Music Mar 26, 2021

Fuji Rock lineup to go local amid continued coronavirus concerns

The premier showcase for overseas musical acts will feature an all-Japan lineup in an effort to deal with circumstances surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Language | BILINGUAL Sep 29, 2020

Japan has finally come to its census

Japan undergoes a census every five years and 2020 happens to mark the questionnaire's 100th anniversary.

Language | BILINGUAL Mar 31, 2020

The Japanese words used to encourage self-restraint

As concern over the new coronavirus increases so does a Japanese learner's vocabulary. Get to know the words that are most commonly being used in news stories about the outbreak.

Stage Feb 27, 2020

Werq the World: Bringing the queens of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' to Tokyo is nothing less than a crowning achievement

When Tom Hall had the idea to take monthly "Drag Race" viewing parties and turn them into performance events he found an unlikely partner in Ni-chome impresario Yuta Furukawa.

Language | BILINGUAL Jan 21, 2020

The great (and not-so-great) escapes of 2020

Whether it's Carlos Ghosn escaping the country, Prince Harry and Meghan escaping the royal family or someone trying to escape a bad party, there are a lot of ways to describe getting out of a situation in Japanese.

DEEP DIVE Dec 24, 2019

Episode 33: Have yourself a merry little podcast!

Japan Times contributor Julia Bergin and editor Shaun McKenna join Oscar Boyd for a holiday special full of KFC, mulled wine and Christmas cheer.

DEEP DIVE Jul 24, 2019

Episode 20: Fear and loathing on Mount Fuji

On this week's episode, Oscar Boyd takes Shaun McKenna to the top of Japan to see what it's like to climb the fabled Mount Fuji.

DEEP DIVE Feb 13, 2019

Episode 7: Kim-Trump — what's next?

On this week's episode, Japan Times staff writer Jesse Johnson discusses what the next meeting of the U.S. and North Korea might mean for Japan, and features editor Shaun McKenna talks us through some of Japan's biggest summer music festivals. Hosted by Oscar Boyd.

TV Nov 23, 2017

'Home Sweet Tokyo': Fresh-off-the-boat narrative has room to grow

Among the English-speaking community in Japan there has been a long-running debate over whether to use the word "foreigner." Personally, I prefer using "non-Japanese." The word "foreigner," I feel, implies difference, exclusion and an inability to assimilate. Having said that, Bryan Jenkins is a foreigner. ...