He launched a career on YouTube running his mouth on celebs, but in less than a year Yoshikazu “GaaSyy” Higashitani has gone from that to running successfully for office to running from the law. Politics reporter Gabriele Ninivaggi joins the show this week to discuss what this parliamentary upstart’s rise and fall says about how politics is done in Japan. And, who exactly are the Party Politician Girls who replaced him? Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode:  Shaun McKenna: Twitter | Instagram Gabriele Ninivaggi: Articles | Twitter  Read more:  YouTuber turned politician GaaSyy likely to be expelled from parliament (Gabriele Ninivaggi, The Japan Times) Upper House committee votes to expel GaaSyy from Japan’s parliament (Gabriele Ninivaggi and Kanako Takahara, The Japan Times) YouTube and Japan’s new political underground: The rise and decline of the Party to Protect People from NHK (Max Guerrera-Sapone, Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo: Former Upper House member GaaSyy is seen via video from his base of operations in Dubai during a press conference with NHK Party head Takashi Tachibana. | KYODO

It’s been three years since people in Japan could welcome spring with traditional picnics under the country’s millions of cherry trees. This week Kathleen Benoza explains how much money is at stake during the season, while Thu-Huong Ha and Alyssa I. Smith discuss the science, symbolism and culture surrounding the cherry blossoms in Japan. On this episode:  Kathleen Benoza: Articles | Twitter  Alyssa I. Smith: Articles  Thu-Huong Ha: Articles | Twitter  Jason Jenkins: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Read more/Watch more:  Japan's economy to bloom as hanami season kicks off (Kathleen Benoza, The Japan Times) In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is big business. Warming is making it harder (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times) The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo (Aimee Gardner, Tokyo Cheapo) Our guide to family hanami hot spots (Jason Jenkins, The Japan Times) Go west to enjoy a family hanami party (Jason Jenkins, The Japan Times) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo: People wearing wigs that represent cherry blossoms drink in Tokyo’s Ueno Park in 2017. | JASON JENKINS

Last month, it was announced that Haruki Murakami would release a new full-length novel. True fans, also known as “Harukists” may note that the title for the upcoming work is the same as one of the author’s past “failures.” Harukist Daniel Morales joins the show to decipher clues as to what is going on. Later, Patrick St. Michel and Shaun McKenna discuss their thoughts on a BBC documentary on controversial J-pop titan Johnny Kitagawa.  Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode:  Shaun McKenna: Twitter | Instagram Daniel Morales: Articles | Twitter | TikTok Patrick St. Michel: Articles | Twitter | Substack Read more/Hear more:  What to prepare for when you’re expecting one of Murakami’s mammoths (Daniel Morales, The Japan Times) Conquering ‘Commendatore’: Murakami brandishes familiar lexicon in latest novel (Daniel Morales, The Japan Times) The guilt of fatherhood helped shape Kenzaburo Oe’s literary vision (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times) How To Japanese podcast (Daniel Morales) Johnny Kitagawa: The mogul who defined and controlled Japan’s entertainment industry (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times) Deep Dive: The Death of Johnny Kitagawa, J-pop’s puppet master (Oscar Boyd, Patrick St. Michel, W. David Marx) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo: Novelist Haruki Murakami (right) receives an award for artistic contribution at Waseda University in 2021. | KYODO

This week marks the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear meltdowns that took place in its wake. Alex K.T. Martin joins us to discuss where Fukushima is in terms of its recovery and drive to repopulate. Of course, before they bring people back, they’ll need to deal with the wild animals that have moved in.  Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode:  Alex K.T. Martin: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Shaun McKenna: Twitter | Instagram Read more:  Abandoned after 3/11, Fukushima starts attracting new residents (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times) In the shadow of the Fukushima disaster, an unusual experiment in rewilding (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times) With wildlife pests on the rise, Japan turns to novel countermeasures (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo: A wild boar crosses a railway line in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture. | KYODO

Culture critic Thu-Huong Ha discusses Yayoi Kusama's radical forms of expression, exploring her journey as an artist, struggles with mental health, and success in the male-dominated art world. The episode delves into Kusama's obsession with dots and infinity, highlighting her collaboration with luxury retailer Louis Vuitton and her popularity in the era of Instagram.

On the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Gabriel Dominguez joins the podcast to talk about the effects this war in Europe has had on Japan. We then speak to Japanese photojournalist Saphryn Shikaze, who is on the front lines of the conflict. Then, we ask Ukrainian student Natalia Makohon about her experience as an evacuee here in Tokyo.  Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Gabriel Dominguez: Articles | Twitter  Saphryn Shikaze: Homepage | Twitter | Instagram Read more/Learn more:  One year on, Ukraine war accelerating changes in Japan’s defense posture (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times) “We’re all different”: Russians in Japan reflect on year since Ukraine invasion  (Anika Exum Osaki, The Japan Times) Japan accepted over 2,300 Ukrainians last year. Is its refugee policy finally changing? (Kanako Takahara, The Japan Times) Sakura to Himawari  Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo: Volunteer forces fighting for Ukraine pose for a picture on an abandoned Russian tank. | SAPHRYN SHIKAZE

After a large earthquake struck Turkey and Syria last week, those of us living in Japan can’t help but worry about something similar happening here. This week, we speak to Prof. Hitoshi Abe, an architect who has some ideas on how to start designing our cities to better deal with such inevitable disasters. Hosted by: Shaun McKenna and Jason Jenkins, and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Hitoshi Abe: Website Read more/Watch more:  How researchers in disaster-prone Japan and the Pacific are rethinking city design (Will Fee, The Japan Times) Battle to stop Kagoshima seawall highlights divide over coastal engineering (Mara Budgen, The Japan Times) Ten years on from 3/11, do you think you're ready for the 'Big One'? (Eric Margolis, The Japan Times) New Vision for Regenerative Urbanism (Small Table) (UCLA Architecture and Urban Design) From lessons of 3/11, Japan scientists share knowledge of disaster resilience across Pacific (Will Fee, The Japan Times) Donate: Association for Aid and Relief, Japan Tokyo Camii and Diyanet Turkish Culture Center Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!   Photo: A man walks along the seawall near Watanoha, Miyagi Prefecture. | OSCAR BOYD

The reviews are in, lab-grown meat is … good? This week, Oscar Boyd gives us a review of his cultured chicken meal and runs down the environmental implications of such an endeavor, while Tomoko Otake gets us caught up on where Japan stands in the great race to replicate beef.  Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.  On this episode:  Tomoko Otake: Articles | Twitter Oscar Boyd: Articles | Twitter Read more/Watch more:  Japanese researchers pushes the boundaries of lab-grown “real” meat (Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times) What you need to know about cultivated meat (Coco Liu, Bloomberg) Japanese scientists work up an appetite for lab-grown wagyu beef (Rikako Murayama, Reuters) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. 30Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, head to japantimes.co.jp. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  

As 2022 wrapped up, the Japanese government let forth a flurry of defense policy announcements. Those were followed by a five-nation tour by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and talk of a tax hike to pay for it all. Gabriel Dominguez joins the podcast this week to try to help us make sense of it all. Hosted by Jason Jenkins and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Gabriel Dominguez:  Articles | Twitter Read more/Watch more: Kishida and Biden meeting heralds an alliance in lock-step — but challenges remain (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times) Crucial role: Defense of Taiwan hinges on Japan support (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times) Japan and NATO agree to deepen partnership, saying rules-based order ‘at stake’ (Gabriel Dominquez, The Japan Times) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, head to japantimes.co.jp. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  

From noodle stands to Michelin-starred restaurants, Japan has some of the most amazing food in the world. Food writer Robbie Swinnerton has been covering Tokyo’s culinary scene for decades, so for this week’s episode we asked him to pick out a few standout meals from last year.  Hosted by Jason Jenkins and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Robbie Swinnerton: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Read more/Watch more:  Tokyo Food File (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times) The Japan Times Destination Restaurant Series (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times) When Rene Redzepi brought Noma to Japan (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times) Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, head to japantimes.co.jp. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!