Podcasts about Japanese

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We are so thrilled to be back talking about Star Wars Visions: Volume 3! This is one of our favorite projects from Lucasfilm, and we have been looking forward to diving back into the creative and wonderful world of Visions! Tune in to hear:  Our discussion of shorts from Japanese animation houses such as: david production, Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA, Kinema citrus Co., Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, and WIT STUDIO. Which of these shorts stood out to us the most visually?  The “Star Wars Feeling” and how that pertains to the overall Star Wars Visions project The themes prevalent in this volume, how it compares to previous ones, and what that says about the saga as a whole plus how these stories come from a distinctly Japanese cultural lens.  Notably tidbits from Charlotte's early screening and director Q&A for The Duel: Payback.  Which of the shorts are our favorites from this volume?  …and much, much more!  Join our Patreon community and unlock bonus episodes + more! Our website! Follow us on Twitter/X @skytalkerspod Follow us on TikTok @skytalkers Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram @skytalkerspodcast Follow Charlotte on Twitter/X @crerrity Follow Caitlin on Twitter/X @caitlinplesher Email us! hello@skytalkers.com For ad inquiries please email: skytalkers@58ember.com Please note this Episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this Episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's story: The White Lotus may be fictional, but the luxury hotels in the show are real—and they're getting a lot more attention. All three seasons of the HBO hit show "The White Lotus" were filmed at Four Seasons resorts. It all started with a risky bet during the pandemic, but now the hotel chain is finally embracing its onscreen fame.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/815Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/815 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.--Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/joinHere's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | EmailMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Eze 14:12-16:41, Heb 7:18-28, Ps 106:1-12, Pr 27:4-6

On a cold November evening in 1986, a Japan Airlines cargo flight became the center of one of the most credible and mysterious UFO encounters ever recorded. In this episode, we dive into the strange and chilling story of Japan Airlines Flight 1628, a routine journey that turned into a 30-minute chase across the skies of Alaska.At the controls that night was Captain Kenju Terauchi, a seasoned pilot and former fighter aviator with nearly three decades of experience. Alongside him were his co-pilot, Takanori Tamefuji, and flight engineer Yoshio Tsukuba. Their mission was simple: fly from Paris to Tokyo, with a stop in Anchorage. Everything was calm until 5:11 p.m., when the captain spotted two bright lights about thirty degrees to the left and slightly below their Boeing 747.The lights didn't behave like normal aircraft. They mirrored the plane's speed and direction perfectly. For several minutes, the crew watched as the lights danced alongside them, until they suddenly darted forward and stopped just outside the cockpit windows. The cabin filled with a warm amber glow. The captain described feeling the “heat of the light” on his face and seeing two square-shaped objects about fifty meters across, each with rows of bright circular lights.When the co-pilot called Anchorage Air Traffic Control to ask about nearby traffic, controllers reported nothing in the area. Yet the crew insisted they were seeing two objects less than a mile away. Their radio began to fill with static whenever the lights approached, a strange interference that made communication nearly impossible.Minutes later, the objects disappeare, but radar at Anchorage picked up something unusual trailing the Japanese flight. The military command center at NORAD's Regional Operations Command also confirmed radar returns that matched what the crew was reporting. At one point, the object appeared on three separate radar systems at once, yet none of them could identify what it was.As the plane neared Fairbanks, Alaska, Captain Terauchi saw something even large, a massive, dark shape hovering in the distance. He described it as a “gigantic spaceship,” nearly twice the size of an aircraft carrier. Terrified, he requested permission to change course. Air traffic control agreed, and the captain took sharp turns and dropped altitude, trying to get away. But the unidentified object seemed to follow, matching every move.When Anchorage offered to scramble military jets, the captain refused, fearing an escalation. Moments later, the object vanished from view. A nearby United Airlines flight and a military aircraft were redirected to confirm the sighting, but by the time they arrived, the sky was clear.The Japan Airlines cargo plane landed safely at 6:20 p.m. The incident became the subject of official FAA and military reports, totaling hundreds of pages of radar data and transcripts. Captain Terauchi was later reassigned to desk duty, though he stood by his account until retirement.To this day, the JAL1628 incident remains unexplained. Multiple radar detections, visual sightings by three experienced pilots, and maneuvers far beyond known human technolo, all recorded in official document, make it one of aviation's most enduring mysteries. https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcastMy book 'Verified Near Death Exeriences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Fashion Sparks: A Creative Bond in Vibrant Harajuku Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-06-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 秋の日、賑やかな原宿の通りは七五三の祭りで活気に満ちていた。En: On an autumn day, the bustling streets of Harajuku were filled with the lively atmosphere of the Shichi-Go-San festival.Ja: 子供たちの笑顔と、色とりどりの着物姿が華やかだった。En: The children's smiles and the bright colors of their kimono made for a splendid scene.Ja: 通りには、たくさんの屋台とポップアップショップが立ち並び、道行く人々は不思議な魅力に溢れた装いをしていた。En: The street was lined with numerous stalls and pop-up shops, and the passersby wore outfits brimming with a unique charm.Ja: ハルキは、原宿の熱気を感じながら、通りを歩いていた。En: Haruki was walking down the street, feeling the hot energy of Harajuku.Ja: 彼は少し内気だが、ファッションデザインに情熱を持っている学生だ。En: Although he was a bit shy, he was a student passionate about fashion design.Ja: 彼の胸には、新しいインスピレーションを探し求める思いがあった。En: In his heart, there was a desire to seek out new inspiration.Ja: 彼は、次のファッションショーのために斬新なアイディアを模索していた。En: He was exploring innovative ideas for his next fashion show.Ja: その時、派手なストリートウェアのショップの前で、彼は精力的に写真を撮っているアユミに出会った。En: At that moment, in front of a flashy streetwear shop, he met Ayumi, who was energetically taking photos.Ja: 彼女は魅力的なストリートファッションを撮影しようとしていた写真家だ。En: She was a photographer trying to capture alluring street fashion.Ja: アユミは活気があり、すぐに人と打ち解ける性格だった。En: Ayumi had a lively personality and was quick to get along with people.Ja: しかし、短い出会いでは深い関係を築くのが難しかった。En: However, in a brief encounter, building a deep relationship was challenging.Ja: 二人は、偶然出会ったことをきっかけに会話を始めた。En: The two began a conversation sparked by their chance meeting.Ja: ハルキは、自分のデザインノートをアユミに見せる決心をした。En: Haruki decided to show his design notebook to Ayumi.Ja: いつもは恥ずかしがり屋のハルキも、彼女の関心に勇気を得て、ノートを広げた。En: Although usually shy, Haruki gained courage from her interest and opened his notebook.Ja: 「すごい！En: "Amazing!Ja: これ、あなたがデザインしたの？En: Did you design this?"Ja: 」とアユミは驚いて言った。En: Ayumi said in amazement.Ja: 「ぜひ一緒にプロジェクトをやりたい！En: "I definitely want to work on a project together!"Ja: 」アユミは自分の予定を変えてでも、ハルキともっと時間を過ごす価値があると感じた。En: Ayumi felt it was worth adjusting her schedule to spend more time with Haruki.Ja: こうして、二人は連絡先を交換し、また一緒にプロジェクトに取り組むことを約束した。En: Thus, the two exchanged contact information and promised to work on a project together again.Ja: ハルキは彼女のおかげでアイディアを表現する自信を持つことができたし、アユミも瞬間的な出会いを超えて、深い繋がりを築くことの重要性を学んだ。En: Haruki gained the confidence to express his ideas thanks to her, and Ayumi learned the importance of building a deep connection beyond a momentary encounter.Ja: 原宿の賑わいの中で、二人の新しい友情とクリエイティブな協力が始まった。En: In the vibrancy of Harajuku, a new friendship and a creative collaboration began for the two.Ja: 色とりどりの街は、これからの二人の未来を象徴するキャンバスのようだった。En: The colorful town seemed like a canvas symbolizing their future to come. Vocabulary Words:bustling: 賑やかなlively: 活気に満ちていたsplendid: 華やかだったnumerous: たくさんのpassersby: 道行く人々brimming: 溢れたenergetically: 精力的にalluring: 魅力的なphotographer: 写真家capturing: 撮影しようとしていたencounter: 出会いflashy: 派手なshy: 内気passionate: 情熱を持っているinspiration: インスピレーションinnovative: 斬新なfashion: ファッションcharm: 魅力exploring: 模索していたamazing: すごいcourage: 勇気express: 表現adjusting: 変えてでもconfidence: 自信connection: 繋がりmomentary: 瞬間的なvibrancy: 賑わいcollaboration: 協力canvas: キャンバスsymbolizing: 象徴する

The second of three new series in a row, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are lazing about while reading The Mage Next Door.Chat with us instantly by clicking here!Support the showSugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% off your first order.Check out our website, AnimePodcasterReincarnation.com, to leave a comment or check out our blog posts. Follow on Bluesky, Twitter (

Teruko Neriki shares her mission of educating the nation of Japan about Bitcoin. $ BTC 103,750 Block Height 922,194 Today's guest on the show is Teruko Neriki, who joins me to discuss why she felt compelled to take action to educate people in Japan about Bitcoin. Why did she choose to start translating the Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous, and how many months did it take her to finish this task? What experiences in her fiat career led her to discover Bitcoin and quit everything she had been doing to launch herself headfirst into finding a role in the Bitcoin ecosystem? A huge thank you to Teruko for coming on the show and for all that she is doing for Bitcoin. Follow Teruko here; X - https://x.com/TerukoNeriki NOSTR - npub19x0h8jm3mnwzhv4tpq62zta05er0qlyge73m0pwsp7h666khkd9qev2ree Get to BTC Japan and use code BITTEN for a discount. BTC JAPAN - TPKYO - 23rd - 24th November. https://btc-jpn.com/en USE CODE BITTEN - 10% Check out my book ‘Choose Life' - https://bitcoinbook.shop/search?q=prince ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements: Join 18 thousand Bitcoiners on @orangepillapp https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pod via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m The Bitcoin And Show: https://www.bitcoinandshow.com/ https://fountain.fm/show/eK5XaSb3UaLRavU3lYrI Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025: BITFEST - MANCHESTER - ENGLAND - 21st - 23rd November 2025. https://bitfest.uk/ - USE CODE BITTEN - 10% PAY WITH FLASH. Accept Bitcoin on your website or platform with no-code and low-code integrations. https://paywithflash.com/ RELAI - STACK SATS - www.relai.me/Bitten Use Code BITTEN SWAN BITCOIN - www.swan.com/bitten BITBOX - SELF CUSTODY YOUR BITCOIN - www.bitbox.swiss/bitten Use Code BITTEN PLEBEIAN MARKET - BUY AND SELL STUFF FOR SATS; https://plebeian.market/ @PlebeianMarket ZAPRITE - https://zaprite.com/bitten - Invoicing and accounting for Bitcoiners - Save $40 KONSENSUS NETWORK - Buy bitcoin books in different languages. Use code BITTEN for 10% discount - https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=bitten SEEDOR STEEL PLATE BACK-UP - @seedor_io use the code BITTEN for a 5% discount. www.seedor.io/BITTEN SATSBACK - Shop online and earn back sats! https://satsback.com/register/5AxjyPRZV8PNJGlM HEATBIT - Home Bitcoin mining - https://www.heatbit.com/?ref=DANIELPRINCE - Use code BITTEN. CRYPTOTAG STEEL PLATE BACK-UP https://cryptotag.io - USE CODE BITTEN for 10% discount. AI Summary. In this episode of the Once Bitten podcast, Daniel Prince interviews Teruko, a key organizer for BTC Japan and a translator of the Bitcoin Standard, about her work in promoting Bitcoin adoption in Japan, her involvement with Folga Ventures, and ANAP, a Japanese clothing brand integrating Bitcoin into its business model. Key Topics: Bitcoin Standard translation Folga Ventures ANAP business model Bitcoin conferences Tokyo Bitcoin Base Summary: In this episode of the Once Bitten podcast, Daniel Prince interviews Teruko, a key organizer for BTC Japan and a translator of the Bitcoin Standard. Teruko recounts her entry into Bitcoin in 2017, initially driven by a market crash following her purchase, leading her to research and discover the transformative potential of Bitcoin through resources like Vijay Boyapati's "The Bullish Case for Bitcoin" and Saifedean Ammous's "The Bitcoin Standard." Teruko shares the story of translating "The Bitcoin Standard" into Japanese, a task initiated by Wids, who saw the book's potential impact on Japan. Despite lacking prior translation experience, Teruko undertook the project, dedicating significant time daily for six months. She faced challenges in accurately conveying Austrian economics terminology and cross-referencing footnotes with Japanese translations, often requiring visits to Japan's largest library. She also spoke about working with Safeadean, and having to exclude the part about transgenderism from the book, as it would be poorly received in Japanese society. Teruko discusses her work with Folga Ventures Japan, a venture capital firm investing exclusively in Bitcoin projects, with a focus on lightning technology, sidechains, and open-source projects. She highlights the challenge of finding Bitcoin companies in Japan and the importance of education to foster interest in Bitcoin and related businesses. Furthermore, Teruko elaborates on her involvement with ANAP, a Japanese clothing brand aiming to revive its business by integrating Bitcoin into its operations. ANAP is launching a new lifestyle brand inspired by Bitcoin's ethos, with subtle designs intended to pique customer curiosity about Bitcoin. The discussion shifts to the upcoming BTC Japan conference in Tokyo, organized by Teruko, emphasizing its aim to educate and provide hands-on Bitcoin experiences. The conference will feature speakers like Grant from the Bitcoin Policy Institute and Roger from "Will Mao Buy Bitcoin," along with Luke Dash Jr. and possibly Shinobi. Teruko also highlights the development of Tokyo Bitcoin Base, a co-working and co-living space aimed at creating a Bitcoin circular economy in Tokyo, including the acquisition of hotel properties to accommodate Bitcoin enthusiasts. Teruko emphasizes the importance of external influence in Japan's Bitcoin adoption, inviting individuals from Western countries to work at Tokyo Bitcoin Base and inspire local engagement with Bitcoin. She highlights efforts to legitimize Bitcoin within the neighborhood by hosting community-friendly events and educating residents about Bitcoin's potential. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need to approach Bitcoin in a sustainable way, especially in light of current distractions such as Bitcoin treasury companies and loan product offerings. Daniel encourages listeners to stack sats, take self-custody seriously, and draw inspiration from individuals like Teruko who are building and promoting Bitcoin adoption through education, conferences, and community engagement. He also promotes upcoming Bitcoin conferences like BitFest in Manchester and encourages listeners to check out resources and services for stacking sats and taking self-custody.

