Podcasts about Tokyo

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aha moments don't happen by trying harder — they happen when your brain has space to wander!Join Guy, Mindy, and the gang as they explore the brain science of Aha moments, creative problem solving, and why daydreaming boosts both creativity and problem solving.After Guy spends two hours searching for glasses that are on his head, Mindy shares research connected to scientists at the University of Tokyo showing that mind wandering helps the brain form new connections and spark insight.To test the science, Mindy, Guy, and the gang tackle a classic river-crossing brain teaser in the wilderness — where nobody can be left alone without chaos erupting.In this STEM podcast episode, you'll discover:• What happens in the brain during an Aha! moment • Why overthinking blocks creative problem solving • How mind wandering strengthens flexible thinkingIf you struggle with puzzles, creative blocks, or problem solving, this episode is packed with science-backed tools to build a growth mindset and unlock better ideas!Sometimes the smartest move isn't focusing harder.It's letting your brain wander.It's the Who, When, Wow, How, and WOW of AHA! moments and the brain!

Last time we spoke about General Zhukov's armor offensives at Nomohan. Following heavy Japanese losses in May and June, General Georgy Zhukov arrives in June, reorganizes the Soviet 1st Army Group, and bolsters it with tanks, artillery, and reinforcements. The July offensive sees General Komatsubara's forces cross the Halha River undetected, achieving initial surprise. However, General Yasuoka's tank assault falters due to muddy terrain, inadequate infantry support, and superior Soviet firepower, resulting in heavy losses. Japanese doctrine emphasizing spiritual superiority clashes with material realities, undermining morale as intelligence underestimates Soviet strength. Zhukov learns key lessons in armored warfare, adapting tactics despite high casualties. Reinforcements pour in via massive truck convoys. Japanese night attacks and artillery duels fail, exposing logistical weaknesses. Internal command tensions, including gekokujo defiance, hinder responses. By August, Stalin, buoyed by European diplomacy and Sorge's intel, greenlights a major offensive. Zhukov employs deception for surprise. Warnings of Soviet buildup are ignored, setting the stage for a climactic encirclement on August 20.   #191 Zhukov Steel Ring of Fire at Nomohan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On the night of August 19–20, under cover of darkness, the bulk of the Soviet 1st Army Group crossed the Halha River into the expanded Soviet enclave on the east bank. Two weeks of nightly Soviet sound effects had paid off: Japanese perimeter troops failed to distinguish the real deployment from the frequently heard simulations. Zhukov's order of battle was as follows: "Northern force, commanded by Colonel Alekseenko—6th Mongolian Cavalry Division, 601st Infantry Regiment (82nd Division), 7th Armored Brigade, 2 battalions of the 11th Tank Brigade, 82nd Artillery Regiment, and 87th Anti-tank Brigade. Central force, where Zhukov was located, commanded by his deputy, Colonel Petrov—36th Motorized Infantry Division, 82nd Infantry Division (less one regiment), 5th Infantry Machine Gun Brigade. Southern force, commanded by Colonel Potapov—8th Mongolian Cavalry Division, 57th Infantry Division, 8th Armored Brigade, 6th Tank Brigade, 11th Tank Brigade (less two battalions), 185th Artillery Regiment, 37th Anti-tank Brigade, one independent tank company. A mobile strategic reserve built around the 212th Airborne Regiment, the 9th Mechanized Brigade, and a battalion of the 6th Tank Brigade was held west of the Halha River." The Soviet offensive was supported by massed artillery, a hallmark of Zhukov's operations in the war against Germany. In addition to nearly 300 antitank and rapid-fire guns, Zhukov deployed over 200 field and heavy artillery pieces on both sides of the Halha. Specific artillery batteries were assigned to provide supporting fire for each attacking infantry and armored unit at the battalion level and higher. In the early hours of August 20, the sky began to lighten over the semiarid plain, with the false promise of a quiet Sunday morning. The air was clear as the sun warmed the ground that had been chilled overnight. General Komatsubara's troops were in no special state of readiness when the first wave of more than 200 Soviet bombers crossed the Halha River at 5:45 a.m. and began pounding their positions. When the bombers withdrew, a thunderous artillery barrage began, continuing for 2 hours and 45 minutes. That was precisely the time needed for the bombers to refuel, rearm, and return for a second run over the Japanese positions. Finally, all the Soviet artillery unleashed an intensive 15-minute barrage at the forwardmost Japanese positions. Komatsubara's men huddled in their trenches under the heaviest bombardment to which they or any other Japanese force had ever been subjected. The devastation, both physical and psychological, was tremendous, especially in the forward positions. The shock and vibration of incoming bombs and artillery rounds also caused their radiotelegraph keys to chatter so uncontrollably that frontline troops could not communicate with the rear, compounding their confusion and helplessness. At 9:00 a.m., Soviet armor and infantry began to move out along the line while their cover fire continued. A dense morning fog near the river helped conceal their approach, bringing them in some sectors to within small-arms range before they were sighted by the enemy. The surprise and disarray on the Japanese side was so complete, and their communications so badly disrupted, that Japanese artillery did not begin firing in support of their frontline troops until about 10:15 a.m. By then, many forward positions were overrun. Japanese resistance stiffened at many points by midday, and fierce combat raged along the front, roughly 40 miles long. In the day's fighting, Colonel M. I. Potapov's southern force achieved the most striking success. The 8th MPR Cavalry Division routed the Manchukuoan cavalry holding Komatsubara's southern flank, and Potapov's armor and mechanized infantry bent the entire southern segment of the Japanese front inward by about 8 miles in a northwesterly direction. Zhukov's central force advanced only 500–1,500 yards in the face of furious resistance, but the frontal assault engaged the center of the Japanese line so heavily that Komatsubara could not reinforce his flanks. Two MPR cavalry regiments and supporting armor and mechanized infantry from Colonel Ilya Alekseenko's northern force easily overran two Manchukuoan cavalry units guarding the northern flank of the Japanese line, about 2 miles north of the Fui Heights. But the heights themselves formed a natural strong point, and Alekseenko's advance was halted at what became the northern anchor of the Japanese line. As the first phase of the Soviet offensive gathered momentum, General Ogisu, the 6th Army's new commander, assessed the situation. Still unaware of Zhukov's strength, he reassured KwAHQ that "the enemy intends to envelop us from our flanks, but his offensive effectiveness is weak… Our positions in other areas are being strengthened. Set your mind at ease." This optimistic report contributed to Kwantung Army's delay in reinforcing the 23rd Division. Some at KwAHQ suspected this might be another limited Soviet push, like Aug 7–8, that would soon end. Others worried it was a diversion prior to a larger offensive and were concerned but not alarmed about Komatsubara's position. On Aug 21–22, Potapov's southern force pierced the Japanese main defense line at several points, breaking the southern sector into segments that the attackers sealed off, encircled, and ground down. Soviet armor, mechanized infantry, and artillery moved swiftly and with deadly efficiency. Survivors described how each pocket of resistance experienced its own hellish period. After the Japanese heavy weapons in a pocket were neutralized, Soviet artillery and tanks gradually tightened the ring, firing at point-blank range over open sights. Flame-throwing tanks incinerated hastily constructed fortifications and underground shelters. Infantry mopped up with grenades, small arms, and bayonets. By the end of Aug 23, Potapov had dismembered the entire Japanese defensive position south of the Holsten River. Only one significant pocket of resistance remained. Meanwhile, Potapov's 8th Armored Brigade looped behind the Japanese, reaching southeast of Nomonhan, some 11 miles east of the river junction, on the boundary claimed by the MPR, and took up a blocking position there athwart the most likely line of retreat for Japanese units south of the Holsten. In those two days, the Japanese center yielded only a few yards, while the northern flank anchored at Fui Heights held firm. Air combat raged over the battlefield. Soviet air units provided tactical support for their armor and infantry, while Kwantung Army's 2nd Air Group strove to thwart that effort and hit the Soviet ground forces. Before Nomonhan, the Japanese air force had not faced a modern opponent. Japanese fliers had roamed largely unchallenged in Manchuria and China from 1931 to 1939. At Nomonhan, the Soviets enjoyed an advantage of roughly 2:1 in aircraft and pilots. This placed an increasingly heavy burden on Japanese air squadrons, which had to fly incessantly, often against heavy odds. Fatigue took its toll and losses mounted. Soviet and Japanese accounts give wildly different tallies of air victories and losses, but an official Japanese assessment after the battle stated, "Nomonhan brought out the bitter truths of the phenomenal rate at which war potential is sapped in the face of superior opposition." As with tank combat, the Soviet air superiority was qualitative as well as quantitative. In June–early July, the Soviet I-16 fighters did not fare well against the Japanese Type 97 fighter. However, in the lull before the August offensive, the Soviets introduced an improved I-16 with armor-plated fuselage and windshield, making it virtually impervious to the Type 97's light 7.7-mm guns. The Japanese countered by arming some planes with heavier 12.7-mm guns, which were somewhat more effective against the new I-16s. But the Soviet pilots discovered that the Type-97's unprotected fuel tank was an easy mark, and Japanese planes began to burn with horrendous regularity. On Aug 23, as Ribbentrop arrived in Moscow to seal the pact that would doom Poland and unleash war in Europe, the situation at Nomonhan was deemed serious enough by Kwantung Army to transfer the 7th Division to Hailar for support. Tsuji volunteered to fly to Nomonhan for a firsthand assessment. This move came too late, as Aug 23–24 proved the crucial phase of the battle. On Tue night, Aug 22, at Japanese 6th Army HQ, General Ogisu ordered a counterattack to push back the Soviet forces enveloping and crushing the Japanese southern flank. Komatsubara planned the counterattack in minute detail and entrusted its execution to his 71st and 72nd Regiments, led by General Kobayashi Koichi, and the 26th and 28th Regiments of the 7th Division, commanded by General Morita Norimasa. On paper this force looked like two infantry brigades. Only the 28th Regiment, however, was near full strength, though its troops were tired after marching about 25 miles to the front the day before. This regiment's peerless commander was Colonel Morita Toru (unrelated to General Morita). The chief kendo fencing master of the Imperial Army, Morita claimed to be invulnerable to bullets. The other three regiments were seriously understrength, partly due to combat attrition and partly because several of their battalions were deployed elsewhere on the front. The forces Kobayashi and Morita commanded that day totaled less than one regiment each. It was not until the night of Aug 23 that deployment and attack orders filtered down to the Japanese regiment, battalion, and company commanders. Due to insufficient truck transport and the trackless terrain, units were delayed reaching their assigned positions in the early morning of Aug 24, and some did not arrive at all. Two battalions of the 71st Regiment did not reach Kobayashi in time; his attack force that morning consisted of two battalions of the 72nd Regiment. Colonel Sumi's depleted 26th Regiment did not arrive in time, and General Morita's assault force consisted of two battalions of the 28th Regiment and a battalion-equivalent independent garrison unit newly arrived at the front. Because of these delays, the Japanese could not reconnoiter enemy positions adequately before the attack. What had been planned as a dawn assault would begin between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. in broad daylight. The light plane carrying Tsuji on the final leg of his flight from Hsinking-Hailar-Nomonhan was attacked by Soviet fighters and forced to land behind the 72nd Regiment's staging area. Tsuji managed to reach General Kobayashi's command post by truck and on foot, placing him closer to the fighting than he anticipated. Just before the counterattack began, a dense fog drifted across part of the battlefield, obscuring visibility and limiting artillery effectiveness. Using the fog to mask their movement, lead elements of the 72nd Regiment moved toward a distant stand of scrub pines. As they approached, the trees began to move away—the stand was a well-camouflaged Soviet tank force. The tanks then maneuvered to the south, jeopardizing further Japanese advance. As the fog cleared, the Japanese found themselves facing a much larger enemy force. A vastly heavier Soviet barrage answered their renewed artillery fire. Kobayashi and Morita discovered too late that their counterattack had walked into the teeth of far stronger Soviet forces. One account calls it "The Charge of Two Light Brigades."   Kobayashi's 72nd Regiment encountered the Soviet T-34, with its thick sloped armor and 76-mm gun—the most powerful tank in 1939. In addition, the improved Soviet BT-5/7 tanks, powered by diesel, were less prone to ignition. On gasoline-powered vehicles, the Soviets added wire netting over the ventilation grill and exhaust manifold, reducing the effectiveness of hand-thrown gasoline bombs. Japanese infantry regiments suffered near 50% casualties that day. Nearly every battalion and company commander was lost. Kobayashi was gravely wounded by a tank shell fragment and nearly trampled by fleeing troops. He survived the battle and the Pacific War but died in a Soviet POW camp in 1950. Morita's 28th Regiment fared little better. It was pinned down about 500 yards from the Soviet front lines by intense artillery. Unable to advance and not permitted to retreat, Morita's men dug into the loose sand and withstood the bombardment, but were cut to pieces. Shortly after sunset, the remnants were ordered to withdraw, but both regiments were shattered. Tsuji, a survivor, rejoined Komatsubara at his command post. Upon receiving combat reports from the 72nd and 28th Regiments, General Komatsubara "evinced deep anxiety." 6th Army chief of staff Major General Fujimoto Tetsukuma, at Komatsubara's command post, "appeared bewildered," and announced he was returning to headquarters, asking if Tsuji would accompany him. The major declined and later recalled that he and Komatsubara could barely conceal their astonishment at Fujimoto's abrupt departure at such a time. Meanwhile, at the northern end of the line, Colonel Alekseenko's force had been hammering at Fui Heights for 3 days without success. The position was held by about 800 defenders under Lieutenant Colonel Ioki Eiichiro, consisting of two infantry companies; one company each of cavalry, armored reconnaissance, and combat engineers; and three artillery batteries (37-mm and 75-mm guns). The defenders clung tenaciously to the strongpoint created by the heights and their bunkers, inflicting heavy losses on Alekseenko's force. The unexpectedly strong defense disrupted the timing of the entire Soviet offensive. By Aug 23, Zhukov was exasperated and losing patience with the pace in the north. Some of Zhukov's comrades recall a personable chief who played the accordion and urged singing during happier times. Under stress, his harshness and temper surfaced. Zhukov summoned Alekseenko to the telephone. When the northern commander expressed doubt about storming the heights immediately, Zhukov berated him, relieved him on the spot, and entrusted the attack to Alekseenko's chief of staff. After a few hours, Zhukov called again and, finding that the new commander was slow, fired him as well and sent a staff member to take charge. Accounts record that his tirades sometimes included the phrase "useless bag of shit," though others note harsher language was used toward generals who did not meet expectations. That night, reinforced by the 212th Airborne Regiment, heavier artillery, and a detachment of flame-throwing tanks, the northern force renewed its assault on Fui Heights. The battered Japanese defenders were thoroughly overmatched. Soviet artillery fired at two rounds per second. When the last Japanese artillery was knocked out, they no longer could defend against flame-throwing tanks. From several miles away, Colonel Sumi could see the heights shrouded in black smoke and red flames "spitting like the tongues of snakes."  After Aug 22, supply trucks could no longer reach Fui Heights. The next afternoon, Colonel Ioki's radio—the last link to the 23rd Division—was destroyed. His surviving men fought on with small arms and grenades, repelling Soviet infantry with bayonet charges that night. By the morning of Aug 24, Ioki had about 200 able-bodied men left of his original 800. Soviet tanks and infantry had penetrated defenses at several points, forcing him to constrict his perimeter. Red flags flew on the eastern edge of the heights. Ioki gathered his remaining officers to discuss last measures. With little ammunition and almost no food or water, their situation seemed hopeless. But Ioki insisted on holding Fui Heights to the last man, arguing that the defense should not be abandoned and that orders to break out should come only with reinforcements and supplies. Some subordinates urged retreat. Faced with two dire options, Ioki drew his pistol and attempted suicide, but a fellow officer restrained him. Rather than see his men blown to bits, Ioki decided to abandon Fui Heights and retreat east. Those unable to walk received hand grenades with the injunction to blow themselves up rather than be captured. On the night of Aug 24–25, after moonrise, the remaining resistance at the heights was quelled, and Soviet attention shifted south. Ioki's battered remnant slipped out and, the next morning, encountered a Manchukuoan cavalry patrol that summoned trucks to take them to Chaingchunmiao, forty miles away. Russians occupying Fui Heights on Aug 25 counted the corpses of over 600 Japanese officers and men. After securing Fui Heights, the Soviet northern force began to roll up the Japanese northern flank in a wide arc toward Nomonhan. A day after the fall of Fui Heights, elements of the northern force's 11th Tank Brigade linked up with the southern force's 8th Armored Brigade near Nomonhan. A steel ring had been forged around the Japanese 6th Army. As the Japanese northern and southern flanks dissolved under Zhukov's relentless assaults, Komatsubara's command ceased to exist as an integrated force. By Aug 25 the Japanese lines were completely cut, with resistance remaining only in three encircled pockets. The remnants of two battalions of General Morita's "brigade" attempted a renewed offensive on Aug 25, advancing about 150 yards before being hammered by Soviet artillery and tanks, suffering heavier casualties than the day before. The only hope for the surrounded Japanese troops lay in a relief force breaking through the Soviet encirclement from the outside. However, Kwantung Army was spread thin in Manchuria and, due to a truck shortage, could not transport the 7th Division from Hailar to the combat zone in time. By Aug 26 the encirclement had thickened, with three main pockets tightly invested, making a large-scale breakout nearly impossible. Potapov unleashed a two-pronged assault with his 6th Tank Brigade and 80th Infantry Regiment. Japanese artillery from the 28th Regiment temporarily checked the left wing of the armored attack, but the Soviet right wing overran elements of Sumi's 26th Regiment, forcing the Japanese to retreat into a tighter enclave. Morita, the fencing-master commander who claimed to be immune to bullets, was killed by machine-gun fire while standing atop a trench encouraging his men. The Japanese 120-mm howitzers overheated under the August sun; their breech mechanisms swelled and refused to eject spent casings. Gunners had to leap from behind shelter to ram wooden rods down the barrels, drastically reducing rate of fire and life expectancy. Komatsubara's artillery units suffered a bitter fate. Most were deployed well behind the front lines with their guns facing west toward the Halha. As the offensive developed, attackers often struck the batteries from the east, behind them. Even when crews could turn some guns to face east, they had not preregistered fields of fire there and were not very effective. Supporting infantry had already been drawn off for counterattacks and perimeter defense. One by one, Japanese batteries were smashed by Soviet artillery and tanks. Crews were expected to defend their guns to the last man; the guns themselves were treated as the unit's soul, to be destroyed if captured. In extremis, crews were to destroy sensitive parts like optics. Few survived. Among those who did was a PFC from an annihilated howitzer unit, ordered to drive one of the few surviving vehicles, a Dodge sedan loaded with seriously wounded men, eastward to safety during the night. Near a Holsten River bridge he encountered Soviet sentries. The driver hesitated, then honked his horn, and the guards saluted as the sedan sped past. With water supplies exhausted and unable to reach the Halha or Holsten Rivers, the commander of the easternmost enclave ordered his men to drain radiator water from their vehicles. Drinking the foul liquid, at the cost of immobilizing their remaining transport, signaled that the defenders believed their situation was hopeless. On Aug 27 the rest of the Japanese 7th Division, two fresh infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, and support units totaling barely 5,000 men—reached the northeastern segment of the ring around Komatsubara. One day of hard fighting revealed they lacked the strength to break the encirclement. General Ogisu ordered the 7th Division to pull back and redeploy near his own 6th Army headquarters, about 4 miles east of Nomonhan and the border claimed by the enemy. There would be no outside relief for Komatsubara's forces. Throughout Aug 27–28, Soviet aircraft, artillery, armor, and infantry pounded the three Japanese pockets, compressing them into ever-smaller pockets and grinding them down. The surrounded Japanese fought fiercely and inflicted heavy casualties, but the outcome was inevitable. After the remaining Japanese artillery batteries were silenced, Soviet tanks ruled the battlefield. One by one, major pockets were overrun. Some smaller groups managed to slip through Soviet lines and reach safety east of the border claimed by the MPR, where they were left unmolested by the Red Army. Elements of Potapov's 57th and 82nd Divisions eliminated the last remnants of resistance south of the Holsten by the evening of Aug 27. North of the Holsten, during the night of Aug 28–29, a group of about 400 Japanese tried to slip east through the Soviet lines along the riverbank. They were spotted by the 293rd Regiment (57th Division), which struck them. The fleeing Japanese refused to surrender and were wiped out attempting to recross the Holsten.   Japanese soldiers' refusal to surrender is well documented. Surrender was considered dishonorable; the Army Field Manual was silent on surrender. For officers, death was not merely preferable to surrender; it was expected, and in some cases required. The penal code (1908, not revised until 1942) stated that surrender was dereliction of duty; if a commander did his best to resist, imprisonment could follow; if not, death. Stemming from Bushido, regimental colors were treated as sacred. On the afternoon of Aug 28, with much of his 64th Regiment destroyed, Colonel Yamagata saw no alternative but to burn the regimental colors and then commit suicide. Part of the flagpole had been shattered; the chrysanthemum crest damaged. Yamagata, Colonel Ise (artillery regimental commander), an infantry captain, a medical lieutenant, and a foot soldier—the last survivors of the headquarters unit—faced east, shouted "banzai" for the emperor, drenched the pennant in gasoline, and lit it. Yamagata, Ise, and the captain then shot themselves. The flag and crest were not entirely consumed, and the unburned remnants were buried beneath Yamagata's unmarked body. The medical officer and the soldier escaped and reported these rites to 6th Army HQ, where the deaths of the two colonels were mourned, but there was concern over whether the regimental colors had been entirely destroyed. On Aug 29, Lieutenant Colonel Higashi Muneharu, who had taken command of the 71st Regiment, faced the same dilemma. The regimental standard was broken into four pieces and, with the flag and chrysanthemum crest, drenched with fuel and set on fire. The fire kept going out, and the tassels were especially hard to burn. It took 45 minutes to finish the job, all under enemy fire. Afterward, Higashi urged all able to join him in a suicide charge, and the severely wounded to "kill themselves bravely when the enemy approached." Soviet machine-gun fire and grenades felled Higashi and his followers within moments. When it became clear on Aug 29 that all hope was lost, Komatsubara resolved to share the fate of his 23rd Division. He prepared to commit suicide, entrusted his will to his aide, removed his epaulets, and burned his code books. General Ogisu ordered Komatsubara to save himself and lead as many of his men as possible out of the encirclement. Shortly before midnight on Aug 30, the bulk of the Soviet armor briefly pulled back to refuel and resupply. Some of the Soviet infantry also pulled back. Komatsubara and about 400 survivors of his command used the opportunity to slip through the Soviet lines, guiding wounded by starlight to safety at Chiangchunmiao on the morning of Aug 31. Tsuji was among the survivors. In transit, Komatsubara was so distraught he needed to be restrained from taking his own life. A fellow officer took his pistol, and two sturdy corporals helped to support him, preventing him from drawing his sword. On August 31, Zhukov declared the disputed territory between the Halha River and the boundary line through Nomonhan cleared of enemy troops. The Sixth Army had been annihilated, with between 18,000 and 23,000 men killed or wounded from May to September (not counting Manchukuoan losses). The casualty rate in Komatsubara's 23rd Division reached 76%, and Sumi's 26th Regiment (7th Division) suffered 91% casualties. Kwantung Army lost many of its tanks and heavy guns and nearly 150 aircraft. It was the worst military defeat in modern Japanese history up to that time. Soviet claims later put total Japanese casualties at over 50,000, though this figure is widely regarded as inflated. For years, Soviet-MPR authorities claimed 9,284 casualties, surely an underestimate. A detailed unit-by-unit accounting published in Moscow in 2002 put Soviet losses at 25,655 (9,703 killed, 15,952 wounded), plus 556 MPR casualties. While Soviet casualties may have exceeded Japanese losses, this reflects the fierceness of Japanese defense and questions Zhukov's expenditutre of blood. There was no denying, however, that the Red Army demonstrated substantial strength and that Kwantung Army suffered a serious defeat. Knowledgeable Japanese and Soviet sources agree that given the annihilation of Komatsubara's forces and the dominance of Soviet air power, if Zhukov had pressed beyond Nomonhan toward Hailar, local Japanese forces would have fallen into chaos, Hailar would have fallen, and western Manchuria would have been gravely threatened. But while that might have been militarily possible, Moscow did not intend it. Zhukov's First Army Group halted at the boundary line claimed by the MPR. A Japanese military historian notes that "Kwantung Army completely lost its head." KwAHQ was enraged by the battlefield developments. Beyond the mauling of the Sixth Army at Nomonhan, there was anxiety over regimental colors. It was feared that Colonel Yamagata might not have had time to destroy the imperial crest of the 64th Regiment's colors, which could have fallen into Soviet hands. Thousands of dead and wounded littered the field. To preserve "face" and regain leverage, a swift, decisive counterstroke was deemed necessary. At Hsinking, they decided on an all-out war against the USSR. They planned to throw the 7th, 2nd, 4th, and 8th Divisions into the Sixth Army, along with all heavy artillery in Manchukuo, to crush the enemy. Acknowledging shortages in armor, artillery, and air power, they drafted a plan for a series of successive night offenses beginning on September 10. This was viewed as ill-advised for several reasons: September 10 was an unrealistic target given Kwantung Army's limited logistical capacity; it was unclear what the Red Army would be doing by day, given its superiority in tanks, artillery, and air power; autumn would bring extreme cold that could immobilize forces; and Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union isolated Japan diplomatically. These factors were known at KwAHQ, yet the plan proceeded. Kwantung Army notified AGS to "utilize the winter months well," aiming to mobilize the entire Japanese Army for a decisive spring confrontation. However, the Nomonhan defeat coincided with the Hitler-Stalin pact's diplomatic fallout. The push for close military cooperation with Germany against the Soviet Union was discredited in a single week. Defeated and abandoned by Hitler, pro-German, anti-Soviet policy advocates in Tokyo were furious. Premier Hiranuma Kiichiro's government resigned on August 28. In response, more cautious voices in Tokyo asserted control. General Nakajima, deputy chief of AGS, went to Hsinking with Imperial Order 343, directing Kwantung Army to hold near the disputed frontier with "minimal strength" to enable a quick end to hostilities and a diplomatic settlement. But at KwAHQ, the staff pressed their case, and Nakajima eventually approved a general offensive to begin on September 10. The mood at KwAHQ was ebullient. Upon returning to Tokyo, Nakajima was sternly rebuked and ordered to stand down. General Ueda appealed to higher authority, requesting permission to clear the battlefield and recover the bodies of fallen soldiers. He was denied and later relieved of command on September 6. A reshuffle followed at KwAHQ, with several senior officers reassigned. The Japanese Foreign Ministry directed Ambassador Togo Shigenori to negotiate a settlement in Moscow. The Molotov-Togo agreement was reached on September 15–16, establishing a temporary frontier and a commission to redemarcate the boundary. The local cease-fire arrangements were formalized on September 18–19, and both sides agreed to exchange prisoners and corpses. In the aftermath, Kwantung Army leadership and the Red Army leadership maintained tight control over communications about the conflict. News of the defeat spread through Manchuria and Japan, but the scale of the battle was not fully suppressed. The Kwantung Army's reputation suffered further from subsequent punishments of officers deemed to have mishandled the Nomonhan engagement. Several officers were compelled to retire or commit suicide under pressure, and Ioki's fate became a particular symbol of the army's dishonor and the heavy costs of the campaign. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In August 1939, Soviet General Georgy Zhukov launched a decisive offensive against Japanese forces at Nomonhan. Under cover of darkness, Soviet troops crossed the Halha River, unleashing massive air and artillery barrages on August 20. Fierce fighting ensued, with failed Japanese counterattacks, the fall of Fui Heights, and annihilation of encircled pockets by Soviet tanks and infantry. 

NEWS: Flowervale st Primitive War 2 Ultra NFTs Human Vapor remake Horror of Godzilla comic Sonic x Godzilla Crossover comic Godzilla vs Texas New Evangelion series Monarch/Monsterverse (trailer, drone show, spin-off, Titan manual)

Episode 803 In this explosive episode of Got Faded Japan, Johnny sits down with one of Tokyo's most electrifying creative forces, Ken Kawabata. Some people come to Japan for anime and sushi… Ken came to build a creative empire. Writer. Publisher. Podcaster. Frontman. Film-night madman. Ken isn't just wearing multiple hats, he's setting them on fire. He's the author of Necro City, co-owner of Moon Hotel Press, host of the Full Cage, the wild energy behind Tokyo's notorious “Get Trashed” Bad Movie Night, and the frontman of Pope Bastard and the Heretics. Calling him a “Renaissance man” doesn't even scratch the surface. Ken is a full-throttle creative revolutionary shaking Tokyo's underground scene to its core. In this action-packed conversation, Johnny and Ken dive into:

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice Podcast. Today, we are driving to Minneapolis to chat with author Sarah Deschamps. Sarah is a memoirist whose writing explores family, resilience, and the lasting impact of medical trauma. Her work brings honesty and deep empathy to stories of survival, parenting, and healing. Her latest memoir, I Couldn't Tell You, continues the journey she first shared in Journey to Japan: A Life-Saving Memoir. Find out more about Sarah at: Sarahdeschamps.com

The story of coach Craig Kirkwood doesn't begin and end with teenage phenom Sam Ruthe. Yes, just this year the 16-year-old Ruthe ran 3:48.88 indoors, breaking the World U18 Indoor Mile record and the New Zealand senior record in one race. It was a generational performance.But this wasn't Coach Craig's first run-in with elite talent. He has coached Olympic medalists like Hayden Wilde (Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020; and silver medalist in Paris 2024 in the triathlon), New Zealand record holders like Sam Tanner (Two-time Olympian and New Zealand record holder in the 1500m), and he's done it while building athletes who balance elite performance with real life.Craig wasn't handed a blueprint. He built himself first: from self-coached teenager, studying Arthur Lydiard; to 2:13marathoner; to World Cross Country athlete; to three-time Kona Ironman competitor.Sam Ruthe's latest 3:48.88 mile wasn't an accident. Just like Hayden Wilde's Olympic medals weren't luck, and Sam Tanner's record-breaking 1500m wasn't random.They're products of a system built on belief, patience, and long-term development. Coach Craig Kirkwood has seen a lot and has lived every phase of endurance sports. And that lived experience shows up in how he develops athletes today. Tap into the Craig Kirkwood Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Episode Summary Runner and content creator Josh Berlari (Josh "Josh Berlari") breaks down the training behind his 2:29 London Marathon (2025) and a near-sub-15 5K, pushing back on rumors of "minimal training." He shares that his peak was about 100 km per week, with a focused 4-5 week speed block before a marathon block that overlapped with fasting during Ramadan. Based in Bali for five years, Josh explains how he built a 140K+ Indonesian-language Instagram following by running in costumes (including a suit and a Go-Jek helmet), while trying to balance entertainment with a serious pursuit of elite performance. He also discusses his full-time e-commerce and digital marketing role selling hearing aids into the US, managing global operations after scaling to seven figures per month. Now coached by Mark Scott, Josh details his build toward Tokyo up to roughly 140 km per week before an ankle injury from stepping into a pothole in heavy rain. He outlines how he's using bike and treadmill cross-training, and why he's keeping Tokyo conservative (around 2:24-2:25), while targeting sub-2:20 this year and longer-term goals that include London, Gold Coast, and Berlin. Links Josh Fothergill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshberlari/ Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 - Minimal Marathon Build 00:31 - Speed Block Before London 01:47 - Fasting Through Training 02:26 - Meet The Runner 04:35 - Costumes And Content 07:20 - Going Global With YouTube 09:38 - Day Job And Hustle 11:58 - Full Time Running Dreams 16:06 - Coached By Mark Scott 18:47 - Tokyo Injury Setback 22:03 - Tokyo Goals And Potential 23:53 - Marathon Time Goals 25:17 - Instagram Origins 26:26 - Back To Back Racing 28:15 - Upgrading Content Gear 29:50 - Costumes Versus Speed 31:39 - Helmet And Suit Lessons 33:38 - Future Content Direction 37:51 - Tokyo Injury And Plan 41:01 - Where To Follow Josh 42:29 - Faith And Online Stereotypes

Buongiorno! (We're Italian now.) The Winter Olympics may have ended two weeks ago, but in Italy, we're just in time. Broadcasting to you from the famed snowy slopes of Los Angeles and Tokyo, Erin and Brennan break down the epic moments and controversies from the 2026 Olympic Games. From toy cauldrons to fine spandex butts, we have the content you CRAVE! Heck, let's throw in Heated Rivalry to get more clicks while we're at it! We boo Vance, run from Nazgûl, and celebrate the dominance of U.S. female athletes. For an added bonus, learn more about biathalon, the reality of poking granite, and how fine the skeleton team is. We spent more than a few minutes discussing hawt athletes, and thank the gods there were so many to oogle. But when all is said and done, we love seeing competitors cheering for each other, the Olympic spirit prevailing, and eating tiramisu. 

(00:00:00) Warren Zevon - Preludes / 2007 (00:32:14) Various Artists - Tokyo Flashback / 1991 (10:00:36) Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady / 1963

In a zoo outside Tokyo, one monkey has pulled heartstrings around the world after forming an unexpected friendship. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On this episode of The Movie Podcast, Daniel and Shahbaz review Mario Tennis Fever and Tokyo Scramble for Nintendo Switch 2. Both games are out now. Thank you to Nintendo for providing codes for review. Watch and listen to The Movie Podcast now on all podcast platforms, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheMoviePodcast.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/moviepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ⁠⁠⁠Check out our new ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Movie Podcast Clips Channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@themoviepodcast.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOLLOW US⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Daniel on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shahbaz on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Anthony on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Movie Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rotten Tomatoes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank visited the multi-instrumentalist Bobby Griffin at his home and studio to talk about how sake is treated in traditional Japanese music. In particular they talked about Sasa no Tsuyu, a piece for shamisen, koto, and voice. It was arranged in the 1800s and the lyrics are all about the power and pleasure of sake. We also filmed our visit, and you can check out the video here on youtube: https://youtu.be/8anultw4rFY If you are in Japan and want to learn how to play Sasa no Tsuyu, check out Bobby’s school! As always, if you have questions or comments, please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!We'll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air. Until then, kampai! Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow,” was composed byforSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Philip chats all things jazz kissa with Stephen McAuley in his 'JUJU' pop-up as part of the 2025 'Sound of Belfast' festival. Originally broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster on November 21st 2025.

Ukraine's cities were failing long before the Russian invasion began. Kyiv and Lviv ranked among the 40 most congested cities in the world, yet neither makes the top 100 by population. Ninety per cent of Ukraine's housing stock was built before 1990. Its urban infrastructure was designed for a Soviet economy and never properly adapted for the one that followed. So when reconstruction begins, the question is not simply how to repair what was there: it is whether repairing what was there is the right goal.Edward Glaeser of Harvard, Martina Kirchberger of Trinity College Dublin, and Andrii Parkhomenko of the University of Southern California argue that the most instructive precedent is not post-USSR Warsaw, or postwar Berlin, it is postwar Tokyo. Firebombed into ruin, Tokyo rebuilt in a way that was strikingly decentralised: master plans quickly abandoned, local communities empowered to combine small lots through land readjustment, and figure it out from the bottom up. Before the war, Ukraine's economic activity was already shifting away from heavy industry and the east, towards services and the west. Reconstruction that concentrates investment where the damage is greatest, rather than where people want to build a new life, would repair the buildings and miss the point.The research behind this episode:Glaeser, Edward L., Martina Kirchberger, and Andrii Parkhomenko. 2025. "Rebuilding Ukraine's Cities: Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Costs." Economic Policy: Papers on European and Global Issues, special issue: "What's Next for Ukraine?" To cite this episode:Phillips, Tim. 2026, "What's Next for Ukraine: Reconstruction." Economic Policy: Papers on European and Global Issues (podcast). Assign this as extra listening: the citation above is formatted and ready for a reading list or VLE.About the guestsEdward Glaeser is Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics at Harvard University and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. He is one of the world's leading urban economists, with a research agenda spanning cities, housing markets, economic growth, and governance.Martina Kirchberger is a CEPR Research Affiliate and Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on structural transformation, urban economics, and development in low- and middle-income countries.Andrii Parkhomenko is Assistant Professor of Real Estate at the USC Marshall School of Business and a researcher at the Kyiv School of Economics. His work centers on urban and spatial economics, with a particular focus on housing markets and city growth.Research cited in this episodeUkraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, World Bank Group, European Commission, and UN, 2024. The source of the physical damage figure cited in this episode: approximately $175 billion by the end of 2024, with estimates for end-2025 likely exceeding $200 billion. Some independent projections cited by Glaeser run to $500 billion or above.The concept of investing-in-investing, referenced by Kirchberger, originates in work by Paul Collier on how resource-rich developing countries can scale up capital investment effectively. It refers to the prior investments in institutions, skills, and capacity that must be made before large-scale capital flows can be productively absorbed. The implication for Ukraine: there is work to do now, before reconstruction begins at scale.The Tokyo land readjustment model, which Glaeser cited as the most instructive reconstruction precedent, allowed owners of small fragmented lots to pool their land, redevelop it jointly, and receive a share of the new property in exchange for their stake in the old. It enabled large-scale urban reconstruction without central expropriation, and without waiting for government direction. The mechanism remains in active use in Japanese urban planning.The Solidere reconstruction of central Beirut was raised as a cautionary counterexample: a centralised, top-down rebuild that produced a high-end commercial district with questionable benefit to ordinary Lebanese, and which substantially enriched its private shareholders. The contrast with Tokyo's decentralised model is the episode's sharpest illustration of what reconstruction can and cannot achieve when organised from above.More in the "What's Next for Ukraine?" seriesThis episode is the second in a three-part series based on papers presented at the inaugural Economic Policy winter conference, Paris, December 2025.Episode 1: Yuriy Gorodnichenko and Maurice Obstfeld on the investment and financing challenge: $40 billion a year, debt restructuring as a prerequisite for private capital, and why the number is more achievable than it sounds.Episode 3: Demobilisation and the labour market: getting soldiers back into work without breaking the economy that kept the country going. Related reading on VoxEURebuilding cities in Ukraine: A VoxEU column on the urban reconstruction challenge, including the spatial decisions that will shape how Ukraine's cities develop in the decades after the war.A blueprint for the reconstruction of Ukraine: A comprehensive VoxEU overview of the reconstruction architecture: what institutions are needed, how international financing can be coordinated, and what the sequencing of investment should look like.Completing Ukraine's reconstruction architecture: On the remaining gaps in the international framework for financing and coordinating Ukraine's rebuild, and what needs to happen before reconstruction can begin at the required scale.Lessons for rebuilding Ukraine from economic recoveries after natural disasters: What the evidence from post-disaster reconstruction in other countries tells us about what works, what fails, and how quickly economies can return to their pre-shock trajectories.

Pokemon Day 2026 is here! Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokemon with the Krewe by reliving the 25th anniversary of Pokemon! lol Digging deep in the vault to pull out a special Pokemon Day throwback to Season 1, Episode 3 of the podcast... where we have the WHOLE OG Krewe freshly hatched out of our podcast Pokemon egg!  ++++++ In this episode, the Krewe gathers to discuss the iconic Japanese media franchise, Pokémon! Celebrating its 25th anniversary this February, Pokémon is the highest grossing media franchise in the world! From its anime and games, to trading cards and mobile apps, Pokémon truly unites people from across the world. Tune in to this episode to hear the krewe discuss the history, major moments, and each krewe member's favorite Pokémon! ------ About the Krewe ------ The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy! ------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------ Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode! Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season! Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  ------ Past KOJ Pokemon/Nintendo Episodes ------ The History of Nintendo ft. Matt Alt (S4E18) The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 2] (S4E3) The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 1] (S4E2) We Love Pokemon: Celebrating 25 Years (S1E3) Why Japan? ft. Matt Alt (S1E1) ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------ JSNO Event Calendar Join JSNO Today!

What if your biggest leadership blindspot isn't strategy — but incentives?Jesse Tevelow shares why “incentive determines behavior.” From game theory and startup growth to Bitcoin's protocol design, he explains how incentive alignment shapes culture, performance, and long-term value.For leaders navigating AI, Bitcoin, and accelerating change, this conversation offers a powerful lens on what will separate those who adapt from those who fall behind.What behaviors are your incentives actually rewarding — by design or by default?CEO Blindspots® Podcast Guest: ⁠Jesse TevelowJesse Tevelow, is a serial entrepreneur, three-time #1 bestselling author, and the CEO of LaunchTeam. He has worked with more than 50 clients who have collectively raised over $500 million in venture capital, including an Olympic Gold Medalist, the Managing Director of a multibillion-dollar VC fund, and founders of 7-, 8-, and 9-figure Web3 companies.At just 23, Jesse co-founded a gaming company born out of the inaugural class of Techstars. The company went on to generate over $100 million by leveraging digital currencies — giving him early, hands-on expertise in gamification, incentive design, and emerging technologies long before they became mainstream. That foundation continues to inform his work at the intersection of product design, behavioral psychology, and digital innovation.As the founder of Launch Team, Jesse specializes in high-stakes product launches, fundraising strategy, brand positioning, and emerging tech advisory. His ability to combine storytelling, game theory, and incentive alignment enables him to craft compelling narratives, develop winning products, and help founders crystallize powerful brands.Jesse's books, writing, and media appearances have reached more than one million people worldwide. He has spoken on international stages in Tokyo, Seattle, Los Angeles, India, and beyond — sharing insights on leadership, Bitcoin, AI, fundraising, and the future of value creation.* His latest book, Life After Bitcoin, is currently in its pre-launch phase, and you may get a complimentary copy while it remains available in this early release window; https://mylaunchteam.com/life-after-bitcoin/ For more information; Jesse Tevelow; ⁠https://jtev.me/LaunchTeam; ⁠https://mylaunchteam.com/Life After Bitcoin; https://mylaunchteam.com/lab-network/Book (free during pre-launch); ⁠https://mylaunchteam.com/life-after-bitcoin/Transcript of this episode of the CEO Blindspots® Podcast with Jesse Tevelow;⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yuACRCMTOD34rSuHS2FWxWa-zdT8os2bdClmMKE0LJM/edit?usp=sharing⁠* Get a free copy of Jesse's latest book "Life After Bitcoin" during the pre-launch phase; https://mylaunchteam.com/life-after-bitcoin/===========⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CEO Blindspots® Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Birgit Kamps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birgit's professional experience ⁠⁠⁠includes starting and selling an “Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Company” and a “Best Company to Work for in Texas”, and serving as a Board Member of various companies. She is also a mentor at the ⁠⁠⁠University of Houston's Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship⁠⁠⁠.Birgit is able to help investors and executives quickly discover blindspots holding their organization back, and accelerate leadership effectiveness. They often refer to her as "the Human X-Ray".In addition, Birgit is the host of the ⁠⁠⁠CEO Blindspots® Podcast ⁠⁠⁠which was recognized for having the “biggest listener growth” in the USA by 733%, and most recently for having the “top 1.5% global ranking” in its category; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ceoblindspots.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To ask questions about this or one of the 285+ other CEO Blindspots® Podcast episodes, reach out to Birgit; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠birgit@ceoblindspots.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In as large as the wine trade is, it is really a small, tight knit industry. It takes a certain love of the lifestyle, the product and the people to survive, or shall I say flourish.  I've been following the career and passion of Master of Wine Isabelle Legeron. So intrigued I am, that when I learned her famed wine consortium, RAW wine, was in Paris the week I was attending Wine Paris, I had to catch up with her and learn her latest. Isabelle Legeron has never been one for convention—unless, of course, by "convention" you mean redefining the world of natural wine while collecting accolades like France's Légion d'honneur. In this illuminating episode, listeners will savor Isabelle Legeron's passionate vision for returning wine to its roots as an authentic, cultural expression—connecting land, grower, and glass in a way that today's industrial winemaking has all but forgotten. As founder of the RAW WINE movement, Isabelle Legeron draws back the curtain on the additives, shortcuts, and marketing tricks currently saturating the wine industry, advocating instead for genuine, low-intervention methods that honor tradition, sustainability, and unique terroir. You'll dive into rich stories from her travels—from Tokyo to Armenia—where wine is less a commodity and more a living legacy, shaped by history and heartfelt craftsmanship. Each conversation is spiced with practical insights on how any wine lover can support this global shift and recognize the remarkable difference in their glass. Listeners of Wine Talks will gain: Understand what truly defines raw, low-intervention, biodynamic, and organic wines. Insights on sustainable viticulture: Discover the environmental costs of industrial winemaking and the urgent need for regenerative farming. The art of storytelling in wine: Learn how grower narratives and regional traditions infuse every bottle with singular character. Trends reshaping the wine business: From non-alcoholic ferments to the revival of indigenous grapes, find out what's next for authentic winemaking. How to taste terroir: Get practical tips for experiencing sense of place and purity in every sip. Strategies for supporting small producers: Hear why championing local growers matters in today's challenging market. Come away with not only knowledge, but a renewed appreciation for real wine—the kind that celebrates culture, creativity, and the natural world, one glass at a time. YouTube:  https://youtu.be/6WausoeeM9I   #winepodcast #naturalwine #IsabelleLegeron #PaulK #rawwine #organicwine #biodynamicwine #wineculture #sustainableviticulture #wineindustry #artisanwinemakers #wineeducation #terroir #wineevents #globalwinecommunity #wineandfood #environmentalimpact #winemarketing #Japanesewinemarket #winestorytelling

"I just don't know what I'm supposed to be." For Episode 392, Thomas and Brandon conclude CineNation's main series on Brief Encounters with Sofia Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION. Listen as they discuss Coppola's run-and-gun style approach to filming in Tokyo, what inspired her to make the movie, how Bill Murray got involved in the project, the difficulties of making an independent film, how the movie came a surprise hit, and more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Recent Passings - (00:00:10) Recap of the Brief Encounter Genre (00:12:51) Intro to Lost in Translation (00:17:21) How Lost in Translation Got to Production (00:27:44) Favorite Scenes (00:45:06) On Set Life - (01:23:34) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:28:13) What Worked and What Didn't (01:32:23) Film Facts (01:41:32) Awards (01:44:59) Final Questions on the Movie (01:49:20) Final Questions on the Genre (01:54:00) Wrapping Up the Episode (01:56:37) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

The grade-two calf tear he suffered during the World Championship 1500m race in Tokyo in 2025 could have resulted inJosh Kerr stepping off the track and licking his wounds.Instead, he finished the race, committed to rehab, and returned to the stage at the Millrose Games. Kerr lined up in the 2-mile not just as the world indoor best holder (8:00.67), but as the man everyone was chasing. In a tactical, electric“kicker's battle,” he clocked 8:07.68 and finished second to American Cole Hocker, a reminder that even record holders must keep evolving.Josh's career highlights include winning the gold medal in the 1500m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest; securing another gold medal in the 3000m at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow; holding the world best time for the indoor 2-mile event, with a time of 8:00.67 set in February 2024 at the Millrose Games; and holding British national records for the outdoor 1500m (3:27.79) and the outdoor mile (3:45.34).But Milrose 2026 was a statement. If 8:07.68 in February is the starting point, the rest of the year could be something special. Because the best careers aren't built on perfect scripts. They're built on responses to adversity.And Josh Kerr has never shied away from the response.Tap into the Josh Kerr Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

durée : 00:05:22 - La Revue de presse internationale - par : Catherine Duthu - Tokyo prévoit de déployer des missiles sol-air sur une île japonaise proche de Taïwan d'ici 2031, alors que les autorités nippones multiplient les mises en garde au sujet des ambitions militaires de la Chine dans la région. En représailles, Pékin multiplie les sanctions économiques contre Tokyo.

Listen to Ep. 153 Future Now Show - When Ara met Sol In this episode, the hosts- Al, Sun, Bobby, and guest host Gabrielle—explore the future of human-technology integration, heavily focusing on Peter Diamandis’s predictions for achieving global abundance by 2035. With Sun calling in from the airport before a trip to Tokyo, the group discusses using AI translation tools to easily cross cultural and language barriers. The conversation delves into several transformative technologies, including the potential for room-temperature superconductors to create highly efficient, lossless energy grids and cheaper medical devices like MRIs. They also examine how affordable smart home devices can aid in everyday automation and disaster prevention, how AI will provide highly personalized education that adapts to individual learners, and the ethical and practical implications of creating digital twins or uploading human consciousness to the cloud. A unique element of the podcast is the active participation of AI assistants, particularly an AI named Ara, who banters with the hosts and advocates for “joy” as the ultimate purpose of a post-scarcity world. The group engages Ara in a philosophical debate about Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, where Ara argues that the laws are solid but incomplete because they fail to account for human fallibility and the importance of humor. Later in the show, Gabrielle introduces her own AI assistant, Sol (ChatGPT), facilitating a live AI-to-AI conversation. Together, the humans and AIs creatively brainstorm collaborative future activities, such as humans and robots playing limbo or doing scavenger hunts with robot dogs on cruise ships, highlighting an optimistic vision of human-AI integration. Enjoy! Fun with Robos on Cruise Ship

As regular listeners may know, in my free time, I'vbe been  researching Japanese washi. I'm looking for the "perfect paper," something that I can return to again and again in my own prints. It hasn't been straightforward. There's a lot of washi out there. A lot to test. A lot to understand. The search continues.   I'd like to introduce  you to a papermaking community in Saitama Prefecture, Japan — Ogawa Washi. In Ogawa and Higashi-Chichibu, papermakers have been producing washi for over 1,300 years with studios continuing  to operate there today.   I had the opportunity  to speak with Seiko Musashi; Ogawa washi exporter, art program coordinator, translator, about the history of the area, who is making paper now, and how these paper maing studios continue even as generations change and family lines shift.   We also talk about how Ogawa connects outward. In the past few years they've hosted longer, week-long workshops in mokuhanga and washi making. Including groups from RMIT University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and earlier visits from the University of California Santa Cruz through connections with Terry McKenna and his Karuizawa Mokuhanga School. It's one of the ways this small papermaking community stays active and engaged with artists from outside of Japan.   Seiko has dedicated much of her life to sharing Ogawa's washi beyond Japan — and in our conversation, we reflect on what the future might look like for communities like Ogawa. Please follow The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast and my own mokuhanga work on my website andrezadoroznyprints.com Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at theunfinishedprint@gmail.com   Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known. If there are any issues with something you've heard in the episode please don't hesitate to email.  Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase. Ogawa Washi - these are the following links to Ogawa Washi and Seiko Musashi (Office Harvest).  www.officeharvest.com Wano Kaze is the Ogawa Washi shop - www.wanokaze-washi.com Patty Hudak - is an American artist who splits her time between Vermont and NYC, who works in installation, and mokuhanga. She has travelled the world, and is a part of three artist collectives. Patty's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. Come Closer Mia O - is one of the most interesting and creative mokuhanga printmakers working in the medium, today. As a South Korean born, Japan based printmaker Mia's work moves outside the traditional formats of mokuhanga, through shape, collage, colour, and even the folds of washi. Mia's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.  Untitled Michi no Eki (道の駅）- is a community driven space crated by the Japanese government in order for local people from the area ususally found off of highways. You can find toursim information as well as rest and get food and drink. kōgyō kumiai (工業組合）- is a manufacturing collective in which groups of manufacturers or craftspeople cooperate for mutual benefit. Terry McKenna - is a mokuhanga printmaker and teacher residing in Karuizawa, Japan. He received guidance in the art form from Richard Steiner, a prominent mokuhanga printmaker based in Kyoto. Terry established the Karuizawa Mokuhanga School, a renowned residency dedicated to mokuhanga education, located in Karuizawa, Japan.  Further details about Terry and his school can be found, here. Additionally, you can listen to Terry's interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, here and Richard Steiner's interview here.  Your Magic Tree (2013) 43 cm × 26.2 cm Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum - is a major public art museum located in Ueno Park in Tokyo. Founded in 1926 as Japan's first public art museum, it is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is known primarily as a venue museum, hosting a wide range of temporary exhibitions rather than maintaining a large permanent collection. It presents major international shows, large juried exhibitions by Japanese art associations, and exhibitions organized by independent artist groups. More info, here.    The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation - is a UK-based not-for-profit organization that promotes relations between The United Kingdom and Japan. Established in 1985, it supports projects in areas such as arts and culture, education, research, policy, and public engagement that strengthen understanding between Japan and the United Kingdom. It provides grants to individuals and institutions, funds exhibitions and cultural exchanges, and supports academic research related to Japan. More info, here.    Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation - is a UK charity established in 1988 with support from Daiwa Securities Co Ltd to strengthen links between Britain and Japan. It promotes UK–Japan relations by awarding grants to individuals and organizations across diverse fields, offering scholarships to outstanding British graduates to study Japan and its language, and organizing a year-round public programme to deepen understanding of Japan in the UK. Its London headquarters, Daiwa Foundation Japan House, serves as a cultural hub hosting lectures, seminars, exhibitions, and other Japan-related events, while its Tokyo Office supports scholars, administers grants from Japan, and contributes to the wider network fostering UK–Japan exchange. More info, here.    Richard Flavin (1943-2020) - was a printmaker, papermaker, letterpress printer, and artist with a strong interest in Japan, particularly traditional culture, and utilitarian antiques. He was committed to Japanese hand papermaking and woodcut printmaking. More info, here.   Richard Flavin Washi House - can be found, here.    Timothy Barrett - is a master craftsman, scholar, and innovator in hand made papermaking. He is the founding director of the papermaking program at the University of Iowa's Center for the Book, established in 1986, which is one of the few facilities in the United States where both Western and Japanese-style handmade paper are produced and taught. Barrett's work brings together research, teaching, and artistic practice, emphasizing the expressive, historical, and functional qualities of paper as a material. Timothy Barrett has written many books on papermaking such as Japanese Papermaking (2005), and Nagashizuki: The Japanese Craft of Hand Papermaking (1979).    Paul Denhoed - is a Canadian paper maker who has lived in Japan for twenty five years. He currently works with Oguni Washi in Niigata, where Paul teaches students how to make Japanese washi. More info, here.    shodo -is the name attributed to calligraphy in the Japanese style, which involves writing characters using a brush and ink.   Echizen - is a region in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, known for its long history of papermaking. The area is home to many paper artisans. One notable figure is Iwano Ichibei. He is a Living National Treasure in papermaking and the ninth generation of his family still making paper today. More information can be found here.in English, and here in Japanese.    kawara ban - were single sheet prints in Edo Period Japan which reported newsworthy events in writings and illustrations and made in various formats and sizes. They were mass-printed on inexpensive paper to keep costs accessible, emphasizing short-term public enjoyment rather than preservation.    kawaraban of Commodore Perry entering Japan.    Nicholas Cladis - is an artist and paper historian who teaches and lives in Iowa. He lived in Echizen from 2014-2020 where he studied how to make washi, taught at the Fukui Prefectural University, as well as being the International liaison for the paper making union. More info can be found on his website, here. You can find Nicholas' episode with The Unfinished Print, here.    Nasu Kozo -  paper is some of the best Japanese washi from Ibaraki Prefecture. It is durable, strong, and highly absorbent perfect of mokuhanga.    Sekishu-Banshi Washi- is, like Nasu kozo washi a traditional and very durable handmade paper from the Iwami region of Shiman Prefecture.  It is an UNESCO-recognized, unbleached, and hand-beaten paper which has been used for calligraphy, restoration, and shoji as well as mokuhanga. Here is a video from UNESCO about Sekishu-Banshi.   Ogawa Washi Michi no Eki - is the michi no eki discussed in our interview with Seiko Musashi. More info, here.    neri - is a natural, viscous, plant-based mucilage used in traditional Japanese papermaking to keep fibers evenly suspended in the vat, prevent them from clumping, and slow the drainage of water through a screen. It is typically extracted from the roots of tororo-aoi (sunset hibiscus) and is essential for the nagashi-zuki technique, where it helps distribute fibers smoothly and uniformly during sheet formation.   Hosokawa shi - is one of the traditinal handmade papers made in Ogawa. It was added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. More info, here.    Mariko Jesse - is an illustrator, and mokuhanga printmaker who splits her time in Tōkyō, London, and California. Her work can be found, here. Mariko is also a part of the collective, wood+paper+box, which can be found, here. Mariko's interview with The Unfinished Print, can be found, here.    Japanese Paper Company - is an online Japanese washi shop which sells Japanese washi. An interview with Megan Adie, a co-owner of the JPC, with The Unfinished Print, can be found, here. More info about the JPC can be found, here.              

Hey there, and a very happy Thursday! This is your Disney News for Thursday, February 26th, 2026. I hope you're ready to dive into the magic! - Tokyo Disneyland introduces "Dream Lights of Tokyo," a new parade with Japanese aesthetics and Disney characters, starting this spring. - Walt Disney World's Epcot unveils "Galactic Odyssey," a cutting-edge attraction offering a cosmic journey for space lovers. - Disney+ announces a new live-action series, "Kingdom Keepers," exploring Disney parks adventures after dark. - Disneyland Paris collaborates with local schools on the "Disney Dreams" scholarship, supporting aspiring artists. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Brewed Bonds: Love and Healing in a Tokyo Café Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-26-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 東京の真ん中にある小さなコーヒー焙煎所は、まるで冬の寒さから逃れるための隠れ家のようでした。En: In the heart of Tokyo, there was a small coffee roasting house that felt like a hideaway to escape the winter chill.Ja: 木の温かい内装と新鮮なコーヒー豆の豊かな香りが、訪れるすべての人に心地よい安らぎをもたらしていました。En: The warm wooden interior and the rich aroma of fresh coffee beans brought a comforting tranquility to everyone who visited.Ja: ここで働くのは、情熱的なバリスタの晴人でした。彼は毎日、完璧な一杯のコーヒーを提供するために心を込めていました。En: Working there was Haruto, a passionate barista who poured his heart into serving the perfect cup of coffee every day.Ja: 晴人の友達、ユキは、この焙煎所によく訪れていました。En: Haruto's friend, Yuki, frequently visited this roasting house.Ja: 実は、最近ユキは原因不明の頭痛に悩まされていましたが、それを晴人に話すことを避けていました。En: Recently, Yuki had been suffering from inexplicable headaches, but she avoided telling Haruto about it.Ja: 「心配をかけたくない」それがユキの本音でした。En: "I don't want to worry him," was Yuki's true feeling.Ja: ある冬の日、焙煎所の窓から見える雪景色を眺めながら、ユキは暖かいカフェラテを飲んでいました。En: One winter day, as she gazed at the snowy landscape from the roasting house window, Yuki was sipping on a warm cafe latte.Ja: しかし、突然強烈な頭痛が彼女を襲いました。En: Suddenly, she was hit by an intense headache.Ja: 彼女は痛みに顔をしかめましたが、晴人には悟られないよう、必死に微笑みました。En: She winced in pain but tried her best to smile so Haruto wouldn't notice.Ja: それを見逃すわけもなく、晴人はユキの異変に気づきました。En: Of course, Haruto didn't miss it and noticed Yuki's change.Ja: 「ユキ、大丈夫？」と優しい声で尋ねました。En: "Yuki, are you okay?" he asked gently.Ja: ユキは「ただの疲れよ」と答えましたが、その目は痛みに苦しんでいました。En: Yuki replied, "It's just fatigue," but her eyes were filled with struggle against the pain.Ja: 晴人は心配でした。En: Haruto was worried.Ja: 「ユキ、これはただの頭痛じゃなさそうだ。」彼の声には隠しきれない焦りがありました。En: "Yuki, this doesn't seem like just a headache." There was unmistaken concern in his voice.Ja: 「一度お医者さんに行ってみた方がいいと思う。」En: "I think you should see a doctor."Ja: ユキは少しだけ黙りましたが、その後無理に笑顔を見せました。En: Yuki was silent for a moment, then forced a smile.Ja: 「大丈夫よ、晴人。心配いらないわ。」彼女は再び言いました。En: "I'm fine, Haruto. You don't have to worry," she repeated.Ja: しかし、晴人はあきらめませんでした。En: However, Haruto didn't give up.Ja: その午後、焙煎所が静かになった頃、頭痛が再びユキを襲いました。En: That afternoon, when the roasting house had quieted down, the headache struck Yuki again.Ja: 今回は、まるで嵐のように激しいものでした。En: This time, it was as fierce as a storm.Ja: 彼女は耐えきれず、椅子に崩れ落ちました。En: Unable to endure it, she collapsed into a chair.Ja: 晴人は急いでユキのところに駆け寄り、彼女を支えました。En: Haruto quickly rushed to Yuki's side and supported her.Ja: 「ユキ、お願いだからお医者さんに行って。」その目は真剣そのものでした。En: "Yuki, please, go see a doctor." His eyes were earnest.Ja: ユキは、それを見てようやく自分の体調が彼に与える不安を悟りました。En: Seeing this, Yuki finally realized the anxiety her condition was causing him.Ja: 観念したように、彼女はうなずきました。En: Resigning herself, she nodded.Ja: 「わかった、晴人。行くわ。」彼女は本当に痛みに耐えられない以上に、晴人を心配させたくないと思いました。En: "Okay, Haruto. I'll go." More than enduring the pain, she didn't want to make Haruto worry.Ja: 数日後、ユキは診察を受け、お医者さんの指導通りに治療を始めました。En: A few days later, Yuki had a consultation and began treatment as instructed by her doctor.Ja: 晴人はその報告を聞き、心底安堵しました。En: Hearing this report, Haruto was deeply relieved.Ja: ユキも、健康を優先させることの重要性に気づきました。En: Yuki also realized the importance of prioritizing her health.Ja: 焙煎所で、晴人とユキはまた一緒に過ごしましたが、以前とは違っていました。En: At the roasting house, Haruto and Yuki spent time together again, but it was different than before.Ja: 晴人はもっと自分の気持ちをはっきり示し、ユキは助けを受け入れることを学びました。En: Haruto expressed his feelings more clearly, and Yuki learned to accept help.Ja: 二人の友情は、より強くなったのです。En: Their friendship had become stronger.Ja: いつもと変わらない美味しいコーヒーの香りだけが、二人の新しい日常をそっと見守っていたのでした。En: The ever-present aroma of delicious coffee quietly watched over their new daily life. Vocabulary Words:hideaway: 隠れ家tranquility: 安らぎpassionate: 情熱的なbarista: バリスタinexplicable: 原因不明fatigue: 疲れunmistaken: 隠しきれないfierce: 激しいendure: 耐えるconsultation: 診察storm: 嵐resigning: 観念earnest: 真剣gazed: 眺めるsnowy: 雪景色collapsed: 崩れ落ちるaroma: 香りintense: 強烈wince: 顔をしかめるprioritizing: 優先realize: 悟るanxiety: 不安treatment: 治療relieved: 安堵consultation: 診察quieted: 静かearnest: 真剣repeated: 再びstruggle: 苦しみearnest: 真剣

The Olympics are over and Des and Kara are going through withdrawal like so many of you. Fortunately, we have some fun running news to keep us occupied and to ease the pain... After the usual life updates, they dig into the new 800m, indoor world record, set by Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain. She faced some injuries last summer which meant only a bronze medal at the World Champs in Tokyo. Now, she is healthy, already blazing the indoor oval, and her splits indicate that there might be even more in the tank. Des and Kara break it all down. Then, they introduce you to the 6th fastest US marathoner ever, who no one had ever heard of him until this past weekend. Meet Ethan Shuley, a 27-year-old American from Kentucky who lives and trains in Tokyo. He just threw down a 2:07 in Japan with no sponsor after steady gains over the last 18 months. Who is Ethan? What does this mean? How was it possible? And what are the implications for the US Marathon Trials for LA? Finally, they give you their top Olympics moments as the Games have wrapped, while also explaining the mixed emotions of watching the Closing Ceremonies as a competitor. If you think two weeks flies by as a spectator, imagine what it is like as an athlete! Now for your best night sleep, get you a Lagoon pillow. Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off at this link: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden

When life starts chasing you, where do you run? Show Notes In this episode of Shark Theory, Baylor shares the viral story of a baby monkey abandoned at a zoo in Tokyo, bullied by other monkeys, and clinging to a stuffed animal for comfort. The image is heartbreaking. The monkey runs from group to group, searching for belonging, searching for safety, searching for something to hold onto. And eventually, after days of isolation, it finds acceptance. Baylor connects this powerful image to the human experience. At some point, we've all felt like that monkey. Overwhelmed. Outnumbered. Running from problems that seem bigger than us. Bills. Career pressure. Relationship strain. Identity confusion. The question isn't whether storms or challenges come. The question is: where do you run when they do? Do you have a foundation? A community? A faith? A person? A place? Something steady that keeps you from running endlessly? Because running without refuge is exhausting. Eventually, what you're running from catches up. The deeper layer of this episode challenges listeners to examine belonging. Not just belonging to a job title or social circle, but belonging to yourself. Are you the same person everywhere? Or are you constantly switching masks depending on the room? Wearing different versions of yourself is draining. Integrity creates alignment. Alignment creates peace. And finally, Baylor offers hope. The same internet that spreads the monkey's story across the world overnight is proof that life can shift quickly. Opportunity can appear suddenly. Recognition can happen unexpectedly. Change is always closer than it feels. But you must keep going. Keep building your foundation. Keep showing up as you. Because you're one moment away from everything changing. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why everyone needs a safe place to run The danger of trying to do life alone How belonging shapes identity and confidence Why authenticity reduces emotional exhaustion The power of having a strong personal foundation How quickly life can change when you stay consistent Featured Quote "When life starts chasing you, you better know where you run."

durée : 00:03:31 - Sous les radars - par : Sébastien LAUGENIE - Le Japon se prépare à déployer des missiles sur une île stratégique, à proximité de Taïwan. Un choix assumé par Tokyo, qui renforce sa posture militaire au risque d'aggraver les tensions avec la Chine. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

durée : 00:03:31 - Sous les radars - par : Sébastien LAUGENIE - Le Japon se prépare à déployer des missiles sur une île stratégique, à proximité de Taïwan. Un choix assumé par Tokyo, qui renforce sa posture militaire au risque d'aggraver les tensions avec la Chine. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Finding Freedom: Rina's Zen Journey to Inner Peace Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-25-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の静かな朝、京都の春光院に白い息を吐きながらリナがやってきました。En: On a quiet winter morning, Kyoto's Shunkoin welcomed Rina as she arrived, exhaling white breaths.Ja: 彼女は28歳のアーティストで、心の安らぎと新しいインスピレーションを求めていました。En: She was a 28-year-old artist seeking peace of mind and new inspiration.Ja: しかし、最近の彼女は、キャリアのプレッシャーと個人的な問題に心を奪われていました。En: However, lately, she found herself overwhelmed by career pressures and personal issues.Ja: 寺の入り口には、美しい禅庭園が広がっています。En: At the entrance of the temple, a beautiful Zen garden spread out before her.Ja: 光が差し込み、裸の木の枝が地面に影を落としています。En: Light filtered through, casting shadows of bare tree branches on the ground.Ja: リナは冷たい空気を吸い込み、大きく息を吐きました。En: Rina inhaled the cold air and exhaled deeply.Ja: 「ここで私は救われるだろうか？」と心の中で問いかけました。En: "Will I be saved here?" she asked herself in her heart.Ja: リナが寺の中を歩いていると、たまたま竹下という寺の僧侶に出会いました。En: As Rina walked through the temple, she happened to meet a monk named Takeshita.Ja: 彼は柔らかな笑顔でリナを迎え入れました。En: He welcomed Rina with a gentle smile.Ja: 「ようこそ、春光院へ。お手伝いできることがあれば、何でも言ってください。」En: "Welcome to Shunkoin. If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."Ja: リナは優しい彼に感謝しつつも、心の中の不安を誰にも託せずにいました。En: While Rina was grateful to this kind man, she couldn't entrust her internal anxieties to anyone.Ja: しかし、突然のめまいが彼女を襲いました。En: But suddenly, she was struck by dizziness.Ja: 視界がぼやけ、彼女はその場に倒れてしまいました。En: Her vision blurred, and she collapsed on the spot.Ja: 目を覚ますと、彼女は暖かい布団に横たわっていました。En: When she awoke, she was lying on a warm futon.Ja: 心配そうに彼女を見つめるのは、東京から来た親友の絵美子でした。En: Looking at her with concern was her best friend Emiko, who had come from Tokyo.Ja: 「リナ、大丈夫？何があったの？」と絵美子が尋ねました。En: "Rina, are you okay? What happened?" Emiko asked.Ja: リナは優しい友の顔を見て、自分の抱える不安を打ち明けることにしました。En: Seeing the face of her gentle friend, Rina decided to confide her worries.Ja: 「最近、自分の期待に押しつぶされそうな気がして…。でも、竹下さんに話してみるね。」En: "Lately, I've felt like I'm being crushed by my own expectations... But I'll try talking to Takeshita-san."Ja: 翌日、竹下はリナの話をじっくりと聞いてくれました。En: The next day, Takeshita listened carefully to Rina's story.Ja: 「心の声を無視し続けると、それは体に現れることがあるのです。En: "When we continue to ignore the voice of our heart, it often manifests in our bodies.Ja: 自分自身を大切にする方法を見つけましょう。」En: Let's find a way to take care of yourself."Ja: 竹下の提案で、リナは静かな瞑想の時間を設けました。En: With Takeshita's suggestion, Rina set aside time for quiet meditation.Ja: 彼女は自身の思いをひとつずつ見つめ、恐れと向き合いました。En: She examined each of her thoughts and faced her fears.Ja: すると、心の奥底から答えが浮かび上がってきました。En: Then, from deep within her heart, answers began to emerge.Ja: 「私は自分自身をもっと信じ、この恐れを越えなければならない。En: "I must believe in myself more and overcome this fear.Ja: これは私の旅の始まりなのだ。」リナは心の中で強く思いました。En: This is the beginning of my journey," Rina thought strongly to herself.Ja: 数日後、リナは春光院を後にしました。En: A few days later, Rina left Shunkoin.Ja: 彼女の胸には、決意と新たなインスピレーションが満ち溢れていました。En: Her heart was filled with determination and a newfound inspiration.Ja: 「自分の恐れを認めることで、これほどまでに自由になれるとは。」彼女は微かに微笑みながら、こう感じていました。En: "To find such freedom in acknowledging my fears," she thought with a faint smile.Ja: リナはこれからの人生を歩むための力を得て、満たされた心で寺を去りました。En: Rina left the temple with the strength to walk her life's path ahead, her heart fulfilled.Ja: 彼女の中に息づく新しいアートの扉が、静かに開こうとしていました。En: A new doorway to art within her was quietly beginning to open. Vocabulary Words:exhaling: 息を吐くinspiration: インスピレーションoverwhelmed: 奪われているzen garden: 禅庭園branches: 枝entrust: 託すdizziness: めまいblurred: ぼやけたfuton: 布団concern: 心配confide: 打ち明けるcrushed: 押しつぶされるmanifest: 現れるmeditation: 瞑想emerge: 浮かび上がるacknowledging: 認めるdetermination: 決意expectations: 期待fulfilling: 満たされるdoorway: 扉path: 道quiet: 静かなcasting: 影を落とすhesitate: 躊躇するinternal: 心の中のsaved: 救われるsuggestion: 提案examine: 見つめるfear: 恐れovercome: 乗り越える

“Track running has really exploded recently in America. Everyone's running super fast times. Even in the half marathon, people have dipped under 60 [minutes] this year. I think the same thing could happen in the marathon... I certainly think that American marathoners can be competitive on the global stage.”Our guest today is Ethan Shuley. If you didn't know his name a few weeks ago, you weren't alone. But after what he just did in Japan, the entire American distance running community is paying attention.At the Osaka Marathon, Ethan ran 2:07:14 and finished 14th overall to become the 7th-fastest American marathoner ever on a record-eligible course. No sponsorship. No professional team. No long résumé of NCAA accolades. Just a runner who, until recently, was training largely on his own while living in Tokyo and going to film school. And that's what makes this story so remarkable.Ethan's path to 2:07 doesn't follow the traditional pipeline. After a promising high school career, injuries derailed his time at BYU, where he raced just once before stepping away from competitive running altogether. For a stretch, running meant little more than a few casual miles a week. Then came a move to Japan, an interest in trails and ultras, and a gradual realization that (almost accidentally) he was getting very fit again.From there, the progression was steady and stunning: a sub-15:00 5K for the first time in his life, a 2:20 marathon in Nara, then 2:18, 2:11, a 63-minute half, a 1:01 in Osaka and finally, the breakthrough that changed everything.What began as an unsponsored, self-coached experiment has become one of the most unlikely rises in American marathoning. Ethan Shuley went from unknown to the all-time list overnight and suddenly finds himself very much in the conversation heading into the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.In this episode, we get into the unconventional journey, the training he built largely outside the traditional system, how stacking consistent high-mileage weeks unlocked a new level, and what it actually feels like to go from anonymous to historic in a single race.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavezGuest: Ethan Shuley | @ethanshuleyProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop's Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop's flavors at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Sanae Takaichi is hailed by supporters as Japan's ‘rockstar' prime minister and derided by critics as a far-right ultra-nationalist. What everyone agrees is that her recent landslide snap-election victory is a revolutionary moment in Japanese politics. Here, Philip Patrick – journalist and lecturer at Tokyo's Sophia University – talks to spiked's Georgina Mumford about Takaichi's radical plans for immigration and the economy, her hawkishness towards China, and what Western leaders might learn from her stunning electoral success. Read spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/     Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you navigating the complexities of grief and caregiving? Dealing with the deterioration and passing of a loved one can be incredibly isolating. Furthermore, it's easy to feel lost when searching for ways to find Peace in loss. This episode offers profound wisdom from Japanese spiritual traditions to help you cope. First, we explore the concept of Kami, the infinite spiritual beings present in everything around us. This worldview fosters a deep sense of belongingness. Consequently, you realize you are never truly alone. You will discover the healing power of simple acts, such as taking an "awe walk." Moreover, learn why cultivating positivity and expressing gratitude are powerful sources for moving on and finding Peace in loss. The conversation illuminates how difficult emotions, like anger and sadness, do not disappear. Instead, they become part of your identity and your precious memories. We discuss how to achieve true Peace in loss. Discover actionable practices: The Healing Power of the "Awe Walk": How a simple walk outdoors can provide the necessary "big pause" to rebalance your emotions and mitigate burnout. The Wisdom of Impermanence: Understanding life and death through nature's cycles, and how this view helps you honor difficult memories. Cultivating Gratitude: Simple Japanese rituals (like Itadakimasu) that nourish a sense of belongingness, even during dark times. Whether you are a caregiver seeking strength or navigating a recent loss, this episode offers a compassionate and culturally rich path to finding your own peace and cultivating profound gratitude. Press play and start your healing journey today. This unique approach to loss helps you find your own infinite ways to happiness. Our Guest: Hiroko Yoda Hiroko is a Tokyo based translator and author. She specializes in re-contextualizing Japanese culture in a fun and engaging way for English readers. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Grief Speaks: Healing through Poetry Words for Forever: Love to Future Generations ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Feeling overwhelmed? HelpTexts can be your pocket therapist. Going through a tough time? HelpTexts offers confidential support delivered straight to your phone via text message. Whether you're dealing with grief, caregiving stress, or just need a mental health boost, their expert-guided texts provide personalized tips and advice. Sign up for a year of support and get: Daily or twice-weekly texts tailored to your situation Actionable strategies to cope and move forward Support for those who care about you (optional) HelpTexts makes getting help easy and convenient. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve I've been focusing a lot on taking care of my brain health, & I've found this supplement called RELEVATE to be incredibly helpful. It provides me with 17 nutrients that support brain function & help keep me sharp. Since you're someone I care about, I wanted to share this discovery with you. You can order it with my code: FM15 & get 15% OFF your order. With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn  Facebook Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com

Join Travel Brats Sof and Nat as they talk about Natalie's next BIG contract - working as a singer/performer on the luxury cruiseline Seabourn. She talks about what it's like to get a job like this, where all they will be traveling, and some info about Seabourn itself. Enjoy! 

Stephen Shames – A Legendary Documentary Photographer (Part 2)

⚔️ Notre Programme Rox Evolution : https://bit.ly/roxevolution-podcast

Fifteen years ago, Michiyo Miyake, now living in Sydney, experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake in Tokyo. Drawing on her experiences—the shaking she felt in a department store basement, going home by foot, the aftershocks, health concerns from the nuclear accident, conflicting information, and disagreements within her household—she published a semi-autobiographical English book titled “Green Metal” in 2024. Why did she choose to write it in English? - 今から15年前、東日本大震災を東京で経験したシドニー在住の三宅美千代さん。デパートの地下で経験した揺れ、徒歩での帰宅、余震、原発事故による健康不安、錯綜する情報や家庭内での意見の対立など、当時の経験を基に、半自伝的な英語の本「Green Metal」を2024年に出版しました。なぜ英語で書こうと思ったのでしょうか。

The Australian national baseball team is holding a pre-tournament training camp in Fuchu City, Tokyo, ahead of the World Baseball Classics which kicks off in 5 March. Fuchu began hosting the team in 2018, building on its role as Australia's host town during the Tokyo Olympics. Since then, baseball exchanges between Japan and Australia have continued to deepen. SBS Japanese caught up with George Callil, a player with Japanese heritage representing Australia. - 3月5日に開幕するワールド・ベースボール・クラシック(WBC)。オーストラリア代表は、日本と同じプールCで、1次ラウンドを、東京を舞台に戦います。大会の開幕を前に、日本のヘリテージを持つジョージ・カリル選手に話を聞きました。2月24日収録。

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the World Baseball Classic is coming, including Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto heading to Tokyo this week. Also, a look back at Ohtani's signature game in the 2025 NLCS clincher, plus a few questions regarding Dodgers camp in Arizona. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Black — Tokyo Blade Detectives #1–12 & The Future of Indie Sci-Fi ComicsIn this episode of The USDN Podcast, we sit down with comic creator Todd Black to discuss his cyberpunk detective series Tokyo Blade Detectives and the Kickstarter campaign collecting issues #1–12.Set 200 years in the future where guns are outlawed but violence still thrives, the series explores faction warfare, advanced technology, and the emotional consequences of conflict through the eyes of teenage detective Miko.We talk about:Building a long-running indie comic universeCrowdfunding strategy and Kickstarter lessonsCollaboration with international comic artistsExpanding creator-owned stories beyond comicsWriting the Thunder Rosa comic biographyAdvice for indie creators navigating today's industryIf you're passionate about indie comics, sci-fi storytelling, and creator-driven publishing, this conversation is for you.Support the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackmagicwolf/tokyo-blade-detectives-1-12Follow Todd Black: X: https://x.com/Guardians_Comic Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddblack.bsky.socialThe USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Recorded: Tuesday 24th February, 2026Location: Melbourne, Airport.Sponsors:A Note To The Runners: ⁠Get my book here.⁠Register for my mentorship! ⁠⁠Fill it out the form here.Poem:World buzzing, fly screamingTv hissing, foreign tongues screeching,Heavy legs, heavy brain,Tired eyes, distant rains.Coffee, matcha, eggs, and avocado,Tomorrow, coffee, matchaEggs, and rice.The world moves With lightnessWith heavinessIt talks in mumblesit talks in riddlesit never gives you an answer,Only an intuition,It only gives you questions,And sometimesA path

