Podcasts about Shoji

Last time we spoke about the fall of Hong Kong. As dawn broke on December 20, 1941, Japanese battalions tightened their grip on Hong Kong Island. While the defenders fought desperately at Repulse Bay Hotel, Wongneichong Gap, and the heights around Mount Nicholson and Mount Cameron, piecemeal counter-attacks by exhausted Canadians, Royal Scots, Rajputs, and Hong Kong Volunteers were shattered by rain, darkness, and poor coordination.Resistance stiffened at Stanley Peninsula, but ammunition ran low and hope faded. On Christmas Eve, the Japanese stormed St Stephen's College hospital. They bayoneted wounded soldiers in their beds, murdered doctors, and raped nurses in an orgy of horror that became known as the St Stephen's Massacre.On Christmas morning—forever "Black Christmas"—Governor Young surrendered the colony after seventeen days of fighting. As white flags rose, Rear-Admiral Chan Chak and a small party made a daring escape by sea under fire, eventually rescued by Chinese Communist guerrillas of the East River Column who would save hundreds more lives in the months ahead.   #219 The Malayan Campaign Part 1: Bicycle Blitzkrieg   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. Now in the last episode we spoke about the battle of Hong Kong, which of course was fought on Chinese territory and did involve Chinese participation. I took some time to think about what aspects of the early Pacific War should be covered in depth here, ie: what pertains the most to the Chinese experience. We are not going to talk about the Philippines or Dutch East Indies, but the Malayan campaign and fall of Singapore I would argue need to be dived into. There was a lot of ethnic Chinese participation in this campaign. No worries after this brief series on the Malayan Campaign we will be jumping back to China. Following World War One, Britain sought to counter growing Japanese ambitions by establishing a major naval base in Singapore during the 1920s. The location offered strategic advantages, particularly its exemption from the Washington Naval Treaty's non-fortification clause, making it ideal for housing a powerful deterrent fleet. The plan was straightforward: maintain overwhelming naval superiority to discourage Japanese expansion. Yet this calculation proved dangerously optimistic. Japanese aggression accelerated throughout the 1930s, while the European war's outbreak in 1939 drained Britain's resources, leaving its Far Eastern colonies—Malaya, Burma, and Hong Kong—dangerously exposed. Churchill remained convinced that Japan would not strike in 1941, prompting him to channel reinforcements toward the Mediterranean theater. The defensive strategy hinged on buying time; should Japan attack, British forces would delay the enemy while holding Singapore as a fortress until relief arrived. This plan contained a fatal flaw: Britain lacked the capacity to actually send reinforcements to the region. Commander-in-Chief Robert Brooke-Popham led Britain's Far Eastern Command from Malaysia, acutely aware of the challenge ahead. Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival commanded ground forces comprising 31 poorly trained infantry battalions—approximately 88,600 personnel total—largely untrained for jungle warfare. These troops were distributed across three divisions. Air defense proved equally problematic. With only fourteen squadrons flying outdated aircraft, the RAF faced a critical shortfall. Squadrons were scattered across multiple airfields: Vickers Vildebeest and PBY Catalina aircraft at Seletar; Bristol Blenheims at Tengah; Brewster Buffalos at Sembawang and Kallang; further Buffalos and Blenheims at Sungei Patani; Lockheed Hudsons at Kota Bharu; and additional Blenheims at Kuantan and Alor Setar. Allied units occupied three strategic zones. The Indian 11th Infantry Division under Major General David Murray-Lyon held northern Malaya, defending airfields and the Thai frontier from positions near Kota Bharu, Jitra, and Alor Setar. These installations remained lightly garrisoned and vulnerable. The Indian 9th Infantry Division occupied central Malaya, tasked with holding delaying positions at Jitra and Gurun—positions themselves poorly constructed and uncoordinated. Australia's 8th Division under Gordon Bennett anchored the south near Mersing and Johor, forming the last line before Singapore's fortress. Singapore itself bristled with coastal defenses and commanded a substantial naval garrison, expected to repel any Japanese approach. A week before Japan's offensive erupted, Churchill sent Force Z to Singapore—the battleship Prince of Wales, battlecruiser Repulse, and four destroyers. Despite vigorous objections from admirals, particularly Captain William Davis, who warned the Prince of Wales without air cover would be "a hostage to fortune," Churchill overruled them, seeking to project confidence and maintain American goodwill. Admiral Sir Tom Phillips commanded Force Z. Known as "Tom Thumb" for his diminutive stature, Phillips sparked controversy—critics labeled him a "desk admiral"—yet Field Marshal Smuts called him "an admirable choice" and American Admiral Thomas Hart praised his administrative acumen. Phillips' record was mixed. He advocated astutely for tank deployment in Malaya and correctly questioned the Brewster Buffalo's effectiveness, urging Hurricanes instead. Yet he fatally underestimated the threat aircraft posed to capital ships, believing the Prince of Wales' anti-aircraft batteries could defend a maneuvering vessel. An unnoticed handicap compounded this: tropical humidity had disabled the Prince of Wales' fire-control computer before she ever fired. Force Z reached Singapore on December 2, 1941, amid misplaced confidence. Nineteen-year-old Richard Smith recalled: "Everyone believed the Japanese fleet was made of rice paper and string. We assumed we would crush them effortlessly." Churchill's public declaration seemed to goad Japan into action. Admiral Yamamoto responded decisively, dispatching thirty-six Mitsubishi bombers to reinforce existing aircraft and ordering intensive training for "ship-killing"—specialized torpedo and bombing attacks. Three air groups, led by Miyauchi, Nakanishi, and Shoji, trained relentlessly in low-level runs and ocean navigation. Phillips, stripped of air cover, commanded only aging destroyers alongside his capital ships. The stage was set for disaster. In November 1940, the German raider Atlantis captured the British steamer Automedon in the Indian Ocean, seizing documents destined for Air Marshal Brooke-Popham that exposed Singapore's vulnerabilities. The Germans shared this intelligence with Japan in December. By January 1941, the Japanese had also broken British Army codes, revealing the weakness of Singapore's defenses and enabling them to plan an invasion accordingly. The invasion of Malaya followed an audacious strategy devised by Colonel Tsuji Masanobu. Japanese forces would conduct amphibious landings in southern Thailand and northern Malaya, then push 400 miles through jungle terrain toward Singapore. The 25th Army, commanded by Lieutenant-General Yamashita Tomoyuki and initially comprising two divisions, led this operation, supported by Admiral Kondō Nobutake's 2nd Fleet, which provided convoy escort. Thailand's strategic position was crucial; the British could not defend it, offering Japan a favorable staging ground. Marshal Plaek Phibun, Thailand's leader, had informally agreed to allow Japanese passage but simultaneously negotiated with British and American diplomats, creating uncertainty. A second force, the 15th Army under Lieutenant-General Iida Shōjirō, was preparing to invade Burma through Thailand. If the Thai withheld passage by December 7, these forces would advance directly from Indochina. Brooke-Popham devised Operation Matador to counter the Japanese threat. This ambitious plan called for the 11th Indian Division to preemptively seize Singora and Patani—critical Thai ports essential to Japanese invasion plans. The operation's centerpiece was capturing the Ledge, a key terrain feature south of Patani. Control of the Ledge would allow British forces to block roads from Patani, securing retreat routes for the 11th Division and denying the Japanese access to rear areas. Failure would expose the British to encirclement and force withdrawal from Perak and Kedah. However, Matador faced insurmountable obstacles. Britain was uncertain whether Thailand would resist or accommodate Japan, and invading neutral Thai territory risked driving the Thai government into Japanese arms. Command hesitation, combined with poor intelligence, created fatal delays. Matador was never approved. Instead, authorities authorized Operation Krohcol, a scaled-down alternative named after the town of Kroh. This operation tasked a small British-Indian force with advancing into southern Thailand to capture the Ledge, destroy bridges and roads, and delay Japanese movements. Though far less ambitious than Matador, Krohcol represented Britain's final attempt at preemptive action. It would be activated only after Japan opened hostilities, but by then, opportunity had already slipped away.   On December 4, Japanese transport ships escorted by Admiral Kondō's fleet departed Hainan Island toward their objectives. Two days later, British reconnaissance spotted the fleet, but Brooke-Popham lacked authorization to intervene—he could only alert his forces. At 23:00 on December 7, Japan issued an ultimatum to Thailand, demanding passage and giving a two-hour response window. Unable to locate Prime Minister Phibun until late morning, Thailand was invaded hours later. From Indochina, Japanese Imperial Guards and the 55th Division landed at Phra Tabong and pushed northwest toward Aranyaprathet. The 5th Division's regiment landed at Patani while the division's main force seized Singora, quickly overwhelming Thai defenders. From Saigon, elements of the 15th Army conducted additional naval landings across Thailand but encountered unexpectedly fierce Thai resistance that stalled their progress. Just before Pearl Harbor came under attack, the Japanese 18th Division landed at Kota Bharu. The defenders—the 8th Indian Infantry Brigade under Brigadier B.W. Key, supported by artillery from the 21st Mountain Battery and the 73rd Field Battery—faced a daunting task. The 3/17th Dogra Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel G.A. Preston, held a 10-mile coastal stretch fortified with mines, barbed wire, and pillboxes overlooking the narrow beaches of Badang and Sabak, separated by estuaries and surrounded by creeks, lagoons, and swamp islands. The Dogras unleashed devastating fire as Japanese landing craft approached at midnight. Colonel Masanobu Tsuji observed that enemy pillboxes "responded with such overwhelming force that our men lying on the beach, partially submerged in water, could not lift their heads." The first waves were pinned down, with casualties mounting from artillery, machine gun fire, and Allied aircraft from nearby airfields. British Hudsons bombed the invasion fleet and stranded soldiers, sinking one Japanese transport and destroying seven of their own aircraft in the process. The defenders inflicted heavy casualties, but intense hand-to-hand combat eventually breached the line's center by 03:45, threatening the nearby airfield. Simultaneously, 17 Japanese bombers attacked Singapore with minimal damage and 61 casualties, surprising the British with evidence of enemy long-range aircraft. Japanese fighters and bombers dominated the skies over Kota Bharu and northern Malaysian airfields, demonstrating clear air superiority. Amid the chaos, counterattacks by Malayan battalions failed, forcing the British to destroy northern airfields to prevent capture. The defenders retreated from the beaches to Kota Bharu itself that night. As confusion engulfed British headquarters, Operation Krohcol commenced at 15:00. This scaled-down preemptive operation aimed to delay the Japanese invasion by securing and destroying the Ledge—a six-mile road carved through steep hillside with a sheer drop into a river. Blowing this section would severely impede enemy advance. The force consisted primarily of the 3/16th Punjab Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Moorhead, supplemented by engineers, traveling in Marmon-Herrington trucks provided by the Australian Motor Transport Company. Krohcol was undermanned from the start; the 5/14th Punjab Regiment and artillery battery failed to arrive on schedule, forcing the column to proceed without them. Crossing the border at Kroh, Indian troops encountered determined resistance from Thai police under Major Prayoon Rattanakit in Betong. These roadblocks delayed the Indian advance for two full days while Prayoon's officers simultaneously engaged Japanese forces at Patani. After several hours of combat, Japan and Thailand reached an armistice by midday, with Phibun granting Japan passage, though Thai forces remained neutral. Japanese forces at Patani, navigating poor roads but facing no opposition, began their advance toward the Ledge—approximately 60 miles distant—initiating a critical race against Krohcol to determine who would occupy this vital position first. Meanwhile, renewed fighting erupted at Kota Bharu as Japanese forces infiltrated around British strongpoints, causing alarm among commanders. By December 10, with the situation deteriorating, defenders received authorization to abandon Kota Bharu and withdraw south to Machang.   Just hours after the Pearl Harbor attack, Admiral Phillips ordered Force Z to intercept Japanese invasion forces in the South China Sea without air support. Phillips believed he could "finish quickly and escape to the east before the Japanese could organize a significant attack." Ten Brewster Buffaloes were assigned to support the fleet, but he departed without requesting their cover. Force Z failed to locate the Japanese fleet, which had moved northwest into the Gulf of Siam. By afternoon on December 9, Japanese submarine I-65 detected Force Z, followed by reconnaissance aircraft. When Phillips altered course toward Kuantan, crews grew complacent. Bert Wynn recalled shipboard conversation centered on sinking Japanese warships. A flag officer remarked to CBS correspondent Cecil Brown, "Oh, but they are Japanese. There's nothing to worry about." That evening, Brown questioned whether the British were overconfident given Pearl Harbor. Officers conceded theoretically but remained dismissive. One replied, "We just don't think the enemy is much good. They could not beat China for five years." At 