We've all heard the saying "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," but I'm not sure if that applies to South Korea and Japan forming an alliance against China.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://bit.ly/4hAUAYP

Tebori tattooing, a traditional Japanese hand-poked method, is more than just a technique; it embodies a philosophy that emphasizes a profound human connection and energy transfer between the tattoo artist and the client. Practiced for thousands of years, this method involves using a long stick with needles attached to the end, allowing the artist to create tattoos without the aid of machines. This simplicity lies at the heart of the Tebori experience, fostering a unique and intimate atmosphere during the tattooing process, and our guest today is one of the masters of this craft.   In this episode of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova welcomes Rueben "Horikei" Kayden, a seasoned tattoo artist with 26 years of experience, to discuss the evolution of tattooing. The conversation delves into the past, present, and future of the industry, exploring how it has rapidly transformed over the years. The guest shares valuable insights, particularly about tabori tattooing, the traditional Japanese hand-poked method that has been practiced for thousands of years. Aaron and his guest reflect on the significance of this ancient technique in contrast to modern tattooing practices, setting the stage for a deep dive into the art and culture of tattooing.  Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that highlights the artistry and craftsmanship behind tattoos. Chat Highlights: [00:01:06] Future of tattooing. [00:06:17] Tattooing in Japan. [00:10:28] Energy transfer in tattooing. [00:17:09] Spirituality in craftsmanship. [00:31:56] Tabori technique challenges. [00:36:08] Power of simplicity in tattoos. [00:46:10] Tattoo pain management techniques. [00:49:23] Tattooing under anesthesia discussion. [00:58:19] Tattoo past, present, and future. [01:01:22] The beauty of impermanence. [01:05:04] Future of handmade artistry. [01:07:19] Tattooing as a lifestyle choice. [01:12:00] Traditional Japanese tattooing.   Quotes:   "We're tattooers, man. We're not in the business of being people's, you know, helping them be more personally responsible with their lives." -Aaron "It's a human to human contact. There's no electrons, there's no machine, there's no rotary, there's no cartridge, there's no nothing. It's simplicity at its best, right? It's art made by humans for humans." -Horikei   "You're like a horse with blinders on. You're just like the smell, you know, smell, sight, emotions, all of it's all interconnected." -Horikei   "I just know it's happening and it's beautiful and it's really become probably the thing I'm most happy about to have spent my life doing this art form." -Aaron   "Tebori is a human rhythm... it rocks you to sleep." -Horikei   "It was more dangerous to drive the fucking car than it was to go in under anesthesia." -Aaron   "We're tattooers, man. We're not in the business of being people's, you know, helping them be more personally responsible with their lives." -Aaron   "Comparison is the thief of all joy, man, for sure." -Horikei   Stay Connected: Chats & Tatts: Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts  IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts Connect with Aaron:⁠   Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠ Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com Connect with Horikei: IG:https://www.instagram.com/horikei617/  

The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second straight World Series this season, much of it powered by Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series Most Valuable Player. But it's what he did in the dugout, not just on the mound, that is inspiring – and it's what we're talking about today.. . .Check out J.R.'s newly released and highly anticipated book ‘The Art of Asking Better Questions' to help you grow in the art of being a better question-asker. Because the quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask God, yourself, and others. Available wherever good books are sold.. . .Coaching is a great way to include reflection into your leadership rhythms.If you're interested in securing a free no-pressure exploratory coaching session, check out www.kairospartnerships.org/contact or email me at jrbriggs@kairospartnerships.orgIf you haven't signed up for my every other week FREE newsletter 5 Things in 5 Minutes (5 valuable nuggets that can be read in 5 minutes or less), check outwww.kairospartnerships.org/5t5m**Resilient Leaders is produced by the incredibly gifted Joel Limbauan. Check out his great video and podcast work at On a Limb Productions: www.onalimbproductions.com

Check my website to book your trial session for my Japanese coaching.Takeaways間違った「思い込み」が学習に影響を与える。脳は未来を予測し、その予測に基づいて行動する。信じていることが現実を作るため、ポジティブな思考が必要。固定マインドセットを成長マインドセットに変える必要がある。小さな達成感を記録することで自信を高めることができる。リフレーミングを活用して、挑戦を楽しむことが重要。メタ認知の視点から、自分の思い込みを見直すことが必要。信じていることが本当に正しいかを常に問い直すこと。コミュニティの仲間といっしょに学ぶことで、モチベーションを高めることができる。

The Mongols attempted to invade Japan on 5th November, 1274. Despite having a fleet of 900 ships, they failed - in part due to a ‘kamikaze' typhoon that whooshed their boats back to Korea. Then they tried again - and failed again. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider how a gunpowder-armed Army was defeated by the Samurai; reveal the brutal (yet unambiguous) response the Japanese gave to the Chinese diplomats who attempted to talk things through; and unearth the surprising connection between Kublai Khan and Lionel Blair… Further Reading: • ‘Kublai Khan - Biography, Death & Achievements' (HISTORY, 2009): https://www.history.com/topics/china/kublai-khan • Japan's Kamikaze Winds, the Stuff of Legend, May Have Been Real (National Geographic, 2014): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/141104-kamikaze-kublai-khan-winds-typhoon-japan-invasion • ‘Mongol Invasion of Japan: Maps, Animation and Timelines' (Past To Future, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpguP8emkYc This episode first aired in 2021 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The Cubs made their first major offseason move by declining a three-year option to extend Shota Imanaga's contract. In turn, the Japanese pitcher declined his player option for next season and elected to become a free agent. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney bring you both sides of this story, explaining why Chicago's front office made this decision and how Imanaga will explore his options. What is the next move for the Cubs? And where does Imanaga go from here? Follow North Side Territory all offseason for the latest news and notes.Head to Superpower.com and use code TAKE20 at checkout for $20 off your membership. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Movie Mandates, a review show in which sibling cinephiles Andrew and Keleigh force each other to watch movies according to a monthly theme!  This month we're mandating movies that, upon viewing, make you say, "What did I just watch?"  We're kicking it off with my mandated movie: House.  No, not the William Katt movie from 1985, though that's a fun one, we're talking the nearly inexplicable Japanese one from 1977.  The one featuring a cast of characters named after their own archetypes who visit a the titular house and are menaced in truly bizarre ways.  One's eaten by a piano, one gets bitten on the butt by the disembodied head of her classmate, and another loses her pants but no one appears to notice. House.  I can't guarantee you'll like it.  But I can confidently assert you'll never forget it! 0:00 - Trivial Trivia 13:35 - House review 1:06:28 - Next episode's mandated movie We'll be back in two weeks with another mandated movie.  If you'd like to watch it, click here to find where it's streaming or available to rent. If you'd like to watch the video version of Movie Mandates, you can do so on YouTube.  Alternatively, you can listen to and audio-only version on iTunes.  New episodes of Movie Mandates drop on the first and third Wednesday of every month! Credits: Molehill Mountain is hosted by Andrew Eisen and Keleigh Eisen.  Music in the show includes "To the Top" by Silent Partner and is used with permission.  Movie Mandates logo and art by Lynndy Lee.

Eze 12:1-14:11, Heb 7:1-17, Ps 105:37-45, Pr 27:3

Feeling busier and more distracted than last year? You're not imagining it—and you're not powerless. This guide turns a simple "peg" memory method into a fast, executive-friendly workflow you can use on the spot. Why do we forget more at work—and what actually helps right now? We forget because working memory is tiny and modern work shreds attention; the fix is to externalise what you can and anchor what you can't. As channels multiply—email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Line, Telegram—messages blur and retrieval costs explode. First, move details out of your head and into calendars, task apps, and checklists. Second, when you must recall live (presentations, Q&A, pitches), use a method that forces order on demand. That's where "peg numbers + peg words + peg pictures" wins: it's fast, portable, and doesn't depend on a screen. Do now: Decide which meetings require live recall versus notes-on-desk. Use tools for storage; use pegs for performance.  What is the Peg Method—and why does it work under pressure? The Peg Method gives you nine permanent "hooks" (1–9) that never change; you hang today's items on those hooks using vivid mini-scenes. Consistency is the trick. When the pegs stay fixed, recall becomes automatic: say the peg, see the picture, retrieve the item—in order. This scales from shopping lists to leadership talking points, risk registers, and sales objections during a live demo. Executives like it because it's device-free, language-agnostic, and works whether you're in Tokyo, Sydney, or Seattle. Do now: Lock your baseline pegs today so they never change: 1 = Run, 2 = Zoo, 3 = Tree, 4 = Door, 5 = Hive, 6 = Sick, 7 = Heaven, 8 = Gate, 9 = Wine.  How do I build pictures that "stick" in seconds? Use A-C-M-E: Action, Colour, Me, Exaggeration—three-second scenes beat perfect ones. Give each peg-scene movement (Action), crank the saturation (Colour), put yourself in the frame (Me), and overdo scale or drama (Exaggeration). You don't need to "see" it like a film; a whispered line works ("Door: Johanna blocks sign-off"). Across markets, this reduces blank-outs because your brain encodes motion, salience, and self-relevance faster than abstract text. Do now: Practise with two items right now—peg #1 Run and #2 Zoo—timing yourself to three seconds per image.  Can pegs really keep a long list in order? (Worked example) Yes—because the order is baked into the numbers, you can recite forwards, backwards, or jump to any slot. Try this city sequence: Sydney, Toronto, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Seattle, London, Mumbai, Vladivostok, Kagoshima. 1 Run: sprint alongside a kangaroo (Sydney) with a starter pistol; 2 Zoo: monkeys hurl "Toronto" nameplates; 3 Tree: a palm bends under a "São Paulo" sash; 4 Door: "Johannesburg" is painted thick across a revolving door; 5 Hive: bees wear "Seattle" face masks; 6 Sick: a syringe squirts the word "London"; 7 Heaven: "Mumbai" descends pearl-white stairs; 8 Gate: a rail gate slams down with "Vladivostok"; 9 Wine: a crate stamped "Kagoshima." Do now: Recite pegs in rhythm—run, zoo, tree, door…—then replay the scenes. Test #7 or #4 out of order to prove the jump-to-slot works.  What if I'm "not visual," get confused, or blank on stage? Say the peg aloud and attach a one-line cue; keep pegs permanent; rehearse forwards and backwards. If imagery feels fuzzy, talk it: "Tree: São Paulo sash." The rhyme is your safety rail. Confusion usually comes from changing pegs—don't. Under pressure, we default to habits; two short reps (forward/back) create enough redundancy to survive a curve-ball question. If lists exceed nine, chunk them (1–9, 10–18) or create a second peg set for a different category (e.g., "Client Risks"). Do now: Lock your 1–9; rehearse your next briefing once forward, once backward, standing up to simulate pressure.  How do I integrate pegs with my 2025 workflow without more cognitive load? Use a two-lane system: tools for storage and pegs for performance; tag owners and dates inside the images to encode accountability. Calendars, CRMs, and project trackers still carry due dates, attachments, and threads. Pegs handle what you must say from memory: topline metrics, names, objections, decisions. For leadership teams across APAC, EU, and North America, this reduces meeting drag and hedges against tech hiccups. Pro tip: weave critical metadata into the scene ("Door: Sarah blocks approval until Friday 17:00"). Do now: Pick one recurring meeting and move its opening five points to pegs; keep everything else in your agenda doc.  Conclusion: design around your brain, don't fight it Your brain isn't failing—you're asking it to juggle too much in noisy environments. Externalise the bulk; anchor the rest with nine permanent pegs and A-C-M-E pictures. In a week, the "snap-back" effect appears: you say the peg, the scene plays, and the item drops into place—without the stress. Do now: Lock pegs 1–9, run the five-minute drill today, and use pegs for your very next high-stakes conversation.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

The right song doesn't just fill a room—it changes the air. We lined up five October releases that transform a quiet evening into a moving story, from a sidewalk chant to a late‑night sway and a runway‑sharp finale. It's a ride through J‑pop, K‑pop, R&B, and house where every track owns its moment and then hands the energy to the next.We kick off with BananaLemon's We Outside!, a clean, synth‑bright anthem designed to get you out the door and into the crowd. Then BM's Freak featuring B.I. turns the lights down without losing the heat: whistles, rim hits, and a slow dancehall lean build a sultry pulse while BM's grit and B.I.'s lift play off each other like sparks meeting fuel. Psychic Fever's SWISH DAT barrels in with bass and swagger, lacing hip‑hop power with flute textures that nod to its Mask Ninja Akagage theme—proof you can blend traditional color with a modern stomp and make it sound inevitable.When it's time to breathe, REIKO's Maybe slides in—chill house with R&B phrasing, minimalist drums, and an intimate vocal that feels close enough to touch. The lyric tilt toward “live now, worry later” lands softly but sticks. And to close, Hearts2Hearts' Focus hits that retro‑house piano riff you swear you've heard on a catwalk somewhere, lined with disco strings and a heartbeat bass. The hook rides on confidence, not sugar, with harmonies that snap the whole mix into a glossy, high‑fashion stride.We also talk sequencing—how these five songs create a seamless night‑out arc—and why headphones reveal the hidden layers. Queue it up, move with it, and then tell us what grabbed you first.BananaLemon: Instagram X YouTube We Outside!BM: Instagram X Youtube Freak (feat B.I.)PSYCHIC FEVER: Instagram X YouTube SWISH DATREIKO: Instagram X YouTube maybeHearts2Hearts: Instagram X YouTube FOCUSSupport the showPlease help Music Elixir by rating, reviewing, and sharing the episode. We appreciate your support!Follow us on:TwitterInstagram BlueskyIf have questions, comments, or requests click on our form:Music Elixir FormDJ Panic Blog:OK ASIA

With special guest: Dr Will Davies… in conversation with Bill Kable Will Davies has been on the program before, bringing us inside stories from The Great War. Today we get to discuss Will’s new book Secret and Special. We hear about a boys’ own adventure story that started at a beautiful part of Sydney and which took our adventurers on a dangerous trip to Singapore harbour. They were on a night mission to put limpet mines on some ships in port. The unsuspecting Japanese occupiers of Singapore never knew what hit them. The difference from most adventure stories is that this is all true and draws on the meticulous research of Dr Davies that we have come to expect. Podcast (mp3)

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Finding Sweet Traditions: A Shichi-Go-San Market Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-05-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 錦市場の秋の光に包まれて、春樹は娘のために特別な食事を探していました。En: Wrapped in the autumn light of Nishiki Ichiba, Haruki was searching for a special meal for his daughter.Ja: 市場の中は賑やかで、あちこちから人々の声や新鮮な食材の香りが漂っていました。En: The market was bustling, filled with the voices of people and the scent of fresh ingredients wafting from all around.Ja: 春樹はまた、七五三という特別な日に向けて準備を整えようとしていました。En: Haruki was also getting ready for the special day of Shichi-Go-San.Ja: 彼は市場を歩きながら、どの食材が一番良いかを考えていました。En: As he walked through the market, he pondered which ingredients would be the best.Ja: しかし、彼は豊富な選択肢を前にして困惑してしまいました。En: However, faced with an abundance of choices, he became bewildered.Ja: 「何を買えばいいのだろう？」と心の中でつぶやきました。En: "What should I buy?" he muttered to himself.Ja: その時、彼の目に入ったのは、季節の果物を売る屋台でした。En: At that moment, a stall selling seasonal fruits caught his eye.Ja: そこにいたのは、地元のベンダーの愛子さんです。En: There was Aiko, a local vendor.Ja: 彼女は家族がこの特別な日のために準備をしている様子を見るのが大好きでした。En: She loved seeing families preparing for this special day.Ja: 見知らぬ人に目を留めた春樹は、愛子に近付きました。En: Noticing the stranger, Haruki approached Aiko.Ja: 「すみません、七五三のために何を買ったらいいか教えていただけますか？」と春樹は尋ねました。En: "Excuse me, could you tell me what I should buy for Shichi-Go-San?" Haruki asked.Ja: 愛子は微笑み、「もちろんです。En: Aiko smiled and said, "Of course.Ja: 私は色々なものをおすすめできますよ。En: I can recommend a variety of things.Ja: まずはこの地域特有の甘い和菓子を試してください。」En: First, try these sweet wagashi unique to this region."Ja: 彼女は屋台の後ろにある、珍しい伝統の和菓子を指しました。En: She pointed to some rare traditional wagashi behind the stall.Ja: その和菓子は小さな店で売っているもので、彼らはその場で味わいました。En: The wagashi were sold at a small shop, and they tasted them right there.Ja: 春樹は美味しく感じ、それが娘のためにぴったりだと感じました。En: Haruki found it delicious and felt it was perfect for his daughter.Ja: 「ありがとうございます、本当に助かります。」と春樹は感謝しました。En: "Thank you, you've really been a great help," Haruki expressed his gratitude.Ja: 袋に詰められた御馳走を持ちながら、彼は市場を後にしました。En: With a bag filled with treats, he left the market.Ja: 春樹はこの日に自信を持ち、娘のための素晴らしいお祝いが準備できたことを嬉しく思いました。En: Haruki felt confident on this day, pleased that he was able to prepare a wonderful celebration for his daughter.Ja: そして、自分の文化的伝統にもっと近づけたことに感謝しました。En: He also felt grateful for getting closer to his cultural traditions.Ja: 錦市場は今夜も美しい光で輝きながら、街に静かに響き渡っていました。春樹の心もまた、温かい満足感で満たされていました。En: As Nishiki Ichiba glowed beautifully tonight, resonating quietly through the city, Haruki's heart was also filled with a warm sense of satisfaction. Vocabulary Words:wrapped: 包まれてautumn: 秋market: 市場bustling: 賑やかingredients: 食材wafting: 漂ってpondered: 考えてabundance: 豊富bewildered: 困惑muttered: つぶやきましたstall: 屋台seasonal: 季節のvendor: ベンダーrecommend: おすすめunique: 特有region: 地域rare: 珍しいtraditional: 伝統delicious: 美味しくgratitude: 感謝treats: 御馳走confident: 自信celebration: お祝いcultural: 文化的traditions: 伝統glowed: 輝きresonating: 響き渡ってquietly: 静かにsatisfaction: 満足感

Welcome to the Shonen Shojo ShoShow! In this new episode after a long hiatus, PinoMack and Pauly discuss their return to the podcast and their renewed enthusiasm for sharing their passion for anime and Japanese culture. During this episode, PinoMack recounts her experience at New York Comic Con, including fun encounters with artists and content creators, and memorable appearances at various events. Interviews with prominent artists like Attack Peter and Acky Bright are also featured, along with explorations of the event's themed spaces.Highlights

THIS WEEK ON THE NERDY VENOMS -- Cringy ass white girls being racist! Also we play a new version of Japanese or Bullshit. And some news! Okie dokie!

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Harvesting Wisdom: Haruto's Autumn Culinary Quest Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-05-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 錦市場は秋の京都で活気に満ちた場所です。En: にしきいちば is a lively place in きょうと during the autumn season.Ja: 紅葉の葉が舞い散り、空気は清々しく、その中で出迎えてくれるのは、幅広い香りを放つ露店たちです。En: As the autumn leaves dance in the air and the atmosphere is refreshing, you are welcomed by stalls emitting a wide variety of scents.Ja: この場所には、特にこの季節の鮮やかな野菜や果物が所狭しと並べられています。En: In this place, especially during this season, vibrant vegetables and fruits are arrayed in abundance.Ja: その朝、若い料理学生のはるとは、特別な料理の食材を探しに親友ゆいと錦市場に来ていました。En: On that morning, a young culinary student named Haruto came to にしきいちば with his best friend Yui to search for ingredients for a special dish.Ja: はるとには、教授を驚かせる特別な秋の日本料理を作るという目標があります。En: Haruto has the goal of creating a special autumn にほんりょうり to surprise his professor.Ja: しかし、選択肢の多さに戸惑い、どの食材が秋をよく表現できるか迷っています。En: However, faced with a vast array of choices, he's confused about which ingredients best capture the essence of autumn.Ja: 「どうしよう、ゆい。En: "What should I do, Yui?Ja: どれがいいか全然わからないよ」と、はるとはため息をつきました。En: I have no idea which is the best choice," Haruto sighed.Ja: 彼はあちこちの店を見ては、何を選べばいいのか決めかねているのです。En: As he looked from shop to shop, he couldn't decide what to select.Ja: そんな姿を見たゆいは、微笑んでやさしく彼に言いました。En: Seeing this, Yui smiled and gently said to him, "Haruto, trust your instincts.Ja: 「はると、自分の直感を信じて。En: When it comes to autumn, what ingredients come to mind?"Ja: 秋といえば、どんな素材を思い浮かべる？En: Receiving those words, Haruto decided to reconsider.Ja: 」その言葉を受けて、はるとは考え直すことにしました。En: He began to pick from the fresh and colorful vegetables and fruits imbued with the scent of autumn.Ja: 彼は秋の香りをまとった色鮮やかな野菜や果物の中から、鮮度の良いものを手に取り始めました。En: Still, he felt something was missing.Ja: でも、何かが足りないと感じています。En: Amidst this, he found his way to a stall deep in the market.Ja: そんな中、市場の奥で一軒の露店にたどり着きます。En: There, he encountered an elderly vendor handling highly unusual mushrooms.Ja: そこには、とても珍しい茸を扱う年配のベンダーがいました。En: "These are まつたけ.Ja: 「これは、松茸だよ。En: They're perfect for autumn flavors," the elderly vendor said.Ja: 秋の味覚には最適だ」と、その年配のベンダーが言いました。En: The matsutake were more splendid than any he'd seen elsewhere, and their rich aroma moved Haruto's heart.Ja: その松茸は他では見かけないほど立派なもので、その濃厚な香りがはるとの心を動かしました。En: "This is it!Ja: 「これだ、この松茸さえあれば…！En: As long as I have these matsutake...!"Ja: 」と、はるとは心の中で確信しました。En: Haruto was convinced, deep in his heart.Ja: ゆいのアドバイスのおかげで、ついに自信を取り戻したはるとは、必要な食材をすべて手に入れることができました。En: Thanks to Yui's advice, Haruto regained his confidence and was able to gather all the necessary ingredients.Ja: 料理を完成させたはるとは、教授にその特別な一品を披露しました。En: Once Haruto completed the dish, he presented it to his professor.Ja: 教授は、はるとの創造性と季節感を緻密に表現した料理を絶賛しました。En: The professor praised the dish, which meticulously expressed Haruto's creativity and the seasonal essence.Ja: その日の夜、はるとは自分の反省を思い返しました。En: That night, Haruto reflected on his learnings.Ja: 「ゆいのおかげで、自分の直感に従うことの大切さを学んだ」と、彼はつぶやきました。En: "Thanks to Yui, I've learned the importance of following my instincts," he murmured.Ja: 秋の錦市場での経験を通して、はるとは自信を持って選択できる力を身につけました。En: Through his experience at にしきいちば in the fall, Haruto gained the ability to confidently make choices.Ja: これからも、彼の料理の旅は続くことでしょう。En: And from now on, his culinary journey is sure to continue. Vocabulary Words:lively: 活気に満ちたatmosphere: 空気vibrant: 鮮やかなarrayed: 並べられているculinary: 料理のvast: 広いessence: 本質instincts: 直感imbued: まとったamidst: その中でstall: 露店elderly: 年配のvendor: 商人unusual: 珍しいsplendid: 立派なaroma: 香りconvinced: 確信したprofessor: 教授praised: 絶賛したcreativity: 創造性meticulously: 緻密にexpressed: 表現したreflected: 思い返しましたlearnings: 反省journey: 旅confidence: 自信choices: 選択encountered: 遭遇したcapture: 表現できるconsider: 考え直す

Download for Mobile | Podcast Preview | Full Timestamps Older Twitch VODs are now being uploaded to the new channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CastleSuperBeastArchive Coach Cloud805 & The Pre-Boxjam Casuals Extremely Unlucky Hades 2 Patch Timing Watch Me SUE (Grift Dat Soulja Boy) Finish Us: The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Story Deus Ex Never Asked For This Business Cucks: Presented by Amazon Unanswered Questions That Should Have Stayed Unanswered Watch live: twitch.tv/castlesuperbeast Go to http://buyraycon.com/superbeast to save on  Raycon audio products sitewide. Go to http://shopify.com/superbeast to sign up for your $1-per-month trial period. Go to http://rocketmoney.com/superbeast to cancel your unwanted subscriptions. Click this link https://www.boot.dev/?promo=CASTLESUPERBEAST and use my code CASTLESUPERBEAST to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Amazon have reportedly cancelled their Lord Of The Rings MMO, again Messy Rockstar Firings Ahead of GTA 6: Accusations from "Gross Misconduct" to Union Busting and Unjust Layoffs Deus Ex's OG art director has seen the remaster: 'Oh, what the f***, No. This did not need to happen' Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Comes Under Fire For Missing "Basic Features" At Launch Souljaboy has dropped the Souljagame Flip for a bit over $400, and it appears to just be the Retroid Flip for double the price. The response from the Retroid social media team is- "I didn't know about this. This is not any kind of official licensing deal. He does not have permission to rebrand our products and sell them as his own. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is patented in the U.S by ourselves." - Retroid Japan Patent Office rejects Nintendo application relevant to Palworld dispute, cites games like ARK as prior art after third-party submission Nintendo may not be able to recoup legal expenses of Palworld lawsuit even if it wins, Japanese attorney suggests  Concord's sudden shutdown is such a big deal, it's been brought up during UK government debates on video game consumer laws Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves DLC character Chun-Li  The winner of the "Kuaishou FightClub Championship VI - Chengdu" is Hinao from REJECT YOUTH! A 14-year-old with 2 years of gaming experience SonicFox Vs Leffen GRAND FINALS - Dreamhack Atlanta  

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly Motherf*ckers Before the Predator conducts his 2025 theatrical hunt in the Badlands, his animated counterparts are hosting a contest on Hulu where the winner is proclaimed Killer of Killers. How much competition will a Viking mother, an exiled Japanese brother, and an aspiring WWII pilot be for the homicidal aliens once they're ripped away from historical battles and transported to a space arena?  And can the trio overcome their thirst for vengeance and find a way to get back to Earth collaboratively?  If it streams, we can kill it in a podcast review available now!

What if the only way to build unshakable success is to suffer for it every single day? As part of the “Road to the Summit”, a special series ramping up to the 2025 Game Changers Summit this November 12–13, we're revisiting some of the most powerful conversations ever featured at our events. In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, we're throwing it back to the 2023 Game Changers Summit, where Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan Race, took the stage to unpack what it truly takes to lead with grit, persistence, and purpose.   From cleaning pools for mobsters in Queens to building a global fitness empire that nearly collapsed during the pandemic, Joe's story is a masterclass in resilience. He reveals that doing hard things isn't punishment but preparation, and that embracing discomfort builds the kind of resilience that separates those who survive from those who succeed. Here's what you'll learn: Why embracing adversity every day builds the grit required to win How to find your “why” — and use it to push through the toughest moments What it takes to turn pain, persistence, and purpose into long-term success If you want to build a life that can't be broken, this episode will show you how to earn it. ---- Show Notes: 02:43 – Joe recalls growing up in Queens surrounded by hustlers and mobsters — and the lessons that shaped his early work ethic. 07:26 – The business advice Joe received from a mob boss that taught him the value of showing up early, going above and beyond, and never asking for money. 11:53 – Joe shares how his repeated rejections from Cornell taught him the power of persistence and delayed gratification. 18:46 – The creation of Spartan Race — how Joe turned his passion for endurance and suffering into a global fitness empire. 20:44 – Joe reveals how the pandemic nearly destroyed Spartan, costing $50 million, and why grit kept him from quitting. 25:42 – The story of the Japanese marathon monks and what extreme commitment looks like in practice. 33:48 – Why manufacturing adversity every day — through cold showers, burpees, and hard choices — is the key to building lasting resilience. Links & Resources: Spartan Race Tough Mudder Spartan Up! by Joe De Sena 10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena Joe de Sena ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. —- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 364. How to Train Your Brain for Unbelievable Success 353. How He Trained His Mind to Never Quit — Using Something You'd Never Guess with James Lawrence 198. A-List Athletes — The Mindsets of Champions

A blind musician is summoned to perform in the darkness. But who is listening? And what terrible price awaits a moment's oversight? Today I read to you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous Japanese ghost stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōichi" or "The Earless Hōichi." Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you. Follow Uncanny Japan: Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits: Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio: SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Irish writer, author, thinker John Waters joins war correspondent Michael Yon and Japanese independent journalist Masako Ganaha to discuss the recent protests in Japan, antifa, Vatican killing Ireland, tv being the most poisonous thing, replacement of the indigenous people in western civilization, death jabs, and much more.    Watch Show Rumble- https://rumble.com/v717r0m-demoralization-the-new-strategic-assault-john-waters-michael-yon-and-masako.html YouTube- https://youtu.be/XL6AxBhdMmQ?si=3RIPgmY-GiIp6zBL   Follow Me X- https://x.com/CoffeeandaMike IG- https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandamike/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeandaMike/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Coffeeandamike Rumble- https://rumble.com/search/all?q=coffee%20and%20a%20mike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-and-a-mike/id1436799008 Gab- https://gab.com/CoffeeandaMike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Website- www.coffeeandamike.com Email- info@coffeeandamike.com   Support My Work Venmo- https://www.venmo.com/u/coffeeandamike Paypal- https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/Coffeeandamike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Patreon- http://patreon.com/coffeeandamike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Cash App- https://cash.app/$coffeeandamike Buy Me a Coffee- https://buymeacoffee.com/coffeeandamike Bitcoin- coffeeandamike@strike.me   Mail Check or Money Order- Coffee and a Mike LLC P.O. Box 25383 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998   Follow John Substack- https://substack.com/@johnwaters X- https://x.com/johnwaters2024 YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@thescholargypsies/videos Order's John's new book- https://a.co/d/7AOMCK1   Follow Masako X- https://x.com/ganaha_masako Substack- https://substack.com/@masakoganaha   Follow Michael X- https://x.com/Michael_Yon Substack- https://michaelyon.substack.com/   Sponsors Vaulted/Precious Metals- https://vaulted.blbvux.net/coffeeandamike McAlvany Precious Metals- https://mcalvany.com/coffeeandamike/ Independence Ark Natural Farming- https://www.independenceark.com/

This week, Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome their mutual buddy, John McManus to the show to discuss the role of the US Army at Pearl Harbor. Everyone knows what the Navy and Marine Corps did and went through during the Japanese attack on Oahu, but do you know the role of the US Army? Tune in to this episode and you will find out. The guys get into such topics as the Coast Artillery, Army AAA during the raid, individual heroics, attacks on Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter as well as the role of US Army doctors and nurses in treating the legions of wounded as a result of the attack. Finally, the guys get into a rare "what if" when they discuss what would have happened if the Japanese had actually tried to land on Oahu following the air raid. Interesting to say the least. Check it out! #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged

Author Neve Foster joins the table to discuss her new novel, Of Ink and Spirit. Along the way, she makes a shocking revelation. Neve Foster is, in fact, the pen name for Anselm's own Evangeline Denmark! Evangeline—err, Neve—discusses her novel's long journey to print and its grounding in Japanese folklore. She also talks about co-founding a new publishing co-op: Unity Inkworks.

