-12-2117 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 22: Sex, Taboo and Politics in Japan (Mature content)In this week's episode we discuss the nitty-gritty of sexuality in Japan, including laws, fetishes, politics, pornography, and relationships.2020-12-1433 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 20- Interview with Boo BradleyThis week Jordan and Pradi sat down with Boo Bradley, a Father, Husband, Teacher, Youtuber, and entrepreneur based in Japan. Boo dives deep into his work and his channel, his plans for the future in Japan, how he got his Japanese drivers license, and his advice to people who are interested in living abroad!Check him out on Youtube at Boo Bradley's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwPdeYyWStE76hFuI9INgg2020-12-0750 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 20 - Xenophobia, East/West Pt. 2In continuation from last week, we delve a bit deeper into the topic of xenophobia in Japan, China, and the US, going into specific instances of xenophobia reported in the news and from our personal experiences. We continue to probe the question: How does Xenophobia's character change from culture to culture, and from country to country?https://news.stanford.edu/pr/2014/pr-memory-war-asia-040414.html2020-11-3000 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 19 - Xenophobia, East/WestIn this week's episode we delve into the difficult topic of xenophobia, perhaps at times somewhat clumsily, but we try our hand at characterizing the xenophobia at home, that which we experienced living in Japan, and visiting in Japan. The big question, how is xenophobia different in these countries?2020-11-2300 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 18 - Interview with Andrew: Backpacking, Dating, and Faith...as a ForeignerIn this week’s episode, we interview Andrew, a JET assistant English teacher working in Sendai about his insights into life as an Australian expat, and as a Christian looking for community and love in Japan.Intro is “Juno Bassline” by Nubes from looperman.com2020-11-1600 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 17 - 300 Candles, Work Culture and Working Hours in JapanIn this week's podcast, we take a closer look at Japanese work culture, honing in on the extreme number of hours they work, and the deep cost that the Japanese people have paid. We talk about the positives (or at least, Jordan does), personal experiences, black companies, a Buddhist ritual, and share a moment of sincerity too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoshihttp://blackcorpaward.blogspot.com/https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200114-how-the-japanese-are-putting-an-end-to-death-from-overworkhttps://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/01/japan-has-some-of-the-longest-working-hours-in-the-world-its-trying-to-change.htmlhttps://shanghaiist.com/2015/12/09/east_vs_west_illustrations/2020-11-0900 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 16 - Off the Cuff: Our Experience with Remote Working in JapanThe newest entry in our casual off the cuff series, we discuss our experiences with the rapidly changing work culture in Japan, sorting out the differences in our respective industries and sharing insights on the past present and future of the workplace.2020-11-0200 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 15 - Aomori Trip with Japan's 'Go to' TravelThis week Pradi talks about his recent trip to the northern most part of Japan's main Island, Aomori using the Go-to-travel Campaign supported by the Japanese Government.https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0053.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aomori_Prefecturehttps://www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiAixYYbktI&ab_channel=UtaChannel2020-10-2000 min
Talks from TokyoTfT episode 14 - The religions of irreligious JapanIn this exciting and in-depth episode we answer the question: is Japan religious? And if so: How is Japan religious? To delve into the deep waters of this question, we look at buddhism, shintoism, christianity, history, and use our own lived experiences in Japan2020-10-1200 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 13 - Interviewing Freelance English Teacher PhilIn this week we interview Phil who is a former Eikaiwa employee and now successful entrepreneur in the English education market. We discuss the ins and outs of starting off on your own in the private tutoring sector, starting up a business in Japan, and how covid has affected business2020-10-0500 minTalks from TokyoPod12 - Iconic Places in Tokyo are Closing! (off the cuff)In today's off-the-cuff conversation, we mourn some of the spots major and minor disappearing from the Tokyo landscape this year, talking about