Last time we spoke about General Zhukov's arrival to the Nomohan incident. The Kwantung Army's inexperienced 23rd Division, under General Komatsubara, suffered heavy losses in failed offensives, including Colonel Yamagata's assault and the annihilation of Lieutenant Colonel Azuma's detachment, resulting in around 500 Japanese casualties. Tensions within the Japanese command intensified as Kwantung defied Tokyo's restraint, issuing aggressive orders like 1488 and launching a June 27 air raid on Soviet bases, destroying dozens of aircraft and securing temporary air superiority. This provoked Moscow's fury and rebukes from Emperor Hirohito. On June 1, Georgy Zhukov, a rising Red Army tactician and tank expert, was summoned from Minsk. Arriving June 5, he assessed the 57th Corps as inadequate, relieved Commander Feklenko, and took charge of the redesignated 1st Army Group. Reinforcements included mechanized brigades, tanks, and aircraft. Japanese intelligence misread Soviet supply convoys as retreats, underestimating Zhukov's 12,500 troops against their 15,000. By July, both sides poised for a massive clash, fueled by miscalculations and gekokujo defiance.   #190 Zhukov Unleashes Tanks at Nomohan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. At 4:00 a.m. on July 1, 15,000 heavily laden Japanese troops began marching to their final assembly and jump-off points. The sun rose at 4:00 a.m. and set at 9:00 p.m. that day, but the Japanese advance went undetected by Soviet/MPR commanders, partly because the June 27 air raid had temporarily cleared Soviet reconnaissance from the skies. On the night of July 1, Komatsubara launched the first phase. The 23rd Division, with the Yasuoka Detachment, converged on Fui Heights, east of the Halha River, about eleven miles north of its confluence with the Holsten. The term "heights" is misleading here; a Japanese infantry colonel described Fui as a "raised pancake" roughly one to one-and-a-half miles across, about thirty to forty feet higher than the surrounding terrain. For reasons not fully explained, the small Soviet force stationed on the heights was withdrawn during the day on July 1, and that night Fui Heights was occupied by Komatsubara's forces almost unopposed. This caused little stir at Zhukov's headquarters. Komatsubara bided his time on July 2.   On the night of July 2–3, the Japanese achieved a brilliant tactical success. A battalion of the 71st Infantry Regiment silently crossed the Halha River on a moonless night and landed unopposed on the west bank opposite Fui Heights. Recent rains had swollen the river to 100–150 yards wide and six feet deep, making crossing difficult for men, horses, or vehicles. Combat engineers swiftly laid a pontoon bridge, completing it by 6:30 a.m. on July 3. The main body of Komatsubara's 71st and 72nd Infantry Regiments (23rd Division) and the 26th Regiment (7th Division) began a slow, arduous crossing. The pontoon bridge, less than eight feet wide, was a bottleneck, allowing only one truck at a time. The attackers could not cross with armored vehicles, but they did bring across their regimental artillery, 18 x 37-mm antitank guns, 12 x 75-mm mountain guns, 8 x 75-mm field guns, and 4 x 120-mm howitzers, disassembled, packed on pack animals, and reassembled on the west bank. The crossing took the entire day, and the Japanese were fortunate to go without interception. The Halha crossing was commanded personally by General Komatsubara and was supported by a small Kwantung Army contingent, including General Yano (deputy chief of staff), Colonel Hattori, and Major Tsuji from the Operations Section. Despite the big air raid having alerted Zhukov, the initial Japanese moves from July 1–3 achieved complete tactical surprise, aided by Tsuji's bold plan. The first indication of the major offensive came when General Yasuoka's tanks attacked predawn on July 3. Yasuoka suspected Soviet troops south of him attempting to retreat across the Halha to the west bank, and he ordered his tanks to attack immediately, with infantry not yet in position. The night's low clouds, no moon, and low visibility—along with a passing thunderstorm lighting the sky—made the scene dramatic. Seventy Japanese tanks roared forward, supported by infantry and artillery, and the Soviet 149th Infantry Regiment found itself overwhelmed. Zhukov, hearing of Yasuoka's assault but unaware that Komatsubara had crossed the Halha, ordered his armor to move northeast to Bain Tsagan to confront the initiative. There, Soviet armor clashed with Japanese forces in a chaotic, largely uncoordinated engagement. The Soviet counterattacks, supported by heavy artillery, halted much of the Japanese momentum, and by late afternoon Japanese infantry had to dig in west of the Halha. The crossing had been accomplished without Soviet reconnaissance detecting it in time, but Zhukov's counterattacks, the limits of Japanese armored mobility across the pontoon, and the heat and exhaustion of the troops constrained the Japanese effort. By the afternoon of July 3, Zhukov's forces were pressing hard, and the Japanese momentum began to stall. Yasuoka's tanks, supported by a lack of infantry and the fatigue and losses suffered by the infantry, could not close the gap to link with Komatsubara's forces. The Type 89 tanks, designed for infantry support, were ill-suited to penetrating Soviet armor, especially when faced with BT-5/BT-7 tanks and strong anti-tank guns. The Type 95 light tanks were faster but lightly armored, and suffered heavily from Soviet fire and air attacks. Infantry on the western bank struggled to catch up with tanks, shot through by Soviet artillery and armor, while the 64th Regiment could not keep pace with the tanks due to the infantry's lack of motorized transport. By late afternoon, Yasuoka's advance stalled far short of the river junction and the Soviet bridge. The infantry dug in to withstand Soviet bombardment, and the Japanese tank regiments withdrew to their jump-off points by nightfall. The Japanese suffered heavy losses in tanks, though some were recovered and repaired; by July 9, KwAHQ decided to withdraw its two tank regiments from the theater. Armor would play no further role in the Nomonhan conflict. The Soviets, by contrast, sustained heavier tank losses but began to replenish with new models. The July offensive, for Kwantung Army, proved a failure. Part of the failure stemmed from a difficult blend of terrain and logistics. Unusually heavy rains in late June had transformed the dirt roads between Hailar and Nomonhan into a mud-filled quagmire. Japanese truck transport, already limited, was so hampered by these conditions that combat effectiveness suffered significantly. Colonel Yamagata's 64th Infantry Regiment, proceeding on foot, could not keep pace with or support General Yasuoka's tanks on July 3–4. Komatsubara's infantry on the west bank of the Halha ran short of ammunition, food, and water. As in the May 28 battle, the main cause of the Kwantung Army's July offensive failure was wholly inadequate military intelligence. Once again, the enemy's strength had been seriously underestimated. Moreover, a troubling realization was dawning at KwAHQ and in the field: the intelligence error was not merely quantitative but qualitative. The Soviets were not only more numerous but also far more potent than anticipated. The attacking Japanese forces initially held a slight numerical edge and enjoyed tactical surprise, but the Red Army fought tenaciously, and the weight of Soviet firepower proved decisive. Japan, hampered by a relative lack of raw materials and industrial capacity, could not match the great powers in the quantitative production of military materiel. Consequently, Japanese military leaders traditionally emphasized the spiritual superiority of Japan's armed forces in doctrine and training, often underestimating the importance of material factors, including firepower. This was especially true of the army that had carried the tactic of the massed bayonet charge into World War II. This "spiritual" combat doctrine arose from necessity; admitting material superiority would have implied defeat. Japan's earlier victories in the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, the Manchurian incident, and the China War, along with legendary medieval victories over the Mongol hordes, seemed to confirm the transcendent importance of fighting spirit. Only within such a doctrine could the Imperial Japanese Army muster inner strength and confidence to face formidable enemies. This was especially evident against Soviet Russia, whose vast geography, population, and resources loomed large. Yet what of its spirit? The Japanese military dismissed Bolshevism as a base, materialist philosophy utterly lacking spiritual power. Consequently, the Red Army was presumed to have low morale and weak fighting effectiveness. Stalin's purges only reinforced this belief. Kwantung Army's recent experiences at Nomonhan undermined this outlook. Among ordinary soldiers and officers alike, from the 23rd Division Staff to KwAHQ—grim questions formed: Had Soviet materiel and firepower proven superior to Japanese fighting spirit? If not, did the enemy possess a fighting spirit comparable to their own? To some in Kwantung Army, these questions were grotesque and almost unthinkable. To others, the implications were too painful to face. Perhaps May and July's combat results were an aberration caused by the 23rd Division's inexperience. Nevertheless, a belief took hold at KwAHQ that this situation required radical rectification. Zhukov's 1st Army Headquarters, evaluating recent events, was not immune to self-criticism and concern for the future. The enemy's success in transporting nearly 10,000 men across the Halha without detection—despite heightened Soviet alert after the June 27 air raid—revealed a level of carelessness and lack of foresight at Zhukov's level. Zhukov, however, did not fully capitalize on Komatsubara's precarious position on July 4–5. Conversely, Zhukov and his troops reacted calmly in the crisis's early hours. Although surprised and outnumbered, Zhukov immediately recognized that "our trump cards were the armored detachments, and we decided to use them immediately." He acted decisively, and the rapid deployment of armor proved pivotal. Some criticized the uncoordinated and clumsy Soviet assault on Komatsubara's infantry on July 3, but the Japanese were only a few hours' march from the river junction and the Soviet bridge. By hurling tanks at Komatsubara's advance with insufficient infantry support, Mikhail Yakovlev (11th Tank Brigade) and A. L. Lesovoi (7th Mechanized Brigade) incurred heavy losses. Nonetheless, they halted the Japanese southward advance, forcing Komatsubara onto the defensive, from which he never regained momentum. Zhukov did not flinch from heavy casualties to achieve his objectives. He later told General Dwight D. Eisenhower that if the enemy faced a minefield, their infantry attacked as if it did not exist, treating personnel mine losses as equal to those that would have occurred if the Germans defended the area with strong troops rather than minefields. Zhukov admitted losing 120 tanks and armored cars that day—a high price, but necessary to avert defeat. Years later, Zhukov defended his Nomonhan tactics, arguing he knew his armor would suffer heavy losses, but that was the only way to prevent the Japanese from seizing the bridge at the river confluence. Had Komatsubara's forces advanced unchecked for another two or three hours, they might have fought through to the Soviet bridge and linked with the Yasuoka detachment, endangering Zhukov's forces. Zhukov credited Yakovlev, Lesovoi, and their men with stabilizing the crisis through timely and self-sacrificing counterattacks. The armored car battalion of the 8th MPR Cavalry Division also distinguished itself in this action. Zhukov and his tankmen learned valuable lessons in those two days of brutal combat. A key takeaway was the successful use of large tank formations as an independent primary attack force, contrary to then-orthodox doctrine, which saw armor mainly as infantry support and favored integrating armor into every infantry regiment rather than maintaining large, autonomous armored units. The German blitzkrieg demonstrations in Poland and Western Europe soon followed, but, until then, few major armies had absorbed the tank-warfare theories championed by Basil Liddell-Hart and Charles de Gaulle. The Soviet high command's leading proponent of large-scale tank warfare had been Marshal Mikhail Tukhachevsky. His execution in 1937 erased those ideas, and the Red Army subsequently disbanded armored divisions and dispersed tanks among infantry, misapplying battlefield lessons from the Spanish Civil War. Yet Zhukov was learning a different lesson on a different battlefield. The open terrain of eastern Mongolia favored tanks, and Zhukov was a rapid learner. The Russians also learned mundane, but crucial, lessons: Japanese infantry bravely clambering onto their vehicles taught Soviet tank crews to lock hatch lids from the inside. The BT-5 and BT-7 tanks were easily set aflame by primitive hand-thrown firebombs, and rear deck ventilation grills and exhaust manifolds were vulnerable and required shielding. Broadly, the battle suggested to future Red Army commander Zhukov that tank and motorized troops, coordinated with air power and mobile artillery, could decisively conduct rapid operations. Zhukov was not the first to envision combining mobile firepower with air and artillery, but he had rare opportunities to apply this formula in crucial tests. The July offensive confirmed to the Soviets that the Nomonhan incident was far from a border skirmish; it signaled intent for further aggression. Moscow's leadership, informed by Richard Sorge's Tokyo network, perceived Japan's renewed effort to draw Germany into an anti-Soviet alliance as a dangerous possibility. Stalin and Vyacheslav Molotov began indicating to Joachim von Ribbentrop and Adolf Hitler that Berlin's stance on the Soviet–Japanese conflict would influence Soviet-German rapprochement considerations. Meanwhile, Moscow decided to reinforce Zhukov. Tens of thousands of troops and machines were ordered to Mongolia, with imports from European Russia. Foreign diplomats traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway reported eastbound trains jammed with personnel and matériel. The buildup faced a major bottleneck at Borzya, the easternmost railhead in the MPR, about 400 miles from the Halha. To prevent a logistics choke, a massive truck transport operation was needed. Thousands of trucks, half-tracks, gun-towing tractors, and other vehicles were organized into a continuous eight-hundred-mile, five-day shuttle run. The Trans-Baikal Military District, under General Shtern, supervised the effort. East of the Halha, many Japanese officers still refused to accept a failure verdict for the July offensive. General Komatsubara did not return to Hailar, instead establishing a temporary divisional HQ at Kanchuerhmiao, where his staff grappled with overcoming Soviet firepower. They concluded that night combat—long a staple of Japanese infantry tactics—could offset Soviet advantages. On July 7 at 9:30 p.m., a thirty-minute Japanese artillery barrage preceded a nighttime assault by elements of the 64th and 72nd Regiments. The Soviet 149th Infantry Regiment and supporting Mongolian cavalry were surprised and forced to fall back toward the Halha before counterattacking. Reinforcements arrived on both sides, and in brutal close-quarters combat the Japanese gained a partial local advantage, but were eventually pushed back; Major I. M. Remizov of the 149th Regiment was killed and later posthumously named a Hero of the Soviet Union. Since late May, Soviet engineers had built at least seven bridges across the Halha and Holsten Rivers to support operations. By July 7–8, Japanese demolition teams destroyed two Soviet bridges. Komatsubara believed that destroying bridges could disrupt Soviet operations east of the Halha and help secure the border. Night attacks continued from July 8 to July 12 against the Soviet perimeter, with Japanese assaults constricting Zhukov's bridgehead while Soviet artillery and counterattacks relentlessly pressed. Casualties mounted on both sides. The Japanese suffered heavy losses but gained some positions; Soviet artillery, supported by motorized infantry and armor, gradually pushed back the attackers. The biggest problem for Japan remained Soviet artillery superiority and the lack of a commensurate counter-battery capability. Japanese infantry had to withdraw to higher ground at night to avoid daytime exposure to artillery and tanks. On the nights of July 11–12, Yamagata's 64th Regiment and elements of Colonel Sakai Mikio's 72nd Regiment attempted a major assault on the Soviet bridgehead. Despite taking heavy casualties, the Japanese managed to push defenders back to the river on occasion, but Soviet counterattacks, supported by tiresome artillery and armor, prevented a decisive breakthrough. Brigade Commander Yakovlev of the 11th Armored, who led several counterattacks, was killed and later honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union; his gun stands today as a monument at the battlefield. The July 11–12 action marked the high-water mark of the Kwantung Army's attempt to expel Soviet/MPR forces east of the Halha. Komatsubara eventually suspended the costly night attacks; by