Virtual Abroad Japan (Bilingual Radio EN&JP)

We have a big accounce today. As a matter of fact, we made a YouTube Channel to make our radio more useful. Specifically, you can learn our podcast audio with subtitles and script. Japanese is such a complex language, so that more often than not, subjects or verbs are omitted in daily conversations. So it is important to learn this kind of usage from real conversations with subtitles. Another thing to be mentioned here is that we also created an Instagram account to make a more interactive place with you. With Instagram, we can get your frank feedbacks more easily and more importantly, we will feel more connected. On top of that, we believe by sharing visual images of Japan, you can get a feel for Japanese culture vividly. Our plan is that we firstly focus on attaching subtitles and scripts to all episodes we have gone through on Podcast, and upload them on YouTube up until Jan or Feb, then restart podcast again. Thank you for your support. Let's make our study better together. YouTube Channel：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe9NsSBZKmqm_aW_eJqbsrQ/featured Instagram account：https://www.instagram.com/virtual.abroad.japan

【Beginners】 Do you have a hunch that Japanese eat whales, dogs as well as raw meat? Lean what Japanese eat in daily life and the background of eating habits.

【Advanced】 Today, we have so many services using sharing economy system all over the world. This week, we talk about the trend of business in Japan and Australia.  Do you know why Uber have not been able to extend theire business in Japan?Let's have a look at so tight businesses right now. 

【Beginner】Do you know what words are used to express the sound of dogs barking in Japnase? There is so many onomatopoeia related to animal voice. In each language, onomatopoeia is, of course, different. At this time, we talk about how Japanese feel the voice of animals and made onomatopoeia. On top of that, we compare it to English ones

【Beginner】 Animations, robots, architectures ... when it comes to Japan, technological advancement might pop into your mind. But is Japan REALLY highly advanced?? What we see from out of Japan and living in Japan is different, as some people may have experienced. Japan... until recently, used stamp as a formal act of approval, and some important paperwork are not digitalized. This triggered workers physically head to work, despite COVID-19.  We will dig deeper into where Japan really is at, with digitalization.  Click Play!

【Beginner】 What was your high school life like? What subjects did you do?  What courses did Japanese students do?? Knowing these little school life in Japan could come in handy when talking to local people.  Let's surprise the locals with our abundance of Japanese knowledge on school.  Thanks for listening this week as well guys! see you next week!

【Beginner】 Have you seen discount stores in your store? and you could literally stay ther forever? Well, Japan has one as well, but trust me. Daiso is next level discount stores. Anything you wish that would make your home more "fancy", "relaxed", "customised". Go to Daiso first. You will find something you will like, and purchase more than what you need. It's like Kmart, but at discounted price.  If you are ever starting a new life in Japan, or travelling around Japan and need something, Daiso is the place to go (and possibly don quijote ;) ) 旅行先に何が必要か分からない！新生活で何買おう、どこで買おう！！そんな時あなたはどこに行きます？ そう、我々のお財布の味方、100円ショップ ここに行けば何でもある、そしてお手頃価格でいつもお世話になっていた！そんな100円ショップを今回英語で紹介するよ！

【Beginner】 What's your thought on Tattoos? Living outside of Japan, I have seen many people with tattos for fashion or with deep meaning, and I personally have been thinking about poossible tatto I could get (shhh dont tell my parents) Compared to outside of Japan, people have less tattoos on them. It really is more of European culture, at least from my perspective. So how is tattoos viewed in Japan?? 今週は日本でのタトゥーについてです！海外に比べると日本人でタトゥーをしている人が極めて少ないイメージですが、タトゥーは世界的にはどう思われているのでしょう？会社ではどういうイメージを持たれているのでしょうか？ 私は個人的にはもう少ししたらタトゥー欲しいかも、と思い始めてきました。ただオーストラリア歴が長い私でも「日本人の感覚」というのも持っているので即決はできないです。文化や育った環境とは面白いものですね。 では是非今週のポッドキャストをどうぞ！

【Beginner】 This is our First COLLABODATION PODCAST!! HOORAY!! This time, we have Nina from Nina maku (she has her own YouTube channel on living in Japan so go check that out after listening to her speak here!) Until now, we have only had perspectives from Josh and Janet, but Nina has lived in Japan AND the Netherlands, speaks English, Japanese and Dutch, AND works in Japan currently.  She has done an exchange and studied in Japan as a university student as well, which you may be quite interested in! Enjou our collaboration podcast!

