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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
Japan
Tokyo
Anime
Japanese Culture
Osaka
Youtube
Cultural Identity
Japanese Language
Cultural Differences
Animation
Akiya
Cosplay
Community Engagement
Content Creation
Urban Development
Kyoto
Buddhism
Identity
Sake
Philippines

Unpacking Japan explores Japanese arts, culture, and business through the lives of foreigners who have made this amazing country their home. While we’ve all seen vlogs and movies showing Japan from a pop culture perspective, Unpacking Japan tells the stories that get left by the wayside—the immigrants, the entrepreneurs, and the artists. Tune in every week for an authentic, inspiring conversation ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes264Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet Chris Hart, an American-born Japanese singer who rose to fame suddenly in 2013, getting the opportunity to sing on Kohaku the same year he debuted.

He sits down to talk to us about learning Japanese and being thrust into the spotlight so soon a... more

Meet Billy Blanks, a fitness coach known for his Billy's Bootcamp Tae Bo workout program, which skyrocketed him to celebrity status when it came to Japan. He sits down to talk about developing Tae Bo and Billy's Bootcamp, what it was like coming to J... more

YouTube

Meet Carla, a German designer known for her videos sharing her eccentric and sometimes silly office and coworkers in Japan. She sits down to talk to us about her journey to and misadventures in Japan, how she got hired at her company and what she doe... more

YouTube

Meet Adrian, an illustrator in Japan best known for his work on magazines like Popeye, Tarzan, and Hanako. He sits down to talk to us about building his career in Japan, what's great about Japanese magazines, and the secret to being a productive arti... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Gearoid Reidy
Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan
Bloomberg
Episode: Why people don't understand Japan's real problems
Tim Koleto
American-born ice dancer and Olympic silver medalist who represented Japan
Episode: American ice skater who became a Japanese Olympic medalist
Joshua Paul
Professor at Chuo University and researcher in cute studies
Chuo University
Episode: Cute studies professor explains the science of kawaii
Alex Bracho
Founder of Gotoku, travel agency and cultural experiences curator in Kagoshima
Gotoku
Episode: What exactly is "authentic" Japanese culture?
Alex Karlsson
Music producer based in Seoul, works with K-pop and J-pop artists
Episode: Idol music producer explains the difference between k-pop and j-pop ft. Alex Karlsson
Pablo Aida
Shibari artist and rope tying practitioner
Independent artist
Episode: Shibari explained: The Japanese art of tying people up
Keiko Fukuichi
Freelance video game translator
Undertale, Hades (8-4)
Episode: Undertale translator explains EN to JP localization
Martin Fackler
Former Bureau Chief, New York Times in Tokyo; journalist with long-time focus on Japan and Asia
New York Times, Bloomberg, AP, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (Japan)
Episode: The problem with Japanese mainstream media
Philip Arnil
Photographer and writer, author of Tokyo Jazz Joints
Photographer and author
Episode: Why Japan's jazz cafes are more important than ever

Host

Tobias Bieker
Host of Unpacking Japan

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • Excellent podcast on Japan!

    I’m shocked to see that this show only has a few ratings so far on Apple Podcasts. Tobi is an incredible interviewer and gets the most out of his guests. This show is worth a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anotherauthor_
    United States5 months ago
  • A different view of Japan

    I love his style of interviewing. The host lets the guest shine and seems to be interested in learning and asking just the right questions to keep the conversation interesting. He does his homework so he gets the most thoughtful answers. I will be visiting Japan this Fall and these episodes give a different perspective than travel podcasts. Thank you for what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K Twist
    United States6 months ago
  • Professionalism

    I have a lot of appreciation for how well Tobias presents himself. He asks questions in a nonjudgmental way like a true journalist. The guests and topics are interesting. I highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    anotherunnecessaryopinion
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast on Japan

    Really enjoying the 9 July 25 episode, especially as an ex-JET. Really interesting to hear about the remotes areas of Hokkaido! My one suggestion is that the host sounds a bit quiet and muffled whereas the guest sounds louder and clear. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Erica Crump
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Informative

    The contents themselves are very intriguing and gripping. I will definitely listen to all the episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japana year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note repetitive interview structure or background music can be distracting.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, nonjudgmental interview style.
Guests and topics are varied, with strong emphasis on authentic cross-cultural perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#194
Japan/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

American ice skater who became a Japanese Olympic medalist
Q: Take me back to that moment when you're in the finals and you're with Misato and just about to step on the ice for that performance that wins you the silver medal with Team Japan. What do you think about in that moment?
Koleto recalled skating first in the first figure-skating competition of the Beijing Games. He was intensely nervous and vomited into his mask before going onto the ice, but managed to recover and perform.
American ice skater who became a Japanese Olympic medalist
Q: How does it work for ice dancers to compete internationally for countries different from their own?
In non-Olympic international figure-skating competitions, either partner can represent their own country or their partner's country, provided one member of the pair has that nationality. Olympic participation requires additional citizenship and eligibility considerations.
Why people don't understand Japan's real problems
Q: Where is a good starting point to try to pay attention to Japanese politics but also to understand it when it is so complex?
Reidy recommends seeking informed English-language coverage while also becoming familiar with Japanese domestic media. Translation tools can help readers access reporting written for a domestic audience.
Why people don't understand Japan's real problems
Q: What kind of patterns have you noticed from going through so many of those press releases?
Reidy says journalists need to read corporate language critically and translate euphemisms into plain English. He notes that this challenge is not unique to Japan, though government information can be less accessible.
How Christianity shaped modern Japan
Q: How do you respond to people who argue that religions brought from overseas do not belong in Japan?
Hector acknowledges Christianity's harmful history and says traditions should be examined critically. He argues that inherited faith and practices can also contribute to communities and the common good, and that no one interprets the world from a completely neutral viewpoint.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unpacking Japan

What is Unpacking Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on foreigners who have built meaningful lives in Japan, exploring the intersections of culture, entrepreneurship, arts, and everyday life. Episodes often feature founders, artists, journalists, and creatives who share intimate journeys—from navigating language and immigration processes to building businesses, documenting subcultures, and shaping cross-cultural understanding. Notable strengths include in-depth, long-form conversations, practical insights for expatriates or aspiring entrants into Japan's scenes, and a curiosity-driven approach to Japan's evolving arts, tech, and real estate landscapes. A distinctive thread is the emphasis on personal origin stories linked to broader social and economic questions, such as prop... more

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How many listeners does Unpacking Japan get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Unpacking Japan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unpacking Japan:

1. The Austin and Arthur Show|生の英会話
2. Misa Yuka Podcast
3. 英語で雑談!Kevin’s English Room Podcast
4. English News - NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
5. Hapa英会話 Podcast

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 4 years ago and published 264 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Unpacking Japan?

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What guests have appeared on Unpacking Japan?

Recent guests on Unpacking Japan include:

1. Gearoid Reidy
2. Tim Koleto
3. Joshua Paul
4. Alex Bracho
5. Alex Karlsson
6. Pablo Aida
7. Keiko Fukuichi
8. Martin Fackler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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