Hanaseru: Learn Advanced Japanese and News in Japan
Episodes
空き店舗から広がるシタマチスタートアップ - Startup Expansion from Vacant Stores in Downtown
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the topic of "Starting Up in the City from Vacant Stores" in Japan. Learn about utilizing vacant st...
「腐りやすい魚」が王道寿司ネタになった訳 Why "Easily Spoiled Fish" - Became a Mainstream Sushi Ingredient
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the evolution of sushi ingredients in this episode. Discover how advancements in refrigeration technology transformed the sushi industry, maki...
流行語大賞候補にもなった「おてつたび」のビジネスモデル - The Business Model of "Otetsutabi," a Candidate for the Buzzword of the Year Award
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the innovative business model of "O-tetsutabi," a term blending "helping out&q...
タブレットは品位を欠くのか 本会議で使用不可、解禁求める声 - Japan’s Diet Tablet Ban In Plenary Sessions Sparks Calls For Change
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the topic of "Are Tablets Lacking Dignity in the Japanese Parliament?" Dive into cultural insights with ...
なぜ90万人が来た？ いま「分かる！」が止まらない展示の秘密 - Why Did 900,000 People Come? The Unstoppable Appeal of an Exhibition Now Understood!
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the secrets behind Japan's popular exhibition, "Why did 900,000 people come? The unstoppable "I...
国家備蓄石油の放出準備指示 - Preparation Instructions for the Release of National Petroleum Reserves
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the world of Japanese emergency preparedness and national oil reserves in this episode. Discover the significance of "fusoku no jitai&quo...
警察官は「免許証」の“何”を見てる？- What Exactly Do Police Officers Look at on a "Driver's License"?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the intriguing world of Japanese driver's licenses on this episode. Discover what police officers look fo...
真っ赤な衣装で「踊る」警備員 2割高でも依頼が絶えない理由 - Dancing Security Guard in Bright Red Outfit: The Reason Requests Don't Stop Despite a 20% Price Increase
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in a fascinating discussion on a unique security guard who dances and wears a red costume. Discover the cultural insights behind...
日付と曜日だけの“白紙"「マイブック」が18万部超の爆売れ! - A “blank” “My Book” with only the date and day of the week has become a massive hit, selling over 180,000 copies!
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the fascinating topic of the "爆売れ" phenomenon in Japan, exploring the unexpec...
「獣被害188億円」に一石、「ジビエ缶詰」で - Canned Game Meat for Japan’s Wildlife Damage
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the topic of crop damage caused by wild animals in Japan. Discover how the innovative use of ...
北日本の早めの桜開花予想 - Early Cherry Blossom Forecast for Northern Japan
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the early cherry blossom forecast in northern Japan. Explore the cultural significance of 桜前線 (sakura front)...
今年の「食の十大ニュース」 - This Year's Top Ten Food News
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they explore the "Top 10 Food News of 2025" in Japan. Discover insights into "stockpiled rice," "com...
高市早苗首相の「働いて×5」が年間流行語大賞! - Prime Minister Sanae Takachi's 'Work Work Work Work Work' Wins Phrase of the Year!
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the topic of this year's annual buzzword award in Japan. Discover the controversy surrounding the phrase ...
ブナの木が行うマスティングって何?温暖化との意外な関係 - What is "Masting" Conducted by Beech Trees? The Surprising Connection with Global Warming
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the impact of beech trees and global warming on bear behavior in Japan. Discover insights int...
ハロウィーンで渋谷・新宿警戒、外国人向け路上飲酒禁止情報強化 - Ahead of Halloween, Shibuya and Shinjuku on Alert, Intensifying Information on Street Drinking Ban for Foreigners
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the heightened precautions in Shibuya and Shinjuku for Halloween, focusing on the prohibition of street drink...
日本でついに女性首相が誕生、男女平等には道のり遠く - Japan Sees First Female Prime Minister, But the Road to Gender Equality Remains Long
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the milestone of Japan's first female prime minister. Explore the cultural insights of the "glass cliff&q...
夫婦別姓に否定的「9割超」 Over 90% - Negative Towards Separate Surnames for Married Couples
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the controversial topic of "Optional Separate Surnames for Married Couples" in Japan. Explore cultu...
Z世代はサプライズアレルギー？ - Are Gen Z Allergic to Surprises?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sakura and Peter explore how Generation Z perceives surprises as potential failures. They delve into the cultural insights of "リ...
“故人AIサービス”の是非 - The Pros and Cons of "Deceased AI Services"
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sakura and Peter delve into the intriguing world of "故人AIサービス" (deceased person AI service) and "肖像権...
複雑すぎる日本のキャッシュレス - Japan's Overly Complex Cashless System
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in discussing "The Overly Complex Cashless Payments in Japan" on today's episode. Explore the complexities and cha...
AI基本計画、年内策定へ - Basic AI Plan to be Formulated Within the Year
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into Japan's plans to finalize an AI policy, emphasizing teamwork with the phrase "Ichigan to natte" and policy dr...
令和時代の小学校の“変わり種係” - The Unusual Role in Elementary Schools in the Reiwa Era
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the unique committee activities in Japanese schools. Discover the cultural insights behind &q...
「世代」でくくる時代から「界隈」の時代に？ - From an Era Defined by "Generations" to an Era of "Communities"?
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they explore the shift from categorizing by generations to focusing on 「界隈」or communities in Japan. D...
3700人調査で1位になった「駅メロ」の正体 - The Identity of the 'Train Station Melody' that Ranked First in a Survey of 3700 People
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they dive into the topic of Japan's iconic station melodies, evoking nostalgia or "kyoshu o yobiokosu." Discove...
ローソンのクレーンゲームが増えている理由 - The Reason for the Increase in Crane Games at Lawson
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in exploring why Lawson convenience stores are increasing their crane games. Discover the cultural insights of "コト消費" (e...
“高齢”日本企業が陥る「構造的イノベーションの罠」- The Trap of Structural Innovation that 'Aging' Japanese Companies Fall Into
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About This EpisodeJoin Sakura and Peter as they delve into the trap of structural innovation that mature Japanese companies face. Explore the key phra...
危険な暑さから警察官を守る新たな対策 - New Measures to Protect Police Officers from Dangerous Heat
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they discuss new measures to protect police officers from extreme heat in Japan. Learn about the importance of preventing 熱...
車の希望ナンバー「358」全国で人気なのなぜ？ - Why is the Desired Car Number "358" Popular Nationwide in Japan?
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the allure of the number "358" on Japanese license plates. Discover how concepts like "ぞろ目" (repeating digits) and "語呂合わせ" (wo...
働くシニア急増、「レンタルおばあちゃん」を提供する会社も - Surge in Working Seniors, Companies Offering 'Rental Grandmother' Services Also Increasing
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in exploring Japan's aging workforce and the rise of unique services like "Rental Grandma". Dive into the concept of "やりがい...
上司を決める「総選挙」で退職率低下 - "Resignation Rate Decreases through 'General Election' to Determine Boss"
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how a "general election" to select bosses in Japanese companies is reducing turnover rates. Uncover insights into Japan's unique approach to ...
コーヒーチェーンが紅茶や日本茶の専門店を出店する理由 - Why Coffee Chains are Opening Specialty Stores for Black Tea and Japanese Tea
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the rise of tea shops in the world of coffee chains in Japan. Explore the impact of escalating raw material costs and the profitability of sp...
収まらない“令和のコメ騒動” 巨大組織JAの役割と課題 - The Unsettled 'Reiwa Era Rice Controversy': The Role and Challenges of the Massive Organization JA
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Sakura and Peter as they delve into the complexities of the ongoing "Rice Scandal in the Reiwa era" and explore the dynamics of JA, a major...
「書店」倒産が急減、「脱書籍」ビジネス広がる - Bankruptcies of Bookstores Rapidly Decrease, 'Book-Free' Business Expands
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the changing landscape of Japan's bookstore industry. Explore the concepts of "katsuji-banare...
第３次クレープブームが起きているワケ - The Reason for the Third Crepe Boom
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they explore the resurgence of crepes in Japan, delving into the cultural shifts driving the third crepe boom. Discover how v...
大手コンビニ各社、配送ロボットで配達事業強化 - Major Convenience Store Companies Strengthen Delivery Business with Delivery Robots
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sakura and Peter discuss how major convenience store chains in Japan are enhancing their delivery services with robots to boost sales...
ガチャガチャ専門店増加、推し活と外国人に人気 - Increase in Specialized Gacha-Gacha Shops, Popular Among Fans and Foreigners
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the world of gachapon and the rise of "oshi-katsu" culture in Japan. Discover how gachapon specialt...