Dispatches from Japan

Fukushima's weird border

September 15, 2023 06:22 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

In Fukushima, northern Japan, there's an anomalous section of the border - a long thin strip of land. What's that all about? #Japan #Geography #History

Otosclerosis surgery in Japan

September 05, 2023 06:20 - 41 minutes - 36.4 MB

What's it like having surgery in Japan? And what is otosclerosis? Find out all about my first surgery and hospital stay experience in this episode. #Otosclerosis #Japan

Ito Noe: Anarcha-Ferminist

March 20, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 45.2 MB

Who was Ito Noe and what did she do in her short 28 years? Quite a lot, in fact. Find out about this anarcha-feminist in this episode. There's arranged marriage! A love tri..quadrilateral! Bertrand Russell! Throat stabbing! Government censorship! And more! #Japan #History #WomensHistory #Feminism

Cyling in Japan

March 13, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 20 MB

I read an article claiming Japan is a great place to ride your bike. But is it really? A lot of it depends on where you are and what kind of riding you want to do. Let's break it down and see where Japan is good for cyclists, and where it ain't. #Cycling #Japan

The Great Fire of Meireki

March 06, 2023 00:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MB

In March of 1657, a fire destroyed most of Edo (Modern day Tokyo). What started the fire? Why is it sometimes called the furisode fire?

A Kemper shirt in my classroom

February 27, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MB

One of the recent trends in Japanese fashion is US university sweatshirts. And sometimes they are not the obvious schools.

Randoseru? What's that?

December 05, 2022 04:50 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

It's a rite of passage for Japanese kids entering elementary school. But not having grown up here, it's slightly baffling to me, even though I "get it." What is a randoseru? And what up with that?

A mystery boat in Oga

September 22, 2022 00:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

In August of 1981, three suspicious men were spotted in a small rubber boat in Oga, Akita, northern Japan. Who were they? And why were people on the Japan Sea coast on edge at the time?

Who was Tsujimura Michiyo?

September 17, 2022 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MB

She was featured in a Google Doodle in 2021. But why? Who was Tsujimura Michiyo?

Taking the Skyrail

September 12, 2022 00:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MB

Down in Hiroshima, there is a short and, dare I say it, unique public transit line. It's not particularly flashy or fast. But it does stand out in its own ways.

The unexpected superfighter jet in Hakodate

September 06, 2022 00:00 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MB

In 1976, Hakodate airport had a very unexpected landing, one that would destroy the mystique of a new, still little known about plane. Listen to find out what happened on a cloudy day in September, 1976.

JAJ58: Graduation

April 05, 2022 04:53 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

What does it mean to "graduate" or "卒業"? Let's talk about differences in how the words are used.

JAJ57: Shirase Nobu - Polar explorer

March 01, 2022 06:38 - 39 minutes - 34.7 MB

Do you know about Shirase Nobu? Yes? Well, you're either a liar or a total Japanese history otaku. Don't know who that is? Well, listen and find out about Japan's entry into the race for the South Pole. (Spoiler - they didn't win the race, but it was still a success.)

JAJ56: The Sakaide Transmission Tower Incident (Shorty)

February 23, 2022 00:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

In 1998, an electricity transmission tower in Kagawa prefecture collapsed. What caused it? And what's up with the copycat crime? Listen to this shorty and find out.

JAJ55: University life in Japan

February 16, 2022 04:53 - 32 minutes - 28 MB

What is university life like in Japan? Well, I'm not a university student, but as an instructor, I have at least a reasonable idea. Listen and find out some of the ways university life differs here in Japan.

JAJ54: 50hz or 60hz - A quirk of history

January 17, 2022 07:01 - 24 minutes - 21.2 MB

Japan has two separate power grids, operating at two different frequencies. 50hz in the east, and 60hz in the west. How did that happen? And why won't anyone fix it?

JAJ53: Monkeys! (And other animals)

November 29, 2021 06:41 - 43 minutes - 37.5 MB

Let's talk about the wide diversity of animals in Japan. Well, at least land and air based animals. No aquatic wildlife in this one. But Monkeys! And Bears! And wild boars! And others. Get outside of the big cities and find the wildlife. And maybe get chased by it.

