twenty minutes with…

In this episode of 20 Minutes With…, Daniel Robson of IGN Japan talks games media, Japanese pop culture, criticism, AI, and what it takes to translate Japan's creative world for global audiences. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives and work in Japan.

JAPAN Forward reporters Daniel Manning and Kenji Yoshida sit down for a candid conversation about life in Japan — from the lower house election to getting a driver's license, moving house, and cherry blossoms. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives and work in Japan.

YouTuber Oshaberi George talks how he built a following, communication, integrating into Japan, and what foreigners misunderstand about the country. What does it take to belong here? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives and work in Japan.

Veteran French journalist explores a nation's soul through films, trains, and everyday life. In this interview, he explains how discovering Yoji Yamada and the Tora san film series shaped the way he understands Japan from the ground level of daily life, not just the big headlines. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politic...

The Reutter family talks life, faith, and raising children in Japan — an American family of six documenting everyday family life, public schools, and cross-cultural living through their YouTube channel Life in Japan. What does it take to truly make Japan home? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business in...

GEM Talks founder Kanako Date talks heritage, global education, and the arts — from opera stages to traditional Japanese dance, law school to youth empowerment. What does it take to stand between worlds and still sound like yourself? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives...

Check the link below to stream with English captions. https://youtu.be/5qEjeRgaf4U What does it mean to be a Buddhist monk in modern Japan? Myoshun Tsuji, the executive manager of Nara’s UNESCO-listed Kohfuku-ji Temple shares how ancient faith meets the challenges of contemporary life. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, po...

American-born comedian Nick Niisan talks comedy, language mix-ups, and life in Japan’s entertainment world — from culture shock to cracking jokes across borders. What does it take to turn being "the foreign guy" into a career that connects with Japanese audiences? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and busines...

In this episode of 20 Minutes With..., JAPAN Forward reporters Daniel Manning and Kenji Yoshida discuss their journeys in Japan, contrasts between Japanese and South Korean media, and what drew them to JAPAN Forward. Together, they reflect on why the platform matters in bringing Japan’s voice to the world. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including...

Check the link below to stream with English captions. https://youtu.be/9T6nJZr7wVg What does it take to share Japan's sake tradition with the world? Dassai president Kazuhiro Sakurai and kimono ambassador Sheila Cliffe explore the balance between heritage and innovation, tracing Dassai’s journey from the rice fields of Yamaguchi to its brewery in New York. 「獺祭は、変化を恐れず挑戦を続ける」―。そ...

Marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between Japan and South Korea, retired Yonsei University professor and South Korean sociologist Dr. Lew Seok-choon shares his insights on the evolving bilateral relationship, the outlook under South Korea's new leadership, and the lingering historical tensions between the two East Asian neighbors. Interview held on June 23, 2025. Twenty Minu...

Illustrator and NHK reporter Kailene Falls talks Japanese food, design, and culture — from watercolor travel guides to TV reporting, and why she made food her niche. What does it take to share Japan with the world without losing its flavor? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their...

Former British Museum curator Paul Martin talks Japanese swords — who buys them, how to spot fakes, samurai myths in movies, and the future of swordsmithing in Japan. Can this centuries-old tradition survive in the modern world? Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives and w...

Japan faces population decline, labor shortages, geopolitical volatility, and climate threats. Political scientist and former Diet member Mieko Nakabayashi says it's time to rethink how the country approaches risk — and embrace it as a force for growth, not just a danger to avoid. Check the link below to stream with English captions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuF95mHOON0&t=838s 人口減少...

This month, we sit down with kimono influencer and fashion ambassador Sheila Cliffe as she shares her fascinating journey through the ever-evolving world of kimono. From her first brush with the garment to her inspiring work promoting it on the global stage, Sheila offers unique insights, personal reflections, and a thoughtful look at the kimono's role in our modern world. Twenty Minutes With… is...

We welcome Jason Halayko, a seasoned photographer, to talk about his journey through the ever-evolving field. From his early days to where he is now, Jason shares his passion, tips for beginners, and insights into the industry. Twenty Minutes With… is a bilingual podcast by Japan Forward, where professionals including artists, scholars, politicians, and business insiders discuss their lives and wo...

In our first episode, Japan Forward's Editor-in-Chief Yasuo Naito , shares what it takes to launch a new bilingual media outlet in Japan. Check the link below to stream with English captions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anEJPDYHt_o 初回エピソードには、JAPAN Forward編集長であり、国際報道記者として活躍してきた内藤泰朗が登場。バイリンガルメディアを立ち上げるまでの道のり、多様なバックグラウンドを...