Unpacking Japan

Today we sit down with Janelle, a former Nasa operations engineer, and current Flight Director working on lunar missions at a private space company in Tokyo. We dive into what it's like working in such high stake environments, what it takes to carry out a space mission, manning the control center, and the endless opportunities space exploration means for mankind. Hear all about her journey working with space, and also how quitting a dream job as a literal rocket scientist at NASA for an opportunity in Japan has changed her perspective on working in the industryFollow us on our social media: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/

In this episode we talk with Justin, a journalist who is based in Hokkaido working on rural revitalization programs. Justin explains the ways in which programs aim to keep lesser known rural communities alive through revitalization efforts including tourism PR, social programs, and a variety of other ways of stimulating the local economy. We also talk about what it's like living in Hokkaido with it's rich and unique cultural history, and the ways in which it can feel like an entirely different country from Japan.--Follow Justin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinarandallhttps://justinrandall.studio.sitehttps://www.instagram.com/justinarandall_Follow us on our social media: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/

Today we talk with Sanyutei Kouseinen, one of the few foreigner professional rakugo performers. We talk about the differences between Western and Japanese comedy, what it's like to perform the traditional Japanese art as a foreigner, and the hard apprentice journey one must take to become a rakugo storyteller.Follow Sanyutei Kouseinenhttps://www.instagram.com/sanyuutei_kouseinenhttps://www.youtube.com/@sanyuteikouseinenhttps://kouseinen.comFollow us on our social media: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/

Sitting down with us today is co-founder of Heaven Sake, Carl, who is aiming to expand the Japanese sake industry in foreign markets by creating an iconic sake brand that shows off both the elegance and rich flavors of the traditional Japanese drink, as well as redefining it's image from the "old man's" drink to a more contemporary and luxurious feel. Carl talks us through what makes sake unique to other alcohols and why it can be seen as the healthiest, and most versatile of the alcoholic drinks, as well as what it will take to make sake as common as wine in the global market.Follow and check out Heaven Sake:https://www.instagram.com/heavensakehttps://www.heavensake.comhttps://jp.heavensake.com/jaFollow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://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/

Today we're joined by one of Japan's most renowned artists, David Hewett. David has lived in Japan for 32 years and has become well known for his contemporary art which has been displayer in galleries and hotels due to it's unique style that that blend Western and Japanese techniques. David talks to us about what it's like being an artist in Japan, what it takes to be a commercial artist these days, and the challenges he's experienced pursuing art in Japan.Follow David and check out his art:https://hewett.jp/https://hewett.jp/ja/#switchhttps://www.instagram.com/david.hewetthttps://www.youtube.com/@davidstanleyhewettsjapan7805Follow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://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/

Today we talk to Douglas, a boatbuilder who specializes in building traditional Japanese boats and has made an effort to keep this seemingly dying cultural tradition alive by learning from various masters around Japan. Not only does Douglas publish his research and teach at university classes, but his expertise has also allowed him to work on FX's Shogun as a consultant for maintaining historical accuracy for the boats used on the show.Follow Douglas:https://www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboatbuildinghttps://www.youtube.com/@DouglasBrooks-wz3fihttp://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/Follow us on our social media: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/

Meet Peter Barakan, who you may know from NHK's Weekend Japanology (Now called Japanology Plus). Peter has hosted various TV shows as well as radio broadcasts introducing all kinds of music to both Japan and overseas. After living in Japan for over 50 years, Peter shares his experience in the industry and the various insights he learned along the way ranging from working at record labels to hosting NHK's longest running TV broadcast.Follow Peter:http://peterbarakan.nethttps://www.instagram.com/petebarakan/?hl=enhttps://x.com/pbarakanhttps://www.livemagic.jp/Follow us on our social media: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/

Today we sit down with Endigo, a metal singer and overall musical artist who produces music, performs vocals for video games, and blends many genres to produce a truly unique catalogue of work. Endigo explains their experience finding their niche in Japan and how Japan's take on music and genres have also helped them discover things about themselves and their style as well.Follow Endigo:https://www.instagram.com/endigopinkhttps://www.instagram.com/pinkdollxoxo_https://www.youtube.com/@endigomusichttps://www.youtube.com/endigohttps://x.com/EndigoPinkhttps://x.com/pinkdollxoxo_https://www.facebook.com/endigoskybornFollow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://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/

Today kendo master and historical researcher, Alex, joins us to talk about his unexpected journey into the world of kendo as we deep dive into the practices and cultural background surrounding the way of the sword.Follow AlexAlex's websitehttps://www.instagram.com/alex.bennett_budo_culture/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEFJrxMVIzIix3QVD5mkUAhttps://www.kendo-world.comhttps://www.instagram.com/kendo_worldhttps://www.twitter.com/kendoworldmaghttps://www.facebook.com/alex.bennett.3597789https://budobooks.jp/Follow us on our social media:⁠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/

Today we talk to Mar, founder and director of animation studio Mar Exposito, who will share with us insights of being an animator in Japan as well as the unique career path of creating your own studio vs joining an big anime studio.Liked this episode? Check out our interview with Joshua, a "foreigner" born and raised in Japan who shares his perspective on being a foreign Japanese native! https://youtu.be/Pp1vdHkhn48--Follow Mar:https://www.https://www.maruexposito.comhttps://www.instagram.com/maruexposito.arthttps://www.youtube.com/@MaruExpositohttps://www.twitch.tv/maruexpositohttps://www.patreon.com/maruexpositohttps://www.windylightning.comFollow us on our social media: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/