JAPAN Forward

For the Summer Basho, yokozuna Terunofuji's return to sumo competition after undergoing surgery on both knees is the biggest storyline to follow.

Sports writers Ed Odeven and Colin Morrison join the podcast to discuss the latest victory by boxer Naoya Inoue, giving him all four major bantamweight division titles.

Freelance sports reporter Colin Morrison joins the podcast and praises Japan's achievements in finishing atop the Group E standings at the FIFA World Cup.

Football freelance writer Colin Morrison joins the podcast to highlight some key moments in Japan's victory against Germany in the FIFA World Cup.

The 15-day tournament offered sumo fans plenty of memorable moments. Veteran sports reporter Armstrong joins the podcast for a wrapup of the event.

Daniel Robson and Arielle Busetto outline how the Tokyo Game Show has changed since the pandemic, such as the difference in scale and new things to look for.

Japan has taken steps toward better funding its self-defense, and Newsham outlines strategic areas for optimization.

Susan Yoshimura introduces the JAPAN Forward team and listeners to the new website Japan 2 Earth, engaging us with the challenge of achieving the SDGs.

JAPAN Forward's team in Naeba gives a live inside view of the highlights of Day 3 and their favorite moments over the three-day festival.

JAPAN Forward's team in Naeba gives a live inside view of the highlights of Day 2 and a preview of the artists to watch for on the last day of the Fuji Rock Festival.

JAPAN Forward's team in Naeba gives a live inside view of the highlights of Day 1 and a preview of the artists to watch for on Day 2 of the Fuji Rock Festival.

JAPAN Forward's team shares how and what to follow as they cover Fuji Rock, Japan's biggest outdoor music festival, back with international artists for 2022.

Kei Hirata reflects on achieving her dream of cheering for major league sports teams in Japan and America and mentoring the next generation.

William Lee organizes rallies and demonstrations in Japan with the non-profit organization, Stand With Hong Kong - an independent, grassroots, crowdfunded advocacy group consisting of individuals who have come together to fight for freedom and democracy for Hong Kong.

Dr Jagannath Panda chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on Japan and Korea's relationship

Jennifer Zeng was a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

The group seeks to correct erroneous historical narratives about the comfort women and advance peace and prosperity in East Asia by repairing bilateral ties.

The Naoya Inoue versus Nonito Donaire rematch ー what were the techniques and experience on display in the match, and where do the two top boxers go from here?

The world of art doesn't stand still, and Arielle Busetto shares what's coming for teamLab's digital artworks.

Learn about a wild side of Japan you might have missed as Daniel introduces us to sustainable foraging and preparation of wild mountain vegetables.

Marisa introduces concepts of web 3, sharing her insights about Japan and the sector, and the up and coming potential for growth in the industry.

Listen in as Ed Odeven and Jason Halayko chat with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on April's trending sports headlines in Japan that have caught the attention of fans around the world.

Dr. Monika Chansoria is a senior fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo. She specializes in contemporary Asian security and weapons' proliferation issues, nuclear strategy, and Great Power politics in the Indo-Pacific.

Sheila Cliffe is a professor emerita at Jumonji Gakuen Women's University in Japan. A kimono researcher, author and stylist in Tokyo, she has lectured at conferences.

Dr. Jagannath Panda is currently the head of Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security & Development Policy in Sweden.

Davide Rossi is the CEO and co-founder of GoGo World, an organization with the objective of helping international students understand the entry rules and support for making their experience in Japan the best possible.

The Council on Geostrategy is an independent non-profit organisation situated in the heart of Westminster. The Council of Geostrategy focuses on an international environment increasingly defined by geopolitical competition and the environmental crisis.

Jay Alabaster is a longtime journalist and now a PhD student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He is also an adjunct professor teaching at Waseda University from April.

Jason Halayko writes the column [A Photographer's Notes] which retells his recent photo shoots, great photography tips and equipment reviews. As a professional photographer, he details key moments and learnings in his experiences so others can learn.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with professional action and sports photographer, Jason Halayko about the New Year’s predictions in his article, “Expect Innovations in the Photography Industry in 2021” and what it's like to work in Japan.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Senior Fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), researcher and commentator on Asia’s security affairs, Dr. Monika Chansoria about the regional priorities she identifies in her New Year's essay - 2021 Security Priority: Better Integration of Indo-Pacific, Partner Nations.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with author and finance guru Peter Tasker about predictions in his New Year's essay - Peering Into 2021: Tanjiro Kamado Battles Big Tech.

Listen in as JAPAN Forward sports journalist, Ed Odeven, and guest, Ice Time’s Jack Gallagher weigh in on key sports highlights of Japanese teams, events and individual athletes in 2020.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the stories that continue to shape our outlook after dominating Japan’s headlines over the last year.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team reflects on their favorite articles published throughout the year, and discuss how Japan’s trending words have impacted our lives in 2020. Articles mentioned in the recording: Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 25 - 21 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 20 - 16 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 15 - 11 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 10 - 6 Top 25 JAPAN Forward Reader’s Favorites of 2020: 5 - 1 Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Online「〇〇」 Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Animal Crossing Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Demon Slayer Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: Amabie Japan’s Trending Words in Our 2020 Stories: 3Cs

  Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team and German journalist Agnes Tandler chat about her career as a seasoned foreign correspondent covering key conflict stories in the Middle East and several parts of Asia before she arrived in Japan, life in Japan, and what’s coming up in her career. Recommended Stories by Agnes Tandler for JAPAN Forward: In Hokkaido Town of Yoichi, the Best Whisky You Can Never TryA Vanishing Culture: Japan’s Ainu People are Finally Getting a National Museum – But will Visitors Come?Finding the Rhythm of the Seasons in Sapporo’s Coronavirus Gardens‘Healthy Soul Food’ Hokkaido’s Soup Curry Creates a FrenzyInca Awakening, Shadow Queen, Northern Ruby: Hokkaido Potatoes Get a Fancy Makeover

Listen in as JAPAN Forward Editor in Chief Yasuo Naito and veteran journalist Yoshihisa Komori discuss some of the impacts of the 2020 U.S. election on Japan and the Indo-Pacific region, and how the outcome could influence U.S.-Japan relations going forward.     Find articles in English by Yoshihisa Komori here, on JAPAN Forward: Huge Polling Flops in U.S. Election: The ‘Great Blue Wave’ for Biden Never Arrived End of Conciliatory Engagement: A Guide to the Trump Administration’s China Policy Ruling Party Lawmaker Voices Rare Criticism of China in the National Diet China Rapidly Dwarfing Japan in Naval Power, Would Establish Superiority in a Senkakus Showdown  

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Julian Gregory and Jonathan Howard, two members of the world-famed a cappella group, The King’s Singers, just days away from their Digital Online tour, ‘ Finding Harmony in Japan, Heiwa’ (peace).   We learn about their recent activities and hobbies during the pandemic period, reminisce about their 2019 visit to Tokyo to welcome the Reiwa era, and hear about their favorite pieces in the new ‘Heiwa’ repertoire.     Read more about the King’s Singers on JAPAN Forward in our pieces here: WATCH HERE: The King’s Singers ‘Finding Harmony in Japan’ October 24 Concert [Bookmark] ‘We Can’t Wait To Be Back!’ The King’s Singers on Touring in Japan, Life During COVID-19 JAPAN Forward Streams The King’s Singers’ ‘Finding Harmony in Japan’ Starting October 24 INTERVIEW| The King’s Singers During COVID-19: Looking Forward to their Japan Tour “Back in Harmony” The King’s Singers Bring A Live Concert Online for Fans All Over the World The King’s Singers Perform ‘One Day’ Exclusively For Fans During Covid-19 Crisis  

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team is joined by Sports Journalist Ed Odeven for a discussion on the status of Japanese teams, athletes and competitions in and outside Japan. Ed takes our questions and shares his analysis of sports in the coronavirus era.     Access articles on today’s topic: [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] A Wide Range of Sports to Follow During Autumn Months BASKETBALL | B. League Completes Action-packed Opening Week BASEBALL | MLB Wraps Up Regular Season, Prepares for Unusual 16-team Playoffs ODDS and EVENS | Takuma Sato Navigates New Territory as Two-Time Indy 500 Winner FIGURE SKATING | Yuzuru Hanyu to Skip Upcoming Grand Prix Series [ODDS and EVENS] Cubs Pitcher Yu Darvish on Top of His Game TENNIS | Kei Nishikori Tests Positive for COVID-19, Withdraws From U.S. Open Tuneup Event  

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, his background, low-key but decisive role in national initiatives and future ambitions for the nation.     Access articles on today’s topic: Yoshihide Suga Reveals ￥170 Billion Yen Japanese Aid to Help World Fight COVID-19 in First UN Speech Big Challenges and Humble Origins: Prime Minister Suga Might Just Be Able to Pull it Off Continuity and Balance: Meet Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s Cabinet Yoshihide Suga Wins LDP Party Leadership Race With Overwhelming Support [Bookmark] Three Candidates Aim to Lead Japan Post-Abe; Here Are Their Key Policies Support for Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet Surges in Its Last Days The Man on Shinzo Abe’s Side: Yoshihide Suga, Top Bet for Japan’s Next Prime Minister

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with graduate student and intern Mariko Azuma, who has returned from Kyoto to deliver insights and updates on Japan’s world-renowned Gion festival.     *We apologize for the inconvenience of light static in a few brief sections.*   Access articles on today’s topic: Gion Festival Amid the Pandemic: Smaller Events, Closer Communities The Men of Koiyama: Keeping the Gion Festival Tradition for the Next Generation

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the government’s initiative known as the “Go To Campaign” and their personal experiences with the challenges of domestic travel amidst the coronavirus pandemic.     Access articles on today’s topic: Japan’s ‘Go To’ Domestic Travel Campaign: Here Are the Discounts You Can Enjoy Starting July 22 ‘Man-made Calamity’: Opposition Explodes vs Japan’s ‘Go To’ Tourism Push Amid COVID-19 ‘Go To’ Tourism Campaign Off to a Bumpy Start with Tokyo’s Exclusion   Websites mentioned in the podcast as some of the many ways to support local businesses without having to travel: https://furunavi.jp/ https://furu-sato.com/ https://www.tabechoku.com/products https://jasaga.or.jp/ https://www.shibori-hisada.com/  

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses the new norm for fans returning to sports venues and events with longtime sports journalist, Ed Odeven.     Access articles on today’s topic: Spectators Permitted to Attend July Grand Sumo Tournament NPB / Extra-Inning Games to be Limited to 10 Innings This Season Japan’s J. League To Relaunch Season on July 4

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team discusses our latest Mythbusters articles on foreign media misperceptions of Japan with author Prof. Earl Kinmonth.     Access articles on today’s topic: [Mythbusters] Paper Jam: Foreign Reporting is Short on Facts About Fax in Japan [Mythbusters] Voting in Japan: Pencils-and-Paper System Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It