changes from the past as well.2020-09-2814 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 11 - ALT English Teaching & Japanese Education w- LucasToday we sit down with Assistant Language Teacher Lucas and discuss English education in Japan. Jordan swaps in some of his own experiences and stories, and we dig deep into the experience of educating in Japan as a foreigner2020-09-211h 06Talks from TokyoTFT episode 10 - Off the Cuff [Cycling in Japan's Summer]On today's off the cuff conversation, Jordan and Pradi trade memories of our bike rides about Japan, talking about the hobby, and the peculiarities of riding in Japan. A thematic continuation of Episode 8: Riding in Japan2020-09-1422 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 9 - Interviewing Jey, a Recruiter in Tokyo to Talk about Recruitment and Career AdviceThis week Talks from Tokyo interviewed Jey, a Recruiter in Tokyo specializing in IT.We dived deep into what a job in recruitment is, what it takes to be a successful recruiter, and general career advice for people looking into a job and career change.2020-09-0843 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 8 - Riding in Japan: bicycle culture and traveloguesIn this episode of Talks from Tokyo we discuss cycling. We swap stories, discuss traffic laws unique to Japan, the culture of cycling in Japan, and the dream routes on our bucket list.https://www.tokyoriverfriends.org/2020-08-3139 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 7 -Tight & Loose, Cultures Families and PeopleOn today's episode, we discuss strictness through a cultural lens. How strict is Japan, how and where is it 'loose', how does it compare to other countries, and what does that look like on a societal, personal, familial, and business level.Rule makers rule breakers: how tight and loose cultures wire our world, Michele Gelfandhttps://behavioralscientist.org/tight-and-loose-cultures-a-conversation-with-michele-gelfand/https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2019/04/09/tight-cultures-and-loose-cultures/https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/loose-vs-tight-societies2020-08-2438 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 6 - Lives Lost to Lonelinesshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodokushihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HikikomoriPardon the delay, we are getting used to the schedule ourselves and building a backlog so this doesnt happen in the future! In todays episode, we talk about loneliness and alienation in Japan, for both the Japanese and foreigners alike.https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/11/10/national/media-national/japan-struggles-keep-loneliness-arms-length/#.Xz0g3TWRVPYhttps://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mgbkdy/the-japanese-workers-who-live-in-internet-cafes2020-08-1932 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 5 - Bushido at home, and at war (Pt ２)In this episode, we continue break down the cultural contexts and history of Bushido in Japan and abroad.2020-08-1134 minTalks from TokyoTFT Episode 4 - Bushido at home, and at war (Pt 1)Apologies for the delay! In this podcast, we lightly break down the cultural contexts and history of Bushido in Japan and abroad.https://epublications.regis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1595&context=theseshttps://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00665/bushido-an-ethical-and-spiritual-foundation-in-japan.htmlhttps://www.tofugu.com/japan/bushido/https://www.thoughtco.com/role-of-bushido-in-modern-japan-195569about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.japantimes.co.jp%2Fculture%2F2016%2F07%2F16%2Fbooks%2Fbushido-awakening-japans-modern-identity%2F%23.XyFjheeRVPY#.XyFjheeRVPYabout:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.japantimes.co.jp%2Fculture%2F2016%2F07%2F23%2Fbooks%2Fbushido-samurai-code-goes-war%2F%23.XyFjh-eRVPY#.XyFjh-eRVPYabout:reader...2020-08-0427 minTalks from TokyoTFT episode 3- Off the Cuff [ghost stories]In the first of our shorter and more impromptu format: "off the cuff" we discuss ghost stories, supernatural experiences, and break out our own personal tales as well2020-07-2716 minTalks from TokyoTFT episode 2- Omiai (marriage)On today's episode we discuss the old tradition of Omiai, matchmaking meetings, in Japan. Our conversation meanders through the history and modern meaning of the ritual, and delves into the complex gender that complicate and necessitate the continuation of it.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miai2020-07-2032 minTalks from TokyoTfT episode 1 - Death Poetry (Haiku)Pradi and Jordan launch their brand new series with a close look at a very special artifact of Japanese Culture: Jisei, or the Death Poem2020-07-1333 min