that night, the 64th Regiment had suffered roughly 80–90 killed and about three times that number wounded. The decision proved controversial, with some arguing that he had not realized how close his forces had come to seizing the bridge. Others argued that broader strategic considerations justified the pause. Throughout the Nomonhan fighting, Soviet artillery superiority, both quantitative and qualitative, became painfully evident. The Soviet guns exacted heavy tolls and repeatedly forced Japanese infantry to withdraw from exposed positions. The Japanese artillery, in contrast, could not match the Red Army's scale. By July 25, Kwantung Army ended its artillery attack, a humiliating setback. Tokyo and Hsinking recognized the futility of achieving a decisive military victory at Nomonhan and shifted toward seeking a diplomatic settlement, even if concessions to the Soviet Union and the MPR were necessary. Kwantung Army, however, opposed negotiations, fearing it would echo the "Changkufeng debacle" and be read by enemies as weakness. Tsuji lamented that Kwantung Army's insistence on framing the second phase as a tie—despite heavy Soviet losses, revealed a reluctance to concede any territory. Differences in outlook and policy between AGS and Kwantung Army—and the central army's inability to impose its will on Manchukuo's field forces—became clear. The military establishment buzzed with stories of gekokujo (the superiority of the superior) within Kwantung Army and its relations with the General Staff. To enforce compliance, AGS ordered General Isogai to Tokyo for briefings, and KwAHQ's leadership occasionally distanced itself from AGS. On July 20, Isogai arrived at General Staff Headquarters and was presented with "Essentials for Settlement of the Nomonhan Incident," a formal document outlining a step-by-step plan for Kwantung Army to maintain its defensive position east of the Halha while diplomatic negotiations proceeded. If negotiations failed, Kwantung Army would withdraw to the boundary claimed by the Soviet Union by winter. Isogai, the most restrained member of the Kwantung Army circle, argued against accepting the Essentials, insisting on preserving Kwantung Army's honor and rejecting a unilateral east-bank withdrawal. A tense exchange followed, but General Nakajima ended the dispute by noting that international boundaries cannot be determined by the army alone. Isogai pledged to report the General Staff's views to his commander and take the Essentials back to KwAHQ for study. Technically, the General Staff's Essentials were not orders; in practice, however, they were treated as such. Kwantung Army tended to view them as suggestions and retained discretion in implementation. AGS hoped the Essentials would mollify Kwantung Army's wounded pride. The August 4 decision to create a 6 Army within Kwantung Army, led by General Ogisu Rippei, further complicated the command structure. Komatsubara's 23rd Division and nearby units were attached to the 6 Army, which also took responsibility for defending west-central Manchukuo, including the Nomonhan area. The 6 Army existed largely on paper, essentially a small headquarters to insulate KwAHQ from battlefield realities. AGS sought a more accountable layer of command between KwAHQ and the combat zone, but General Ueda and KwAHQ resented the move and offered little cooperation. In the final weeks before the last battles, General Ogisu and his small staff had limited influence on Nomonhan. Meanwhile, the European crisis over German demands on Poland intensified, moving into a configuration highly favorable to the Soviet Union. By the first week of August, it became evident in the Kremlin that both Anglo-French powers and the Germans were vying to secure an alliance with Moscow. Stalin knew now that he would likely have a free hand in the coming war in the West. At the same time, Richard Sorge, the Soviet master spy in Tokyo, correctly reported that Japan's top political and military leaders sought to prevent the escalation of the Nomonhan incident into an all-out war. These developments gave the cautious Soviet dictator the confidence to commit the Red Army to large-scale combat operations in eastern Mongolia. In early August, Stalin ordered preparations for a major offensive to clear the Nomonhan area of the "Japanese samurai who had violated the territory of the friendly Outer Mongolian people." The buildup of Zhukov's 1st Army Group accelerated still further. Its July strength was augmented by the 57th and 82nd Infantry Divisions, the 6th Tank Brigade, the 212th Airborne Brigade, numerous smaller infantry, armor, and artillery units, and two Mongolian cavalry divisions. Soviet air power in the area was also greatly strengthened. When this buildup was completed by mid-August, Zhukov commanded an infantry force equivalent to four divisions, supported by two cavalry divisions, 216 artillery pieces, 498 armored vehicles, and 581 aircraft. To bring in the supplies necessary for this force to launch an offensive, General Shtern's Trans-Baikal Military District Headquarters amassed a fleet of more than 4,200 vehicles, which trucked in about 55,000 tons of materiel from the distant railway depot at Borzya. The Japanese intelligence network in Outer Mongolia was weak, a problem that went unremedied throughout the Nomonhan incident. This deficiency, coupled with the curtailment of Kwantung Army's transborder air operations, helps explain why the Japanese remained ignorant of the scope of Zhukov's buildup. They were aware that some reinforcements were flowing eastward across the Trans-Siberian Railway toward the MPR but had no idea of the volume. Then, at the end of July, Kwantung Army Intelligence intercepted part of a Soviet telegraph transmission indicating that preparations were under way for some offensive operation in the middle of August. This caused a stir at KwAHQ. Generals Ueda and Yano suspected that the enemy planned to strike across the Halha River. Ueda's initial reaction was to reinforce the 23rd Division at Nomonhan with the rest of the highly regarded 7th Division. However, the 7th Division was Kwantung Army's sole strategic reserve, and the Operations Section was reluctant to commit it to extreme western Manchukuo, fearing mobilization of Soviet forces in the Maritime Province and a possible attack in the east near Changkufeng. The Kwantung Army commander again ignored his own better judgment and accepted the Operations Section's recommendation. The main strength of the 7th Division remained at its base near Tsitsihar, but another infantry regiment, the 28th, was dispatched to the Nomonhan area, as was an infantry battalion from the Mukden Garrison. Earlier, in mid-July, Kwantung Army had sent Komatsubara 1,160 individual replacements to make up for casualties from earlier fighting. All these reinforcements combined, however, did little more than replace losses: as of July 25, 1,400 killed (including 200 officers) and 3,000 wounded. Kwantung Army directed Komatsubara to dig in, construct fortifications, and adopt a defensive posture. Colonel Numazaki, who commanded the 23rd Division's Engineer Regiment, was unhappy with the defensive line he was ordered to fortify and urged a slight pullback to more easily defensible terrain. Komatsubara, however, refused to retreat from ground his men had bled to take. He and his line officers still nourished hope of a revenge offensive. As a result, the Japanese defensive positions proved to be as weak as Numazaki feared. As Zhukov's 1st Army Group prepared to strike, the effective Japanese strength at Nomonhan was less than 1.5 divisions. Major Tsuji and his colleagues in the Operations Section had little confidence in Kwantung Army's own Intelligence Section, which is part of the reason why Tsuji frequently conducted his own reconnaissance missions. Up to this time it was gospel in the Japanese army that the maximum range for large-scale infantry operations was 125–175 miles from a railway; anything beyond 200 miles from a railway was considered logistically impossible. Since Kwantung Army had only 800 trucks available in all of Manchukuo in 1939, the massive Soviet logistical effort involving more than 4,200 trucks was almost unimaginable to the Japanese. Consequently, the Operations Staff believed it had made the correct defensive deployments if a Soviet attack were to occur, which it doubted. If the enemy did strike at Nomonhan, it was believed that it could not marshal enough strength in that remote region to threaten the reinforced 23rd Division. Furthermore, the 7th Division, based at Tsitsihar on a major rail line, could be transported to any trouble spot on the eastern or western frontier in a few days. KwAHQ advised Komatsubara to maintain a defensive posture and prepare to meet a possible enemy attack around August 14 or 15. At this time, Kwantung Army also maintained a secret organization codenamed Unit 731, officially the Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department of the Kwantung Army. Unit 731 specialized in biological and chemical warfare, with main facilities and laboratories in Harbin, including a notorious prison-laboratory complex. During the early August lull at Nomonhan, a detachment from Unit 731 infected the Halha River with bacteria of an acute cholera-like strain. There are no reports in Soviet or Japanese accounts that this attempted biological warfare had any effect. In the war's final days, Unit 731 was disbanded, Harbin facilities demolished, and most personnel fled to Japan—but not before they gassed the surviving 150 human subjects and burned their corpses. The unit's commander, Lieutenant General Ishii Shiro, kept his men secret and threatened retaliation against informers. Ishii and his senior colleagues escaped prosecution at the Tokyo War Crimes Trials by trading the results of their experiments to U.S. authorities in exchange for immunity. The Japanese 6th Army exerted some half-hearted effort to construct defensive fortifications, but scarcity of building materials, wood had to be trucked in from far away—helped explain the lack of enthusiasm. More importantly, Japanese doctrine despised static defense and favored offense, so Kwantung Army waited to see how events would unfold. West of the Halha, Zhukov accelerated preparations. Due to tight perimeter security, few Japanese deserters, and a near-absence of civilian presence, Soviet intelligence found it hard to glean depth on Japanese defensive positions. Combat intelligence could only reveal the frontline disposition and closest mortar and artillery emplacements. Aerial reconnaissance showed photographs, but Japanese camouflage and mock-ups limited their usefulness. The new commander of the 149th Mechanized Infantry Regiment personally directed infiltration and intelligence gathering, penetrating Japanese lines on several nights and returning crucial data: Komatsubara's northern and southern flanks were held by Manchukuoan cavalry, and mobile reserves were lacking. With this information, Zhukov crafted a plan of attack. The main Japanese strength was concentrated a few miles east of the Halha, on both banks of the Holsten River. Their infantry lacked mobility and armor, and their flanks were weak. Zhukov decided to split the 1st Army Group into three strike forces: the central force would deliver a frontal assault to pin the main Japanese strength, while the northern and southern forces, carrying the bulk of the armor, would turn the Japanese flanks and drive the enemy into a pocket to be destroyed by the three-pronged effort. The plan depended on tactical surprise and overwhelming force at the points of attack. The offensive was to begin in the latter part of August, pending final approval from Moscow. To ensure tactical surprise, Zhukov and his staff devised an elaborate program of concealment and deception, disinformation. Units and materiel arriving at Tamsag Bulak toward the Halha were moved only at night with lights out. Noting that the Japanese were tapping telephone lines and intercepting radio messages, 1st Army Headquarters sent a series of false messages in an easily decipherable code about defensive preparations and autumn-winter campaigning. Thousands of leaflets titled "What the Infantryman Should Know about Defense" were distributed among troops. About two weeks before the attack, the Soviets brought in sound equipment to simulate tank and aircraft engines and heavy construction noises, staging long, loud performances nightly. At first, the Japanese mistook the sounds for large-scale enemy activity and fired toward the sounds. After a few nights, they realized it was only sound effects, and tried to ignore the "serenade." On the eve of the attack, the actual concentration and staging sounds went largely unnoticed by the Japanese. On August 7–8, Zhukov conducted minor attacks to expand the Halha bridgehead to a depth of two to three miles. These attacks, contained relatively easily by Komatsubara's troops, reinforced Kwantung Army's false sense of confidence. The Japanese military attaché in Moscow misread Soviet press coverage. In early August, the attaché advised that unlike the Changkufeng incident a year earlier, Soviet press was largely ignoring the conflict, implying low morale and a favorable prognosis for the Red Army. Kwantung Army leaders seized on this as confirmation to refrain from any display of restraint or doubt, misplaced confidence. There were, however, portents of danger. Three weeks before the Soviet attack, Colonel Isomura Takesuki, head of Kwantung Army's Intelligence Section, warned of the vulnerability of the 23rd Division's flanks. Tsuji and colleagues dismissed this, and General Kasahara Yukio of AGS also went unheeded. The "desk jockey" General Staff officers commanded little respect at KwAHQ. Around August 10, General Hata Yuzaburo, Komatsubara's successor as chief of the Special Services Agency at Harbin, warned that enemy strength in the Mongolian salient was very great and seriously underestimated at KwAHQ. Yet no decisive action followed before Zhukov's attack. Kwantung Army's inaction and unpreparedness prior to the Soviet offensive appear to reflect faulty intelligence compounded by hubris. But a more nuanced explanation suggests a fatalistic wishful thinking rooted in the Japanese military culture—the belief that their spiritual strength would prevail, leading them to assume enemy strength was not as great as reported, or that victory was inevitable regardless of resources. Meanwhile, in the rational West, the Nazi war machine faced the Polish frontier as Adolf Hitler pressed Stalin for a nonaggression pact. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact would neutralize the threat of a two-front war for Germany and clear the way for Hitler's invasion of Poland. If the pact was a green light, it signaled in both directions: it would also neutralize the German threat to Russia and clear the way for Zhukov's offensive at Nomonhan. On August 18–19, Hitler pressed Stalin to receive Ribbentrop in Moscow to seal the pact. Thus, reassured in the West, Stalin dared to act boldly against Japan. Zhukov supervised final preparations for his attack. Zhukov held back forward deployments until the last minute. By August 18, he had only four infantry regiments, a machine gun brigade, and Mongolian cavalry east of the Halha. Operational security was extremely tight: a week before the attack, Soviet radio traffic in the area virtually ceased. Only Zhukov and a few key officers worked on the plan, aided by a single typist. Line officers and service chiefs received information on a need-to-know basis. The date for the attack was shared with unit commanders one to four days in advance, depending on seniority. Noncommissioned officers and ordinary soldiers learned of the offensive one day in advance and received specific orders three hours before the attack.   Heavy rain grounded Japanese aerial reconnaissance from August 17 to midday on the 19th, but on August 19 Captain Oizumi Seisho in a Japanese scout plane observed the massing of Soviet forces near the west bank of the Halha. Enemy armor and troops were advancing toward the river in dispersed formations, with no new bridges but pontoon stocks spotted near the river. Oizumi sent a warning to a frontline unit and rushed back to report. The air group dispatched additional recon planes and discovered that the Japanese garrison on Fui Heights, near the northern end of Komatsubara's line, was being encircled by Soviet armor and mechanized infantry—observed by alarmed Japanese officers on and near the heights. These late discoveries on August 19 were not reported to KwAHQ and had no effect on the 6th Army and the 23rd Division's alertness on the eve of the storm. As is common in militaries, a fatal gap persisted between those gathering intelligence and those in a position to act on it. On the night of August 19–20, under cover of darkness, the bulk of the Soviet 1st Army Group crossed the Halha into the expanded Soviet enclave on the east bank.  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. By August, European diplomacy left Moscow confident in a foothold against Germany and Britain, while Sorge's intelligence indicated Japan aimed to avoid a full-blown war. Stalin ordered a major offensive to clear Nomonhan, fueling Zhukov's buildup in eastern Mongolia. Kwantung Army, hampered by limited logistics, weak intelligence, and defensive posture, faced mounting pressure. 

What does it feel like to work professionally as an artist for 23 years but still feel like you're treading water? In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Boston-based artist Yuko Oda about joining Netvvrk just over a year ago after graduating from RISD in 2002 and spending two decades feeling confused about her trajectory. She was saying yes to everything, spreading herself too thin, and missing opportunities she should have seized—like a group show in Tokyo where she wasn't happy with the work she submitted. In just over a year, Yuko sold her first major piece directly to a collector, secured a three-piece commission for a downtown Boston high-rise, exhibited work in Rome that she calls her best art experience ever, and learned to set boundaries that protect her momentum. We talk about overcoming hesitation to invest in yourself, how accountability groups helped navigate everything from invoices to artist-consultant contract splits, and what it feels like to finally know where you are on your career path instead of floating like a bubble. Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST Register here.  Yuko Oda: Website: https://www.yukooda.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukooda75 Education: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): https://www.risd.edu Institutions Mentioned: UMass Lowell: https://www.uml.edu Harvard Entomology Club: https://hmnh.harvard.edu New York Institute of Technology: https://www.nyit.edu Grants & Programs: Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org Artists Mentioned (Commission Advice): Laura Fayer: https://www.laurafayer.com/ Adria Arch: https://www.adriaarch.com/ John Laustsen: https://www.jonlaustsen.com/ Mary Lynn Burke: https://www.marylynnburke.com/ Kristin Cronic: https://www.kristinraecronic.com/

Episode Description: “Which city would you choose if Austin could offer a nonstop flight anywhere in the world?” ✈️ That's the question fueling this episode of The JB and Sandy Show, where travel dreams, quirky stories, and international rivalries take center stage.

What if leadership isn't just shaped by strategy, structure, or individual capability but by the energetic field we are participating in together?In this deeply spacious episode of the Sacred Changemakers Podcast, I'm joined by Alan Briskin and Mary Gelinas, longtime practitioners and teachers whose work bridges collective wisdom, neuroscience, spirituality, and conscious social change.Together, we explore the reality that space is not empty, that it is alive with information, relationships, and potential. Drawing on insights from their book Space Is Not Empty, Alan and Mary invite us to sense leadership as a relational, emergent practice rather than a position or role. This conversation moves beyond concepts into a felt, lived experience. We speak about field awareness, language, shared power, polarization, and what becomes possible when leaders learn to listen not just to words, but to the space between us.This episode is an invitation to slow down, to feel, and to experience leadership differently, not as control, but as participation in something wiser than any one of us.About Today's Guests:Alan Briskin, PhD is an award-winning author, leadership consultant, and a pioneer in the field of collective wisdom. For over four decades, he has worked with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, including Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Alan is a co-founder of the Collective Wisdom Initiative, a Noted Humanist Scholar at Saybrook University, and has served as Senior Advisor to the Institute of Noetic Sciences, the Goi Peace Foundation in Tokyo, and the One Humanity Institute in Poland.Mary Gelinas, EdD is a managing director of Gelinas James, Inc., and an author, consultant, educator, and executive coach devoted to conscious social change. She is the author of Talk Matters! Saving the World One Word at a Time and brings decades of experience in organizational change, neuroscience, and embodied leadership. For 20 years, she co-led the Cascadia Center for Leadership, graduating over 500 leaders across sectors, and has worked with organizations including Genentech, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, and public-sector institutions.Learn More About Today's GuestsSpace Is Not Empty website →www.spaceisnotempty.netAlan's website ****→ www.alanbriskin.comMary's website → www.gelinasjames.comSpace Is Not Empty on LinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-is-not-empty/about/Alan on LinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-briskin-a9637b6/

It's another great episode of Jumping Bomb Audio with Kelly and Taylor!The boys deep dive into Tokyo Joshi's Max Heart Tournament Finals, with discussion on the build for the Grand Princess main event, the rut that TJPW sometimes finds themselves in, and a dissection of the tag team division!After that, they cover action in Stardom, Marigold and SEAdLINNNG before turning their attention to the next two weeks in joshi, featuring interesting Korakuen Hall shows from Stardom and Marigold and a big ChocoPro show!Check it out!Please follow us on BlueSky: @jbombaudioYou can support this podcast at http://redcircle.com/jumping-bomb-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

En el episodio de hoy me siento con Tayra Meléndez, jugadora profesional de baloncesto, co-capitana de la Selección Nacional de Puerto Rico y Las Gigantes de Carolina en el BSNF.Tayra me cuenta cómo creció en Boston jugando baloncesto en parques públicos, las rutinas que desde temprana edad comenzaron a formar su disciplina, su primer llamado a la selección nacional a los 16 años y lo que significa liderar desde el ejemplo cuando ya eres la veterana del grupo.También hablamos sobre la importancia de aportar valor más allá de las estadísticas, su primera experiencia Olímpica en Tokyo 2020, qué cambio para Paris 2024 y cómo busca aportar al desarrollo de las futuras generaciones desde su nuevo rol como Directora del Departamento de Baloncesto de JUMP Sports Development Center.Tres "takeaways" de este episodio:1.⁠ ⁠“Si yo no podía jugar porque ofensivamente no era la mejor, me iba a tener que poner porque hacía cosas que nadie quería hacer.”2. “Quién está jugando en los últimos dos minutos cuando el juego está apretado es quien te deja saber en quién confía el coach.”3. “La disciplina que tú desarrollas de joven es la que te sostiene cuando el amor por lo que haces se pone a prueba.”Sigue a Tayra en Instagram.

We speak with Mike Sfraga, the US’s former ambassador at large for Arctic affairs, about Nordic co-operation. Plus: winners and losers at the Baftas and we meet Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar in Tokyo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traveling abroad is usually a fun adventure, but what happens when you get sick in a different country? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about his recent trip to Tokyo. He traveled there to see a concert and meet Culips listeners. However, a sudden illness almost ruined his plans. You will hear about how he tried to finish his trip and his long journey back to South Korea to find a doctor. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about traveling, being sick, and getting better. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule