Unpacking Japan

Yurié Collins, a half-Japanese, half-American comedian and actress, shares her journey navigating cultural identities in Japan and the U.S. She discusses her viral TikTok success, the challenges of bilingual stand-up, and the nuances of performing in Japanese. Humorously reflecting on the Tokyo comedy scene, she dives into adapting material for different audiences, including politics and body image. With aspirations to grow her bilingual comedy and create dark comedic content, Yurié proves that laughter can bridge cultural divides.

Meet Emirichu, a popular artist and content creator known for her storytelling, animations, and deeply personal yet humorous content.From her unexpected start as a teacher to moving across the world, Emirichu opens up about adapting to life in Japan and how her art and voice have changed along the way. We also explore her anime influences, her love of fan culture, and what being an artist means to her.--Follow Emirichu:https://www.youtube.com/@Emirichuhttps://www.instagram.com/emirichuuhttps://www.X.com/EmirichuYThttps://www.twitch.tv/emirichuythttps://www.youtube.com/@SpilledInkytFollow 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/unpackingjapan

On today's episode we talk to James, a video game music composer, to talk all about his musical journey and how it lead him to composing music for games and anime in Japan. We go over what it's like working as a western composer in Japan, joining a big company vs being independent, what makes a good song, and all the things a composer thinks about when creating music for video games.Follow James & listen to his music:https://www.jameslandino.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jameslandinohttps://www.youtube.com/jameslandinohttps://www.twitch.tv/jameslandinohttps://X.com/jameslandinohttps://www.facebook.com/jameslandinomusic/https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/james-landino/677816776https://soundcloud.com/jameslandinohttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6xMMOflXnoIA3grU3seMjh?si=18L0en3qTUW_CkSl4FTbMwFollow 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/

In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we sit down with Chris Pellegrini, a leading expert on shochu and awamori, and the founder of Honest Drinks. Chris shares his journey from Vermont to Japan, how he fell in love with Japan’s traditional distilled spirits, and why shochu deserves more recognition globally.Follow Christopher:https://honkakuspirits.com/https://www.instagram.com/christopherpellegrinihttps://www.facebook.com/pellegrinichristopherFollow 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/

Today we talk to Tristan, a historian and professor based in Nagoya, Japan. Tristan specializes in the history of Japanese urban development and infrastructure, and shares fascinating insights into how and why Tokyo is built the way it is. From Edo-era planning to post-war reconstruction and subway development, we explore how history has shaped the Tokyo we know today.Follow Tristan:https://x.com/tristangrunowFollow 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/

In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we sit down with Malachi, a stadium MC born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, who shares what it was like growing up as a foreign-looking local in Japan. Malachi talks about finding his identity, navigating life in Japan, and how he eventually ended up as an MC at major sporting events across the country. We also dive into his experience on The Bachelorette Japan, and how it changed his life.Follow Malachi:https://malachievans.com/https://www.instagram.com/bigmalachihttps://localdream.jp/archives/3312Follow 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/

Today we talk to Kanchan, a Nepalese entrepreneur in Tokyo who runs both a restaurant and a fashion brand. From humble beginnings to creating a community hub, Adi shares what it was like building a business in Japan, blending Indian-Nepalese culture with Japanese customer expectations, and how his restaurant grew into something much bigger than just a place to eat.Follow Kanchan:httpes://www.jiunu.cohttps://www.instagram.com/adi.curryhttps://www.instagram.com/kanchanadhikari_Follow 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/

Today we talk to Greg Irwin, a voice actor, singer, and wedding MC living in Japan. Greg shares what it’s like to hear your own voice all over Japan—from train stations and commercials to iconic roles like Street Fighter. We also dive into the experience of voicing characters that become part of people’s childhoods, his journey into Japanese voice acting, and the cultural quirks of working in Japan’s entertainment industry.Follow Greg:https://www.gregvoice.net/https://www.youtube.com/@gregjapan https://www.instagram.com/gregoryirwinhttps://www.x.com/gregirwin1https://www.tiktok.com/@gregirwin7https://www.facebook.com/greg.irwin.7/Follow 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/

Today we talk with Matt Alt, a writer, translator, and long time resident of Japan who you may recognize from appearances on Japanology. Matt shares how his childhood fascination with Japan shaped his life and career, and reflects on cultural changes, soft power, and the evolving image of Japan around the world.Follow Matt:httpes://www.mattalt.comhttps://www.instagram.com/altmattalthttps://www.youtube.com/@AltMattAlthttps://www.x.com/Matt_Althttps://www.blog.pureinventionbook.comFollow Us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.youtube.com/@unpackinghttps://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 Jenn, a professional mahjong player and content creator based in Japan. She shares her journey into the world of Japanese mahjong, what sets it apart from other styles, and what it's like to be part of a male-dominated gaming industry in Japan. From the cultural nuances of the game to building a career around a passion, Jenn breaks down the tiles and the taboos in this insightful episode.Follow Jenn:https://www.instagram.com/mahjongjenhttps://www.youtube.com/@mahjongjenhttps://www.x.com/mahjongjenhttps://www.twitch.tv/mahjongjenhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mahjongjenFollow 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/