Ever wondered why Japan ranks among the healthiest and longest-living nations—without calorie counting or fad diets? In this video, I reveal six powerful Japanese lifestyle habits that naturally support a slim, energized, and long-living body through real food, balance, and mindful living you can start practicing today.GET A CUSTOMIZED WEIGHT LOSS PLAN: Have a free 1-on-1 call with our Expert Nutritionists 

Hey guys before you listen to this one, do realize this is part 3 on a series about General Kanji Ishiwara, so if you have not already done so I would recommend listening to Part 1 & 2.    This episode is General Kanji Ishiwara part 3: The gradual fall into War with China   I tried so hard this time to finish this up neatly in part 3 and utterly failed. I wrote pages and even deleted them to keep squeezing, but theres simply too much to the story. Part 3 will be focusing on the insane politics of the 1930's and how Ishiwara tried to prevent war with China.   Its rather ironic that the man who was the chief instigator that ushering in the conquest of Manchuria was unable to impose his will when it came to molding Manchukuo. Now while Ishiwara Kanji was the operations officer given official responsibility over the planning and conduct of military operations to seize Manchuria, the arrangements for that new state, being political in nature, were not in his sphere of influence. Regardless, Ishiwara was extremely vocal about his opinions on how Manchukuo should develop and he heavily emphasized racial harmony. He continuously hammered his colleagues that the economic development of Manchukuo should reflect the spirit of racial cooperation. Ishiwara assumed the economic interests of Manchukuo would simply coincide with that of the Kwantung army, by definition both's ultimate goals would be unity of Asia against the west. He was very wrong. Ishiwara was consumed by his theory of final war, everything he did was to prepare for it, thus his obsession of racial harmony was another part of the plan.    In 1932 the self government guidance board was abolished in march, leaving its functions and regional organizations to be tossed into brand new bureaus of the new government of Manchukuo. An organization emerged in April called the (Kyowakai / Concordia Association). It was brought together by Yamaguchi Juji and Ozawa Kaisaku, and its purpose was to promote racial harmony and it was backed by members of the Kwantung army, notably Ishiwara, Itagaki and Katakura. The Kwantung army flooded money into the organization and it grew rapidly…well amongst the Japanese anyways. General Honjo was a bit weary about how much the organization might have in the political sphere of Manchukuo, he did not want to see it become an official political party, he preferred it remain in a educative role. By educative role, I of course mean, to be a propaganda arm of the Kwantung army to exert influence over Manchukuo without having real skin in the game.    But to Ishiwara the Concordia Association was the logical means to unify the new nation, guiding its political destiny, to be blunt Ishiwara really saw it should have much more authority than his colleagues believed it should. Ishiwara complained in August of 1932, that Manchuria was a conglomerate of conflicting power centers such as the Kwantung army, the new Manchukuo government, the Kwantung government, the Mantetsu, consular office and so on. Under so many hats he believed Manchukuo would never become a truly unified modern state, and of course he was one of the few people that actually wanted it to be so. He began arguing the Kwantung army should turn over its political authority as soon as possible so “Japanese of high resolve should hasten to the great work of the Manchurian Concordia Association, for I am sure that we Japanese will be its leaders. In this way Manchukuo will not depend on political control from Japan, but will be an independent state, based on Japanese Manchurian cooperation. Guided by Japanese, it will be a mode of Sino-Japanese friendship, an indicator of the present trends of world civilization” Needless to say the Concordia Association made little headway with the Chinese and it began to annoy Japanese leaders. The association gradually was bent into a spiritless propaganda and intelligence arm of the IJA, staffed largely by elite Japanese working in the Manchukuo government.    Ishiwara began using the Concordia Association to promote things such as: returning leased territories like the Railway zone, abolition of extraterritoriality, equalizing payment between the races working in Manchukuo, the kind of stuff that would promote racial harmony. Such advocacy as you can imagine deviated heavily with the Japanese military, and Ishiwara's reputation would be hurt by this. The Kwantung Army staff began shifting dramatically, seeing Ishiwara isolated, aside from Itagaki and a few other followers being around. The upper brass as they say had had enough of the nuisance Concordia Association's and gradually took control of it and made sure to stop the talk of concessions. In August of 1932 Ishiwara received a new assignment and it seems he was only too happy to leave Manchuria.   Ishiwara returned to Japan, disgusted with the turn of direction Manchuria was going, and believing he would be blamed for its future failures he submitted his resignation. But the IJA knew how popular Ishiwara was and how dangerous he could become so they rejected his resignation. Instead they gave him a military decoration. He was in a very strange spot now, for the youthful officers of the Kodoha faction loved Ishiwara, but the senior top brass of the IJA were extremely suspicious of him and lets just say he was kept under close watch.   Now with Ishiwara back in Japan he would get himself involved in a bit of a war between two factions. As many of you probably already know, the Japanese military of the late 1920s and early 1930's saw the emergence of two factions: the Kodoha “imperial way” and Tosei “control” factions. The Kodoha sought what they called a “showa restoration” to give the emperor absolute power like the good olds days as they say. They were willing to even form a coup if necessary to make this happen. Another thing they believed was in the Hokushin-ron “northern strike” war plan. The idea behind this was that the USSR and communism as a whole was Japans largest threat and the IJA needed to invade the USSR. Now the Tosei faction believed in most of what the Kodoha did, but they differed on some issues. Number 1) they were not willing to perform a coup to usher in a showa restoration, no they thought they could work with the existing Zaibatsu elites and politicians to get things done. THe Kodoha hated the politicians and Zaibatsu to the point they wanted to murder them, so differing opinions. The Tosei also believed the next world war would require a total war strategy, to build up Japan to fight the USSR, but probably the US as well. They favored Nanshin-ron “the southern strike” policy, to target the resources of south east asia necessary to give Japan what it needed to be self sufficient. Another thing that separated these two factions, the Kodoha typically were younger officers.   Despite their differences, everyone in the Japanese military understood forceful expansion into Asia was going to happen and this meant collison with the USSR, America and Britain. Ishiwara's first assignment back in Japan was a temporary duty with the foreign ministry, he was a member of the Japanese legation to the league of nations under Matsuoka Yosuke. The league of nations at this time was performing the Lytton Commission which was investigating the Macnhurian problem, ie: Japan invading Manchuria. Upon returning to Japan in summer of 1933, Ishiwara sought a regimental command, but found it difficult to acquire because of his troublemaker like history. Then General Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko who commanded the 2nd sendai division gave him command over the 4th infantry regiment. Ishiwara went to work training the men under him to counter the latest soviet infantry tactics and of course he lectured extensively about his final war theories. During this time rumors emerged that Ishiwara supported the Nanshin-ron strategy. Many of his old colleagues who supported Hokushin-ron demanded he explain himself and Ishiwara did. These rumors were actually false, it was not that Ishiwara favored the Nanshin-ron strategy, it was simply that he did not back all aspects of the Hokushin-ron strategy.   Ishiwara believed to challenge the USSR, first Japan needed an Asian union, which he thought would take probably 30 years to create. But to usher such an Asian union, first Manchukuo needed to be hammered out properly, something Ishiwara thought Japan was failing to do. Also Japan's military strength was insufficient to overwhelm the multiple enemies before her, the war she would enter would be a protracted one. To win such a war she needed resources and allies, notably Manchukuo and China. To confront the USSR, Japan would need to subvert outer mongolia, but to confront the USA and Britain she would have to seize the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and Guam. It was going to be a global clash.   Ishiwara was gravely concerned with how powerful the USSR was becoming in the early 1930s. In the 3 years since he had left Manchuria, the Soviet divisions in east asia had jumped from 8 to 14 by the end of 1935, while Japanese divisions in Manchuria were only 3. For aircraft the Soviets had 950 vs 220 for Japan. On top of that the Soviets had TB-5 long range bombers, capable of hitting Japan, but the Japanese had no comparable aircraft. A large reason for such build up's were literally because Kodoha leaders were publicly threatening the Soviets such as Generals Sadao Araki. The Kodoha faction faced a lot of challenges as to how they could hope to face off against the USSR. They figured out three main principles needed to be overcome: 1) Japan had to prevent the USSR from being able to defeat its enemies to the west and east one at a time, Japan should seek diplomatic aims in this like allying with Germany. 2) A devastating blow was necessary to the USSR far east, perhaps against the Trans-siberian railway and air bases in the maritime provinces. 3) If Japan was able to demolish Soviet resistance in the far east, Japan would need to take forward positions on the Manchurian border for a protracted war. Ishiwara tried to figure out ways to get by these principles. First he advocated for Japanese troops strength in Manchuria and Korea to be 80% equivalent to that of the Soviets east of Lake Baikal at the offset of hostilities. He also urged cooperation with Germany and to preserve friendly neutral relations with Britain and the US, that is until the soviets were dealt with of course. Ishiwara vigorously felt the Nanshin ron strategy to push into southeast asia and the pacific was far too ambitious for the time being and that all efforts should be made to consolidate Manchuria for resources. Ishiwara tried to win over some Naval support for his plans, but none would be found. When Ishiwara showed his formal plans for Asia to the war ministry, they told him his projections in Manchuria would cost at least 1 billion 300 million yen. They also notified Ishiwara the navy were asking for about the same amount for their programs. Now while Ishiwara spent years trying to produce a 6 year plan to build up Manchuria, other significant things were going on in Japan.   The Kodoha faction as I said had a lot of younger officer support and a lot of these were men who came from rural parts of Japan. A lot of these men came from poor families suffering, and it looked to them that Japan was a nation full of social injustice and spiritual disintegration. These young officers were becoming more and more vocal in the early 1930's about wanting a showa restoration. They thought Japan would be better off as a military state with the emperor on top. Ishiwara empathized with the desire for a showa restoration, and many of the young officers calling for it claimed he was one of their champions. He made some fiery speeches in 1935 linking the evils of capitalism to the destitution of rural japan. He argued farmers were bearing crushing burdens because of economic privation. In his words “if the clash between the exploiters (landlords and capitalists) and the exploited continues much longer the exploited will be ground to bits. The present system of free economic competition has produced a situation where there is a small number of fabulously rich and limitless number of desperately poor. The national has indeed reached a national crisis. Liberal capitalism must inevitably give way to a newer system". What that “newer system was” however differed from what the youthful officers saw as their Showa restoration. Ishiwara wanted the Japanese government to create plans and policy, the Kodoha hardliners wanted to form a violent coup.    Kodoha officers began to push Ishiwara to champion their cause more and more. However by late 1935 Ishiwara's name would actually begin to be connected to the Tosei faction. While Ishiwara supported much of the Kodoha ideology, he simply did not share their beliefs in the same Showa restoration, he was more akin to the Tosei in that regard. Now after the manchurian incident the two factions kind of went to war with another to dominate the military. The Kodoha faction was early on the most powerful, but in 1934 their leader Araki resigned from the army due to failing health and he was replaced by General Senjuro Hayashi who favored the Tosei. In November of 1934, a plot was discovered that involved Kodoha officers seeking to murder some top ranking politicians. The result of this saw the Tosei faction force the resignation of the Kodoha leader General Jinzaburo Masaki, who was serving as the inspector general of military education. In retaliation to this, the Kodoha officer Saburo Aizawa murdered the Toseiha leader General Tetsuzen Nagata. This caused a frenzy, things began to really escalate, and many looked at Ishiwara Kanji to prove which side he favored. While in prison awaiting trial, Aizawa asked Ishiwara to be his defense counsel, to which he promised he would consider it. At the same time other Kodoha officers began pressing Ishiwara to support their cause openly. It is really hard to see where exactly Ishiwara was in all of this as all of his speeches prior were purposely ambiguous. He looked like a fence sitter and after what will be the February coup of 1936, there was testimony that Ishiwara was a middle-echelon member involved in the coup, other testimony literally had him on the list of people to be assassinated. A few weeks before Aizawa's trial, Ishiwara refused his request.   On February 26th, Ishiwara was awakened at his Tokyo home by a telephone call from Colonel Suzuki Teiichi informing him a rebellion was underway. Ishiwara, though ill at the time rushed over to the Military police HQ in Kudan. There he was informed of what was going on and how the officers were now taking the side of the showa restorationists or to quell the rebellion. From there he rushed to meet War Minister Kawashima Yoshiyuki where he demanded a proclamation of martial law to cope with the rebellion. He then urged Vice Chief of staff Sugiyama to order units from garrisons around Tokyo to overwhelm the rebels. Within 24 hours of the event, Ishiwara was then named operations officer of the Martial Law headquarters and he began coordinating plans to deal with the crisis. Thus Ishiwara occupied a crucial position in quelling the coup. On the night of the 27th a bunch of officers who sympathized with the rebels came to the HQ to argue for delaying actions against them. To this Ishiwara rose up and announced “we shall immediately carry forward plans for an assault. All units will assemble for that purpose. The army will wait until noon of the 28th; then it will begin its assault and crush the rebellion”. The next day,  Ishiwara went to the main entrance of the War Ministers office, where a large number of the rebels occupied and he demanded to talk to their leaders face to face. He hoped the youthful officers who looked up to him would see reason. They let him in, after they had shot Captain Katakura Tadashi for trying to do the same thing. Ishiwara then told them he shared many of their goals, but condemned their use of force. With a pistol pointed at him Ishiwara declared this “If you don't listen to reason you will be crushed by the severest measures”. He delivered his ultimatum and just walked out the door.    By the 28th the tides turned on the rebels. Emperor Hirohito put his foot down, demanding an end to the mutiny, many of the top Kodoha leaders walked away because of this. The Navy brought all of its power to Tokyo bay including its SNLF marines, all guns were on the rebels. Some of the rebels held out, still hoping the Emperor would change his mind and order a showa restoration, but by the 29th it fell apart. The rebels surrendered, aided by Colonel Tomoyuki Yamashita (one of my favorite generals of WW2, fascinating character). In the words of Matsumura Shuitsu a member of the Martial law HQ “In the midst of all the confusion and commotion, Ishiwara never lost sight of his objective and dealt with the criss with cool efficiency. If ever there was a case of the right man in the right place it was Ishiwara at that time. No doubt, what brought about the ultimate surrender of the rebel forces, was, of course, the Imperial command. But I believe that in a large part the collapse of the rebellion was due to the decisiveness of Ishwara, who never swerved, never hesitated. In short, Tokyo was saved by Ishiwara's courage”. It is rather ironic, many would point out it was Ishiwara who instigated the insurrection, but when it came time for it, he was the largest one to stamp down upon it. One could argue, by suppressing the rebellion, Ishawara had exploited the crisis in order to earn the political power necessary to bring about his version of a Showa Restoration.   During the mutiny, after meeting the rebels, Ishiwara actually had a secret meeting with two Kodoha officers at the Imperial Hotel. They were Colonel Hashimoto Kingoro and Colonel Mitsui Sakichi. He spoke to them about the possibility of forming a new government. The 3 of them came to these conclusions to actually perform a real Showa restoration. The rebels needed to go back to their barracks; the emperor needed to endorse the showa restoration; and members of the cabinet and top military leaders had to support it. Ishiwara then went to the Martial Law HQ and demanded Army vice chief of staff Sugiyama that he submit to the emperor a petition “to establish a restoration which would make clear the spirit of the nation, realize the national defense, and stabilize the peoples livelihood”. Sugiyama wanted nothing to do with this and told him “its simply impossible to relay such a request from the army” Ishiwara knew Sugiyama's position was too strong to challenge directly so he backed off, this was his last attempt to alter the nation's course through confrontation. Because of his actions during the quelling of the rebellion, this little scene was forgotten, his reputation was not tarnished…well it was amongst the Kodoha hardliners who saw him as a traitor, but other than that. Yet again he seems to be a man of many contradictions.  After the February coup the Kodoha faction ceased to exist and the Toseiha's ideology grabbed most of the military, though they also faded heavily.     Ishiwara went back to planning and lecturing taking a heavy notice of how Germany and Italy's totalitarian models were looking like the most efficient ones that Japan should emulate. He pushed heavily for a national defense state. He kept advocating for a 5 year plan he had to push Japan into a total war economy, but the industrialists and economists kept telling him it was far too much. I could write pages on all the ideas he had, he covered every aspect of Japanese society. He wanted the whole of Japan to devote itself to becoming the hegemonic power in Asia and this required self-sufficiency, more territory, alliances, an overhaul of Japan's politics, economy, etc etc he worked on this for years. One thing I find amusing to note, Ishiwara's plans had the national defense state not run directly by the military. No instead the military would only focus on military affairs to maximize their efficiency, thus civilians would lead the government. In his words “the tactics and strategy of national defense in the narrow sense are unquestionably the responsibility of the military. But national defense in the widest sense, industry, economy, transportation, communications are clearly related to the field of politics. Of course, the military can naturally express their opinion on these matters in order to counsel some minister whose duties are political, but to go before the general public and discuss the detailed industrial and economic is an arrogation of authority”. So ye, Ishiwara actually sought to remove military officers from political positions.    In 1937 Ishiwara was promoted to the rank of major general and his duties were of the operations division of the general staff. Because of his popularity and now his rank, some began to see him almost as that of a rising dictator. In January of 1937, the government of Hirota Koki who had come to power largely because of the february coup were having problems. Politicians were unable to deal with the rising military budgets. Ishiwara was eager to press forward his national defense state idea. Alongside this Captain Fukutome Shigeru, his naval counterpart was angry at the cabinet for hindering funding and called for their dissolution. In one meeting Ishiwara blurted out “if there's any disturbance the military should proclaim martial law throughout the country until things were straightened out”. Well within days the cabinet fell on its own and now everyone looked to a successor.    The Army and Navy fought for their candidate. The Nazi favored Ugaki Kazushige, but the Army held grudges against him. Ishiwara also did not like his appointment stating he had a bad political past, by bad that meant he had advocated for military budget cuts. Ugaki refused the job because of the pressure and made a note about Ishiwara's remarks towards him. Seeing Ugaki pushed aside, Ishiwara and his followers pushed for 3 other candidates; Hayashi Senjuro, House President Konoe Fumumaro and President of the privy council Hiranuma Kiichiro. Ishiwara sent to each man his 5 year plan to test their enthusiasm for it. Hiranuma didn't like it, Konoe was neutral and Hayashi liked it. So Ishiwara backed Hayashi go figure. All of his Manchurian oriented followers pushed to get him into office. When Hayashi was given Imperial command to head a new government, Ishiwara met with his Manchurian faction friends to draw a list of people to put in the cabinet. Itagaki Seishiro was chosen as war minister; Admiral Suetsugu Nobumasa known to have radical reformist leanings for navy minister; Matsuoka Yosuke or SHiratori Toshio for foreign minister, industrialist Ikeda Seihin for finance, Tsuda Shingo for commerce and industry, Sogo Shinji as chief cabinet secretary and Miyazaki as chairman. Ishiwara himself stayed carefully in the background to make it seem like he was only attending military duties.    But rivals to Ishiwara began working against him, especially some of those Kodoha hardliners who felt he betrayed them. They pressed Hayashi to not accept many of Ishiwara's cabinet candidates such as Itagaki and Hayashi backed off the majority of them as a result. The effort to form a Macnhurian cabal failed and this further led to a lack of enthusiasm for Ishiwara's national defense plans. Hayashi's government which Ishiwara had placed his hopes upon became antagonistic towards him and his followers.    Now over in Manchuria, the Kwantung army was looking to seize territory in northern China and inner mongolia. This was something Ishiwara was flip floppy about. At first he began speaking about the need to simply develop Manchukuo so that China and Inner mongolia would follow suite, but gradually he began to warm up to schemes to invade. Though when he heard his former Kwantun colleagues were basically going to perform the exact same plan he had done with the Mukden incident he traveled back to Manchuria to dissuade them. Ishiwara landed at Dairen and within days of his arrival he learned that 15,000 troops under Prince Demchugdongrub, known also as Prince Teh of Mongolia, backed by Kwantung arms and aircraft were launching a full scale invasion of Suiyuan province. Ishiwara was furious and he screamed at the General staff “the next time I visit the Kwantung Army I'm going to piss on the floor of the commanders office!”    Within a month, the Warlord Yan Xishan, now fighting for the NRA turned back Prince Teh's forces. This angered the Kwantung army, fueling what Ishiwara always feared, a war between China and Japan. Ishiwara began lecturing left right and center about how Japan needed to curb her imperialist aggression against China. He advocated as always racial harmonization, about the East Asian League idea, cooperation between China and Japan. He thought perhaps China could be induced by joined a federation with Japan and to do all of this Japan should help develop Manchukuo as a positive model. Ishiwara warned any aggressive actions against China would waste valuable resources needed dearly to be directed against the USSR. In his words “China was an endless bog that would swallow men and materiel without prospect of victory and it would cripple the possibility of East Asian Union” Prophetic words to be sure.   Ishiwara was still influential and many in Hayashi's cabinet headed him, trying to push for more diplomacy with China. But by spring of 1937 Tokyo HQ had split over the issue. On one side were Ishiwara and those seeking to obtain a sort of treaty with China to form an alliance against the USSR. On the other hand the Nationalists and Communists were on the verge of forming a united front allied to the USSR, thus the invading China faction was gaining steam. This faction simply sought to get China out of the way, then focus on the USSR. As much as Ishiwara fought it, the China War would come nonetheless.   In June of 1937, a report from a Japanese civilian visiting China reached Colonel Kawabe Torashiro. The report stated that the China Garrison Army in the Peking area were planning an incident similar to what had occurred in Mukden in 1931. Kawabe took the report to Ishiwara who said he would investigate the matter. Ishiwara pressed the war ministry to send Colonel Okamoto Kiyotomi to the military administration section to north china to warn Generals Hashimoto Gun of the China Garrison Army and Kwabe Msakazu commander the brigade station in the Peking area that Tokyo would not tolerate provocation actions. Okamoto came back and stated they reassured him it was just rumors and nothing was occurring.   Two weeks later on July 7th, the infamous Marco Polo Bridge incident began WW2. When it began, Tokyo took it as a minor incident, just some skirmishes between minor forces, but the fighting grew and grew. The two factions in Tokyo who we can call the “expansionists and non expansionists” began arguing on what to do. The expansionists argued this was the time to deliver a quick and decisive blow, which meant mobilizing and dispatching divisions into northern China to overwhelm them. The non expansionists argued they needed to terminate hostilities immediately and seek diplomacy before the conflict got out of hand. From the offset of the conflict, Ishiwara led the doomed non expansionists. Ishiwara tried to localize the conflict to prevent more Japanese from getting involved. To do this he urged Prince Kan'in to send a cable on July 8th to the local Japanese forces to settle the issue locally. But they reported back that the Nanjing government was tossing 4 divisions of reinforcements to the area, prompting the Japanese to mobilize 3 divisions in response. For 3 days Ishiwara tried to halt the reinforcements, but the Nanjing report came true, the Chinese reinforcements arrived to the scene, pushing the Japanese to do the same. General Kawabe Masakazu argued 12,000 Japanese civilians were in the area and now under threat, thus Ishiwara had to stand down.   The conflict at the Marco Polo Bridge quickly got out of hand. Ishiwara was very indecisive, he tried to thwart the spread of the conflict, but he was continuously forced to stand down when reports false or true poured in about Chinese offensives. In fact, Ishiwara's efforts were getting him in a ton of trouble as his colleagues began to point out they were hindering the military operations which at the time were trying to end the conflict quickly. Ishiwara did not go down without a fight tossing one last attempt to stop the conflict. He urged Prime Minister Konoe to fly to Nanjing to speak directly with Chiang Kai Shek, it was a last ditch effort before the Japanese reinforcements arrived. When Konoe received requests to do this from multiple Japanese military leaders on urged on by Ishiwara, he was initially favorable to the idea and had a plane prepared for the trip. But within hours of the idea leaked out raising a storm of protests from the expansionists. Sugiyama then told Konoe it was Ishiwara pushing the idea and that his views represented a small minority in the military. Konoe ultimately back down and chose not to do it. Ishiwara was outraged when he found out screaming “tell the Prime minister that in 2000 years of our history no man will have done more to destroy Japan than he has by his indecisiveness in this crisis”.   Ishiwara began fighting with his colleagues as the situation worsened. He tabled a motion to press Nanjing to support Manchukuo in order for the Japanese to withdraw, but his colleagues blocked it. By August the conflict had spread as far as Shanghai and now even the IJN were getting involved. To this Ishiwara argued they should just evacuate Japanese civilians in Shanghai and pay them several hundred million yen in compensation as it would be cheaper than a war. He was quickly overruled. Thus the North China Incident simply became the China incident. In early september Ishiwara tried one last attempt to negotiate a settlement, trying to get Germany to mediate, but by mid september Ishiwara's influence had dropped considerably. By late september Ishiwara was removed from the General staff by General Tada. The remnants of Ishiwara's followers in the central army were defeated, particularly when Konoe declared in January of 1938 that Japan would not treat with Chiang Kai-shek. Ironically Konoe would quickly come around to believe Japan had made a grave mistake. By 1938 24 IJA divisions were tossed into China, the next year this became 34. 

Over some Japanese whisky, we sit down with Gabe Navarro to talk about the family legacy behind the Navarro Pharmacy chain, a true Miami institution. Gabe shares what it was like growing up in the business, from sweeping floors and stocking shelves to ultimately helping lead the company through its major exit to CVS.We get into how he and his siblings transformed Navarro from a neighborhood pharmacy brand into a real estate powerhouse, investing in shopping centers across Florida, developing multifamily projects, and even purchasing a ski resort in Idaho.Gabe's story is one of family, vision, and generational success, and he's as genuine and humble as they come.Connect with usWant to dive deeper into Miami's commercial real estate scene? It's our favorite topic and we're always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at info@builtworldadvisors.com or give us a call at 305.498.9410. Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we're always open to expanding the conversation. Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

Eze 10:1-11:25, Heb 6:1-20, Ps 105:16-36, Pr 27:1-2

David Utterback wanted to be a punk rocker, and like many aspiring musicians he started working in restaurants to make money. He was quickly hired at Blue Sushi Sake grill, which was the coolest restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska, at the time, because, with a Japanese mother, he looked the part. But it turns out that he also liked working in restaurants, and was good at it, so he stayed with that company, Flagship Restaurant Group, opening sushi restaurants across the country before he decided to try his own hand at entrepreneurship. He funded his first restaurant, Yoshitomo, in 2017 with a bunch of credit cards that had promotional 0% interest rates. He couldn't afford proper kitchen equipment, like a stove and a range, let alone a hood, so he developed a menu based on what he could do with a toaster oven and a blowtorch.The gamble paid off, the restaurant was a hit, and he paid off those credit cards.And now he also operates Koji, a slightly larger and more casual restaurant, also in Omaha, with a dedicated grill program using Japanese binchotan charcoal.Utterback talks about his operations and hints at more restaurants to come.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Serendipity in the Bamboo Grove: A Tale of Inspiration Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-04-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 京都の嵐山は、日本の文化の日を迎える秋のある日、静寂に包まれていました。En: KyotoのArashiyama was enveloped in tranquility on an autumn day as Japan celebrated Culture Day.Ja: 竹林は、静かなカテドラルのようにそそり立つ竹の葉で覆われ、その風景に澄んだ空気が漂っていました。En: The bamboo grove stood tall like a quiet cathedral, covered with bamboo leaves, and the landscape was filled with clear, fresh air.Ja: ハルキは、京都の大学に通う学生で、伝統的な日本の芸術に情熱を持っていました。En: Haruki was a student attending a university in Kyoto, passionate about traditional Japanese arts.Ja: 彼は次のプロジェクトのために、特別なインスピレーションを探していました。En: He was searching for special inspiration for his next project.Ja: 彼はいつもと違う小径を選び、竹林の中を歩いていました。En: Choosing a different path than usual, he walked through the bamboo grove.Ja: 一方、エミは作家で、新しい小説のための静かな場所を探していました。En: Meanwhile, Emi was a writer looking for a quiet place for her new novel.Ja: 彼女はちょうどスランプに陥っており、頭の中の霧を晴らすために、自然との対話を求めていました。En: She had recently hit a slump and sought communion with nature to clear the fog clouding her mind.Ja: 竹の葉が静かに揺れる音が響く中で、ハルキとエミが偶然出会います。En: Amidst the sound of quietly rustling bamboo leaves, Haruki and Emi met by chance.Ja: エミは周りの美しさに心を打たれ、彼に声をかけました。「ここで何をしているんですか？」と彼女が尋ねました。En: Struck by the beauty around her, she approached him. "What are you doing here?" she asked.Ja: ハルキは微笑んで答えました。「新しい視点を見つけたいんです。あなたは？」エミは答えました。「最新の小説のためにインスピレーションが必要です。」En: Haruki smiled and answered, "I'm looking for a new perspective. And you?" Emi replied, "I need inspiration for my latest novel."Ja: 二人は竹林を歩きながら、各々の創作の苦しみについて話し始めました。En: As they walked through the bamboo grove, they started talking about the struggles of their respective creative endeavors.Ja: エミは自身の考えを声に出すことで新たな洞察を得ることを理解し、ハルキは彼女の視点から多くを学べると気付きました。En: Emi realized that voicing her thoughts brought new insights, and Haruki found he could learn much from her perspective.Ja: 彼らの話は深まり、竹の静寂が彼らを包み込む中で、共鳴し始めました。En: Their conversation deepened, and in the silence of the bamboo, they began to resonate with each other.Ja: 「あなたの視点はとても新鮮です」とハルキは言いました。「エミさんのおかげで、私の作品に新しい命が吹き込まれたようです。」En: "Your perspective is quite refreshing," Haruki said. "Thanks to you, it feels like new life has been breathed into my work."Ja: エミもまた、「ハルキさんと話すことで、私の小説に新たな光が差しました」と微笑みました。En: Emi also smiled, "Talking with you, Haruki-san, has cast new light on my novel."Ja: 日が暮れる頃には、二人は各々のインスピレーションを得ていました。En: By the time dusk fell, both had found their respective inspirations.Ja: ハルキはプロジェクトのためのユニークなアイデアを持ち帰り、エミは小説を書く新たな視点と自信を取り戻しました。En: Haruki returned with unique ideas for his project, and Emi regained a fresh perspective and confidence in her writing.Ja: 二人は竹林を後にし、心が軽くなったように感じました。En: They left the bamboo grove feeling as if a weight had been lifted from their hearts.Ja: ハルキは協力の大切さを学び、エミは他者からインスピレーションを得ることの素晴らしさを発見しました。En: Haruki learned the importance of collaboration, and Emi discovered the beauty of finding inspiration in others.Ja: こうして、秋のある日の嵐山での出会いは、二人にとって永遠の宝物となりました。En: Thus, the encounter in Arashiyama on that autumn day became an eternal treasure for them both.Ja: 竹林の静寂とともに、新しい季節の始まりを告げる風がそよいでいました。En: Along with the tranquility of the bamboo grove, a breeze heralded the beginning of a new season. Vocabulary Words:enveloped: 包まれてtranquility: 静寂bamboo grove: 竹林cathedral: カテドラルlandscape: 風景inspiration: インスピレーションslump: スランプcommunion: 対話breeze: 風dusk: 日が暮れる頃perspective: 視点endeavor: 創作resonate: 共鳴unique: ユニークcollaboration: 協力insights: 洞察fog: 霧rustling: 揺れるslump: スランプvoices: 声に出すeternal: 永遠cherish: 宝物breeze: そよいでautumn: 秋novel: 小説creative: 創作rustling: 揺れるsilence: 静寂confidence: 自信treasure: 宝物

