It’s a problem that’s quietly grown into a national crisis. More and more children in Japan are falling prey to online predators—lured, groomed, and in some cases, abducted by adults they meet through social media apps. Just this summer, police in multiple prefectures reported a spike in cases involving minors who were targeted by adult […] Read more…
Trump’s 25% Auto Tariffs: What It Means for Japan
April 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment
When Donald Trump says “America First,” Japan often wonders what comes second. The latest flare-up? Trump’s renewed threat to slap a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, including those from Japan. In case you missed it, this was the focus of a recent Japan Today Spotlight episode, where we broke down what these potential auto tariffs could mean […] Read more…
Japan’s Tourism Boom: When Success Backfires
March 26, 2025 By Leave a Comment
After years of strict border controls, Japan is once again a top destination for global travelers. The yen remains weak, flights are full and tourism campaigns—from Hokkaido’s powder snow to Okinawa’s coral reefs—are working exactly as intended. But on the ground, something is off. Overtourism has become one of the defining issues of the post-pandemic […] Read more…
Reflecting on the Tokyo Sarin Gas Attacks: 30 Years Later
March 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo sarin gas attack. Read more…
Japan’s Birthrate Crisis — What’s Really Going On?
March 18, 2025 By Leave a Comment
In the latest episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we dive into something that’s been a growing concern here in Japan for years: the country’s plummeting birth rate. In 2024, Japan recorded just 720,988 births — the lowest number since records began in 1899. It’s the ninth straight year the number has dropped, and it’s creating […] Read more…
Why Is Everything in Japan Getting More Expensive?
March 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment
From soaring rice prices to the so-called ‘cabbage shock,’ the cost of living in Japan is climbing fast. Food, utilities, and everyday essentials are getting more expensive, and many residents are feeling the strain. What’s causing this price surge, and how are people coping? Read more…
Shiori Ito and ‘Black Box Diaries’: What Happens Now?
March 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment
The Oscars are over, and Shiori It0’s Black Box Diaries didn’t win. Now, the real question is: will this story disappear in Japan? For weeks, we’ve been talking about this exact possibility in the comments on Japan Today and the Japan Today Spotlight video we did. When a Japanese film or filmmaker wins international recognition, […] Read more…
PM Shigeru Ishiba’s Trump Meeting: What’s the Real Game Here for Japan?
February 15, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Shigeru Ishiba’s meeting with Donald Trump raises big questions. Was it strategy, optics or something else? Watch my latest ‘Japan Today Spotlight’ video for the full breakdown. Read more…
A Shocking Tragedy in Saitama
February 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment
A massive sinkhole in Saitama swallowed a car, leaving Japan in shock. What caused it, and could it happen again? I break it down in this episode of ‘Japan Today Spotlight.’ Read more…
A Lot Has Changed — Let’s Catch Up
February 1, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Big changes! From podcasting & hybrid work to launching a YouTube show— plus a new book project in the works. Here’s what I’ve been up to! Read more…
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