You might have noticed a strange trend in Japan lately: famous potato chip bags losing their vibrant colors and going completely monochrome. But this isn't a hip new design trend—it's the first visible sign of a major hidden crisis deeply affecting everyday life in Japan.

In this episode, we dive into the sudden "Naphtha shortage" that's currently shaking up the country. What exactly is Naphtha?

👉 Listen to the full episode to find out what’s really going on!

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In this episode, I talk about Japan’s insanely long-running manga series — the kind that have been going for decades and span three generations of readers.

I'll also share some personal anecdotes from my time working at a manga publishing company, including some amusing cultural clashes that occurred between me, a manga nerd, and the regular employees.

If you’ve ever wondered “When is this manga going to end?!” — this episode is for you!

Tune in and discover why these never-ending series are so special in Japan.

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＃Learn Japanese

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What’s your go-to answer when someone asks, “What’s your favorite movie?”

In this episode, I share how I switch up my answers depending on who I’m talking to — from safe crowd-pleasers to deeper picks.

I talk about movies that shaped my childhood, ones I’m obsessed with now, and how our tastes can change completely as we grow up.

We also chat about the magic of watching films in the theater versus streaming at home.

If you love movies (or struggle with this question too), this casual chat is for you!

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In this episode, we'll be talking about shopping malls in Japan.

It's exciting when a new mall opens in your neighborhood, isn't it?

We'll introduce some of the stores that are almost always found in typical Japanese malls, and also subtly reveal some stores that I personally wish were in my own neighborhood.

From everyday favorites to things I secretly wish for, we'll deliver a fun and relatable talk about life in Japan, shopping culture, and the little things that add color to everyday life.

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In this episode, we talk about feeling a bit out of place amid the fervent support for three popular IPs. It’s a lighthearted, vent-style episode aimed at people who secretly feel “exhausted” by things that everyone else seems to love.

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＃Learn Japanese

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"メロい" (Meroi) — a Japanese youth slang you’ve probably been hearing a lot on variety shows lately.

It describes that moment when someone completely melts your heart and leaves you head over heels.

Even though I don’t usually use trendy words, I recently saw a celebrity’s unexpected talent and accidentally thought… “This is so meroi.”

Real talk about Japanese slang from someone actually living in Japan.

Come find out what made me say it!

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Trump just invested a huge amount in Kura Sushi USA — reportedly between ¥160 million and ¥800 million. As someone living in Japan, I couldn’t help but smile and think… “I know some even better sushi chains!”

In this fun first episode, I share my honest thoughts on the news and tell you which Japanese sushi restaurants I actually love and recommend right now.

Welcome to Things You Don’t Need to Know About Japan!

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