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Lunch Swap Leads to Student Chef Showdown Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-04-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 秋の高等学校はいつもとてもにぎやかです。En: High school in the fall is always very lively.Ja: 生徒たちは色づいた落ち葉の中を歩きながら、軽いジャケットを着ています。En: The students walk among the colorful fallen leaves, wearing light jackets.Ja: 今日は特別な日ではありませんが、収穫祭のシーズンで、外は少し涼しいです。En: Although today is not a special day, it is harvest festival season, and the weather outside is a little chilly.Ja: 健太は校庭を歩きながら自分の弁当をきちんと包みました。En: Kenta carefully wrapped his lunch as he walked in the schoolyard.Ja: 彼は料理がとても好きで、今日は特に力を入れて作った美味しい弁当が自分の机にあると期待しました。En: He loves cooking very much and was looking forward to finding the delicious lunch he made with special care today on his desk.Ja: しかし、何か母の顔を思い出してしまいました。En: However, he suddenly remembered his mother's face.Ja: それは校長の弁当ではないかと…。En: Could it be the principal's lunch...?Ja: 「どうしよう、弁当を間違えて取った！」と、健太は心の中で叫びました。En: "What should I do, I grabbed the wrong lunch!" Kenta shouted in his mind.Ja: 校長は厳しさで有名で、しばらくして弁当がなくなったことに気づくに違いありません。En: The principal is famous for being strict, and he will undoubtedly notice his lunch missing soon.Ja: 英恵と浩が弁当を広げているのを見て、健太はアイデアを思いつきました。En: Seeing Hanae and Hiroshi opening their lunches, Kenta came up with an idea.Ja: 「協力してくれない？先生方の休憩室で弁当を交換しなきゃいけないんだ。」En: "Can you help me? I have to swap the lunch in the teachers' lounge," he said.Ja: 浩は驚いて、「どうしたの？」と聞きました。En: Hiroshi was surprised, asking, "What happened?"Ja: 英恵はちょっと心配そうに「どうしてそんなことを？」と言いました。En: Hanae looked a little worried and said, "Why do you need to do that?"Ja: しかし、友達なので彼を助けることに同意しました。En: However, being good friends, they agreed to help him.Ja: 昼休み、英恵と浩は先生方が休憩室を出るように注意を引きつけ、健太はすばやく中に入ります。En: During lunch break, Hanae and Hiroshi distracted the teachers to leave the lounge, allowing Kenta to slip in quickly.Ja: そこで校長の弁当と自分の弁当を交換しようとしますが、その瞬間、校長が部屋に入ってきました。En: He attempted to swap the principal's lunch with his own, but at that moment, the principal walked into the room.Ja: くるりと振り向いて、校長は弁当を開けました。En: With a quick glance, the principal opened the lunch box.Ja: 「あれ、この弁当は何だ？」校長は意外そうに言いました。En: "What is this lunch?" the principal said with surprise.Ja: 健太はパニックに陥りましたが、何か素晴らしいことが起こりました。En: Though Kenta panicked, something amazing happened.Ja: 「料理を作ることが大好きなんです！」と大声で言ってしまいました。En: "I love cooking!" he blurted out loudly.Ja: クラスメートに料理の才能を見せることを恐れていましたが、その瞬間、心からの告白が飛び出しました。En: He had been afraid to show his classmates his cooking talent, but in that moment, a heartfelt confession came out.Ja: 校長は笑顔を見せました。En: The principal smiled.Ja: 「これは君が作ったのか？素晴らしいね。」En: "Did you make this? It's wonderful," he said.Ja: そして、健太に「今度、学生の料理コンテストを開こうと思う。君も参加しなさい。」と言いました。En: Then, he told Kenta, "I am thinking of organizing a student cooking contest. You should participate."Ja: 健太はびっくりしましたが、嬉しさでいっぱいになりました。En: Kenta was surprised but filled with happiness.Ja: 無事に弁当を取り戻し、教室で戻ったとき、友達は彼に拍手しました。En: After successfully retrieving his lunch and returning to the classroom, his friends applauded him.Ja: その瞬間から、健太は自分の料理の情熱を隠さず、堂々と表現するようになりました。En: From that moment on, Kenta began to express his passion for cooking openly and boldly.Ja: そして、仲間たちの称賛を受け、自信を持つようになりました。En: He received the admiration of his peers and gained confidence.Ja: こうして、健太は自分の新しい一面を見つけました。En: Thus, Kenta discovered a new side of himself.Ja: 秋の黄金の葉が揺れる中、彼の心もあたたかく輝いていました。En: Just as the golden leaves of fall swayed, so did his heart glow warmly. Vocabulary Words:lively: にぎやかfallen leaves: 落ち葉light jackets: 軽いジャケットharvest festival: 収穫祭chilly: 涼しいcarefully wrapped: きちんと包みましたschoolyard: 校庭principal: 校長undoubtedly: に違いありませんstrict: 厳しさdistracted: 注意を引きつけlounge: 休憩室swap: 交換moment: 瞬間glance: 振り向いてopened: 開けましたsurprise: 意外panicked: パニックに陥りましたconfession: 告白heartfelt: 心からのtalent: 才能admiration: 称賛confidence: 自信boldly: 堂々とexpress: 表現するpeers: 仲間たちretrieving: 取り戻しapplauded: 拍手しましたglow warmly: あたたかく輝いてside of himself: 新しい一面

"Relationships come before proposals; kokoro-gamae signals intent long before a contract". "Nemawashi wins unseen battles by equipping an internal champion to align consensus". "In Japan, decisions are slower—but execution is lightning-fast once ringi-sho is approved". "Detail is trust: dense materials, rapid follow-ups, and consistent delivery reduce uncertainty avoidance". "Think reorder, not transaction—lifetime value grows from reliability, patience, and face-saving flexibility". In this Asia AIM conversation, Dr. Greg Story reframes B2B success in Japan as a decision-intelligence exercise grounded in trust, patience, and detail. The core insight: buyers are rewarded for avoiding downside, not for taking risks. Consequently, a new supplier represents uncertainty; price discounts rarely move the needle. What does? Kokoro-gamae—demonstrable, client-first intent—expressed through meticulous preparation, responsiveness, and long-term commitment. Greg's journey began in 1992 when his Australian consultative selling failed to gain traction. The lesson was blunt: until trust is established, the offer is irrelevant because the buyer evaluates the person first. From there, the playbook is distinctly Japanese. Nemawashi—the behind-the-scenes groundwork—recognises that many stakeholders can say "no." External sellers seldom meet these influencers. The practical move is to equip an internal champion with detailed, risk-reducing materials and flexible terms that make consensus safer. Once the ringi-sho (circulating approval document) moves, execution accelerates; Japan trades slow decisions for fast delivery. Greg emphasises information density and speed. Japanese firms expect thick printouts, technical appendices, and rapid follow-ups—even calls to confirm an email was received. This signals reliability and reduces the purchaser's uncertainty. Trial orders are common; they are not small but strategic—tests of quality, schedule adherence, and flexibility. Win the test, and the budget cycle (often April-to-March) can position the supplier for multi-year reorders. Culturally, face and accountability shape referrals. Testimonials are difficult because clients avoid responsibility if something goes wrong. Longevity itself becomes social proof: "We've supplied X for ten years" carries weight. Greg's hunter-versus-farmer distinction highlights the need to support new logos with dedicated account "farmers" who manage detail, cadence, and service levels that earn reorders. Patience is tactical, not passive. "Kentō shimasu" may mean "not now," so he calendarises a nine-month follow-up—enough time for internal conditions to change without ceding the account to competitors. Throughout, he urges leaders to think in lifetime value, align to budget rhythms, and communicate more than feels natural. The result is a high-trust system where consensus reduces organisational risk—and where suppliers that master nemawashi, detail, and delivery become integral partners rather than interchangeable vendors.  Q&A Summary What makes leadership in Japan unique? Leadership succeeds when it reduces organisational risk and preserves face during consensus formation. Nemawashi equips internal champions to address objections before meetings, while ringi-sho formalises agreement. Leaders who foreground kokoro-gamae, provide dense decision packs, and allow time for alignment see decisions stick and execution accelerate. Why do global executives struggle? Western managers often prize speed, big-room persuasion, and minimal detail. In Japan, uncertainty avoidance is high; buyers seek exhaustive documentation and incremental proof via pilots. Under-investing in detail or follow-up reads as unreliable. Overlooking budget cycles and internal approvals leads to mistimed asks and stalled ringi. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Individuals are incentivised to avoid downside, which shifts decisions from "risk-taking" to "risk-mitigation." The system favours tested suppliers, visible track records, and trial orders. Price rarely offsets perceived risk. Trust and history function as risk controls; once approved, delivery speed reflects the system's confidence. What leadership style actually works? A patient, service-led style that privileges relationships over transactions. Leaders ask permission to ask questions, listen for hidden constraints, and co-design low-risk pilots. Farmers—or hunter-farmer teams—sustain cadence, escalate issues early, and remain flexible as conditions change, protecting the champion's face and the consensus. How can technology help? Decision intelligence platforms can map stakeholders and sentiment across the approval chain. Digital twins of delivery schedules and SLAs, plus living dashboards of quality metrics, give champions ringi-ready evidence. Structured knowledge bases, rapid response workflows, and audit trails strengthen reliability signals during nemawashi. Does language proficiency matter? Language builds rapport, but process fluency matters more: understanding nemawashi, ringi-sho, and budget cycles; providing dense Japanese-language materials; and maintaining a proactive follow-up cadence. Bilingual support teams and translated technical appendices can materially lower perceived risk. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Optimise for the reorder, not the first sale. Reliability, speed of follow-up, document density, and cultural fluency compound into durable trust. Japan rewards those who "hasten slowly," then deliver flawlessly when the decision finally lands.  Timecoded Summary [00:00] Context and thesis: Japan's B2B environment rewards risk mitigation over risk-taking; relationships precede proposals. Greg recounts his early failure applying Australian consultative selling before building rapport and trust as prerequisites. [05:20] Nemawashi in practice: Many stakeholders can veto; sellers rarely meet them. Equip the champion with dense packs, options, and flexibility to navigate objections. Ringi-sho formalises consensus, and once signed, execution accelerates. [12:45] Detail and responsiveness: Japanese buyers expect information-rich printouts and fast follow-ups—even same-day responses. Trial orders function as risk-controlled tests of quality, schedule, and flexibility. Delivery during trials sets the tone for long-term partnership. [18:30] Referrals and proof: Public testimonials are rare due to accountability risk. Tenure becomes currency—long relationships serve as de-risking signals to new buyers. Social proof derives from sustained performance, not logos on a webpage. [24:10] Cadence and patience: "Kentō shimasu" often means "not now." Calendarise a nine-month check-in to match likely internal change cycles. Align proposals to April budget rhythms to avoid timing out. Maintain polite persistence without pushiness. [31:05] Operating model: Pair hunters with farmers; once a deal lands, a service-led team manages detail, SLAs, and face-saving flexibility. Leaders message lifetime value, not quarterly wins, and use technology (decision intelligence, digital twins, knowledge bases) to support nemawashi and ringi.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.   

On today's show, Pat and the boys overreact to everything that happened in week 9 of the NFL that saw the league return with it's fastball as 9 of 12 games were decided by a touchdown or less, they go over some overreactions from around the internet, chat about the incredible World Series that saw the Dodgers repeat as champions in extra innings of game 7 in Toronto, and much more. Joining the progrum to wrap up what we saw yesterday and give updates on the plethora of injuries from yesterday, updates as the trade deadline approaches, and a preview of tonight's MNF game. Next, 3x World Series Champion, 3x Cy Young winner, 2014 NL MVP, 11x All-Star, future first ballot Hall of Famer, Clayton Kershaw joins the show to chat about going out on top, why this Dodgers team is so special, his relationship with Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the Japanese players, and more. Later, 12 year NFL veteran, ESPN NFL analyst/QB guru, Dan Orlovsky joins the show to give his biggest takeaway's from week 9, and he previews tonight's MNF game between the Cardinals and Cowboys. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN's Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We appreciate the hell out of all of you, we'll see you tomorrow. Cheers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1. LONDINIUM 91 CE. Seven Warnings, Part I. Gaius and Germanicus, joined by retired centurions, convened at the Friends of History Debating Society to discuss Germanicus's list of seven maxims detailing how empires, specifically the US, engage in self-harm or self-destruction. Gaius offered the example of the emperor deciding Nigeria needs attention due to the killing of Christians, asserting America has no interest whatsoever in this venture. He contrasted this unnecessary entanglement with Rome's historical method of handling threats in its self-interest. Rome, when it decided to win, completely wiped out resisting enemies, as demonstrated by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the earlier obliteration of Sepphoris, the capital of Galilee, around 4 BCE. The Romans even renamed Judea to Palestine to deny the populace their historical identity. Germanicus then presented the first four maxims routinely ignored by US war fighters: (1) Never let a foreign power define your interests and objectives—this warning cited historical entanglement examples, including the British in two World Wars and modern manipulation by Ukraine, NATO countries, and Israel; (2) Never let initial success fool you into thinking you're winning—Germanicus noted that this "victory disease" affected the Japanese after Pearl Harbor and the US during the invasion of Iraq and the initial stages of the Ukraine war; (3) The failure chosen now is always better than the failure forced upon you later—this maxim addresses the destructive "stay the course" mentality, exemplified by the Vietnam War, driven by courtiers worried about reputation rather than effectiveness; (4) Judgment of the enemy should not be confirmed by internal biases—this bias leads to disastrous strategy, such as the initial belief that the Japanese could not fly effectively due to poor eyesight, viewing Pearl Harbor as a "freak." NERO

The average price of a new car just crossed $50,000, and the once-affordable $20K car is officially dead.

When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a category 5 storm, it tore through the country's agricultural center, demolishing crops and killing livestock. Now, as aid flows into the country, concerns are rising about the country's food security moving forward. Also, tens of thousands of people take to the streets in Serbia one year after a deadly railway station disaster killed 16 people, as victims' families still await accountability. And, Afghanistan is hit by a strong earthquake for the second time in two months. Plus, Japanese baseball pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto steals the show during Game 7 of the World Series in Toronto.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The average price of a new car just crossed $50,000, and the once-affordable $20K car is officially dead.

