Joey & Ayami

Lazy Fluency - Japanese Podcast | 英会話

Education EN ↓ 220 episodes

Two passionate yet lazy learners of English and Japanese have casual conversations about culture, language, life, and more. If you find listening to fellow learners rant about miscellaneous topics entertaining, then you're in the right place. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts, and check out the video version of the podcast on YouTube.やる気はあるけど、ちょっとLazyなアメリカ人と日本人がFluencyを目指す旅日本語と英語を入れ替えながら繰り広げる雑談トークショー！Podcastプラットフォームならどこでも視聴できます👂YouTubeの動画版もお楽しみくださいsupport on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/lazyfluency

Author

Joey & Ayami

Episodes

Breaking Down Stan Culture in Japan - LF #220 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 06.07.2026 29:22

You may have heard of stan culture with regards to K Pop but have you heard of Japan's Oshi Katsu or more recently Supikatsu, a trend that involves temple prayer and worship for your favorite celebrities. Today we talk about it! SupiKatsu: https://markless.jp/blog/85 Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.c...

What is the Japanese Concept of Ibasho? - LF #219 (Japanese Listening + Subtitles) 29.06.2026 31:05

"Ibasho" is one of those difficult to translate Japanese terms meaning "a place where you feel you belong." Today we talk about Ibasho, identity and community. Episode Timestamps: Intro: (0:00) Ibasho: (0:19) Tour Guiding Friends: (0:19) Outro: (28:18) Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/120...

Is Japanese Comedy Funny? - LF #218 (Japanese Listening N3) 22.06.2026 29:12

Japanese culture has made large cultural impacts through many forms, but what about comedy? Today we talk about it in its many forms and discuss if it is funny or not? Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/lazyfluency...

Must Know Japan Travel Tips! - LF #217 (Japanese Listening) 08.06.2026 33:23

I'm back in Japan, and after having been in and out of Japan so many times I have learned many ways to make traveling here a lot easier. Today we share some of these tips and talk about common mistakes travelers make! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/144072547287800635...

Breaking Down Japanese Social Taboos - LF #216 (Japanese Listening) 25.05.2026 41:51

You may have heard that slurping is polite in Japan. Today we breakdown common etiquette myths and taboos and whether they are true or not! Taboos, Interpreting, Duolingo, and more! タブー、通訳、デュオリンゴなど！ Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 S...

How to Talk to Japanese People - LF #215 (Japanese Listening N2-N3) 18.05.2026 54:34

It takes more than Japanese fluency to effectively communicate with Japanese people. Today we talk about what kinds of personalities and communication styles work best! Talking with Japanese People, Ekiden, Ai Dubbing, and more! 日本人との会話、駅伝、AI吹き替えなど！ Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.c...

How Expensive is Japan Really? - LF #214 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 04.05.2026 35:44

It is said that Japan is a cheap country to live in. Today we look at the real purchasing power of the yen when compared to daily items and average salaries to determine if that is the case! Yen Purchasing Power, Japanese goods and more! 円の購買力、日本の商品など！ Cost of Living Japan: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Japan Cost of Living US: https://www.numbeo.co...

Should You Learn Your Heritage Language & Culture? - LF #213 (Japanese Listening) 27.04.2026 46:01

Our podcast host Ayami was born and raised in Japan, but ethnically she is Taiwanese. This week we talk about her solo trip to Taiwan and the importance of heritage. Heritage Language and Culture, Immigration and more! 先祖の言語と文化、移民など！ Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/12045311...

Japanese Gen Z Slang - LF #212 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 20.04.2026 29:32

Japanese Gen Z Slang and more! Z世代の俗語など！ Slang Terms: 好きすぎて滅ギュンメロい滅（めつ）なんだけどにゃおだねまじオワｗめくれるポパるうま確（うまかく）きちゃービジュいいしゃばい Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on ko-fi: h...

Getting Japanese Citizenship Just Became A lot Harder - LF #211 (Japanese Listening N2-N3) 06.04.2026 38:20

Japanese Naturalization, April Fools, Gen Z and Vaping, and more! 帰化厳格化、エイプリルフール、ｚ世代とベイプなど！ As of April 1st of this year, requirements for Japanese Naturalization became far stricter, requiring 10 years of residency as opposed to 5 along with other changes. Today we talk about what changed and why? Naturalization Info: https://english.visajapan.jp/qa/news20251126.html#sec1...

Breaking Down Japanese Generations from Boomer to Gen Alpha - LF #210 (Japanese Listening N2-N3) 30.03.2026 46:42

Japanese Generations, Life Updates, Art and Sexuality, and more! 日本の世代、最近のアップデート、芸術とセクシュアリティなど！ You may be familiar with generations like Baby Boomer and Gen Z but did you know Japan has its own set of generations? Today we break them down! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discor...

What's Up With Japan's Genital Festivals? - LF #209 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 23.03.2026 33:24

Japanese Genital Festivals, Old School Collectables and more! 日本の性器信仰、昔ながらのコレクターズアイテムなど！ The Honensai Festival where a giant wooden phallus is carried paraded around town has drawn some controversy. Today we talk about it as well as the role festivals like this play in Japan! Terms you can look up👍 豊年祭大男茎形大縣神社豊年祭かなまら祭 Send us questions at: lazyflue...

Stickers are Taking Over Japan - LF #208 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 16.03.2026 29:53

Japan sticker trend and more! 日本のシール流行りなど！ 3D stickers are exploding in popularity in Japan! Today we talk about why, and the history of fads in Japan and the US. Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1483166707563626688 Support on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/lazy...

Why Most Japanese Weddings Are Christian and More! - LF #207 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 02.03.2026 43:08

Weddings in Japan, Making Foreign Friends and more! 日本の結婚、外国での友達作りなど！ Although many people see Japan as a country that values its traditional culture, the majority of weddings in Japan are actually christian style weddings. Today we talk about why as well as other aspects of weddings in Japan! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://disc...

What Do Japanese People Want in A Relationship? - LF #206 (Japanese Listening + Subtitles N2-N3) 16.02.2026 21:45

This week we talk about the shift in relationship ideals between men and women in Japan and what that says about Japanese society as a whole. Survey: https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20250305-3137498/DETAIL/ Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on...

Why It Is So Hard To Have A Japanese Friend - LF #205 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 09.02.2026 55:21

Maintaining Japanese Friendships, First Time Voting, English Education in Japan, and more! 日本での友達ルール、初めての選挙、日本での英語教育など！ Many people don't know how to make friends in Japan. But once you do it can be even harder to maintain the relationship. This week we talk about why! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4...

Should Japan Give Up On Learning English? - LF #204 (Japanese Listening N3-N2) 02.02.2026 34:04

Japan & English, Learning a Language for Family or School and more! 日本と英語学習、強制言語学周など！ With the prevalence of AI and Immigration in Japan this week we ask the question "should Japan give up on learning English?" Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/14407254...

Can I Learn Japanese As An Adult? - LF #203 (Japanese Listening N2-N3) 26.01.2026 30:15

Learning foreign languages as an adult, Theft Stories and more! 大人としての外国語習得、盗難話など！ This week we talk about the challenges of learning a foreign language as an adult and if it is possible to develop fluency Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/144072547287...

My Bike Was Stolen in Japan - LF #202 (Japanese Listening N２‐N３) 19.01.2026 26:14

Theft in Japan, and more! 日本での盗難など！ Ayami's bike was stolen! Today we talk about that, as well as theft and safety in Japan more generally! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/lazyfluency

How Similar Are Japan and Taiwan? - LF #201 (Japanese Listening N２‐N３) 12.01.2026 45:37

Japan vs Taiwan, Ai Slop, and more! 日本と台湾の違い、AIスロップなど！ Happy New Year! This week we talk about the relationship between Japan and Taiwan as well as the differences between them! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on ko-fi: htt...

How Similar Are Japan and Korea? - LF #200 (Japanese Listening N２‐N３) 29.12.2025 53:01

Japan vs Korea, 2026 New Year Resolutions, Social Media Ban and more! 日本と韓国の違い、2026年の抱負、SNS禁止など！ This week while in Korea we talk about the differences between Japan and Korea! Episode Timestamps: Intro: (0:00) Japan vs Korea: (0:11) 2026年の抱負: (26:37) Social Media Ban: (36:37) Outro: (36:30) Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord:...

Australia Actually Banned Social Media - LF #199 (Japanese Listening N２‐N３) 22.12.2025 37:35

Australia SNS Ban, Spotify Wrapped 2025, and more! オーストラリアSNS禁止、Spotify2025まとめなど！ Australia actually banned social media for people under the age of 16. Today we talk about how the ban was implemented and what has happened since the ban. Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/12...

The Top Trending Japanese Words of 2025! - LF #198 (Japanese Listening N2-N3) 15.12.2025 41:40

2025 Trending Words, Naha Marathon, Traveling Etiquette, and more! 2025年の流行語、那覇マラソン、旅行マナーなど！ The Top Ten Trending Japanese words of 2025 were announced, and today we go over them! The Top 10: エッホエッホオールドメディア緊急銃猟／クマ被害国宝（観た）古古古米戦後80年／昭和100年トランプ関税二季ミャクミャク働いて働いて働いて働いて働いてまいります Send us questions at: l...

What Makes An Annoying Tourist? - LF #197 (Japanese Listening N２‐N３) 01.12.2025 48:54

Good Tourist Etiquette, Back to Japan, Singing, and more! 海外旅行のマナー、日本再来、歌など！ How much of the language do you need to learn when travelling? Is it better sometimes to pretend like you know nothing? Today we talk about what it takes to be a good tourist and answer these questions and more! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.g...

Wait…Do Americans Like China Now? - LF #196 (Japanese / English Listening + Subtitles) 24.11.2025 28:00

Americans & China, Speaking Japanese, and more! アメリカ人と中国、日本語でのスピーキングなど！ With the success of works such as Genshin Impact, Black Myth: Wukong, TO BE HERO X, as well as many technological innovations, the image of China in the US seems to be changing. Today we talk about that! Send us questions at: lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp...