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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
Japan
Tokyo
Osaka
Cultural Differences
Food Journalism
Abe Assassination
Women In Media
Olympics
Gender Inequality
Media Freedom
Chocolate Ramen
Animation
Video Games
Trend Forecasting
Mario
Final Fantasy
Sustainability
Textile Industry
Forest Gardening
Content Creation

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 weeklyEpisodes195Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet Tove Bjoerk, a professor of Japanese culture and kabuki researcher at Saitama University, who sits down to talk to us about the history of kabuki. She tells us about the origins of kabuki performances, how it's evolved throughout the years, and ... more

Meet Chai Kanda, CEO of Shiki Properties in Kyoto, who sits down to talk about Japan's short-term rental market. He talks about his work restoring machiya for vacation rentals, Japan's tourism boom, and how regulations affect Japan's tourism industry... more

Meet Ken Shibusawa, an economist and great-grandson of Eiichi Shibusawa, the father of Japanese capitalism. He sits down to talk to us about moving to Japan to rediscover his roots, discovering his great-grandfather's writings, and his own finance ca... more

YouTube

Meet Sora, a voice actor from Japan*, who sits down to talk to us about his life and career. He tells us about his struggles with his identity and how weebs helped him learn to be proud of his country, his journey from English teacher to voice actor ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Sora the Troll
Translator, voice actor, and content creator on YouTube
Episode: How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Dr. Osama Ibrahim
Ophthalmologist in Japan, originally from Egypt
Keio University, Ishikawa General Hospital
Episode: How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Kazu Tsubota
Professor with an international team of researchers at Keio University
Episode: How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Luna (Andromeda)
An active member of the LGBTQ community, known for her work in drag and advocacy, co-founder of the magazine Iwakon.
Iwakan
Episode: Why being transgender was never an issue in Japan
Kodo Nishimura
Buddhist monk, artist, and author of 'Be Who You Are.'
Episode: Gay Japanese monk's secret to a fruitful life ft. Kodo Nishimura
Randy Soei
Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony
Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony
Episode: Why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art
Hiroko Yoda
Author and expert on Japanese spirituality
Episode: 8 million gods: understanding Japan's unique spirituality
Kathy Matsui
An economist and co-founder of the all-female venture capital firm Empowers.
Empowers
Episode: The economist behind Japan's sudden commitment to "womenomics"
Igor Prusa
A university professor specializing in media studies and scandals in Japan
Metropolitan University of Prague
Episode: The strange logic behind Japan's constant media scandalsold

Host

Tobias Bieker
Host of the podcast, known for engaging interviews exploring the intersection of Japanese culture and the experiences of foreigners living in Japan.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • 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 States6 months 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 Kingdom8 months ago
  • Informative

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japan8 months ago
  • Nice

    Good podcast to learn abut expat life in Japan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ぴーちゃん\(^o^)/
    Japan2 years ago
  • Has potential

    Some of the guests seem potentially interesting, but the podcast is let down by the host regularly interrupting and the very annoying continuous background music, both of which make this a difficult listen

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Gloopy Puff
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the topics intriguing and relatable, especially those with ties to expat life in Japan, offering a unique perspective on cultural integration.
Some feedback points to occasional technical issues affecting clarity, but the overall content quality frequently shines, making the podcast worth listening to.
Listeners appreciate the insight and storytelling of the host, highlighting a professional presentation style that fosters a respectful dialogue with guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#59
Japan/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#163
Philippines/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Q: What made you interested in the first place to kind of create videos and put them out there?
Sora started his YouTube channel upon the encouragement of friends, initially aiming to create comedic content and share gameplay clips but later transitioned to focusing on his identity and cultural commentary.
How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Q: Where did this meme come from?
The meme originated from people's assumptions about Sora's nationality based on his online presence and video content, leading to widespread debate over whether he could truly be Japanese.
This traditional Japanese theatre will be gone in 20 years
Q: Why is it important that this art kind of stays alive?
It's important for cultural relevance and understanding of traditions, but if nobody wants to see it or learn about it, it may disappear.
This traditional Japanese theatre will be gone in 20 years
Q: How has getting into this art kind of changed your life in Japan?
It has helped me learn more deeply about Japanese culture and understand more about the language, while also making me feel more a part of Japan.
How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Q: What are some of the highlights for you on this journey?
I have had many experiences, including working as a TV announcer and engaging in research collaborations.

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?

Focusing on the intricate stories of foreigners navigating life in Japan, this podcast offers a unique lens on the intersections of Japanese culture, art, and business. Each episode features authentic conversations with diverse guests, ranging from immigrant entrepreneurs to local artists, who share their experiences and insights. Listeners can expect to learn about challenges faced while adapting to a new culture and the innovative ways in which these individuals contribute to the rich tapestry of Japanese life. This exploration not only celebrates personal journeys but also sheds light on lesser-known cultural narratives, making it an engaging choice for anyone curious about the complexities of Japan through the eyes of its foreign reside... more

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How many listeners does Unpacking Japan get?

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How many subscribers and views does Unpacking Japan have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Unpacking Japan has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Unpacking Japan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unpacking Japan:

1. Abroad in Japan
2. The Austin and Arthur Show|生の英会話
3. English News - NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
4. TED Talks Daily
5. No Stupid Questions

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 3 years ago and published 195 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Unpacking Japan?

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What guests have appeared on Unpacking Japan?

Recent guests on Unpacking Japan include:

1. Sora the Troll
2. Dr. Osama Ibrahim
3. Kazu Tsubota
4. Luna (Andromeda)
5. Kodo Nishimura
6. Randy Soei
7. Hiroko Yoda
8. Kathy Matsui

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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