Last time we spoke about the fall of Wuhan. In a country frayed by war, the Yangtze became a pulsing artery, carrying both hunger and hope. Chiang Kai-shek faced a brutal choice: defend Wuhan to the last man, or flood the rivers to buy time. He chose both, setting sullen floodwaters loose along the Yellow River to slow the invaders, a temporary mercy that spared some lives while ripping many from their homes. On the river's banks, a plethora of Chinese forces struggled to unite. The NRA, fractured into rival zones, clung to lines with stubborn grit as Japanese forces poured through Anqing, Jiujiang, and beyond, turning the Yangtze into a deadly corridor. Madang's fortifications withstood bombardment and gas, yet the price was paid in troops and civilians drowned or displaced. Commanders like Xue Yue wrestled stubbornly for every foothold, every bend in the river. The Battle of Wanjialing became a symbol: a desperate, months-long pincer where Chinese divisions finally tightened their cordon and halted the enemy's flow. By autumn, the Japanese pressed onward to seize Tianjiazhen and cut supply lines, while Guangzhou fell to a ruthless blockade. The Fall of Wuhan loomed inevitable, yet the story remained one of fierce endurance against overwhelming odds.   #174 The Changsha Fire 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. In the summer of 1938, amid the upheaval surrounding Chiang Kai-shek, one of his most important alliances came to an end. On June 22, all German advisers to the Nationalist government were summoned back; any who refused would be deemed guilty of high treason. Since World War I, a peculiar bond had tied the German Weimar Republic and China: two fledgling states, both weak and only partially sovereign. Under the Versailles Treaty of 1919, Germany had lost extraterritorial rights on Chinese soil, which paradoxically allowed Berlin to engage with China as an equal partner rather than a traditional colonizer. This made German interests more welcome in business and politics than those of other Western powers. Chiang's military reorganization depended on German officers such as von Seeckt and von Falkenhausen, and Hitler's rise in 1933 had not immediately severed the connection between the two countries. Chiang did not share Nazi ideology with Germany, but he viewed Berlin as a potential ally and pressed to persuade it to side with China rather than Japan as China's principal East Asian, anti-Communist partner. In June 1937, H. H. Kung led a delegation to Berlin, met Hitler, and argued for an alliance with China. Yet the outbreak of war and the Nationalists' retreat to Wuhan convinced Hitler's government to align with Japan, resulting in the recall of all German advisers. Chiang responded with a speech praising von Falkenhausen, insisting that "our friend's enemy is our enemy too," and lauding the German Army's loyalty and ethics as a model for the Chinese forces. He added, "After we have won the War of Resistance, I believe you'll want to come back to the Far East and advise our country again." Von Falkenhausen would later become the governor of Nazi-occupied Belgium, then be lauded after the war for secretly saving many Jewish lives. As the Germans departed, the roof of the train transporting them bore a prominent German flag with a swastika, a prudent precaution given Wuhan's vulnerability to air bombardment. The Japanese were tightening their grip on the city, even as Chinese forces, numbering around 800,000, made a stubborn stand. The Yellow River floods blocked northern access, so the Japanese chose to advance via the Yangtze, aided by roughly nine divisions and the might of the Imperial Navy. The Chinese fought bravely, but their defenses could not withstand the superior technology of the Japanese fleet. The only substantial external aid came from Soviet pilots flying aircraft bought from the USSR as part of Stalin's effort to keep China in the war; between 1938 and 1940, some 2,000 pilots offered their services. From June 24 to 27, Japanese bombers relentlessly pounded the Madang fortress along the Yangtze until it fell. A month later, on July 26, Chinese defenders abandoned Jiujiang, southeast of Wuhan, and its civilian population endured a wave of atrocities at the hands of the invaders. News of Jiujiang's fate stiffened resolve. Chiang delivered a pointed address to his troops on July 31, arguing that Wuhan's defense was essential and that losing the city would split the country into hostile halves, complicating logistics and movement. He warned that Wuhan's defense would also be a spiritual test: "the place has deep revolutionary ties," and public sympathy for China's plight was growing as Japanese atrocities became known. Yet Chiang worried about the behavior of Chinese soldiers. He condemned looting as a suicidal act that would destroy the citizens' trust in the military. Commanders, he warned, must stay at their posts; the memory of the Madang debacle underscored the consequences of cowardice. Unlike Shanghai, Wuhan had shelters, but he cautioned against retreating into them and leaving soldiers exposed. Officers who failed in loyalty could expect no support in return. This pep talk, combined with the belief that the army was making a last stand, may have slowed the Japanese advance along the Yangtze in August. Under General Xue Yue, about 100,000 Chinese troops pushed back the invaders at Huangmei. At Tianjiazhen, thousands fought until the end of September, with poison gas finally forcing Japanese victory. Yet even then, Chinese generals struggled to coordinate. In Xinyang, Li Zongren's Guangxi troops were exhausted; they expected relief from Hu Zongnan's forces, but Hu instead withdrew, allowing Japan to capture the city without a fight. The fall of Xinyang enabled Japanese control of the Ping-Han railway, signaling Wuhan's doom. Chiang again spoke to Wuhan's defenders, balancing encouragement with a grim realism about possible loss. Although Wuhan's international connections were substantial, foreign aid would be unlikely. If evacuation became necessary, the army should have a clear plan, including designated routes. He recalled the disastrous December retreat from Nanjing, where "foreigners and Chinese alike turned it into an empty city." Troops had been tired and outnumbered; Chiang defended the decision to defend Nanjing, insisting the army had sacrificed itself for the capital and Sun Yat-sen's tomb. Were the army to retreat again, he warned, it would be the greatest shame in five thousand years of Chinese history. The loss of Madang was another humiliation. By defending Wuhan, he argued, China could avenge its fallen comrades and cleanse its conscience; otherwise, it could not honor its martyrs. Mao Zedong, observing the situation from his far-off base at Yan'an, agreed strongly that Chiang should not defend Wuhan to the death. He warned in mid-October that if Wuhan could not be defended, the war's trajectory would shift, potentially strengthening the Nationalists–Communists cooperation, deepening popular mobilization, and expanding guerrilla warfare. The defense of Wuhan, Mao argued, should drain the enemy and buy time to advance the broader struggle, not become a doomed stalemate. In a protracted war, some strongholds might be abandoned temporarily to sustain the longer fight. The Japanese Army captured Wuchang and Hankou on 26 October and captured Hanyang on the 27th, which concluded the campaign in Wuhan. The battle had lasted four and a half months and ended with the Nationalist army's voluntary withdrawal. In the battle itself, the Japanese army captured Wuhan's three towns and held the heartland of China, achieving a tactical victory. Yet strategically, Japan failed to meet its objectives. Imperial Headquarters believed that "capturing Hankou and Guangzhou would allow them to dominate China." Consequently, the Imperial Conference planned the Battle of Wuhan to seize Wuhan quickly and compel the Chinese government to surrender. It also decreed that "national forces should be concentrated to achieve the war objectives within a year and end the war against China." According to Yoshiaki Yoshimi and Seiya Matsuno, Hirohito authorized the use of chemical weapons against China by specific orders known as rinsanmei. During the Battle of Wuhan, Prince Kan'in Kotohito transmitted the emperor's orders to deploy toxic gas 375 times between August and October 1938. Another memorandum uncovered by Yoshimi indicates that Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni authorized the use of poison gas against the Chinese on 16 August 1938. A League of Nations resolution adopted on 14 May condemned the Imperial Japanese Army's use of toxic gas. Japan's heavy use of chemical weapons against China was driven by manpower shortages and China's lack of poison gas stockpiles to retaliate. Poison gas was employed at Hankou in the Battle of Wuhan to break Chinese resistance after conventional assaults had failed. Rana Mitter notes that, under General Xue Yue, approximately 100,000 Chinese troops halted Japanese advances at Huangmei, and at the fortress of Tianjiazhen, thousands fought until the end of September, with Japanese victory secured only through the use of poison gas. Chinese generals also struggled with coordination at Xinyang; Li Zongren's Guangxi troops were exhausted, and Hu Zongnan's forces, believed to be coming to relieve them, instead withdrew. Japan subsequently used poison gas against Chinese Muslim forces at the Battle of Wuyuan and the Battle of West Suiyuan. However, the Chinese government did not surrender with the loss of Wuhan and Guangzhou, nor did Japan's invasion end with Wuhan and Guangzhou's capture. After Wuhan fell, the government issued a reaffirmation: "Temporary changes of advance and retreat will not shake our resolve to resist the Japanese invasion," and "the gain or loss of any city will not affect the overall situation of the war." It pledged to "fight with even greater sorrow, greater perseverance, greater steadfastness, greater diligence, and greater courage," dedicating itself to a long, comprehensive war of resistance. In the Japanese-occupied rear areas, large armed anti-Japanese forces grew, and substantial tracts of territory were recovered. As the Japanese army themselves acknowledged, "the restoration of public security in the occupied areas was actually limited to a few kilometers on both sides of the main transportation lines." Thus, the Battle of Wuhan did not merely inflict a further strategic defeat on Japan; it also marked a turning point in Japan's strategic posture, from offense to defense. Due to the Nationalist Army's resolute resistance, Japan mobilized its largest force to date for the attack, about 250,000 personnel, who were replenished four to five times over the battle, for a total of roughly 300,000. The invaders held clear advantages in land, sea, and air power and fought for four and a half months. Yet they failed to annihilate the Nationalist main force, nor did they break the will to resist or the army's combat effectiveness. Instead, the campaign dealt a severe blow to the Japanese Army's vitality. Japanese-cited casualties totaled 4,506 dead and 17,380 wounded for the 11th Army; the 2nd Army suffered 2,300 killed in action, 7,600 wounded, and 900 died of disease. Including casualties across the navy and the air force, the overall toll was about 35,500. By contrast, the Nationalist Government Military Commission's General Staff Department, drawing on unit-level reports, calculated Japanese casualties at 256,000. The discrepancy between Japanese and Nationalist tallies illustrates the inflationary tendencies of each side's reporting. Following Wuhan, a weakened Japanese force confronted an extended front. Unable to mount large-scale strategic offensives, unlike Shanghai, Xuzhou, or Wuhan itself, the Japanese to a greater extent adopted a defensive posture. This transition shifted China's War of Resistance from a strategic defensive phase into a strategic stalemate, while the invaders found themselves caught in a protracted war—a development they most disliked. Consequently, Japan's invasion strategy pivoted: away from primary frontal offensives toward a greater reliance on political inducements with secondary military action, and toward diverting forces to "security" operations behind enemy lines rather than pushing decisive frontal campaigns. Japan, an island nation with limited strategic resources, depended heavily on imports. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Japan's gold reserves,including reserves for issuing banknotes, amounted to only about 1.35 billion yen. In effect, Japan's currency reserves constrained the scale of the war from the outset. The country launched its aggression while seeking an early solution to the conflict. To sustain its war of aggression against China, the total value of military supplies imported from overseas in 1937 reached approximately 960 million yen. By June of the following year, for the Battle of Wuhan, even rifles used in training were recalled to outfit the expanding army. The sustained increase in troops also strained domestic labor, food, and energy supplies. By 1939, after Wuhan, Japan's military expenditure had climbed to about 6.156 billion yen, far exceeding national reserves. This stark reality exposed Japan's economic fragility and its inability to guarantee a steady supply of military materiel, increasing pressure on the leadership at the Central Command. The Chief of Staff and the Minister of War lamented the mismatch between outward strength and underlying weakness: "Outwardly strong but weak is a reflection of our country today, and this will not last long." In sum, the Wuhan campaign coincided with a decline in the organization, equipment, and combat effectiveness of the Japanese army compared with before the battle. This erosion of capability helped drive Japan to alter its political and military strategy, shifting toward a method of inflicting pressure on China and attempting to "use China to control China", that is, fighting in ways designed to sustain the broader war effort. Tragically a major element of Chiang Kai-shek's retreat strategy was the age-old "scorched earth" policy. In fact, China originated the phrase and the practice. Shanghai escaped the last-minute torching because of foreigners whose property rights were protected. But in Nanjing, the burning and destruction began with increasing zeal. What could not be moved inland, such as remaining rice stocks, oil in tanks, and other facilities, was to be blown up or devastated. Civilians were told to follow the army inland, to rebuild later behind the natural barrier of Sichuan terrain. Many urban residents complied, but the peasantry did not embrace the plan. The scorched-earth policy served as powerful propaganda for the occupying Japanese army and, even more so, for the Reds. Yet they could hardly have foreseen the propaganda that Changsha would soon supply them. In June, the Changsha Evacuation Guidance Office was established to coordinate land and water evacuation routes. By the end of October, Wuhan's three towns had fallen, and on November 10 the Japanese army captured Yueyang, turning Changsha into the next primary invasion target. Beginning on October 9, Japanese aircraft intensified from sporadic raids on Changsha to large-scale bombing. On October 27, the Changsha Municipal Government urgently evacuated all residents, exempting only able-bodied men, the elderly, the weak, women, and children. The baojia system was mobilized to go door-to-door, enforcing compliance. On November 7, Chiang Kai-shek convened a military meeting at Rongyuan Garden to review the war plan and finalize a "scorched earth war of resistance." Xu Quan, Chief of Staff of the Security Command, drafted the detailed implementation plan. On November 10, Shi Guoji, Chief of Staff of the Security Command, presided over a joint meeting of Changsha's party, government, military, police, and civilian organizations to devise a strategy. The Changsha Destruction Command was immediately established, bringing together district commanders and several arson squads. The command actively prepared arson equipment and stacked flammable materials along major traffic arteries. Chiang decided that the city of Changsha was vulnerable and either gave the impression or the direct order, honestly really depends on the source your reading, to burn the city to the ground to prevent it falling to the enemy. At 9:00 AM on November 12, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed Zhang Zhizhong: "One hour to arrive, Chairman Zhang, Changsha, confidential. If Changsha falls, the entire city must be burned. Please make thorough preparations in advance and do not delay." And here it seems a game of broken telephone sort of resulted in one of the worst fire disasters of all time. If your asking pro Chiang sources, the message was clearly, put up a defense, once thats fallen, burn the city down before the Japanese enter. Obviously this was to account for getting civilians out safely and so forth. If you read lets call it more modern CPP aligned sources, its the opposite. Chiang intentionally ordering the city to burn down as fast as possible, but in through my research, I think it was a colossal miscommunication. Regardless Zhongzheng Wen, Minister of the Interior, echoed the message. Simultaneously, Lin Wei, Deputy Director of Chiang Kai-shek's Secretariat, instructed Zhang Zhizhong by long-distance telephone: "If Changsha falls, the entire city must be burned." Zhang summoned Feng Ti, Commander of the Provincial Capital Garrison, and Xu Quan, Director of the Provincial Security Bureau, to outline arson procedures. He designated the Garrison Command to shoulder the preparations, with the Security Bureau assisting. At 4:00 PM, Zhang appointed Xu Kun, Commander of the Second Garrison Regiment, as chief commander of the arson operation, with Wang Weining, Captain of the Social Training Corps, and Xu Quan, Chief of Staff of the Garrison Command, as deputies. At 6:00 PM, the Garrison Command held an emergency meeting ordering all government agencies and organizations in the city to be ready for evacuation at any moment. By around 10:15 PM, all urban police posts had withdrawn. Around 2:00 AM (November 13), a false report circulated that "Japanese troops have reached Xinhe" . Firefighters stationed at various locations rushed out with kerosene-fueled devices, burning everything in sight, shops and houses alike. In an instant, Changsha became a sea of flames. The blaze raged for 72 hours. The Hunan Province Anti-Japanese War Loss Statistics, compiled by the Hunan Provincial Government Statistics Office of the Kuomintang, report that the fire inflicted economic losses of more than 1 billion yuan, a sum equivalent to about 1.7 trillion yuan after the victory in the war. This figure represented roughly 43% of Changsha's total economic value at the time. Regarding casualties, contemporary sources provide varying figures. A Xinhua Daily report from November 20, 1938 noted that authorities mobilized manpower to bury more than 600 bodies, though the total number of burned remains could not be precisely counted. A Central News Agency reporter on November 19 stated that in the Xiangyuan fire, more than 2,000 residents could not escape, and most of the bodies had already been buried. There are further claims that in the Changsha Fire, more than 20,000 residents were burned to death. In terms of displacement, Changsha's population before the fire was about 300,000, and by November 12, 90% had been evacuated. After the fire, authorities registered 124,000 victims, including 815 orphans sheltered in Lito and Maosgang.  Building damage constituted the other major dimension of the catastrophe, with the greatest losses occurring to residential houses, shops, schools, factories, government offices, banks, hospitals, newspaper offices, warehouses, and cultural and entertainment venues, as well as numerous historic buildings such as palaces, temples, private gardens, and the former residences of notable figures; among these, residential and commercial structures suffered the most, followed by factories and schools. Inspector Gao Yihan, who conducted a post-fire investigation, observed that the prosperous areas within Changsha's ring road, including Nanzheng Street and Bajiaoting, were almost completely destroyed, and in other major markets only a handful of shops remained, leading to an overall estimate that surviving or stalemated houses were likely less than 20%. Housing and street data from the early post-liberation period reveal that Changsha had more than 1,100 streets and alleys; of these, more than 690 were completely burned and more than 330 had fewer than five surviving houses, accounting for about 29%, with nearly 90% of the city's streets severely damaged. More than 440 streets were not completely destroyed, but among these, over 190 had only one or two houses remaining and over 130 had only three or four houses remaining; about 60 streets, roughly 6% had 30 to 40 surviving houses, around 30 streets, 3% had 11 to 20 houses, 10 streets, 1% had 21 to 30 houses, and three streets ) had more than 30 houses remaining. Housing statistics from 1952 show that 2,538 houses survived the fire, about 6.57% of the city's total housing stock, with private houses totaling 305,800 square meters and public houses 537,900 square meters. By 1956, the surviving area of both private and public housing totaled 843,700 square meters, roughly 12.3% of the city's total housing area at that time. Alongside these losses, all equipment, materials, funds, goods, books, archives, antiques, and cultural relics that had not been moved were also destroyed.  At the time of the Changsha Fire, Zhou Enlai, then Deputy Minister of the Political Department of the Nationalist Government's Military Commission, was in Changsha alongside Ye Jianying, Guo Moruo, and others. On November 12, 1938, Zhou Enlai attended a meeting held by Changsha cultural groups at Changsha Normal School to commemorate Sun Yat-sen's 72nd birthday. Guo Moruo later recalled that Zhou Enlai and Ye Jianying were awakened by the blaze that night; they each carried a suitcase and evacuated to Xiangtan, with Zhou reportedly displaying considerable indignation at the sudden, unprovoked fire. On the 16th, Zhou Enlai rushed back to Changsha and, together with Chen Cheng, Zhang Zhizhong, and others, inspected the disaster. He mobilized personnel from three departments, with Tian Han and Guo Moruo at the forefront, to form the Changsha Fire Aftermath Task Force, which began debris clearance, care for the injured, and the establishment of soup kitchens. A few days later, on the 22nd, the Hunan Provincial Government established the Changsha Fire Temporary Relief Committee to coordinate relief efforts.  On the night of November 16, 1938, Chiang Kai-shek arrived in Changsha and, the next day, ascended Tianxin Pavilion. Sha Wei, head of the Cultural Relics Section of the Changsha Tianxin Pavilion Park Management Office, and a long-time researcher of the pavilion, explained that documentation indicates Chiang Kai-shek, upon seeing the city largely reduced to scorched earth with little left intact, grew visibly angry. After descending from Tianxin Pavilion, Chiang immediately ordered the arrest of Changsha Garrison Commander Feng Ti, Changsha Police Chief Wen Chongfu, and Commander of the Second Garrison Regiment Xu Kun, and arranged a military trial with a two-day deadline. The interrogation began at 7:00 a.m. on November 18. Liang Xiaojin records that Xu Kun and Wen Chongfu insisted their actions followed orders from the Security Command, while Feng Ti admitted negligence and violations of procedure, calling his acts unforgivable. The trial found Feng Ti to be the principal offender, with Wen Chongfu and Xu Kun as accomplices, and sentenced all three to prison terms of varying lengths. The verdict was sent to Chiang Kai-shek for approval, who was deeply dissatisfied and personally annotated the drafts: he asserted that Feng Ti, as the city's security head, was negligent and must be shot immediately; Wen Chongfu, as police chief, disobeyed orders and fled, and must be shot immediately; Xu Kun, for neglect of duty, must be shot immediately. The court then altered the arson charge in the verdict to "insulting his duty and harming the people" in line with Chiang's instructions. Chiang Kai-shek, citing "failure to supervise personnel and precautions," dismissed Zhang from his post, though he remained in office to oversee aftermath operations. Zhang Zhizhong later recalled Chiang Kai-shek's response after addressing the Changsha fire: a pointed admission that the fundamental cause lay not with a single individual but with the collective leadership's mistakes, and that the error must be acknowledged as a collective failure. All eyes now shifted to the new center of resistance, Chongqing, the temporary capital. Chiang's "Free China" no longer meant the whole country; it now encompassed Sichuan, Hunan, and Henan, but not Jiangsu or Zhejiang. The eastern provinces were effectively lost, along with China's major customs revenues, the country's most fertile regions, and its most advanced infrastructure. The center of political gravity moved far to the west, into a country the Nationalists had never controlled, where everything was unfamiliar and unpredictable, from topography and dialects to diets. On the map, it might have seemed that Chiang still ruled much of China, but vast swaths of the north and northwest were sparsely populated; most of China's population lay in the east and south, where Nationalist control was either gone or held only precariously. The combined pressures of events and returning travelers were gradually shifting American attitudes toward the Japanese incident. Europe remained largely indifferent, with Hitler absorbing most attention, but the United States began to worry about developments in the Pacific. Roosevelt initiated a January 1939 appeal to raise a million dollars for Chinese civilians in distress, and the response quickly materialized. While the Chinese did not expect direct intervention, they hoped to deter further American economic cooperation with Japan and to halt Japan's purchases of scrap iron, oil, gasoline, shipping, and, above all, weapons from the United States. Public opinion in America was sufficiently stirred to sustain a campaign against silk stockings, a symbolic gesture of boycott that achieved limited effect; Japan nonetheless continued to procure strategic materials. Within this chorus, the left remained a persistent but often discordant ally to the Nationalists. The Institute of Pacific Relations, sympathetic to communist aims, urged America to act, pressuring policymakers and sounding alarms about China. Yet the party line remained firmly pro-Chiang Kai-shek: the Japanese advance seemed too rapid and threatening to the Reds' interests. Most oil and iron debates stalled; American businessmen resented British trade ties with Japan, and Britain refused to join any mutual cutoff, arguing that the Western powers were not at war with Japan. What occurred in China was still commonly referred to in Western diplomatic circles as "the Incident." Wang Jingwei's would make his final defection, yes in a long ass history of defections. Mr Wang Jingwei had been very busy traveling to Guangzhou, then Northwest to speak with Feng Yuxiang, many telegrams went back and forth. He returned to the Nationalist government showing his face to foreign presses and so forth. While other prominent rivals of Chiang, Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and others, rallied when they perceived Japan as a real threat; all did so except Wang Jingwei. Wang, who had long believed himself the natural heir to Sun Yat-sen and who had repeatedly sought to ascend to power, seemed willing to cooperate with Japan if it served his own aims. I will just say it, Wang Jingwei was a rat. He had always been a rat, never changed. Opinions on Chiang Kai-Shek vary, but I think almost everyone can agree Wang Jingwei was one of the worst characters of this time period. Now Wang Jingwei could not distinguish between allies and enemies and was prepared to accept help from whomever offered it, believing he could outmaneuver Tokyo when necessary. Friends in Shanghai and abroad whispered that it was not too late to influence events, arguing that the broader struggle was not merely China versus Japan but a clash between principled leaders and a tyrannical, self-serving clique, Western imperialism's apologists who needed Chiang removed. For a time Wang drifted within the Kuomintang, moving between Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, and Chongqing, maintaining discreet lines of communication with his confidants. The Japanese faced a governance problem typical of conquerors who possess conquered territory: how to rule effectively while continuing the war. They imagined Asia under Japanese-led leadership, an East Asia united by a shared Co-Prosperity Sphere but divided by traditional borders. To sustain this vision, they sought local leaders who could cooperate. The search yielded few viable options; would-be collaborators were soon assassinated, proved incompetent, or proved corrupt. The Japanese concluded it would require more time and education. In the end, Wang Jingwei emerged as a preferred figure. Chongqing, meanwhile, seemed surprised by Wang's ascent. He had moved west to Chengde, then to Kunming, attempted, and failed to win over Yunnan's warlords, and eventually proceeded to Hanoi in Indochina, arriving in Hong Kong by year's end. He sent Chiang Kai-shek a telegram suggesting acceptance of Konoe's terms for peace, which Chungking rejected. In time, Wang would establish his own Kuomintang faction in Shanghai, combining rigorous administration with pervasive secret-police activity characteristic of occupied regimes. By 1940, he would be formally installed as "Chairman of China." But that is a story for another episode.  In the north, the Japanese and the CCP were locked in an uneasy stalemate. Mao's army could make it impossible for the Japanese to hold deep countryside far from the railway lines that enabled mass troop movement into China's interior. Yet the Communists could not defeat the occupiers. In the dark days of October 1938—fifteen months after the war began—one constant remained. Observers (Chinese businessmen, British diplomats, Japanese generals) repeatedly predicted that each new disaster would signal the end of Chinese resistance and force a swift surrender, or at least a negotiated settlement in which the government would accept harsher terms from Tokyo. But even after defenders were expelled from Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan, despite the terrifying might Japan had brought to bear on Chinese resistance, and despite the invader's manpower, technology, and resources, China continued to fight. Yet it fought alone. 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 a land shredded by war, Wuhan burned under brutal sieges, then Changsha followed, a cruel blaze born of orders and miscommunications. Leaders wrestled with retreat, scorched-earth vows, and moral debts as Japanese force and Chinese resilience clashed for months. Mao urged strategy over martyrdom, Wang Jingwei's scheming shadow loomed, and Chongqing rose as the westward beacon. Yet China endured, a stubborn flame refusing to surrender to the coming storm. The war stretched on, unfinished and unyielding.

Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the Japanese film Grave of the Fireflies. This 1998 film was produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata. It is based on the semi-autobiographical short story of the same … Continue reading →

This week we're nearing the end of our year of Redux and we've saved the best for now! Introducing the winner of our Year of the Ninja, it's Duel to the Death! Duel to the Death is an action-packed martial arts classic where a Chinese swordsman and a Japanese samurai must face off in a deadly duel. As they prepare, they battle assassins and uncover dark conspiracies, leading to an explosive final showdown of honor and skill. We hope you enjoy this episode! If you'd like to unlock bonus episodes from Talking Back every month, then check out our page on Patreon! Check out Tim's Youtube Channel Demo Dash! You can also support Talking Back by sending us a Coffee at Buy Us a Coffee!  Please consider leaving a 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts! This helps make our Podcast easier for listeners to find.  Feel free to drop us a line on Social Media at Instagram, and Facebook. Or drop us an email us at talkbackpod@gmail.com. This podcast is part of the BFOP Network 

Join us as we dive into Takashi Miike's cult classic Audition, a chilling fusion of romance and nightmare from 1999. We explore how Miike crafts a deceptively calm setup that unfolds into one of Japanese horror's most infamous knife-edge reveals. We discuss performance masterclass from Ryo Ishibashi and Eihi Shiina, the film's unsettling atmosphere, and its lasting impact on the genre. If you're curious how a slow-burn premise can explode into pure terror, this episode is for you.Where To Watch Audition

Today's story: On a Sunday morning in October, four thieves disguised as construction workers used a ladder truck and power tools to break into the Louvre museum. In just seven minutes, they smashed display cases and escaped with eight priceless pieces of French crown jewelry, including emeralds, sapphires, and pearls once worn by empresses.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/814Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/814 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.--Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/joinHere's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | EmailMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 146: How Great Leaders Turn Challenges into Puzzles with Radhika Dutt In this, the first episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker engages with guest Radhika, a seasoned advisor and published author, to discuss transformative strategies for family businesses. They delve into the concept of replacing traditional goal setting with a 'puzzle setting and puzzle solving' approach, emphasizing curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative learning. The discussion explores how family businesses can navigate succession, integrate innovative thinking, and balance risk while fostering clear communication and family alignment. This episode offers valuable insights for family business owners and leaders seeking sustainable growth and harmonious leadership transition. ·       00:55 The Old Model of Goal Setting ·       01:49 Guest Introduction: Radhika's Background ·       06:37 The Puzzle Setting Approach ·       07:38 The Importance of Succession Planning ·       16:52 The Problems with KPIs and Target Setting ·       21:48 Shifting from Goals to Puzzles in Business ·       23:44 Implementing Puzzle Solving in Sales ·       28:02 Collaborative Learning and Curiosity ·       33:11 Navigating Family Business Transitions ·       38:54 Balancing Risk in Family Businesses ·       41:24 Learning from Other Industries ·       43:59 Conclusion and Resources Websites: ·       fambizforum.com. ·       www.chrisyonker.com ·       OHLS Toolkit ·       linkedin: @radhika-dutt Radhika's Bio: Radhika Dutt is the author of Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter which has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. The methodology she introduced in her first book is now used in over 40 countries. She is an entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader who has participated in five acquisitions, two of which were companies that she founded. She is currently Advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Singapore's central bank and financial regulator), and does consulting and training for organizations ranging from high-tech startups to multinationals on building radical products that create a fundamental change. Radhika has built products in a wide range of industries including broadcast, media and entertainment, telecom, advertising technology, government, consumer apps, robotics, and even wine. She graduated from MIT with an SB and M.Eng in Electrical Engineering, and speaks nine languages. Radhika is now working on her second book – it's about why goals and targets backfire and what actually works.  

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend!   I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…   Lynette: I have Celiac Disease and worry about cross-contamination when eating at restaurants or friends' homes. People have suggested taking a gluten digestive enzyme, but I don't want to digest gluten. Is there anything I can take prior to eating that would rid my body of gluten, should I unknowingly come into contact with it? I'm a "silent celiac" so don't experience immediate GI upset, but instead suffer joint pain, headaches, and skin issues afterward. Living gluten-free out in the world is tough, so any suggestions to make things easier and safer are appreciated. Thanks!                                          Anonymous: I received a complimentary bottle of CBD Gummies -- thanks! Are there any contraindications with taking them? I'm thinking about them for my older parents, who are on the typical American old-age pharmaceuticals, including high blood pressure medication, statins, and Gabapentin. Will the gummies help with general aches and pains? Thank you.                                                                                                                                                                                            Sarah: I did labs through Equilife and found that my testosterone and DHEA were significantly low. For reference, I am a 49 year-old perimenopausal female. I started using about 8 mg of DHEA orally daily. (at that point I had 25 mg capsules I was splitting) Within three days of starting I had some longer lasting cystic acne on my face starting to appear. I gave it a few weeks to resolve and then began 25 mg of 7 keto DHEA daily and have had no acne breakouts at all. On my call with my IHP through Equilife to follow up from the labs, I was told that 7 keto DHEA is the same as regular DHEA and is likely just a marketing tool. Can you tell me why I reacted significantly different to the 7 keto DHEA? Several companies, some quite reputable sell it, do you recommend it in my case?                                              Anonymous: Hello, I appreciate the work you do, and would like your input to help me make a purchasing decision. I wanted to buy some Japanese selvedge jeans and notice they contain 2% Polyurethane. I had difficulty establishing whether the use of Polyurethane in clothing is harmful and wanted to know if you could direct me to resources which could provide me with more insight on this topic? Please let me know.                                                                                               Anonymous: I struggle with brain fog and low energy in the afternoons, even though I get enough sleep. Could this be related to blood sugar balance, and if so, what are some easy ways to stabilize it throughout the day?               Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3558 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!