Unpacking Japan

Meet AV star June Lovejoy, who sits down with us to break down all the misconceptions about the Japanese porn industry, and explore what life is like for workers in this profession. June shares their own personal experiences, their thoughts on the good and bad of the industry, and the ways it continues to change. Follow June: https://www.instagram.com/junelovejoyy https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...

Meet Donna Burke, a singer and voice actress in Japan most widely known as the voice of the Shinkansen. She sits down to talk to us about her 30-year career in Japan, from wedding singer to starring in franchises like Metal Gear, Silent Hill, and Tokyo Ghoul, as well as her life as an entrepreneur. Follow Donna: https://www.donnaburke.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwl3O6yIEVSY49XwOS1QTpA h...

Meet Jheadear, a factory worker and content creator from the Philippines, who sits down to talk to us about the process of applying to become a technical trainee in Japan. We discuss her daily routines and workflow, her challenges in adapting to Japanese culture and work environment, as well as her work as an influencer helping her fellow Filipinos secure work placements in Japan. Follow Jheadear...

Meet Jad, cofounder of Integral AI, a software developing a system called universal simulations, in order to help advance AGI (artificial general intelligence). He sits down to talk with us about the future of AI, and if we really can develop it in a way that benefits humanity. Follow Jad & Intergral AI https://www.x.com/jad_tarifi https://www.integral.ai Follow us on our social media: https:/...

Meet Ricchaado, a comedian from the UK most known for his exaggerated skits about his experiences as a black foreigner in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about the inspirations behind his famous characters Momo-chan and Mr. Hashimoto, his other business endeavors, how Japanese and Western viewers see his content differently, and more. Follow Ricchaado: https://www.instagram.com/ricchaadotv https...

Meet Dr. Miaka, a veterinarian at Kobe Animal Kingdom, who sits down to talk with us about her daily life taking care of the zoo's wide variety of animals, as well as discuss animal rights in Japan, the role of zoos in science and conservation, and how her zoo recreates the natural habitats of its animals. Follow Dr. Miaka and the Kobe Animal Kingdom: https://www.instagram.com/@zoovetjapan htt...

For our 100th episode we are joined by one of Japan's most recognizable foreign content creators, pitch accent specialist, and writer, Dogen! In this long awaited interview, Dogen talks about his creative process, inspirations, and challenges he has faced through his journey in Japan, in creative writing, and content creation. Follow Dogen: https://www.youtube.com/@Dogen https://www.x.com/doge...

Meet Luna, a maid witch at Afilia Magic Kingdom, who sits down to talk with us about what it's really like to work at a maid cafe in Akihabara. Follow Luna: https://www.x.com/luna_afilia https://www.tiktok.com/@luna_afilia https://www.youtube.com/@luna_afilia Check out Afilia Magic Kingdom EN: https://linktr.ee/afilia.kingdom JP: https://linktr.ee/afilia_kingdom Follow us on our social media:...

Meet Byron, founder of Kasamatsu Farms, who shares with us his journey from salaryman in Tokyo to farmer in the Japanese countryside, embracing permaculture and sustainable agriculture. Follow Byron: https://kasamatsu-farms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kasamatsufarms Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unp...

Meet Nick, founder of Japan Remotely, who sits down to talk with us about his work helping clients find the perfect living situation in Japan, and his insights on the challenges of turning Japan into a long-term home. Follow Nick: https://japanremotely.com https://www.instagram.com/japanremotely/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking...

Meet Mr. Nippon, a half Japanese and half German YouTuber in Japan, who sits down to talk with us about his experiences interviewing Germans on their immigrant journey, and what life in Japan is like for them. Follow Mr. Nippon: https://www.mrnippon.com https://www.youtube.com/@MrNippon https://www.instagram.com/misuta_nippon https://www.discord.com/invite/KmXZENZJej Follow us on our social media:...

Meet Rob, an engineer for open source environmental data project Safecast, who sits down to talk to us about his work on the Fukushima disaster cleanup, as well as his own sustainable living in the mountains of Nara. Check out Rob's work: https://bgeigiezen.safecast.jp https://about.me/robouden Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacki...

Meet Fanny, A.K.A Nynyhon, a model who has lived in Japan for 10 years and who has found success as a streamer and content creator. Fanny sits down with us to discuss her path to Twitch streamer and the intricacies of a career as a model in Japan, from easy part-time gig for foreigners to sustainability as a full-time job. Follow Fanny: https://www.twitch.tv/nynyhon https://www.instagram.com/nynyh...

Meet Marc, Consul General of the Netherlands in Osaka, who sits down to talk with us about what we can expect to see at the Dutch pavilion during next year's highly anticipated Expo 2025 Osaka, and all of the work and themes being put into its development. Follow Marc and the Consulate: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/japan https://www.instagram.com/nlinjapan http...

Meet John Gauntner, the world's leading non-Japanese sake expert, who sits down to talk with us about understanding good sake, the growing market around the world, and his own journey to Japan and how he became THE sake guy.  Follow John Gaunter: https://www.instagram.com/johngauntner/ https://x.com/johngauntner https://sake-world.com/ https://sake-world.com/store/books/ Follow us on our social me...

Meet Julian Domanski, videographer and creative director of Future Collective, who sits down with us to talk about working in Japanese film production, as well as working with Netflix and some of Japan's biggest YouTubers. Follow Julian & Future Collective: https://www.instagram.com/kantanjapan https://www.youtube.com/c/KantanJapan https://x.com/kantan_japan https://www.facebook.com/kantanjapa...

Meet Dennis, the General Secretary of the General Union in Osaka, Japan, who sits down to talk with us about Japanese labor laws, unions, and how they can help protect workers from many of the challenges of the Japanese workplace. Follow Dennis & the  General Union: https://www.instagram.com/jpenonline https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN861GtRXgWEyn7qE3jAMCA https://x.com/jpenonline https://ww...

Meet Heidi, American member of Japanese underground idol group Merkmal Mermal, who sits down to talk with us about the origins of Japan's idol culture, as well as her own unique challenges as a foreigner in the idol scene.  Follow Heidi & her group Merkmal Mermal: https://www.instagram.com/heidichandesu https://www.youtube.com/@heidichandesu https://www.tiktok.com/@heidichandesu https://x...

Meet Billy, a German woman who shares her story of coming to Japan and falling in love with its most beloved clothes, the humble kimono. She sits down to talk with us about the nuances of kimono crafting, the culture and history around it, and the many misconceptions people have of kimono.  Follow Billy: https://www.internationalwafuku.com https://www.youtube.com/c/BillyMatsunaga https://www.insta...

Meet Mr. Yabatan, Japan's silliest and most beloved foreign influencer, who sits down to talk with us about the origins of his character, his insights on Japanese comedy, and what it's like being such a recognizable face. Follow Mr. Yabatan: https://www.instagram.com/mr_yabatan https://www.youtube.com/mryabatan http://www.tiktok.com/@mr_yabatan https://www.twitch.tv/mr_yabatan https://ww...

Meet Cathy Cat, beloved actress, reporter, and overall media personality in Japan who explains the struggles and what to expect as a foreigner when navigating a career on social media and television Japan. Ladybeard and Cathy Cat from Cat with Beard from JAPAN PODCAST came to our studio and also interviewed Tobi! Check out their interview here: https://youtu.be/W88oPln8S3E Follow Cathy Cat: https:...

Meet Ladybeard, one of Japan's most beloved foreigners, who sits down to talk to us about his experiences in Hong Kong and Japan's entertainment industries, and how he rose to fame as a singer and wrestler after over an unexpected decade-long journey. Follow Ladybeard: https://www.ladybeard.com https://www.instagram.com/ladybeard_japan https://www.instagram.com/babybeard_japan https://x.com/Ladybe...

Today we're joined by Jean Francois, who talks to us about what it's like working for the French Chamber of Commerce, and how his journey in Japan has taught him valuable insights on surviving Japanese business culture. Follow Jean Francois: https://www.ccifj.or.jp/ https://www.instagram.com/jeanfrancoisrauch/ https://www.instagram.com/cci_france_japon/ https://x.com/cci_francejapon Follow us on o...

Meet Zaya, a Mongolian entrepreneur who sat down with us to talk about introducing her culture to Japan through her import company and cafe in Osaka. Follow Zaya: https://mongorusei.co.jp https://www.instagram.com/mongorusei https://x.com/bigmangas https://www.facebook.com/MONGORUSEI https://www.facebook.com/cafemongolia Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://ww...

Meet Nick, half of Manzai comedy duo Time Bomb, who sits down to talk to us about his Japanese comedy career, and his transition to entrepreneur and content creator. Follow Nick: https://youtube.com/@nikkuniisan   https://www.instagram.com/nickniisan/ https://x.com/TIMEBOMBGEININ https://youtube.com/@atsueigo Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram....