Unpacking Japan

Meet Hana, a Japanese-American race car driver, who sits down to talk with us about her life and career. She tells us about her journey into the racing world, cultural differences between Japan and the West, and what it takes to be a Japanese race car driver.Follow Hana:https://www.youtube.com/@hanaburtonhttps://www.instagram.com/hanubuu_https://x.com/hanubuuFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Join Alan as he shares his journey from IT in Tokyo to owning Kyojin Stewhouse in Shimane. Discover the unique challenges of introducing Irish cuisine to Japanese diners and the importance of meticulous planning for restaurant success. Alan discusses his pivot to frozen food during the pandemic and the realities of running a restaurant in Japan, from licensing requirements to tight profit margins. He also highlights community support through ambitious cooking events and his future plans for sustainable growth in the food industry.

Discover the journey of an entrepreneur passionate about revitalizing rural Japan through tourism. He shares marketing tactics and the challenges of overtourism while celebrating local culture. Learn how rural exchanges inspire youth and the importance of immersive experiences over mere photo spots. The discussion touches on increasing local pride, the intricacies of government subsidies, and the quest for sustainable travel. From Matsusaka beef to unique hiking trails, it’s about creating a balance between tourism and community enrichment.

Victoria shares her journey from a working holiday in Hiroshima to becoming a tourism ambassador in Bizen, Okayama. She discusses the unique charm of Bizen, including its pottery and heritage, while navigating the challenges of promoting tourism in a small town. The impact of COVID-19 on her plans, the slow pace of local government, and her efforts to build trust in the community are highlighted. Victoria also reflects on her passion for sustainable tourism and her future plans to launch freelance tours, focusing on authenticity and respectful visitor experiences.

Meet Kinshasa, an American ballroom commentator, who sits down to talk to us about how underground black queer culture ended up in Tokyo. Kinshasa tells us about the history and importance of ballroom culture, how queer Japanese women brought it over to Japan, and how it evolved to be what it is today.--Follow Kinshasa:https://www.instagram.com/kinshasa_basquiatFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Julien Perinet, a French pastry chef and executive at Park Hyatt Tokyo, shares his culinary journey from France to Japan. He navigates the challenges of adapting French techniques to Japanese tastes while emphasizing the importance of seasonal ingredients like shine muscat and matcha. Julien also discusses the rigorous environment of Michelin-star kitchens and the modernized approach he brings to traditional recipes. Notably, he introduces his beloved 'chocolate mama' cake and reveals how he tailors pastries to local preferences, all while preserving the artistry of pastry-making.

In this engaging discussion, Timothy Conner, an American entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in Japan, shares his journey from a newcomer to a successful branding expert. He highlights common pitfalls foreign brands face, like neglecting market research and assuming past successes translate into Japanese markets. Timothy emphasizes the importance of relationship-building and offers insights into Japan's unique business culture and project processes. He also explores notable case studies, including lessons from IKEA and the successes of Harley-Davidson.

Discover life in a Japanese mountain village through Emily's journey as she reconnects with her roots and embraces rural living. She shares insights on foraging sansai, the cultural significance of wild vegetables, and the vital role of community. Hear about daily adventures with her 93-year-old neighbor, the fascinating 72 micro-seasons project, and the nuances of land access for foraging. Emily highlights the importance of building trust with locals, turning her passion into a meaningful contribution to rural revitalization.

Meet Paul Martin, one of the world's leading Japanese sword experts, who sits down to talk to us about the make and history of Japanese swords, regulations around ownership, and what we can do about Japan's disappearing art of swordmaking.Follow Paul:https://www.thejapanesesword.com/ @Paul_Martin_The_Japanese_Sword  https://www.facebook.com/The.Japanese.Sword/https://www.instagram.com/thejapanesesword/

Today we speak with Andrew, an American who became a foster and adoptive parent in Japan. He opens up about the challenges of navigating Japan’s child welfare system, cultural differences in parenting, and what inspired him to open his home to children in need. Andrew shares his personal journey, misconceptions people often have about adoption in Japan, and how he’s working to change the narrative around fostering and adoption.Follow Andrew:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneumanFollow Us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/Additional Links for information on adoption:The Family of Adoption: Completely Revised and Updatedhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/962764.The_Family_of_Adoption作家デビュー十年で新境地となった、出産を...『朝が来る』辻村深月 | 文春文庫https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784167991333Yokohama Yankee: My Family’s Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan - Deutsches Institut für Japanstudienhttps://www.dijtokyo.org/ja/event/yokohama-yankee-my-familys-five-generations-as-outsiders-in-japan/Intercountry Adoptionhttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/Intercountry-Adoption-Country-Information/Japan.htmlhttps://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/19634/keizaikenkyu06104342.pdfHere Comes the Sun: A Journey to Adoption in 8 Chakrashttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/23282195-here-comes-the-sunAdoption and Historical Background in Japanhttps://www.issj.org/adoption-web-en/roots/history/Why Is It Important to Increase Foster Care and Adoption Programs? | The Nippon Foundationhttps://en.nippon-foundation.or.jp/news/articles/2018/20180403-19604.htmlFamily Matters: Promoting Special Adoptions in Japan for the Good of Childrenen.nippon-foundation.or.jphttps://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00393/戸籍の窓口II 養子縁組・特別養子縁組 | 日本加除出版https://www.kajo.co.jp/c/book/01/0101/49172000001?srsltid=AfmBOopYTAlN_Knqcz3XriqnOzldOi7_iveJSUDJM4kquuRDTCKLnu2q関連書籍 | 子どもたちに家庭をプロジェクトhttps://nf-kodomokatei.jp/book/里親と特別養子縁組https://www.chuko.co.jp/shinsho/2024/10/102826.html