Small Talk Japan
Episodes
Japan's Second 'Bubble Era' On the Way? with Guests! | STJ 198
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Alex are joined by two special guests as they talk about the good, the bad, and the strange parts of Japan! Support us on patreo...
Japanese Vending Machine that Saves the Planet | STJ 197
20 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Allegations against Japan's biggest boy band producer, the dairy crisis of Japan, weird new gadgets in Japan, and more! That's what Mitch and ...
Robbery at Tokyo Rolex Shop: Crime on the Rise | STJ 196
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Natsuki is back in studio with Mitch to talk about crime in Japan, parental harassment, convenience stores with beer on tap, the new Legend...
Japan's Top 10 Destinations for Foreign Tourists 2023 | STJ 195
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Ricky talk about the most popular destinations for foreign tourists in Japan, the earthquake that shook Japan, Jack Ma working in...
Harry Potter Theme Park Opens in Tokyo | STJ 194
29 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/04/4e4e26...
Japan Rail Pass Prices For Tourists Are Doubling | STJ 193
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Ricky talk about train prices going up, the prime minister being attacked, vending machine sushi, and more! Support us on patreo...
Japan's First Casino to Open in Osaka | STJ 192
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Alex talk about Japan's first casino, a film with only audio, guidelines for AI chatbots in schools, and more! Support us on...
Japan's "Drastic Calls" for Making Babies | STJ 191
08 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch is back from China to talk about Japan's birthrate, a potential war, fast food that makes you buff, and more! Articles from this...
Do You Need to Wear a Mask in Japan? | STJ 190
25 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan egg prices soar amid record 16 million bird...
Japanese Flight Attendants' Big Problem | STJ 189
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Natsuki debate about Japan's useage of Chinese medicine, a big win for the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, a problem Japanese flight a...
Reddits About Living in Japan | STJ 188
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Knife-wielding teen attacks teacher in school near To...
Why Japanese People Don't Leave Japan | STJ 187
25 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan inn in hot water for bathwater bacteria 3,700 t...
Japanese Celebs Fight Sushi Terrorists | STJ 186
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Weird food in Japan, weird school rules, internet celebirities who support Sushiro, and more! Those are the topics for this week's episode of Small Ta...
Japanese Women Don't Want to Give Valentine Chocolates | STJ 185
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Japanese women during Valentine's Day, more foreigners expected to come to Japan, the school that bans jackets in the winter, and more! Those are the ...
Japan's Disgusting Sushi TikTok Trend | STJ 184
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan's ‘Sushi Terrorism’ is the Latest Viral Vid...
Japan at Record High Number of Foreign Workers| STJ 183
28 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan's foreign worker population hits record 1.82 mil...
The BEST City in Japan | STJ 182
22 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/01/91e936c38...
Happy New Year From Small Talk Japan | STJ 181
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Tuna fetches 36 mil. yen at New Year auction in Tokyo...
Pokemon Finally Comes to an End | STJ 179
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The end of Ash's story, the new biggest robot in the world, Japan's kanji of the year, and more! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com...
Yakuza Targeted by New Japanese Laws | STJ 178
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Japan losing the World Cup, Japanese billionaire going to space with K-pop star, Japan lifting ban on automated drone flights, a new law targeting yak...
High School Student Forced to Drop Out Goes to Court | STJ 177
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Japan winning against Spain, a lawsuit over dating in high school, Tokyo Disneyland's new feature, why Japanese students are constipated, and more! Th...
Japan at the World Cup | STJ 176
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Japan at the World Cup, wild boarsterrorizing Japan, a train that runs on ramen, and more! That's what Alex and Josh talk about on this week's episode...
Jesus' Secret Tomb Found in Small Japanese Town | STJ 175
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japanese filmmaker detained in Myanmar released under...
Nintendo's Plans for Expansion | STJ 174
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan's justice minister dismissed over gaffes about ...
Is the Ghibli Theme Park Worth It? | STJ 173
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Articles from this week's episode Ferry service between Japan, South Korea resumes after halt due to COVID https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/11/...
Shibuya's Halloween Restrictions | STJ 172
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221029/p2a/00m...
The BEST Wagyu Beef in Japan | STJ 171
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgcLvTyVEs4 https:...
Japanese Scam is Out of This World | STJ 170
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/10/15/business...
Japan's Favorite Studio Ghibli Movies | STJ 169
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221004/p2a/00m...
Will The Yen Be Great Again? | STJ 168
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our video on Kagoshima Trams! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H5PZQmxOjM Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Ar...
Lowest Birthrate in Decades | STJ 167
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-20/Typhoon-Nanmad...
Massive Typhoon Hits Japan | STJ 166
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220914/p2a/00m...
Queen Elizabeth II Mourned in Japan | STJ 165
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/202... https://mai...
Japan's War on Outdated Tech | STJ 164
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Articles from this week's episode https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/01/japan-digital-minister-declares-war-on-floppy-discs https://english....
Yakushima's Need To Know Tips | STJ 163
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Articles from this week's episode https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/24/japan_reverses_course_on_postfukushima/ https://mainichi.jp/english/articles...
Japan Wants Young People to Drink More | STJ 162
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Natsuki and a hungover Mitch talk about a drunk Japanese police officer losing case documents, how sex scenes in Japan are getting safer, w...
No More Weddings in Japan | STJ 161
21 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marriages taking major blows, record hot summers changing Japanese vocabulary, and robots taking over jobs in convenience stores! Those are the topics...
Sumo Making International Push | STJ 160
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/08/a901e23a7...
Tokyo Lens' Behind the Scenes! | STJ 159
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Tokyo Lens' Norm joins Mitch for a behind the scenes talk about the recent video Mitch starred in, as well as future projects! Support us ...
Are Japanese Schools TOO Strict? | STJ 158
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Alex talk about schools in Japan, Japan's "upright nap box" being introduced to the workforce, Yuzuru Hanyu retiring, and more! ...
Alpacas Potential Preventer of COVID | STJ 157
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Mitch In Tokyo Lens: Put this link in Small Talk https://youtu.be/AO0FeR-t10A Ar...
Former PM Shinzo Abe Assassinated | STJ 156
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-07/yu-...
Japanese Summer Festivals to Start Up Again | STJ 155
09 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/06/1afab21e49...
Japan's 100 Yen Stores Are Struggling | STJ 154
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch is back from America to tell us about what it's like traveling into and out of Japan during the pandemic, along with a number of inte...
Japan's Review Site 'Tabelog' Unreliable? | STJ 153
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Internet-...
Japanese Maid Cafe Meets Dentist? | STJ 152
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/06/e5b004c459...
When is it OK To Travel With Your Lover? | STJ 151
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/06/d25c7dd60...
Japan Banning Adult Videos? | STJ 150
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Josh talk about their real reasons for leaving America and going to Japan. They also talk about Japan's borders opening up, the c...
China Training to Attack Japan?! | STJ 149
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Alex and Mitch talk about tourists coming to Japan, a man who received 46 million yen from the government because of a mistake, a Tokyo med...
Pewdiepie Moves to Japan | STJ 148
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Natsuki is back! And she talks with Mitch about PewDiePie moving to Japan, Elon Musk's tweet about Japan, refugees coming to Japan, same se...
Are Japan's Borders Opening? | STJ 147
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Japan's borders are finally opening! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode: https://englis...
Things Foreigners in Japan Should Worry About When Moving | STJ 146
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Firework show location: https://goo.gl/maps/wCDY9MZpbB9YCQCt6 Articles from this week'...
Deceased Train Driver Wins Lawsuit for 45 Cents | STJ 145
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/04/9788d2b9a6...
Netflix's 'Old Enough!' Endangering Japanese Children? | STJ 144
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Mitch and Josh talk about Japan opening to select foreigners, foreigners that are more likely to get stopped by police, the debate th...
Beloved Creator of Doraemon Passes Away | STJ 143
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Hayato talk about feeling lonely during the pandemic, Doraemon's beloved creator passing away, a woman who tried to scam a foreig...
Japanese Renaissance Lingerie and Butt Shaped Soap? | STJ 142
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan People of Kagoshima: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZvcOG0nP-4 Articles from this we...
Mitch Leaves Small Talk Japan | STJ 141
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
4th shots for vaccines, ban of Japanese luxury imports, Korean missles, and more! Those are the topics for this week's episode of Small Talk Japan! S...
Accidentally Homophobic Japanese Campgrounds | STJ 140
26 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From Japan's recent earthquake, to cities filled with giant plastic models, to a campground that was accidentally homophobic, Josh and Mitch talk abou...
Ponytails Too Stimulating for Japanese Schools? | STJ 139
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From ponytails being banned for being too stimulating, to UNIQLO's flip-flop about being in Russia, to The Ring's Sadako starting her own daily life v...
Brad Pitt's "Bullet Train" Another Attempt to Whitewash? | STJ 138
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/03/4d652fcf9d...
Japanese Pro Gamer Tanukana Fired for Bashing on Short Men | STJ 137
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/0a26bffcb7...
Valentine's "Love'Roni" Pizzas Blessed by Shinto Priests | STJ 136
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/02/195e19f47c...
Special LIVE: Answering Questions on Reddit | STJ 135
09 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week Alex, Mitch, and Josh answer questions live on reddit about living in Japan. Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalk...
Japan is Going to the Moon? | STJ 134
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mob attacking a police station in Okinawa, an 11 hour standoff with a shooter in Saitama, bomb shelters, lunar landers, umaibo, and why Japanese coupl...
Interac's Don't Be Sick Controversy?! | STJ 133
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220121/p2...
How to Join the Yakuza?! | STJ 132
23 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mitch and Natsuki talk about jobs for yakuza, Japan's economy vs the rest of the world, Studio Ghibli world, and more! Support us on patre...
Japanese Woman Has 119th Birthday?! | STJ 131
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From same sex partenerships, to spikes in wages, this week, Alex and Mitch talk about all things Japan! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.co...
Tokyo High School for Pro Gamers? | STJ 130
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vaccine passports, bench pressing grandmas, a video game high school, and more! That's what Josh and Natsuki are talking about on this week's episode ...
Miss Universe Japan's Fashion Fail | STJ 129
09 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Japan's current corona situation, the Osaka fire incident, boycotting the Olympics, Miss Universe Japan's fashion fail, and more! That's what Alex and...
The Best Time for a Love Confession in Japan | STJ 128
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Which date you should confess your love, mandatory grooming lessons for boys, and billionaires blasting off into space! All that and more on this epis...
Japanese Gamer Onesie for Speed Running Toilet Breaks | STJ 127
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cameras on trains, drinking with coworkers, and "toilet mode" gamer onesies! Mitch and Alex talk about all things Japan! Support us on patreon: https:...
Japan's Fried Chicken Shortage | STJ 126
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From execution to extra packed pizza with golden chopsticks, Mitch and Alex talk about all things Japan! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.co...
Eating Pizza with Golden Chopsticks | STJ 125
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From execution to extra packed pizza with golden chopsticks, Mitch and Alex talk about all things Japan! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.co...
Train Conductor Fined for Being 1 Minute Late | STJ 124
18 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From delay fees to statues of animals so ugly they are cute, Mitch and Natsuki talk about all things Japan! Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon...
Japanese Joker Arrested After Arson and Knife Attack | STJ 123
11 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles we talked about: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/11/49b082530436-joker...
Global Warming Makes Rice Tastier? | STJ 122
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Articles we talked about: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/20... https://english.kyodonews.net/news/20... https://english.kyodo...
Man Arrested for Forcing Cat to Swim | STJ 121
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Alex's People of Kagoshima interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6dGE... Tokyo Len's Live with Mitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5qGW... ...
Japanese Judge Refuses to Let Lawyer Charge Laptop?! | STJ 120
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Japan COVID numbers finally going down, earthquakes in Kagoshima, Aomori, and Tokyo, discounts for vaccinated people, Go to Travel 2, Nobel prize winn...
