Podcasts about Japanese

Dave makes karaage for special guest, Hikari, director of 'Beef', 'Tokyo Vice', and now her new movie 'Rental Family'. Hikari and Dave discuss why Osaka is so unique, the idiosyncrasies of Japanese life as seen by both of them while living in Japan, and even a little about the dark underside of such an amazing country. Dave also answers an Ask Dave about knives and asks some inappropriate dinner conversations to his producer Young David. Follow Hikari on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehikarism/?hl=en Watch Rental Family at a theater near you: https://www.searchlightpictures.com/rental-family Watch Beef: https://www.netflix.com/title/81447461?source=35&fromWatch=true Watch Tokyo Vice: https://www.hbomax.com/shows/tokyo-vice/e7d93204-7f98-4e62-ab52-6c1da053f942?utm_source=universal_search Learn more about Cuckoo Rice Cookers: https://cuckooamerica.com/collections/rice-cookers?srsltid=AfmBOoqKKH6idxt7URkt0WRD9tmKwN00UphoWNeBAX7HdTA2oCmsEMw0 Learn more about Otafuku: https://www.instagram.com/otafuku_restaurant/?hl=en Learn more about the movie Chef: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2883512/ Learn more about WUSTHOF Knives: https://wusthof.com/ Learn more about Henckels: https://www.henckels.com/us Send in your Ask Dave questions to bit.ly/AskDaveForm or askdave@majordomomedia.com. Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedavechangshow. Subscribe to Recipe Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recipeclubofficial. Submit your favorite food moments in your favorite movies to majorfoodporn.com. Join our community Discord on majordomo.com. Host: Dave Chang Guest: Hikari Majordomo Media Producer: David Meyer Majordomo Media Coordinator: Molly O'Keeffe  Spotify Producer: Felipe Guilhermino Additional Crew: Jake Loskutoff and Nikola Stanjevich Editor: Stefano Sanchez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-20-25 - Congestion Has Made It So Brady Can't Hear This Morning - New Warnings On AI Toys And The Japanese Kuma Doll As We Recall Teddy Ruxpin - Dumb Things Men Do For Keys To The Vagina Like Brady Buying Singing BowlsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Watch the full episode: https://chinauncensored.tv/programs/podcast-316 Japan's youth are shifting to the political right—and the CCP is terrified. In this clip, Counterintelligence expert Dr. Robert Eldridge breaks down the political earthquake happening there right now. Young Japanese voters are rejecting the self-hating narratives of the mainstream media and embracing leaders who stand up to the CCP.

Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears. In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through China and transformed along the way. In this episode we explore Tsukimi moon-viewing traditions, the violent origin of the moon god Tsukuyomi, protective pompous grass rituals, and dozens of poetic names for moonlight—from the "moon you can stand and wait for" to the "moon that rises deep into the night." Plus: moon-viewing thieves, spirit-attracting moonbeams, and why pointing at the moon might cost you more than you think. Tsuki wa jōman. The moon is always full. 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

I discuss all of the 6.5mm SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy CIP rounds) in this episode. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I'll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well. Cartridges covered: 6.5x52mm Carcano, 6.5×55 Swede, 6.5x57mm, 6.5x50mm Japanese, 6.5x54MS, 6.5-06, 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 260 Remington, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 Nosler, 6.5-300 Weatherby, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Weatherby RPM Sponsor: Support me on Patreon to see the terminal ballistics analysis of the Kennedy assassination (which involved one of these rounds discussed in this episode) conducted by an experienced trauma surgeon. Supporters also receive access to my other bonus material. The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter Rifle Cartridges For The Hunter by Richard Mann Resources Episode 172: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag For Elk Hunting Episode 282: 6.5 Creedmoor For Grizzly Bear?! Episode 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 345: 7mm Cartridge Roll-Up Episode 345: The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges: 303 British, 7.x62x54R, etc. Episode 358: 35 Caliber Cartridge Roll Up

In this calming and sensory-rich Pod Snack, Shanta invites you into a world of self-care you may not have explored before — the Japanese Head Spa.More than a beauty trend sweeping social media, this soothing ritual blends scalp care, mindfulness, and nervous system healing into an experience that reconnects you to your body in the gentlest way.Shanta shares how her search to help her 13-year-old son's dry, irritated scalp unexpectedly introduced her to the restorative magic of this tradition. What began as a practical solution became a deeper exploration of intentional touch, presence, and the healing power of slowing down. You'll learn:What truly happens during a Japanese Head SpaWhy this ritual is going viral around the worldThe emotional + physical benefits for stress, scalp health, headaches, and mindfulnessHow scalp care is becoming the new frontier of self-careSimple ways to try a Japanese Head Spa experience at homeHow mindful touch can reset your nervous systemThis episode is a reminder that self-care doesn't always look like spa days or bubble baths. Sometimes it's a warm towel, a slow massage, a nurturing ritual — and the permission to breathe again. Stay until the end for a beautiful affirmation to ground your mind and body.If you try the Japanese Head Spa or create your own at-home ritual, share your experience — Shanta would love to hear from you.Stay authentic. Stay mindful. And keep taking care of you.Host:Instagram: @AuthenticTalks2.0 Email: AuthenticShanta@gmail.com Website: www.AuthenticTalks2.com Facebook: AuthenticTalks2 Youtube: @authentictalkswithshanta7489 #MindfulnessInChaos #AuthenticTalks #ShantaGenerally #InnerPeace #MindfulLiving #PeaceWithin #breathe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/authentic-talks-2-0-with-shanta--4116672/support.

Our guest is Tadashi Ono who is the executive chef at Teruko https://hotelchelsea.com/dining-and-bar/teruko at The Hotel Chelsea in New York. Tadashi's career has been built through deliberate decisions along with his flexible, lighthearted approach to life. When he arrived in Los Angeles in 1982, he started his culinary training and eventually proved his talent as the executive chef at the legendary French restaurant La Caravelle in New York, where he earned a 3-star review from The New York Times twice. Over time, he realized that Japanese cuisine was what he wanted to cook and shifted his focus. He earned a great reputation at the popular Japanese restaurants, including Matsuri at the Maritime Hotel in Manhattan. In this episode, we will discuss Tadashi's unique career development, why he enjoys cooking Japanese more than French (which he also loves), the Japanese dishes he wants you to know beyond sushi and ramen, the creative yet traditional menu he serves at Teruko and much, much more!!!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this delightful episode of "Reading With Your Kids," host Jed Doherty welcomes author Adib Khorram and illustrator Hanna Cha to celebrate their wonderful picture book, "Tea Is Love." The conversation brims with warmth as Adib and Hanna share the story behind their collaboration, revealing that, surprisingly, many authors and illustrators rarely meet during the creative process—making their teamwork even more special. They chat about the inspiration for "Tea Is Love," exploring how tea connects people across cultures and generations, and how the book's gentle words and stunning illustrations invite families to slow down, share a cup, and make memories together. Both guests reminisce about their own tea experiences and marvel at the world's many unique tea traditions, from Japanese ceremonies to intimate family rituals. Jed, Adib, and Hanna also discuss the magic of picture books: how they distill big ideas into poetic stories that capture children's imaginations. The episode closes with exciting sneak peeks at future projects and encouragement for listeners to support their local bookstores and libraries. It's a heartwarming conversation steeped in creativity, cultural celebration, and the simple joys of reading and sharing time together. Later in the episode, Jed sits down with the inspiring Dorian Stewart to talk about her book, "I Am M.A.D.E. to Be Unstoppable." Their conversation shines a light on resilience, perseverance, and empowerment. Dorian shares her personal journey, the motivation behind her work, and how her story encourages young readers to face challenges with courage and determination. This uplifting segment adds another layer of encouragement to the episode, reminding families that everyone has the power to be unstoppable.

Today's story: Parkrun is a free, volunteer-run event that takes place every Saturday morning in parks around the world. Participants run, jog, or walk a 5K route, and the focus is on community, health, and fun—not competition. What started with just 13 runners in London has expanded to over 23 countries.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/819Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/819 --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

Steve Gruber sits down with Terry Sawchuk, Founder of Sawchuk Wealth, to break down the latest economic and financial developments. They discuss why the Federal Reserve may be out of sync with current market conditions, the implications of NVDA earnings, and rising Japanese bond yields. Sawchuk also explains the importance of stable coins for the U.S. Treasury market, how investors should manage risk in volatile times, and provides insights on the Epstein list and geopolitical tensions in Venezuela, highlighting potential implications beyond the headlines. Find out more at SawchukWealth.com

11-20-25 - Congestion Has Made It So Brady Can't Hear This Morning - New Warnings On AI Toys And The Japanese Kuma Doll As We Recall Teddy Ruxpin - Dumb Things Men Do For Keys To The Vagina Like Brady Buying Singing BowlsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Flo is in the polytunnel today with venerated British musician, producer and composer Dev Hynes. Previously part of dance punk outfit Test Icicles, he ventured into solo music as Lightspeed Champion before evolving into Blood Orange, which he releases music under today. As Flo and Dev plant out spring bulbs, they discuss the British county of Essex and its complicated reputation, as well as how his early life on the edge of London and the recent death of Dev's mother fed into the creation of his most recent celebrated studio album, Essex Honey. Musical and football icons including Philip Glass and Paul Ince form part of this ranging conversation as Flo & Dev dwell on grief and the cycle of life, along with the impact that teenage music and memories have in processing these powerful feelings. This episode of Digging is sponsored by Niwaki: the go to destination for functional, durable Japanese gardening gear. For 10% off your Niwaki purchase, head to Niwaki.com and enter the code DIGGINGWITHFLO at the checkout. Presenter - Flo Dill, Producer - Lizzy King, Editing - Chantal Adams, Sound Recording - Connor Gani, Mastering - Sophie EllisonA video version of this episode is also available on YouTube.Music - Cleaners from Venus - The Artichoke That Loved Me, courtesy of Martin Newell & Captured Tracks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a time when hyper-violent, sexually charged OVAs ruled the Japanese home-video market—and few creators embodied that era more than Yasuomi Umetsu, the director behind Kite and Mezzo Forte. Kite even spawned an American live-action remake starring Samuel L. Jackson (which… let's be honest, barely anyone saw).Now, Umetsu is back. His latest work just hit U.S. theaters last week, and we're breaking down exactly what we thought of it.

Ayako Ohtake, a Sydney-based Japanese soprano singer, hosts monthly music segment called VIVA! Opera for SBS Japanese. For this episode, Ms Ohtake picked 'Là ci darem la mano' from 'Don Giovanni' composed by W.A. Mozart. - 先月ポーランドで開催されたショパン国際ピアノコンクールにちなんでの選曲。ショパンの「ラ・チ・ダレム変奏曲」の原曲、モーツァルトによる「お手をどうぞ」の二重唱です。ドン・ジョヴァンニの口説きっぷりとツェルリーナの揺れる気持ち、二人の恋の駆け引きを美しい音楽とどうぞ。

Eze 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Ps 118:19-29, Pr 28:3-5

Fernando Augusto Pacheco highlights the new tracks added to our playlist – from a classic by Japanese music legend Haruomi Hosono to techno-pop princess Sam Quealy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Bret Schanzenbach talks with Alan Shimamoto, founder of Accelerate Growth Coaching. Alan shares his extraordinary story—from being adopted from a Japanese orphanage to building multimillion-dollar sales organizations and a career helping business owners thrive through leadership and personal growth.He and his wife Louisa relocated from the Pacific Northwest to Carlsbad to be near their daughter and immediately immersed themselves in the community through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. Alan also introduces Live2Lead, a John Maxwell leadership event coming to the Chamber on January 30, 2026, featuring global thought leaders like Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas.Listeners learn how Alan helps entrepreneurs “condense time,” accelerate results, and build stronger leadership through mindset, communication, and growth. Did this episode have a special impact on you? Share how it impacted youCarlsbad Podcast Social Links:LinkedInInstagramFacebookXYouTubeSponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

From the BBC World Service: The chief executive of the South Korean firm Hyundai said that the White House phoned him personally to apologize for an immigration raid at a massive battery factory in Georgia in September. More than 300 South Korean workers were detained and later sent back to South Korea, stoking tensions between the two nations. Plus, China has imposed a ban on all imports of Japanese seafood amid a growing dispute between Asia's two biggest economies

From the BBC World Service: The chief executive of the South Korean firm Hyundai said that the White House phoned him personally to apologize for an immigration raid at a massive battery factory in Georgia in September. More than 300 South Korean workers were detained and later sent back to South Korea, stoking tensions between the two nations. Plus, China has imposed a ban on all imports of Japanese seafood amid a growing dispute between Asia's two biggest economies

In this episode, we do a rewatchable review of the 1995 Japanese cyberpunk action thriller Ghost in the Shell, directed by Mamoru Oshii and based on the 1989 manga by Masamune Shirow. We discuss why this film was groundbreaking not only for animated movies but for the science fiction genre as a whole, and we debate why the 2017 reboot starring Scarlett Johansson was an epic failure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sydney Levit was 17 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Like most kids his age, he was eager to serve. In 1943, Levit was drafted into the U.S. Army and he soon had the opportunity to join the airborne, training as a paratrooper and also with gliders. He became part of the 17th Airborne Division.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Levit describes the rigorous training he went through as part of the airborne, including his first jump out of an airplane and learning how gliders work. He then explains how his unit spent months training in England, waiting to enter the fight. Their first action was at Malmedy and was both vicious and chaotic.Levit details the logistical fight against the Germans at the Bulge and the separate struggle against the brutal and unrelenting cold that was also a daily fight to stay alive.Then, Levit takes us into Operation Varsity, the massive airborne campaign designed to help the Allies cross the Rhine River. Yet, very few Americans are even aware of it.Levit also shares memorable moments away from the fighting, including his interactions with prisoners, being stunned by the death of President Roosevelt, and being surprised when a Hollywood star just popped into his tent.

Welcome back to Open The Voice Gate! Case (https://twitter.com/_inyourcase) and Mike (https://twitter.com/fujiiheya) are back with an update on the comings and goings of Dragongate.Case and Mike lead off the show discussing the results of the Wreslting Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame balloting and the inductions and ongoing candidacies of Gran Hamada, Masaaki Mochizuki, KENTA, Great Sasuke and looking at the future of the Japanese region. From there, they discuss the King of Gate stops in Nagoya and Yokosuka as well as Monday's (11/17) Gate of Nostalgia show!Our podcast provider, Red Circle, offers the listeners the option to sponsor the show. Click on “Sponsor This Podcaster” at https://redcircle.com/shows/open-the-voice-gate and you can donate a single time, or set up a monthly donation to Open The Voice Gate!Please Rate and Review Open The Voice Gate on the podcast platform of your choice and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/openvoicegate.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Japanese: 劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇, Hepburn: Gekijō-ban Chensō Man Reze-hen), also known simply as Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, is a 2025 Japanese animated dark fantasy romantic action comedy film based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga series Chainsaw Man. Produced by MAPPA, directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, and written by Hiroshi Seko, the film is a direct sequel to the first season of the anime television series and adapts events covered by the original manga's fifth and sixth volumes. It is storyboarded by Daisuke Tokudo, Masato Nakazono, Sōta Shigetsugu, Takuya Niinuma, Tatsuya Yoshihara and Yuzuru Tachikawa.Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc was released in Japan on September 19, 2025, by Toho. As of November 16, 2025, the film has grossed $168.4 million worldwide making it one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time and received positive reviews from critics.

This week, Taylor, Sandy and Taddea Richard discuss Sandy's recent revelation, Sidney Sweeney's meltdown, Doug's big adventure, the Duffer Brothers' response to Stranger Things on-set allegations, “slave contracts” at Japanese mini-markets and much, much more! The all new segment Our Week's: Guide to Self Defense debuts!

learn how to say 'kind' in Japanese

We speak to a savvy, experienced US based investor, in the market for his first Japanese real estate property investment (and also for a holiday home) - what could his budget get him, what kind of properties should he focus on, and where in the country should he be buying?

Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams and Anthony Franco all join Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's annual Top 50 Free Agents list. Topics include how the threat of a lockout will affect free-agent contracts, if there's a team that will be willing to give Kyle Tucker a massive deal, the factors that could drive up Bo Bichette's price, how difficult it is to predict what Dylan Cease will sign for, what to make of Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai, if this will be the year that Cody Bellinger and Pete Alonso get huge deals, how the guys nailed the terms of Josh Naylor's contract, the best comps for Zac Gallen and Michael King, if teams will be able to overlook Devin Williams having poor ERA last year, if Robert Suarez can get a three-year deal going into his age-35 season, and the players with tough qualifying offer decisions. 

Jeff Passan reported that the Pirates were willing to offer double what they paid for in the Francisco Liriano contract for Josh Naylor. Passan also said the Pirates are in on Kyle Schwarber as well as two Japanese hitters. James Franklin has been hired by Virginia Tech. Will Franklin do well?

The new segment for fifth Thursdays Go Go Nihongo (Japanese)! brings you information about learning Japanese language in Australia. For the first episode, broadcast on 30th October, we spoke to Midori Aoyama and Manisay Oudomvilay on this year's Japanese Film Festival, currently taking place in Australia. - 第５木曜日の新コーナー「Go Go Nihongo!」。日本語学習に関する情報をお届けします。10月30日放送の第１回は、オーストラリアで開催中の日本映画祭（Japanese Film Festival）から、日本語学習者や日本映画ファンにおススメの作品を聞きました。

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says dealing with continuing global economic uncertainty must be the number one priority for the leaders of G-20 member countries when they meet this weekend in South Africa. Japan has warned its citizens in China to step up safety precautions and avoid crowded places, amid a deepening dispute between Asia's two largest economies. - 今週末に南アフリカで開かれる G20首脳会議に先駆けジム・チャーマーズ蔵相は、続く世界経済の不確実性への対応策を　最優先の課題とすべきだと述べました。 中国と日本の対立深まるなか木原稔官房長官は、日本は引き続き協議に応じる姿勢を崩していないとしたうえで中国に滞在する自国民に対して安全対策を強化し、人混みを避けるよう警告しました。

Eze 39:1-40:27, James 2:18-3:18, Ps 118:1-18, Pr 28:2

Paula is an Architect, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Member Emerita, Building Biologist, author, healthy building consultant and educator. Graduating from the University of Toronto School of Architecture in 1978 and from the Institute of Building Biology and Ecology in 1994, Paula founded her own award-winning architectural practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1986-2009 and founded EcoNest Architecture Inc. in Ashland Oregon in 2010.Mae Yuuki is a licensed Architect based in Oregon with over a decade of experience designing homes that prioritize human health, connection with the environment, and a deep sense of sanctuary. Mae greatly values the power of healthy environments and the home as a nourishing place for healing and restoration. She brings a unique blend of design expertise, natural building experience, and a keen sensitivity to how buildings can support physical, emotional, and environmental well-being. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam accidentally ran a 14K instead of a 10K at Dr. Art Mollen's Phoenix race and lived to tell the tale. Kottie's packed up the Halloween decor and is fully ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus, S+K are on the hunt for a new dog groomer who can give their pups the perfect Japanese puffball makeover.

The boys try and get together to discuss their Japanese road trip, but with significant hangovers it doesn't go too smoothly.

European markets stabilised on Wednesday morning after losses sustained over concerns that AI stocks might be overvalued. Investors are eagerly awaiting the latest results from US chipmaker and AI bellwether Nvidia later in the day. Also in this edition: Japanese media are reporting that China has suspended imports of seafood from Japan amid a diplomatic spat. Plus a US judge rules that Meta does not have a monopoly.

When markets are kind, anyone can look like a genius. The test arrives when conditions turn—your systems, skills, and character decide what happens next.  What are the five drivers every leader must master? The five drivers are: Self Direction, People Skills, Process Skills, Communication, and Accountability. Mastering all five creates resilient performance across cycles. In boom times (think pre-pandemic luxury hotels in Japan) tailwinds mask weak leadership; in shocks (closed borders, supply chain crunches) only strong drivers keep teams delivering. As of 2025, executives in multinationals, SMEs, and startups alike need a balanced "stack": vision and values (Self Direction), talent and trust (People), systems and analytics (Process), clear messaging and questions (Communication), and personal ownership (Accountability). If one leg is shaky, the whole table wobbles. Do now: Score yourself 1–5 on each driver; identify your lowest two and set 30-day improvement actions.  Mini-summary: Five drivers form a complete system; strength in one can't compensate for failure in another. How does Self Direction separate steady leaders from "lucky" ones? Self-directed leaders set vision, goals, and culture—and adjust fast when reality bites. Great conditions or an inherited A-team help, but hope isn't a strategy. As markets shift in APAC, the US, or Europe, leaders with grounded values and a flexible ego change course quickly; rigid, oversized egos drive firms off cliffs faster. The calibration problem is real: we need enough ego to lead, not so much that we ignore evidence. In practice that means owner-dated goals, visible trade-offs, and a willingness to reverse a decision when facts change. Do now: Write a one-page "leader operating system": purpose, top 3 goals, non-negotiable values, and the conditions that trigger a pivot.  Mini-summary: Direction + adaptability beats bravado; values anchor the pivot, not the vanity. Why are People Skills the new performance engine? Complex work killed the "hero leader"; today's results flow from psychologically safe, capability-building teams.Whether you run manufacturing in Aichi, B2B SaaS in Seattle, or retail in Sydney, you need the right people on the bus, in the right seats. Trust is the currency; without it, there is no team—only compliant individuals. Servant leadership isn't slogans; it's practical: career conversations, strengths-based job fit, and coaching cadences. Climbing over bodies might have worked in 1995; in 2025 it destroys engagement, innovation, and retention. Do now: Map your team on fit vs. aspiration. Realign one role this fortnight and schedule two growth conversations per week for the next month.  Mini-summary: Build safety, match talent to roles, and coach growth; teams create the compounding returns, not lone heroes. What Process Skills keep quality high without killing initiative? Well-designed systems prevent good people from failing; poor processes turn stars into "low performers." Leaders must separate skill gaps from system flaws. Mis-fit is common—asking a big-picture creative to live in spreadsheets, or a detail maven to blue-sky strategy all day. Across sectors, involve people in improving the workflow; people support a world they help create. And yes, even "Driver" personalities must wear an Analytical hat for the numbers that matter: current, correct, relevant. Toyota's jidoka lesson applies broadly: stop the line when a defect appears, then fix root causes. Do now: Run a 60-minute process review: map steps, assign owners, check inputs/outputs, and identify one automation or simplification per step.  Mini-summary: Design beats heroics; match roles to wiring, make data accurate, improve the system with the people who run it. How should leaders communicate to create alignment that sticks? Great leaders talk less, listen more, and ask sharper questions—then verify that messages cascade cleanly.Communication isn't a TED Talk; it's a discipline. Listen for what's not said, surface hidden risks, and test understanding down the line. In Japan, nemawashi-style groundwork builds alignment before meetings; in the US/EU, crisp owner-dated action registers keep pace high without rework. In regulated fields (finance, healthcare, aerospace), clarity reduces audit friction; in creative and GTM teams, it accelerates experiments. Do now: Install a weekly "message audit": sample three layers (manager, IC, cross-function) and ask them to restate priorities, risks, and decisions in their own words.  Mini-summary: Listen deeply, question precisely, and ensure the message survives the org chart; alignment is measured at the edges. Where does Accountability start—and how do you make it contagious? Accountability starts at the top: the buck stops with the leader, without excuses—and then cascades through coaching and controls. As of 2025, boards and regulators demand both outcomes and evidence. Strong leaders admit errors quickly, fix them publicly, and maintain systems that track results and compliance. Accountability isn't blame; it's ownership plus support: clear goals, training, checkpoints, and consequences. In startups, this prevents "move fast and break the law"; in enterprises, it fights bureaucratic drift. Do now: Publish a one-page scoreboard each Monday (KPIs, leading indicators, risks) and hold a 15-minute review where owners report facts, not stories.  Mini-summary: Model ownership, build coaching and monitoring into the cadence, and make evidence a habit—not a surprise inspection. How do you integrate the five drivers across markets and company types? Balance is contextual: tighten controls in high-risk/low-competency zones; grant autonomy in low-risk/high-competency zones. Multinationals can borrow playbooks (RACI, stage gates), but SMEs need lightweight equivalents to preserve speed. Startups should resist the "super-doer" trap by delegating outcomes early; listed firms should fight analysis paralysis by protecting experiments inside guardrails. Across Japan, the US, and Europe, leaders who pair people development with process discipline outperform through cycles because capability compounds while compliance holds. Do now: Build a "risk × competency" grid for your top workflows and adjust oversight accordingly within 48 hours. Review monthly as skills rise.  Mini-summary: Tune people and process to context; move oversight with risk and capability, not with habit. Conclusion: strength in all five, not perfection in one Leadership success is engineered, not gifted by luck. When conditions turn, Self Direction provides the compass, People Skills provide power, Process Skills provide traction, Communication provides cohesion, and Accountability provides grip. Work the system, in that order, and your organisation will keep moving—legally, safely, profitably—even when the weather's foul.  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 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).

Five songs. Five distinct moods. One immersive listen that moves from hazy warmth to triumphant return to a heart-tugging plea that won't leave you alone. We spin through new and notable band singles from the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan, comparing notes on production, emotional arcs, and those tiny moments—drops, claps, whispers—that flip a good track into a great one.We start with Over October's 'Dahan', where soft rock and a psychedelic sheen create a slow-burn glow. The vocal sits rich and husky while the guitar shimmers, and a late-song drop brings a goosebump whisper that seals the mood. From there, macico's 'puppet' layers lounge, J-pop, and R&B, all breathy and conspiratorial, hinting at power, distance, and the loneliness between the lines. CNBLUE's 'Curtain call' turns the energy up without losing finesse: bright piano, brass accents, and a propulsive groove that feels like walking back onstage to cheers—grateful, charged, alive. Sakurashimeji's 'who!' brings youthful drive with a smart stereo intro, handclap lift, and a mid-song funk wink that keeps the ride playful and tight. We close on SURL's 'Please stay', where the guitar weeps and the vocal folds into the arrangement like another instrument. It's melancholic, intoxicating, and beautifully produced, the kind of track that asks for one more midnight replay.Throughout, we talk arrangement choices, vocal textures, sonic influences—psychedelic touches, jazz inflections, R&B undercurrents—and how personal context shapes what we hear. If you love discovering Asian indie, pop rock, and cross-genre band sounds, this one's packed with gems and ear-candy details worth your time.Your notes help others find the music, and your favorites might make our next playlist—what track hit you hardest?Over October: Instagram X YouTube Dahanmacico: Instagram X YouTube puppetCNBLUE: Instagram X YouTube Curtain callSakura Shimeji: Instagram X YouTube who!SURL: Instagram YouTube Please staySupport 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

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/YANKS2025 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountUse our Nike affiliate link to shop Yankees gear here: https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101505473-17049705?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nike.com%2Fw%2Fnew-york-yankees-6x9m6  Alex Rodriguez reflects on his journey from baseball prodigy to one of the most polarizing figures in sports. Don't miss Alex vs. A-Rod, now streaming on HBO Max. New Episodes Thursdays.Check out the newest JM channel, That's Cricket: https://www.youtube.com/@thatscricketjmDownload the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use promo code JMBASEBALLUpgrade your skincare routine at https://CalderaLab.com/YANKS and use code YANKS at checkout for 15% off your first order.Shop your favorite gear from the Jomboy Media store. Click here to shop today! https://shop.jomboymedia.com/  GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Fees may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. Must register new DraftKings account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to get 1 promo code to redeem complimentary 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, and max. $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bonus Bet expires in 7 days (168 hours) and stake removed from payout. Token expires 11/23/25. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. NBA League Pass: Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt'l terms: https://support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League- Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Offer ends 11/16/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK. +++++Timestamps:0:00 Intro  2:45 Aaron Judge Wins His THIRD MVP Award9:45 Cy Young & Other Awards13:45 Yankees Re-Sign Ryan Yarbrough  16:55 Trent Grisham Qualifying Offer21:10 Rule 5 Protection Deadline24:50 New First Base Coach Dan Fiorito28:43 3B/1B/DH Munetaka Murakami31:00 1B/3B Kazuma Okamoto  36:05 RHP Tatsuya Imai42:53 What Cricket Players are These Yankees Like?1:07:00 Alex vs. A-Rod Episode 2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guy Adami and Liz Thomas of SoFi discuss a range of topics including recent Japanese economic trends, the impact of a potential Japanese stimulus on global equities, and the weakening yen. They examine the relationships between various market indicators and their departures from expected norms. They touch on the volatility index and interpret recent movements in the stock market. Other key points include the influence of mortgage rates and housing affordability on the economy, the potential effects of upcoming non-farm payroll reports, and PMI services/manufacturing indices. The podcast also digs into consumer sentiment and Bitcoin's decoupling from gold and its strong correlation with Nasdaq. Additionally, Elizabeth shares insights about her conversation with Jenny Harrington on her own podcast, focusing on dividend investing and personal finance stories. —FOLLOW USYouTube: @RiskReversalMediaInstagram: @riskreversalmediaTwitter: @RiskReversalLinkedIn: RiskReversal Media

Could we see the Hot Stove start to warm up this week for the Phillies? On Episode 1031 of Hittin' Season, from WHYY in Philadelphia, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh discuss some deadlines coming this week that could result in some transaction for your Phils. Plus, how long will the Phillies wait for Kyle Schwarber to sign, and are they getting aggressive with a Japanese slugger while they wait? Also, we talk with Matt Winkelman of Phillies Minor Thoughts about the Arizona Fall League and for a 50-foot view of the farm system, as well as some Andrew Painter thoughts.

Today Razib talks to Noah Smith, an American economist-turned-blogger known for his commentary on economics and public policy. His blog, Noahpinion, is one of the most popular on Substack. He earned a PhD in economics at University of Michigan and served as an assistant professor of finance at Stony Brook  University before leaving academia to become a full-time writer. He wrote a column for Bloomberg until 2021, when he turned his focus entirely to independent writing and his Substack newsletter. Smith is based out of San Francisco but spends part of the year in Japan. An enthusiast for Japanese culture, he is also one of the central nodes in English-speaking rabbit-twitter. First, Razib and Smith talk about the current cultural and political situation in Japan. In particular, how did Japan transform itself from a country with non immigration to one with a non-trivial number of migrants? Additionally, Razib asks Smith about the new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, the first woman in that role. Smith elucidates her relationship to the politics of two of her most prominent predecessors, Shinzo Abe and Junichiro Koizumi. Razib also asks, is she as far right as some people are saying? Then Smith and Razib discuss the "vibe shift" in American culture over the last five years, from the peak period of wokeness around 2020, to the current political ascendancy of MAGA and how Democrats are reconfiguring their politics.

This week Frank celebrates his birthday in the studio with Jon, keeps the vibes relaxed, and still manages to pack in a full slate of geek news and debates. The two kick things off with updates on Shogun Season 2, breaking down the ten year time jump, the politics of feudal Japan, and how Western audiences connect with Asian history and tropes on screen. From there they pivot to Valve's newly announced Steam Machine concept and what it means for the future of consoles, PC gaming, and cloud streaming. Then it is trailer time. Frank and John react to the new Fallout Season 2 trailer and its New Vegas setting, the Super Mario Galaxy movie trailer from Illumination, and the first official images from the live action Legend of Zelda movie. They also dig into Disney's Moana live action remake and use it as a springboard to talk about when fans want faithful recreations and when they actually want a fresh take. In the second half, Frank launches a new recurring bit called Shallow Dives, a timed debate game where one host takes a position and the other plays devil's advocate. Topics this round include whether physical media is really coming back, if critic and audience scores should be hidden for a movie's first week, and how central cosplay is to modern fandom. The episode wraps with recommendations for Welcome to Derry and a timely revisit of V for Vendetta. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 – Birthday intro, in person recording, and why this episode is more relaxed 01:00 – Shogun Season 2 news, ten year time jump, and how the show handles Japanese history and European trade politics 05:30 – Valve's new Steam Machine concept, console vs PC, and why price point might decide its fate 11:20 – Fallout Season 2 trailer reaction, New Vegas connections, Elvis ghoul Kings, and Macaulay Culkin's role 15:40 – Super Mario Galaxy movie trailer, Bowser in a jar, Bowser Jr, Rosalina, and Illumination's animation style and music 18:20 – First look at the live action Legend of Zelda movie and a deeper talk about faithful adaptations vs reinterpretations 24:00 – Moana live action trailer, shot for shot remakes, green screen fatigue, and who these remakes are really for 28:15 – Introducing Shallow Dives, the 5 minute debate game and how it might work at conventions 29:30 – Shallow Dive 1: Is physical media actually making a comeback or is streaming still king 35:00 – Shallow Dive 2: Should critic and audience scores be hidden for the first week of release 41:00 – Shallow Dive 3: Is cosplay a core part of fandom or its own parallel hobby 46:20 – Weekly recommendations: Welcome to Derry and why V for Vendetta still matters 48:10 – Wrap up and sign off Key Takeaways Shogun Season 2 will jump ten years into the Edo era, exploring what it means for Toranaga to not just conquer Japan but govern it while foreign powers like Portugal and Britain push for control. For Western viewers, Shogun can be a gateway into Asian history and storytelling, with Frank and John comparing it to Game of Thrones style politics filtered through a real world lens. Valve's new Steam Machine raises real questions about timing and audience, but John argues that if the device hits the right price and lives in the living room it could appeal to younger PC focused players and convention setups. The Fallout Season 2 trailer leans hard into New Vegas iconography, from Elvis themed ghoul factions to Roman inspired forces, while doubling down on the tension between Lucy's idealism and the brutal wasteland reality. The Super Mario Galaxy movie and the Zelda live action first look both seem to be chasing a very faithful visual style, keeping game aesthetics intact while polishing them for film, especially through music and world design. Moana's live action remake sparks a bigger conversation about when fans want a nearly shot for shot remake and when they want a reinterpretation, with both hosts skeptical about the flat, overly digital look of some recent remakes. In the Shallow Dives segment, the physical media debate lands on a nuanced middle ground: streaming is convenient, but physical and local digital collections still matter for ownership, longevity, and curation. The discussion about scores leads Frank to explain why Geek Freaks removed numeric ratings from posts, preferring to describe how a story feels instead of flattening it to a single number. On cosplay, both hosts agree that it might be its own fandom as much as a subset of any one property, but it absolutely boosts the sense of community and safety at cons by signaling "you are with your people." Memorable Quotes "I would rather put out a relaxed episode than no episode." "Each vault in Fallout is just a wild experiment, and that weirdness is the charm of the show." "Physical media might not be for everyone anymore, but owning a copy means nobody can pull it off your shelf overnight." "Reviews should tell you how a story makes you feel, not just slap a number on it." "Cosplay is like an instant signal that you are in a safe place to be as nerdy as you want." Call To Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to Geek Freaks on your favorite podcast app, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and share the show with a friend who loves Fallout, Zelda, or Disney animation. Spread the word using the hashtag #GeekFreaksPodcast so we can see what you think of the new Shallow Dives segment. Links and Resources All the news and stories we discuss come from our coverage at: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Follow Us Stay connected with Geek Freaks across the web: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Have a question, hot take, or Shallow Dive topic you want us to debate next time Send your thoughts and prompts to us on social media or through GeekFreaksPodcast.com and we might feature your idea in a future episode. Apple Podcasts Tags Geek Freaks, TV and Film, Entertainment News, Pop Culture, Shogun Season 2, Fallout TV Series, Fallout Season 2, Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Legend of Zelda Movie, Moana Live Action, Video Games, Cosplay, Physical Media, Movie Reviews, Streaming Services, Stephen King, Welcome to Derry, V for Vendetta, Alan Moore

Giants color commentator and former MLB pitcher Mike Krukow joins Murph and Markus to talk about how the Giants can approach a potential pursuit of Tigers' pitcher Tarik Skubal and Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, and how else the Giants can fill their starting pitching rotation, either from within the organization or through trades and free agency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt went to Japan and we're hearing ALL ABOUT IT. The chopstick holder he stole, the sex store with "poop" kinks, you gotta listen. Music: Switch Me On by Shane Overs - https//www.silvermansound.com

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Giants color commentator and former MLB pitcher Mike Krukow joins Murph and Markus to talk about how the Giants can approach a potential pursuit of Tigers' pitcher Tarik Skubal and Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, and how else the Giants can fill their starting pitching rotation, either from within the organization or through trades and free agency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a look at the preparation for the Japanese invasion of Malaya in December 1941. The guys dig into the Japanese outlook on the region, the reasons for invasion, as well as the invasion plans. Digging into the personalities involved, Jon dishes out the goods on Brooke-Popham, Percival, Yamashita and others. A fascinating discussion on the Japanese plan of attack and lack of British preparedness (and why that was) follows. Dig into this one as we set up the greatest disaster in British military history. #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 #medalofhonor #british #raf #royalairforce

Spotted lanternflies, Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet – When plants and animals like these invade our environment, they can disrupt other organisms that are native to the region. But can we stop these species? And should we?

Hello again Pacific War Week by Week listeners, it is I your dutiful host Craig Watson with more goodies from my exclusive patreon podcast series. This is actually going to be a two parter specifically looking at the failure and responsibility of Emperor Hirohito during the 15 year war Japan unleashed in 1931. Again a big thanks to all of you for listening all these years, you are all awesome.   Hello everyone, a big thanks to all of you who joined the patreon and voted for this to be the next episode, you all are awesome.    Now I realize very well when I jumped into my former patreon episode on Ishiwara Kanji, I fell into a rabbit hole and it became a rather long series. I wanted to get this one done in a single episode but its also kind of a behemoth subject, so I will do this in two parts: this episode will be on Hirohito's failure and responsibility in regards to the China War from 1931-1941. The next one will cover Hirohito's failure and responsibility in the world war from 1941-1945.   I am not going to cover the entire life of Hirohito, no what I want is to specifically cover his actions from 1931-1945. Nw I want you to understand the purpose of this episode is to destroy a narrative, a narrative that carried on from 1945-1989. That narrative has always been that Emperor Hirohito was nothing more than a hostage during the war years of 1931-1945. This narrative was largely built by himself and the United States as a means of keeping the peace after 1945. However upon his death in 1989 many meeting notes and diaries from those who worked close to him began emerging and much work was done by historians like Herbert P Bix and Francis Pike. The narrative had it that Hirohito was powerless to stop things, did not know or was being misled by those around him, but this is far from the truth. Hirohito was very active in matters that led to the horrors of the 15 year war and he had his own reasons for why or when he acted and when he did not.   For this episode to be able to contain it into a single one, I am going to focus on Hirohito's involvement in the undeclared war with China, that's 1931-1941. For those of you who don't know, China and Japan were very much at war in 1931-1937 and certainly 1937 onwards, but it was undeclared for various reasons. If you guys really like this one, let me know and I can hit Hirohito 1941-1945 which is honestly a different beast of its own.   For those of you who don't know, Hirohito was born on April 29th of 1901, the grandson of Emperor Meiji. Hirohito entered the world right at the dawn of a new era of imperial rivalry in Asia and the Pacific. According to custom, Japanese royals were raised apart from their parents, at the age of 3 he was placed in the care of the Kwamura family who vowed to raise him to be unselfish, persevering in the face of difficulties, respectful of the views of others and immune to fear. In 1908 he entered elementary education at the age of 7 and would be taught first be General Nogi Maresuke who notoriously did not pamper the prince. Nogi rigorously had Hirohito train in physical education and specifically implanted virtues and traits he thought appropriate for the future sovereign: frugality, diligence, patience, manliness, and the ability to exercise self-control under difficult conditions. Hirohito learnt what hard work was from Nogi and that education could overcome all shortcomings. Emperor Meiji made sure his grandson received military training.   When Emperor Meiji died in 1912, Hirohito's father, Yoshihito took the throne as emperor Taisho. Taisho for a lack of better words, suffered from cerebral meningitis at an early age and this led to cognitive deficiency's and in reality the Genro would really be running the show so to say. When Taisho took the throne it was understood immediately, Hirohito needed to be prepared quickly to take the throne. After Meiji's funeral General Nogi politely told the family he could no longer be a teacher and committed seppuku with his wife. He wrote a suicide letter explained he wanted to expiate his disgrace during the russo japanese war for all the casualties that occurred at Port Arthur, hardcore as fuck. Hirohito would view Nogi nearly as much of an iconic hero as his grandfather Meiji, the most important figure in his life.   Hirohito's next teacher was the absolute legendary Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro who would instill national defense policy into him. Hirohito would be taught Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahans theories as all the great minds were taught at the time. Now I know it sucks but I cant delve deep into all this. What I want you to envision is a growing Man, instilled with the belief above all else, the Kokutai was most important. The Kokutai was the national essence of Japan. It was all aspects of Japanese polity, derived from history, tradition and customs all focused around the cult of the Emperor. The government run by politicians was secondary, at any given time the kokutai was the belief the Emperor could come in and directly rule.   If you are confused, dont worry, I am too haha. Its confusing. The Meiji constitution was extremely ambiguous. It dictated a form of constitutional monarchy with the kokutai sovereign emperor and the “seitai” that being the actual government. Basically on paper the government runs things, but the feeling of the Japanese people was that the wishes of the emperor should be followed. Thus the kokutai was like an extra-judicial structure built into the constitution without real legal framework, its a nightmare I know.    Let me make an example, most of you are American I imagine. Your congress and senate actually run the country, wink wink lets forget about lobbyists from raytheon. The president does not have actual executive powers to override any and all things, but what if all Americans simply felt he did. Thus everyone acted in accordance to his wishes as they assumed them to be, thats my best way of explaining Japan under Hirohito.    Emperor Taisho dies in 1926, and Hirohito takes the throne ushering in the Showa Era. He inherited a financial crisis and a military that was increasingly seizing control of governmental policies. Hirohito sought to restore the image of a strong charismatic leader on par with his grandfather Meiji, which was sorely lacking in his father Taishos reign. He was pressured immediately by the Navy that the national sphere of defense needed to be expanded upon, they felt threatened by the west, specifically by the US and Britain who had enacted the Washington Naval Treaty. Hirohito agreed a large navy was necessary for Japan's future, he was a proponent of the decisive naval battle doctrine, remember his teacher was Togo.    From the very beginning Hirohito intensely followed all military decisions. In 1928 the Japanese covertly assassinated the warlord of Manchuria, Zhang Zuolin. The current prime minister Tanaka Giichi had performed a thorough investigation of the incident and presented his report to Hirohito on December 24th of 1928. He told Hirohito he intended to court martial the criminals, purge the army and re-establish discipline. However the rest of Tanaka's cabinet wished to allow the army to deal with the matter and quiet the entire thing down. Hirohito responded by stating he had lost confidence in Tanaka and admonished his report. Hirohito allowed the army to cover up the incident, he sought to have it hushed up as well. Thus Hirohito had indulged the army in its insubordination and the kwantung army officers now felt they could take matters into their own hands.   Also in 1928 the Tanaka cabinet failed to endorse the international protocol banning chemical and biological warfare. The next year the privy council, pressured by the military, failed to ratify the full geneva convention of prisoners of war. Hirohito in response began doing something Emperor Meiji never had done, he began to scold officials to force them to retire from positions. Tanaka Giichi was bullied out. Hirohito then stated his endorsement of Hamaguchi Osachi as Tanaka's successors.   Just a few months after Hamaguchi cabinet formed, Hirohito overrode the advice of his naval chief of staff and vice chief of staff, Admiral Kato and Vice Admiral Suetsugu. The Americans and British were hinting they might form a naval alliance against Japan if she did not abide by the Washington Conference mandates on naval tonnage. Kato and Suetsugu refused to accept the terms, but prime minister Hamaguchi stood firm against them. The navy leaders were outraged and accused Hamaguchi of signing the treaty without the support of the Navy General Staff thereby infringing upon the “emperor's right of supreme command”. Two months after signing the treaty, Hamaguchi was assassinated and upon learning of this Hirohito's first concern apparently was “that constitutional politics not be interrupted”. The military felt greatly emboldened, and thus began the age of the military feeling “its right of supreme command”. Generals and Admirals fought back against arms reduction talks, discipline within the officer corps loosened, things spiraled out of control. Alongside this came the increasing cult of the emperor, that they were all doing this in his name.   When rumors emerged of the emerging Mukden Incident in 1931, Hirohito  demanded the army be reigned in. Attempts were made, but on September 18th of 1931, Kwantung army officer detonated an explosion at Liut'iaokou north of Mukden as a false flag operation. The next day the imperial palace were given a report and Hirohito was advised by chief aide de camp Nara Takeji “this incident would not spread and if the Emperor was to convene an imperial conference to take control of the situation, the virtue of his majesty might be soiled if the decisions of such a conference should prove impossible to implement”. This will be a key theme in Hirohito's decision making, protect the kokutai from any threats.   As the Mukden incident was getting worse, the Kwantung officers began to demand reinforcement be sent from the Korea army. The current Wakatsuki cabinet met on the issue and decided the Mukden incident had to remain an incident, they needed to avoid a declaration of war. The official orders were for no reinforcements of the Korea army to mobilize, however the field commander took it upon his own authority and mobilized them. The army chief of staff Kanaya reported to Hirohito the Korea army was marching into Manchuria against orders. At 31 years of age Hirohito now had an excellent opportunity to back the current cabinet, to control the military and stop the incident from getting worse. At this time the military was greatly divided on the issue, politically still weak compared to what they would become in a few years, if Hirohito wanted to rule as a constitutional monarch instead of an autocratic monarch, well this was his chance. Hirohito said to Kanaya at 4:20pm on September 22nd “although this time it couldn't be helped, [the army] had to be more careful in the future”. Thus Hirohito accepted the situation as fait accompli, he was not seriously opposed to seeing his army expand his empire. If it involved a brief usurpation of his authority so bit, as long as the operation was successful. Within two weeks of the incident, most of Japan had rallied being the kwantung army's cause. Hirohito knew it was a false flag, all of what they had done. Hirohito planned the lightests punishments for those responsible. Hirohito then officially sanctioned the aerial strike against Chinchou, the first air attack since ww1.   A message had gone out to the young officers in the Japanese military that the emperors main concern was success; obedience to central command was secondary. After the Mukden incident Prime Minister Wakatsuki resigned in december after failing to control the army and failing to contain the financial depression. The new Priminister Inukai took to action requesting permission from Hirohito to dispatch battalions to Tientsin and a brigade to Manchuria to help the Kwantung army take Chinchou. Hirohito responded by advising caution when attacking Chinchou and to keep a close eye on international public perception. Nevertheless Chinchou was taken and Hirohito issued an imperial rescript praising the insubordinate Kwantung army for fighting a courageous self defense against Chinese bandits. In a few more years Hirohito would grant awards and promotions to 3000 military and civil officials involved in the Manchurian war. When incidents broke out in Shanghai in 1932 involved the IJN, Tokyo high command organized a full fledged Shanghai expeditionary force under General Shirakawa with 2 full divisions. But within Shanghai were western powers, like Britain and America, whom Hirohito knew full well could place economic sanctions upon Japan if things got out of hand. Hirohito went out of his way to demand Shirakawa settle the Shanghai matter quickly and return to Japan.   And thus here is a major problem with Hirohito during the war years. On one end with Manchuria he let pretty much everything slide, but with Shanghai he suddenly cracks the whip. Hirohito had a real tendency of choosing when he wanted to act and this influenced the military heavily. On May 15th of 1932, young naval officers assassinated prime minister Inukai at his office. In the political chaos, Hirohito and his advisors agreed to abandon the experiment in party cabinets that had been the custom since the Taisho era. Now Hirohito endorsed a fully bureaucratic system of policy making, cabinet parties would no longer depend on the two main conservative parties existing in the diet. When the diet looked to the genro as to who should be the next prime minister, Hirohito wrote up “his wishes regarding the choice of the next prime minister”. Loyal officials backed Hirohito's wishes, the cult of the emperor grew in power. To the military it looked like Hirohito was blaming the party based cabinets rather than insubordinate officers for the erosion of his own authority as commander in chief. The young military officers who already were distrustful of the politicians were now being emboldened further.    After Manchuria was seized and Manchukuo was ushered in many in the Japanese military saw a crisis emerge, that required a “showa restoration' to solve. There were two emerging political factions within the military, the Kodoha and Toseiha factions. Both aimed to create military dictatorships under the emperor. The Kodoha saw the USSR as the number one threat to Japan and advocated an invasion of them, aka the Hokushin-ron doctrine, but the Toseiha faction prioritized a national defense state built on the idea they must build Japans industrial capabilities to face multiple enemies in the future. What separated the two, was the Kodoha sought to use a violent coup d'etat to do so, the Toseiha were unwilling to go so far. The Kodoha faction was made up of junior and youthful officers who greatly distrusted the capitalists and industrialists of Japan, like the Zaibatsu and believed they were undermining the Emperor. The Toseiha faction were willing to work with the Zaibatsu to make Japan stronger. Hirohito's brother Prince Chichibu sympathized with the Kodoha faction and repeatedly counseled his brother that he should implement direct imperial rule even if it meant suspending the constitution, aka a show restoration. Hirohito believed his brother who was active in the IJA at the time was being radicalized. Chichibu might I add was in the 3rd infantry regiment under the leadership of Colonel Tomoyuki Yamashita.   This time period has been deemed the government by assassination period. Military leaders in both the IJA and IJN and from both the Kodoha and Toseiha began performing violence against politicians and senior officers to get things done.    A enormous event took place in 1936 known as the february 26 incident. Kodoha faction officers of the IJA attempted a coup d'etat to usher in a showa restoration. They assassinated several leading officials, such as two former prime ministers and occupied the government center of Tokyo. They failed to assassinate the current prime minister Keisuke Okada or take control over the Imperial palace. These men believed Japan was straying from the Kokutai and that the capitalist/industrialists were exploiting the people of the nation by deceiving the emperor and usurping his power. The only solution to them was to purge such people and place Hirohito as an absolute leader over a military dictatorship.    Now the insurrectionists failed horribly, within just a few hours they failed to kill the current prime minister, and failed to seize the Sakashita Gate to the imperial palace, thus allowing the palace to continue communicating with the outside, and they never thought about what the IJN might do about all of this. The IJN sent marines immediately to suppress them. The insurrectionists had planned to have the army minister General Kwashima who was a Kodoha backer, report their intentions to Hirohito who they presumed would declare a showa restoration. They falsely assumed the emperor was a puppet being taken hostage by his advisers and devoid of his own will.   At 5:40am on February the 26th Hirohito was awakened and informed of the assassinations and coup attempt. From the moment he learnt of this, he was outraged and demanded the coup be suppressed and something I would love to highlight is he also immediately demanded his brother Prince Chichibu be brought over to him. Why would this be important? Hirohito believed the insurrectionists might enlist his brother to force him to abdicate. Hirohito put on his army uniform and ordered the military to “end it immediately and turn this misfortune into a blessing”. Hirohito then met with Kwashima who presented him with the insurrectionists demands to “clarify the kokutai, stabilize national life and fulfill national defense, aka showa restoration”. Hirohito scolded Kwashima and ordered him to suppress the mutiny. On the morning of the 27th Hirohito declared administrative martial law on the basis of Article 8 of the Imperial Constitution, pertaining to emergency imperial ordinances. Formally he was invoking his sovereign power to handle a crisis. Hirohito displayed an incredible amount of energy to crush the mutiny as noted by those around him at the time. Every few hours he demanded reports to be given to him by top officials and at one point he was so angry he threatened to lead the Imperial Guard division himself to go out and quell it. Hirohito met with Chichibu and its alleged he told his brother to end any relationships he had with the Kodoha members. By february 29th, Hirohito had firmly crushed the mutiny, most of the ringleaders were arrested. In april they were court martialed secretly without even given a chance to defend themselves in court and 17 were executed by firing squad in July. As a result of it all, the Kodoha faction dissolved and the Toseiha faction reigned supreme.    On the morning of July 8th of 1937 came the Marco Polo Bridge incident, a nearly identical false flag operation to what occurred at Mukden in 1931. Hirohito's reaction was first to consider the possible threat of the USSR. He wondered if the communists would seize the opportunity to attack Manchukuo. This is what he said to Prime Minister Konoe and army minister Sugiyama “What will you do if the Soviets attack us from the rear?” he asked the prince. Kan'in answered, “I believe the army will rise to the occasion.” The emperor repeated his question: “That's no more than army dogma. What will you actually do in the unlikely event that Soviet [forces] attack?” The prince said only, “We will have no choice.” His Majesty seemed very dissatisfied.    Hirohito demanded to know what contingency plans existed. After this he approved the decision of the Konoe cabinet to move troops into Northern China and fixed his seal to the orders of dispatch. The emperor had tacitly agreed to it all from the start. With each action taken for the following months, Hirohito would explicitly sanction them after the fact. In his mind he kept thinking about a fight with the USSR, he believed he had no choice in the China matter. All of his top ranking officials like Sugiyama would tell him “even if war with China came… it could be finished up within two or three months”. Hirohito was not convinced, he went to Konoe, to imperial conferences, to other military officials to get their views. None convinced him but as Hirohito put it  “they agreed with each other on the time factor, and that made a big difference; so all right, we'll go ahead.”     Two weeks into the conflict, the kwangtung army and Korean army were reinforced by 3 divisions from Japan and on July 25th were reaching Beijing. What did the man who was not responsible in such decision making say? On July 27 Hirohito sanctioned an imperial order directing the commander of the China Garrison Force to “chastise the Chinese army in the Peking-Tientsin area and bring stability to the main strategic places in that region.” Hirohito wanted a killing blow to end the war, and thus he escalated the incident. Historian Fujiwara Akira noted “it was the [Konoe] government itself that had resolved on war, dispatched an army, and expanded the conflict,” and Hirohito had fully supported it”   Chiang Kai-shek abandoned northern China pulling into the Interior and unleashed a campaign in Shanghai to draw the Japanese into a battle showcased in front of western audiences. Chiang Kai-shek tossed the creme of his military all into Shanghai to make it as long and explosive as possible to try and win support from other great powers. On August 18 Hirohito summoned his army and navy chiefs for a pointed recommendation. The war, he told them, “is gradually spreading; our situation in Shanghai is critical; Tsingtao is also at risk. If under these circumstances we try to deploy troops everywhere, the war will merely drag on and on. Wouldn't it be better to concentrate a large force at the most critical point and deliver one overwhelming blow? Based on our attitude of fairness, Do you, have in hand plans for such action? In other words, do we have any way worked out to force the Chinese to reflect on their actions?”   The chiefs of staff returned 3 days later with an aerial campaign to break China's will to fight and strategic cities needed to be seized. Hirohito gave his sanction and on August 31st gave the order “for the Dispatch of the North China Area Army. [D]estroy the enemy's will to fight and wipe out resistance in the central part of Hepei Province,” Over the course of weeks Hirohito sanctioned 6 troop mobilizations to the Shanghai area where the fighting had bogged down. Then he sanctioned 3 divisions from Taiwan to Shanghai, but for units in northern Manchuria to stand guard firmly in case the USSR attacked. The entire time this was happening both China and Japan referred to it as an incident and not a real war lest either of them lose the backing of their great power allies. Japan needed oil, iron and rubber from America, China was likewise received materials from the USSR/America/Britain and even Germany.    By november the war was not going well and Hirohito had the Imperial Headquarters established within his palace as a means to exercise his constitutional role as supreme commander, the army and navy would act in concert. For a few hours in the morning a few days every week, the chiefs of staff, army and navy ministers and chiefs of operations would meet with Hirohito. At these imperial conferences Hirohito presided over and approved decisions impacting the war. This was Hirohito's device for legally transforming the will of the emperor into the will of the state. Hirohito not only involved himself, sometimes on a daily basis he would shape strategy and decide the planning, timing and so on of military campaigns. He even intervened in ongoing field operations. He monitored and occasionally issued orders through commanders to subordinate units. Now I can't go through the entire 1937-1945 war and showcase all the things he did but I will highlight things I think we're important.    On November 9th, the Shanghai battle was finally falling apart for the Chinese as they began a withdrawal to the Nanking area some 180 miles away. The Japanese forces chased them and for the first time were really coming into direct contact with Chinese civilians, when it came to Shanghai most had evacuated the areas. The Japanese burned, plundered and raped villages and towns as they marched towards Nanking. On december 1st, Hirohito's imperial HQ ordered the 10th army and Shanghai expeditionary force to close in on Nanking from different directions, a pincer maneuver. Prince Asaka took command of the Shanghai expeditionary force and General Matsui commanded the Central China Area Army consisted of the Shanghai force and 10th army. Asaka led the forces to assault the walled city of Nanking with a population estimated to be 4-5 hundred thousand and it would fall on December 13th. Was there an order to “rape Nanking”, no. The Imperial HQ did not order the total extermination of the Chinese in Nanking, they had ordered an encirclement campaign. However, the standing orders at this time were to take no prisoners. Once Nanking fell, the Japanese began to execute en massage military prisoners and unarmed troops who surrendered willingly. There was a orgy of rape, arson, pillage and murder. The horror was seen in Nanking and the 6 adjacent villages over the course of 3 months far exceeding any atrocities seen during the battle for Shanghai or even the march to Nanking. General Nakajima's 16th division on its first day in Nanking was estimated to have murdered 30,000 POWs. Estimate range insanely, but perhaps 200,000 POW's and civilians were butchered over the course of 6 weeks.   Prince Asaka the 54 year old grand uncle to Hirohito and other members of the Imperial Family commanded the attack on Nanking and supervised the horrors. 49 year old General Prince Higashikuni chief of the army air force alongside Prince Kan'in knew of the atrocities occurring. Army minister Sugiyama knew, many middle echelon officers of the Imperial HQ knew. Hirohito was at the top of the chain of command, there is no way he was not informed. Hirohito followed the war extensively, reading daily reports, questioned his aides. It was under his orders that his army “chastise China”, but did he show any concern for the breakdown of his army's discipline? There is no documented evidence he ordered an investigation, all we are met with as historians is a bizarre period of silence. Hirohito goes from supervising the war with OCD precision, to silence, then back to normal precision. Did Hirohito show anything publicly to show angry, displeasure or remorse, at the time he energetically began spurring his generals and admirals on their great victories and the national project to induce “Chinese self-reflection”.    On November 24th Hirohito gave an after the fact sanction to the decision of General Matsui to attack and occupy Nanking. Hirohito was informed the city was going to be bombarded by aircraft and artillery and he sanctioned that as well. That was basically him removing any restrictions on the army's conduct. On December 14th the day after Nankings fall, he made an imperial message to his chiefs of staff expressing his pleasure at the news of the city's capture and occupation. Hirohito granted General Matsui an imperial rescript for his great military accomplishments in 1938 and gave the order of the golden early to Prince Asaka in 1940. Perhaps Hirohito privately agonized over what happened, but publicly did nothing about the conduct of his armed forces, especially in regards to the treatment of POW's.   Emperor Hirohito was presented with several opportunities to cause cease-fires or peace settlements during the war years. One of the best possible moments to end it all came during the attack on Naking when Chiang Kai-sheks military were in disarray. Chiang Kai-shek had hoped to end the fighting by enticing the other great powers to intervene. At the 9 power treaty conference in Brussel in november of 1937, Britain and the US proposed boycotting Japan. However the conference ended without any sanctions being enacted upon Japan. The Konoe government and Imperial HQ immediately expanded the combat zone. Chiang Kai-shek in desperation accepted a previous offer by Germany to mediate. Oscar Trautmann, the German ambassador to China attempted to negotiate with Japan, but it failed. China was offered harsh terms; to formally recognize Manchukuo, cooperate with it and Japan to fight communism, permit the indefinite stationg of Japanese forces and pay war reparations.    On January 9th of 1938, Imperial HQ formed a policy for handling the China incident which was reported to Hirohito. Konoe asked Hirohito to convene an imperial conference for it, but not to speak out at it  “For we just want to formally decide the matter in your majesty's presence.” Konoe and Hirohito were concerned with anti expansionists within the army general staff and wanted to prevent German interference in Japanese affairs. On January 11th, the policy was showcased and adopted, there would be no peace until Chiang kai-shek's regime was dissolved and a more compliant regime followed. Hirohito presided over the conference in full army dress uniform and gave his approval. He sat there for 27 minutes without uttering a word, appearing to be neutral in the matter, though in fact he was firmly backing a stronger military policy towards China.    The Konoe cabinet inaugurated a second phase to the China incident, greatly escalating the war. By this point in time Japanese had seen combat casualties at 62,007 killed, 160,000 wounded. In 1939 it would be 30,081 killed, 55,970 wounded, then 15,827 killed and 72,653 wounded in 1940. Major cities were under Japanese control ranging from the north east and south. Chiang Kai-shek fled to Chongqing, the war was deadlocked without any prospect of victory in sight.    On July 11 of 1938, the commander of the 19th division fought a border clash with the USSR known to us in the west as the battle of Lake Khasan. It was a costly defeat for Japan and in the diary of Harada Kumao he noted Hirohito scolded Army minister Itagaki “Hereafter not a single soldier is to be moved without my permission.” When it looked like the USSR would not press for a counter attack across the border, Hirohito gave the order for offensives in China to recommence, again an example of him deciding when to lay down the hammer. Konoe resigned in disgrace in 1939 having failed to bring the China war to an end and being outed by his colleagues who sought an alliance with Germany, which he did not agree with. His successor was Hiranuma a man Hirohito considered a outright fascist. Hiranuma only received the job because he promised Hirohito he would not make enemies of Britain or the US by entering in a hasty alliance with Nazi Germany. However his enter prime ministership would be engulfed by the alliance question.   In May of 1939 there was another border clash with the USSR, the battle of Khalkhin Gol. This one was much larger in scale, involving armored warfare, aircraft and though it seems it was not used, the Japanese brought biological warfare weapons as well. The Japanese had nearly 20,000 casualties, it was an unbelievable defeat that shocked everyone. Hirohito refrained from punishing anyone because they technically followed orders based on a document “outline for dealing with disputes along the manchurian soviet border” that Hirohito had sanctioned shortly before the conflict arose.   In July of 1939, the US told Hiranuma's government they intended not to renew the US-Japan treaty of commerce and navigation. Until this point Roosevelt had been very lenient towards Japan, but now it looked to him war would break out in europe and he wanted Japan to know they could expect serious economic sanctions if they escalated things. Hirohito complained to his chief aide de camp Hata Shunroku on August 5th “It could be a great blow to scrap metal and oil”. Then suddenly as Japan was engaging in a truce with the USSR to stop the border conflict, Germany shocked the world and signed a nonaggression pact with them. This completely contravened the 1936 Japan-German anti-comintern pact. Hiranuma resigned in disgrace on august 28th.    Hirohito was livid and scolded many of his top officials and forced the appointment of General Abe to prime minister and demanded of him “to cooperate with the US and Britain and preserve internal order”. Then Germany invaded Poland and began a new European War. Abe's cabinet collapsed from the unbelievable amount of international actions by January 14th 1940. Hirohito appointed Admiral Yonai as prime minister  and General Tojo to vice army minister. As we have seen Hirohito played a active role appointing high level personnel and imposed conditions upon their appointments.    Hirohito dictated what Yonai was to do, who he was to appoint to certain positions so on and so forth. When a large part of the military were calling for an alliance with Germany, Hirohito resisted, arguing Japan should focus on the China war and not ally itself to Germany unless it was to counter the USSR. Three months passed by and Germany began invading western europe. Norway fell, Denmark fell, Luxembourg, Belgium, the netherlands and then France, it was simply stunning. While Japan had been locked in a deadlock against China, Germany was crushing multiple nations with ease, and this had a large effect on asia. Britain, France and the Netherlands could not hope to protect their holdings in asia. But Hirohito kept pressuring Yonai not to begin any talks of an alliance, and the military leaders forced Yonai's cabinet to collapse.    So Hirohito stood by while Hiranuma, Abe and Yonai met each crisis and collapses. He watched as the China war went nowhere and the military was gradually pushing for the Nanshin-ron doctrine to open a southern war up with the west. Not once did he make a public effort on his lonesome to end the war in China. Japan's demands of China were unchanged, relations with the west were getting worse each day. The China war was undeclared, hell it was from the Japanese viewpoint “chastising China”. Japan was no respecting any rules of war in China, atrocities were performed regularly and for that Hirohito shared responsibility. For he alone was free to act in this area, he needed to act, but he did not. He could have intervened and insisted on respecting the rules of war, especially in regards to POW's and the results could have been dramatically different. Hirohito bore direct responsibility for the use of poison gas upon Chinese and Mongolian combatants and non combatants even before the undeclared war of 1937.    Then on July 28th of 1937 Hirohito made his first directive authorizing the use of chemical weapons which was transmitted by the chief of the army general staff prince Kan'in. It stated that in mopping up the Beijing-Tientsin area, “[Y]ou may use tear gas at suitable times.” Then on September 11th of 1937 he transmitted again through Kan'in the authorization to deploy special chemical warfare units in Shanghai. Gas weapons were one weapon the imperial HQ, aka Hirohito held effective control over throughout the China war. Front line units were never free to employ it at their own discretion, it required explicit authorization from the imperial HQ. During the Wuhan offensive of August to October 1938, imperial HQ authorized the use of poison gas 375 separate times. Hirohito authorized on May 15th of 1939 the carrying out of field studies of chemical warfare along the Manchukuo-soviet border.  In 1940 Hirohito sanctioned the first experimental use of bacteriological weapons in China, though there is no documented evidence of this, given the nature of how he micro managed everything it goes without saying he would have treated it the same as the poison gas. He was a man of science, a person who questioned everything and refused to put his seal on orders without first examining them. Imperial HQ directives went to unit 731 and as a rule Hirohito overlooked them. There again is no documents directly linking him to it, but Hirohito should be held responsibility for strategic bombing campaigns performing on cities like Chongqing. Alongside such horror Hirohito sanctioned annihilation campaigns in China. Such military campaigns were on the scale of what occurred at Nanking. Take for example the Hebei offensive which saw the infamous “three alls policy, burn all, kill all, steal all”.    Before Pearl Harbor and the ushering in of the war against the west, look at the scene that had unfolded. China and Japan were not officially at war until December of 1941. Not to say it would have been easy by any means, but look at the countless opportunities the man, emperor, so called god if you will, held in his hands to stop it all or at the very least stop escalating it. Why did he not do so? To protect the Kokutai. Above all else, the role and survival of the emperor's divinity over the people of Japan was always at the forefront of his mind. He did what he thought was always necessary to thwart threats internal and external. He allowed his military to do horrible things, because they did so in his name, and likewise they were a threat to him. I know its abrupt to end it like this, but for those of you who perhaps say to yourself “well he really was powerless to stop it, they would have killed him or something”, who chose suddenly to intervene in 1945 and made the decision to surrender?

practice casually describing an event