マ？ワロタ、とりま聞いて！ These are all modern day slangs (that older generation might not quite understand). These slangs come out every year, and build our slang dictionary. Interesting enough, these slangs are heavily influenced by JKs (joshi-kousei - high school girls). If you start to use slangs in Japanese, you might as well be considered quite fluent in Japanese (but make sure you think of time, place and occasion ;) )  We will explore more in depth of Japanese slangs from old to new.Enjoy this week's podcast! 

【Beginner】 What types of online dating apps have you used before? Tinder? Bumble? Well, Japan has their own type of what we call "Matching apps"（マッチングアプリ）. When it comes to Japan, they put 110% dedication and committment into things.  You get to filter the type of people you would like to meet, depending on their: height, salary, if they want kids, where you are from, where you live, and even when your day offs are. As far as I know, this is far more sophisticated filtering method compared to tinder. Interested in the app? Well let us enlighten you, through Janet's experience of using the app.  Comments or suggestions? An episode you would like us to cover? send us an email to: virtualabroadjapan@gmail.com  

【Beginner】 Have you ever seen videos on school lunches around the world? Well, Japan is one of those unique style lunch. As you might expect, it is very organized and very nutrient oriented. Listen to this week's podcast to Find out more! You'll be surprised 

【intermediate】 Imagine yourself 10 years ago. Now experience the ground trembling agressively and groumbling sound coming from the groun. That's how Fukushima's Earthquake and Tsunami was like.  Hi, this is Janet. I have been living in Australia for the past 13 years. Australia, with its undivided tectonic plates, will almost never, experience Earthquakes. Japan on the otherhand, you live with earthquakes. May seem like a semi-regular event, but for someone who has never experienced earthquakes, can be pretty scary.   This is how you would prepare yourself in times of earthquakes in Japan.  Comments or suggestions? An episode you would like us to cover?  send us a casual email to: virtualabroadjapan@gmail.com

FInally happened, in 2021, even with COVID. But watching all the athletes complete at extremely high level is 激アツ！ Listen to Josh and Janet discuss about current Olympics in mix of Japanese and English!

【Intermediate】 Racism has filled our social media the world, and we see these contents. But have you ever wondered about how racism has been viewed in other countires? What about Japan, where only 2% of population of Japan make up foreign residence (where as 14.4% in USA and 30% in Australia).  Any requests or comments? send us your voice to  virtualabroadjapan@gmail.com

【Beginner】 Whats the must have food when you come in Japan? Sushi? Yes, but no. Ramen!! You cannot leave Japan without eating Ramen, but how much do you know about ramen, and do you know how to order ramen? It may seem a simple Japanese cuisine to you, but there's so many options to choose from. Did you know you could change the hardness of the noodles? Have you tried ordering ramen at Ichiran? or traditional sole trader store? Listen to this week's episode to learn more about everyone's favourite food - Ramen. Comments? Questions? Feedback? Send us an email to  virtualabroadjapan@gmail.com

【Beginner】 Want to live in Japan? Are you in Japan with a working holiday visa? Here are some things to mentally prepare when applying and working in Japan. Don't worry, we're relatively normal, most of the time (unless we're making commercials). Just some cultural differences ;)

【Advanced】Whats your view on the Japanese lifestyle? Japan has one of the highest lifespan in the world, so what's their secret? Is it their lifestyle? food? community? Is the current Japan same as the olden day Japan? Click play to hear voice from Japan (Josh's story and Janet's perspective from Australia)

【Advanced】 The beauty of the Asian standard is high, and people dress up well for even short trips. When I went to Japan, everyone's shoes was extremely cute and well dressed, hair curled or straightened. What's the reason for this? We'll explore the beauty standards of Japan.

【intermediate】 Surely, by this point you must heard of Otaku, or maybe you might be an Otaku as well? I love you already. Be proud Otaku's because I love your passion and knowledge towards your hobby (waifu and hubbies). But those you are not familiar with otaku, welcome to our world were we are OBSESSED with our hobby. Japan is famous for anime and manga, and once you get into the anime, there is no turning back （沼にハマった） Explore the new world of otakus

Traditional temples, greenery, monekys having bath in winter. This is probably what you image Japan to be - as a tourist. But how you see Japan is different when you actually live in the country. Josh and Janet will reveal some storeis of redlight district.

【Beginner】 Drinking at a bar? Pre-drinks at friends place? No, Japan has dedicated drinking restaurant called "izakaya"（居酒屋）where the work literally menas "place dedicated to drinking". Does your country allow drinking in streets legally? Because Japan does. This episode is a must hear, if you are wanting to travel to Japan!a

Japanese people are heavily into events - New years eve, new years day, halloween, aaaaand the valentines day. But the Japanese valentines day is not like what you might imagine, yes, thats right. Not roses, but chocolates. Listen to this weeks podcast to listen to what Japanese people think of the Valentine's Day.

【beginner】 What made you interested in Japan and its culture? Food? People? the 4 seasons? or Anime? Many people have travelled, studied in Japan, or even found a job in Japan, because of Anime. Anime has influenced many people's lives, including those in Japan. It is part of Japanese culture. Enjoy Josh and Janet's perspective on Anime culture.

【Advanced】 Job hunting for foreign-owned enterprise in Japan // “The job-offer blues” // Australia is skill based but what about Japan….? Reasons behind “potential” skills based hiring // Graduating Japanese university is a breeze 外資系企業への就活は、2回のチャンスがある？、日本人の就活は死活問題、内定ブルー、オーストラリアと比べてポテンシャルが大事でスキルはあんまりみられないというメリットも（海外では専攻が仕事につながるが、日本は専攻はあまり関係がなく、大学名の方が重要。）、日本の大学は単位をとるのが楽、大学は無限サブスクサービス

【beginner】 How often do you see a fortune tellers around your city? In Japan, people often talk about their luck, future jobs, future relationships, health, based on the fortune teller. The culture of fortune even exist in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, where people draw a strip of paper and test their luck. However, how people react to fortunes varies within people, just like Josh and Janet. Would you believe in fortune telling?

【Beginner】 The chances are, you're probably already planning about your next trip when the world is COVID free, and if you're listening to this podcast, you might be wanting to travel to Japan. Trust me, Japan is an amazing place. But there are few things you're better off knowing few tips before visting Japan. Listen to Josh and Janet talk about some of the tips even your guide book does not tell ;)

【Advanced】 In todays episode, Josh and Janet will talk about the long lasting COVID-19. COVID-19 still persists all over the world, and Japan has yet to come with a successful plan to reduce the number of cases. Josh and Janet, who has been regularly checking up on COVID-19 situation will share their opinions the current state and strategies Japan implemented.

【Beginner】 This week we will be discussing how Josh and Janet lived through their student life starting from primary school through to univeresity life in Japan. Childhood is a critical time in developing and shaping personality that Josh and Janet has. Listen to their conversation, to find out and link the dots of how they have obtained thier current personality and perspecive!

【Beginner】 Seven eleve, family mart, Lawson, you can name many more. Japan is full of convenience stores and everyone has their favourite must buy products. Explore the world of "conbini", as Japanese people will call them, because you will fall in love once you experience the convenient lifestyle.

【Beginner】 Culture shock is a major issue many people face when living overseas. Japan is especially a unique country where their culture is based very much on presumptions and "common sense". Hear us talk about Japanese culture from multiple perspective.