Who Is Japan's New Prime Minister?! | STJ 119
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Japan lifting COVID-19 restrictions, Japan's newest prime minister, ARAHI's Aiba and Sho getting married and the idol life, and the revival of festiva...
Narita Airport Hijacked by Turtle? | STJ 118
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Japanese universities becoming stricter on background checks, Japan donating 30 million vaccines, new understanding of where Japanese people came from...
STJ 117: Volcano Erupts in Japan
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Natsuki and Mitch talk about Japanese centenarians, disabled women being harassed on trains, a volcano erupting, and more! Check out ...
STJ 116: Japan to be the New Las Vegas?
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From a Sri Lankan woman dying in Japanese immigration, to controversy about casinos in Yokohama, to privileged Japanese celebrities, this week we are ...
STJ 115: How to Survive Being an ALT
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How to become an ALT, pitfalls to look for once you are here, and how to make the most of your Japan experience! This week, we talk about how to be an...
STJ 114: Japanese Convenience Stores
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk about everything Japanese convenience stores! Our favorites items to get, all of the amenities and services, and their relation to ...
STJ 113: Victory Over Japan Day
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Natsuki and Mitch talk about the end of WW2, how America and Japan view the war, and Mitch's trip to the Chiran Peace Museum. Check out ...
STJ 112: Does White Privilege Exist in Japan
02 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, we talk about white privilege and how white privilege differs in Japan from the rest of the world. Make sure you leave us...
STJ 111: How do Japanese people spend money?
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, the gang talks about how Japanese people like to spend their money and free time compared to the rest of the world. Make ...
STJ 110: How do Japanese people fight back?
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From riots, to an assassination, to a war with an airport, this week we talk about how Japan has fought back throughout history. Make sure you leav...
STJ 109: Censorship and Taboo in Japan
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss at what age do children stop bathing with their parents? And what is it with the censorship in Japanese media? Make sure yo...
STJ 108: What race are anime characters?
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss the ethnicity of anime characters and the ongoing twitter war about Sailor Moon! Casually Explained Video Mitch mentioned: ht...
STJ 107: Gaming in Japan
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss gaming in Japan! Mitch's lame goodbye EQ video: https://youtu.be/9O8aGL7U5DU Takeshi's Challenge - JonTron: https://youtu.be...
STJ 104: How do Japanese people apologize?
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss the various ways to apologize in Japan! Make sure you leave us a comment and tell us what you think! You can also suggest top...
STJ 103: How do Japanese people view work?
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How are the attitudes about work different between Japan and the West? Make sure you leave us a comment and tell us what you think! You can also su...
STJ 102: Japanese TV - Golden Entertainment or Steaming Garbage?
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Japanese TV: Do you love it or hate it? This week, the gang discusses why Japanese TV never seems to really catch on with Western audiences. Make s...
STJ 101: Is Japanese Higher Education a Myth?
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the gang discusses whether or not Japanese higher education is a myth. Japanese Higher Education as Myth by Brian J. McVeigh https://am...
Small Talk Japan #100: Looking Back 100 Episodes
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Small Talk Japan, we talk about how Small Talk Japan has changed over the past 100 episodes, our experiences, what we have liked, and whe...
Small Talk Japan #099: Mother Complex
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today's special Mother's Day episode of Small Talk Japan, we are talking about Japan and its mommy issues! Check out our sponsors! STAPLETON 英...
Small Talk Japan #098: How Do Japanese Express Rank
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From various degrees bowing, to seating at a table, to the use of words, Japanese people express rank in many different ways! Mitch, Natsuki, and Alex...
Small Talk Japan #097: How Has Japan Done on the Pandemic So Far?
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With containment policy of cluster busting, limited PCR testing, extensions of the Olympics, and a late vaccination rollout, how has Japan done so far...
Small Talk Japan #096: The Japanese Middle Class
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Class in Japan, quality of life, and what does "wealth" even mean in Japan? This week, Mitch, Natsuki, and Alex discuss what it means to be middle cla...