The Story Best of 2025: Why everyone's going to Japan
Dec 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Matt Alt, a Tokyo-based translator and pop culture writer, dives into the captivating world of 'kidulting'—a phenomenon born in Japan that appeals to millennials and Gen Z. He explores how Japan's pop culture, including anime and gaming, has influenced Western adults seeking escapism and nostalgia. Alt discusses the impact of Japan's economic landscape and its tourism boom, revealing how these factors resonate with those rediscovering their inner child. With personal anecdotes and cultural insights, he questions if Japan holds the key to navigating modern uncertainties.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Japan Pioneered Adult Play Culture
- Japan preserved childhood tastes into adulthood long before the West did.
- These practices later became globally influential as Western societies faced similar social pressures.
A Toy Sparked A Lifetime Of Japan Interest
- Matt Alt traces his fascination with Japan back to a robot toy called a Shogun Warrior he found as a child.
- That toy sparked a lifelong desire to visit and work within Japanese pop culture.
Early Japan Content Was Often Masked
- In the 1980s Japanese origins were often hidden in Western imports due to 'Japan bashing'.
- Hardcore fans accessed anime and manga via conventions and videotape trades, creating an underground culture.