JAJ52: The Toya Maru

November 12, 2021 07:48 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MB

On September 26, 1954, the train ferry Toya Maru capsized less than a kilometer off the coast near Hakodate, killing more than 1000 people. Listen to hear about what happened and the legacy of the disaster. The report I quoted from a couple of times: http://www.shippai.org/fkd/en/cfen/CA1000609.html

JAJ51: Let's talk royals

October 29, 2021 00:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MB

You might have seen something about Princess Mako's wedding in the news. I share some thoughts about the Japanese royal family and the whole situation. #Content

JAJ50: Kisakata

October 21, 2021 06:26 - 26 minutes - 21.7 MB

Find out some about the town of Kisakata. Why did Matsuo Basho go and visit? Check it out!

JAJ49: Jesus died in Japan!?

September 22, 2021 04:38 - 18 minutes - 13.9 MB

According to a few people, Jesus Christ didn't die on the cross in the middle east. Nope. He died an old man in a rural area of northern Japan. Listen and find out the full story. And check out the really good article from the Smithsonian cited in the episode: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-little-known-legend-of-jesus-in-japan-165354242/?utm_source=pocket_mylist

JAJ48: The Lookout Air Raids

September 13, 2021 00:00 - 17 minutes - 15.4 MB

In September of 1942, the mountains of south western Oregon were bombed by a Japanese pilot. What the!? Not much came of the two bombing runs, but they are an interesting footnote in history. Listen and find out more!

JAJ47: The Kantō Massacre

September 06, 2021 00:00 - 31 minutes - 27.3 MB

Following the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923, vigilantes, fueled by false rumors, massacred thousands of foreign residents in the Yokohama and Tokyo. How did it happen?

JAJ46: The Great Kantō Earthquake

September 01, 2021 02:58 - 16 minutes - 13 MB

1923 September 1: A massive earthquake rocked the Tokyo area just before lunchtime. Here a little about what happened in this short episode.

JAJ45: The Hijacking of ANA 857

August 30, 2021 00:00 - 34 minutes - 28.7 MB

In June of 1995, a plane was hijacked on its way to Hakodate. What happened? And why did it happen? Listen and find out.

JAJ44: The Shibuya Incident

August 23, 2021 00:00 - 30 minutes - 25.9 MB

What happened in the summer of 1946 in Shibuya, Tokyo? And why did it happen? Listen and find out.

Just Another Jerk: Dispatches from Japan trailer

August 19, 2021 02:51 - 1 minute - 1.24 MB

Check out the twitter for the podcast @JustAnotherCast

JAJ43: Some thoughts about culture shock

August 16, 2021 00:00 - 33 minutes - 30.2 MB

Having never experienced what I consider true "culture shock," I take a look at some listicles of common Japanese culture shock and offer my thoughts. #Content. But also, I hope this might be useful to someone coming to Japan for the first time.

JAJ42: Olympic ramblings #2

August 09, 2021 06:25 - 22 minutes - 20.1 MB

Tokyo 2020 is done and dusted. (Still have the Paralympics coming, so don't forget those!). Just some thoughts on the Olympics and why they were/are a problem. #content

JAJ41: Hitomi Kinue - Olympic medalist

August 03, 2021 05:28 - 30 minutes - 27 MB

Listen and learn about Hitomi Kinue, the first Japanese woman to medal in the Olympics, an all around powerhouse in track and field.

JAJ40: Happy Japanniversary!

July 30, 2021 05:03 - 28 minutes - 27.1 MB

To celebrate(?) landing in Japan 17 years ago and forgetting to leave, let's take a look at some of the things that have changed.

JAJ39: the Asama Lodge and the New Left (part 3)

July 09, 2021 00:30 - 33 minutes - 29.9 MB

In February of 1972, 5 members of a radical leftist group took a woman hostage and began a 10 day standoff with the police. In this episode, the conclusion to this podcast mini-series, find out about how the standoff ended. YouTube video with news footage of the event: https://youtu.be/cVLo1zAe5oU Yoshikuni Igarashi's article "Dead Bodies and Living Guns: The United Red Army and Its Deadly Pursuit of Revolution, 1971–1972" https://doi.org/10.1080/10371390701494135 (Taylor and Francis pub...

JAJ38: the Asama Lodge and the New Left (part 2)

July 09, 2021 00:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

(Just a quick note: This episode has some descriptions violent acts and death. Nothing too graphic. But if you're sensitive to that sort of thing, well, just be warned. If you want to skip to episode 3, I'll make sure you understand the gist of the story in that one.) In February of 1972, 5 members of a radical leftist group took a woman hostage and began a 10 day standoff with the police. In the months leading up to the standoff, the 5 had been part of what has been described as a bloody...

JAJ37: the Asama Lodge and the New Left (part 1)

July 07, 2021 23:47 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MB

In February of 1972, 5 members of a radical leftist group took a woman hostage and began a 10 day standoff with the police. Learn about what led up to those events in episode 1 of this 3 part mini-series. Find out about some of the many factions within Japan's New Left movement. Yoshikuni Igarashi's article "Dead Bodies and Living Guns: The United Red Army and Its Deadly Pursuit of Revolution, 1971–1972" https://doi.org/10.1080/10371390701494135 (Taylor and Francis publication - subscrip...

JAJ36: Japan, the Coronavirus, and the 2020 Olympics

May 24, 2021 06:30 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MB

80% of the Japanese public doesn't want the Olympic Games to go ahead as scheduled in less than 2 months. Why not? And why can't Tokyo unilaterally cancel the games? Listen to this slightly rambling episode as I discuss those questions. The Yahoo Article I mentioned: Who has the power to cancel the Tokyo Olympics? The video about the St. Louis Olympic Marathon: Rat Poison and Brandy: The 1904 St. Louis Olympic Marathon

JAJ35: Nakano Takeko

May 07, 2021 08:23 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MB

Learn about another badass woman in Japanese history as we talk about a female samurai of the 19th century.

JAJ34: The Nadachi Naval Mine Incident

March 30, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MB

On March 30, 1949, a drum like object washed up in a rural fishing village on the Sea of Japan coast. Listen to hear the tragic tale. History playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6iyBD0NzkV0gXUqpN11FhW?si=8ec91f80e8d040c9 New podcast homepage: tinyurl.com/jerkpod

JAJ33: Magnitude 9.0, 10 years on

March 11, 2021 04:26 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

2011 March 11: The fourth strongest earthquake recorded hit. Shortly there after, a tsunami and then the nuclear meltdown. Some thoughts on the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. Links to the videos mentioned in the podcast: Sendai airport video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk68bZ701s0 Ofunato tsunami video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbvBsgoEAe0&t=756s Near Okawa Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW0dqWR4S7M

JAJ32: The ¥300 million heist (part 2)

March 02, 2021 07:58 - 53 minutes - 49 MB

In December of 1968, the biggest heist in Japan was pulled off. The case of who pulled it off was never solved. Listen and find out about who the prime suspects were and the (often tragic) impact it had on their lives. (Listen to part 1 here)

JAJ32: The ¥300 million heist (part 1)

February 19, 2021 06:07 - 27 minutes - 26.2 MB

In December of 1968, the biggest heist in Japan was pulled off. The case of who pulled it off was never solved. Listen and find out how it happened and what clues were left behind.

JAJ31: Sexism in anime and manga

February 09, 2021 06:50 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Let's talk about sex...ism. In anime and manga. Sure, it's not exclusive to Japanese animation, but it is very common. So let's talk about that.

JAJ30: Engrish?

February 04, 2021 03:41 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Some thoughts on the odd, and sometimes humorous English used on T-shirts and signs in Japan (and other places).

JAJ29: Christmas in Japan

December 24, 2020 05:49 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB

On the surface, Japanese Christmas looks a lot like Christmas in the US. But it's not. Learn a little about how KFC and sponge cake are connected. Atlas Obscura article on KFC and Japanese Christmas chicken: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-japanese-christmas Atlas Obscura article on Japanese Christmas Cake: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/japanese-christmas-cake

JAJ28: Sankebetsu Bear Incident

December 14, 2020 06:51 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

Between the 8th and 14th of December, 1915, the small farming village of Sankebetsu, Hokkaido, was terrorized by an extremely aggressive bear. In the end, 7 villagers and 1 bear would be dead. Find out the details in this episode.

JAJ27: Health care in Japan. What's up with that?

October 16, 2020 04:46 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

Let's talk insurance! Talking about the Japanese health care system and insurance. Not the most exciting sounding topic, maybe, but I'd say the Japanese system beats the US system, hands down.

JAJ26: Racism in Japan

October 04, 2020 00:01 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MB

The one where I talk about my take on racism in Japan, including personal experiences and those of friends.

JAJ25: Rina Sawayama, the Mercury Prize, and identity

August 06, 2020 13:28 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MB

A fairly quick one. Rina Sawayama is ineligible to win the Mercury Prize in the UK, despite having what a lot of people, including Elton John, call one of the best albums of 2020 so far. And the commentariat are quick to pull some what-about-ism. Because she was born in Japan and retains her Japanese nationality.

Dispatches from Japan

Episodes