Tokyo Wave

Is Japan on the brink of joining the global Great Resignation movement? Aaron and Parker discuss Uniqlo closing its stores in Russia, price hikes due to sudden inflation, and a Yamagata city with a plan to circle dog poop with chalk to shame owners.

Black metal warlock, akiya hunter, and frequent contributor Matt Ketchum tells us about going to crypto school, skiing in Nozawa Onsen, buying a Japanese mini 4x4, and welcoming a new baby goat into the world. Aaron and Parker discuss Japanese citizens applying to become volunteer soldiers in Ukraine, ex-Nissan exec Greg Kelly receiving a 6-month suspended sentence in a surprise upset for prosecut...

What are the new procedures for entering Japan for a business trip? When will Japan reopen to tourists? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's 'Go To Travel' fiscal budget problem and Honda's crisis amid a US regulatory probe surrounding unexpected automatic braking.

Death business system integrator, end of life consultant, former funeral director, and IT specialist Yuusuke Wada gives the inside scoop on Japan's funeral industry and how he used his experience as a system engineer to introduce technology into a business steeped in tradition. Aaron and Parker discuss Japan easing entry restrictions for foreign students, business travelers, and other non-tourists...

Internationally recognized constitutional and human rights lawyer Dr. Jonathan Hafetz shares his experience defending prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and demystifies some of the darker elements of the US Government's War on Terror in the post 9/11 era. Aaron and Parker discuss a government report finding over 20% of Japan's import items highly dependent on China and a Tokyo resident referred to prose...

What's an afternoon like at Japan's wildest guitar shop? How did an 11-hour standoff near Tokyo end in the death of a healthcare worker? Aaron and Parker discuss a survey that suggests Japan's entry ban is hurting foreign students' mental health and Toyota's plan to attack the moon with a cruiser, robotic arms, and dreams.

What is it like shopping for music instruments in Japan? Will Tokyo expand virus restrictions as Omicron infections surge? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's latest exports and imports figures and do a deep dive into buying audio gear in Japan, from guitars to ethnic instruments, to finding rare and vintage audio equipment.

Akiya hunter and metal warlock Matt Ketchum shares his latest adventures in the Japanese countryside, getting featured by CNN Travel, training to climb Mount Fuji, and his take on the new Netflix movie Don't Look Up. Aaron and Parker discuss Yahoo Japan deciding to allow its employees to live anywhere in Japan, Toyota topping global auto sales in 2021, and a Japanese airline moving to allow pets i...

How did a group petition the Government of Japan to end the ongoing entry ban? Will Japanese companies comply with PM Kishida's calls for aggressive wage hikes? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan developing railguns to boost its missile defense systems and an ex-idol arrested for swindling a student out of $138,000.

Are Japanese startups finally beginning to attract the attention of overseas investors? Will PM Kishida order the disposal of over 100k boxes of Abenomasks? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's record $320 billion stimulus budget and new simplified entry procedures for wealthy travelers entering Japan on private jets and superyachts.

Asian public policy expert, political science professor, and politics commentator Dr. Stephen Nagy shares his insights on Japan-China relations, the US-led Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics boycott, and which movie character he resembles most. Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's 100,000-yen handout and glowing masks developed by Japanese scientists that detect the coronavirus.

Why did Japan close its borders again? How long will this measure last? Aaron and Parker discuss unused cloth masks procured by Japan, with 100k boxes sitting in warehouses, and Kobe's plan to use avatar robots to ease hikikomori back into society.

What are some of Japan's best local matsuri festivals, and will they be held in 2022? Why do people keep getting injured by the rollercoaster at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan releasing hundreds of thousands of kiloliters of reserve oil, and a Tokyo assembly member who resigned for driving without a license.

What do Japan's new visa entry procedures mean for business travelers, technical trainees, and international students? When will Japan reopen to tourists? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's record 55.7 trillion yen economic stimulus package, the resignation of Mizuho Financial and Mizuho Bank heads, and a young goat who disappeared overnight in Ibaraki prefecture in a suspected theft.

Take a listen to the lo-fi hiphop sounds of the Coda Funk EP, 7 tracks co-created by Aaron. We talk about the musical inspirations together with frequent contributor and music aficionado Matt Ketchum. Aaron and Parker discuss the restart of Japan's Go To Travel campaign, PM Kishida's plan to raise defense spending, and Sony cutting its PlayStation 5 production outlook due to a component snag.

How did PM Kishida's LDP perform in the October 31 Japan House of Representatives Election? What is going to be the focus of the new Kishida administration? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan lifting the entry ban for business visas, students, and interns, and police on the hunt for a monkey running wild in Tokyo and Saitama.

Writer, translator, Cool Japan Ambassador, global communications specialist, and mahjong expert Benjamin Boas shares his experience hanging out with Zen monks, and the backstory to why Zen Buddhism is so popular overseas. Aaron and Parker discuss the Japanese government making COVID-19 booster shots available and a man who died after a tunnel collapsed at a maglev bullet train construction site in...

Why has Shibuya declared war on Halloween? Can SoftBank ever recoup its massive investment on now-public WeWork? Aaron and Parker discuss the looming hostile takeover of Shinsei Bank and a US serviceman arrested in Tokyo with LSD.

Akiya hunter, black metal musician, and real estate consultant Matt Ketchum talks about visiting vacant houses with Youtuber Tokyo Llama and his love of vintage Japanese video games. Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's upcoming lower house election, the Japanese health ministry recommending Pfizer shots for young men over lower inflammation risk, and the battle among prefectures to avoid the 'least a...

Who is Fumio Kishida, Japan's new Prime Minister? What is the outlook for the upcoming general election? Aaron and Parker discuss Japan's only all-double-decker shinkansen bullet train leaving service and a Fukuoka man arrested for stealing 3 rare lizards worth $30K from a maid cafe.

Medtech consultant, professional interpreter, and MP's secretary Derek Wessman shares his experience working as a Las Vegas tour guide for Japanese VIP's, what it's like inside Japanese politics, and life as part of Hachioji City's volunteer fire brigade. Aaron and Parker discuss Suga's final trip abroad as Japan's Prime Minister, the number of annual M&A deals in Japan hitting a new record in 202...

What's the big deal with the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election, and who is likely to win? Why is Yasukuni Shrine so controversial? Aaron and Parker discuss a 90-year-old sentenced to prison for vehicular manslaughter, Japan household assets hitting a record high, and 70g of matsutake mushrooms that fetched $7,600 at a local produce auction.

Is Japan moving towards easing COVID-19 restrictions including the infamous alcohol ban? Who will be Japan's next Prime Minister? Aaron and Parker discuss foreign matter found in multiple Moderna vaccine lots and a rural city that created Japan's first special zone for producing green tea liqueur.

Akiya hunter, black metal musician, and real estate consultant Matt Ketchum talks about his adventures in Yugawara battling vicious monkeys, the future of travel, and what's next for the experience economy. Aaron and Parker discuss the upcoming LDP leadership election, a 13-year-old who made hearts soar at the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony, and an outlaw monkey spotted on the move in northern...

Media training specialist and public relations industry veteran David Wagner shares his insights on the outcome of the Tokyo Olympics and expectations on whether PM Suga can continue to lead the nation amid waning popularity. Aaron and Parker discuss a Japanese mayor under fire for biting Olympian's gold medal, Sony's profits from the Demon Slayer cash cow, and a Central Japan doctor criticized af...