11:00 AM on December 10, Japanese aircraft struck. Three waves of Nell and Betty bombers from Indochina, after more than five hours aloft, approached from the horizon. With no air support—Phillips had maintained radio silence—defense rested entirely on anti-aircraft batteries. Nells attacked at 12,000 feet, dropping 250 kg bombs. Repulse twisted violently, evading most, but one struck her seaplane deck, killing two dozen men instantly. At 11:30, seventeen Nells attacked at wave-top level, focusing on Prince of Wales. Nine aircraft divided their approach, flying below 100 feet from both bows. The ship's inexperienced anti-aircraft crews, hampered by inoperable radar from tropical humidity, struggled to track targets. Once torpedoes were released, the planes sped away, losing only one aircraft.   A single torpedo struck Prince of Wales near the outer propeller shaft. When restarted, water flooded engine room B. Auxiliary power failed, halting drainage and causing an 11.5-degree list to port. Her 5-inch guns became powerless; she slowed to 15 knots, severely crippled. At 12:20, twenty-six Bettys attacked in coordinated "anvil" assaults with simultaneous torpedo drops on both bows. Repulse evaded initially but two or three torpedoes found their mark. One crew member recalled, "Suddenly there was a massive explosion. I immediately knew we'd lost Repulse, for within seconds she took on a frightening list to port, so rapid no amount of counter flooding would save her." Captain's last order: "You've put up a good show, now save yourselves." At 12:23 PM, Repulse rolled over and sank stern-first, her enormous hull protruding vertically from the water. Men jumped into oil-blackened water; many drowned during hours of waiting while destroyer escorts frantically retrieved survivors. Cecil Brown described it as "a confusing, macabre game"—orange flames, white tracers, and gray aircraft "astonishingly close, like butterflies pinned on blue cardboard." With Repulse gone, bombers concentrated on the damaged Prince of Wales. At 12:44, a 500 kg bomb struck between her stacks where wounded crew sheltered, causing devastating casualties. Men ordered to abandon ship faced drowning if trapped below deck. Destroyers rushed in to save swimmers, though HMS Express nearly capsized in rescue efforts. Ten Buffaloes arrived as Prince of Wales sank—too late. One pilot recalled, "After an hour, lack of petrol forced me to leave, but during that hour I had seen many men in dire danger waving, cheering and joking, as if they were holiday-makers waving at a low-flying aircraft. It shook me, for here was something above human nature." In just over an hour, the battleship era ended: 47 British officers and 793 men perished, including Admiral Phillips. Repulse's captain later acknowledged, "The enemy's attacks were undoubtedly carried out magnificently and pressed home effectively. The high-level bombers maintained tight formation and did not veer off course." By December 10, Krohcol reached Betong, just 26 miles from the Ledge. However, a Japanese ambush caught them off-guard near the target, forcing retreat when they were only a mile away. The 5th Division's regiment reached the Ledge by midday, dealing the Indians significant casualties. By December 13, Krohcol was pushed back to Kroh, the operation failed. Meanwhile, the 5th Division advanced south from Singora toward Jitra. Major-General David Murray-Lyon commanded the 11th Indian Division's weak defensive positions at Jitra's road junction, unaware that the critical Alor Setar airfield had already been abandoned. His forces—6th Indian Brigade holding a 10-mile coastal sector, 15th Brigade covering the road, and 28th Brigade in reserve—had sent two delaying detachments on December 9. On December 11, Japanese tanks overwhelmed these covering battalions, inflicting heavy casualties. Murray-Lyon committed his reserves prematurely, leaving Alor Setar lightly defended. That night, Japanese tanks reached the main position north of Jitra, with the 5th Division following. Heavy fighting ensued between Japanese armor and demoralized Indian troops. British defenses penetrated around 06:00, forcing successive Indian units to be overrun. Murray-Lyon repeatedly requested withdrawal permission. At 19:30 on December 12, General Percival finally approved. Due to poor communication and confusion, the 11th Indian Division suffered heavy casualties but disengaged by December 13, withdrawing to Gurun. The primary British defenses in northern Malaya had been breached, the 11th Division severely weakened, and the Japanese advance down the peninsula had begun unstoppably. Percival's first significant defense occurred at Jitra on December 11th, intended to push the Japanese as far north as possible and protect remaining Allied airfields. The Japanese quickly overwhelmed the Indian defenders, and Colonel Tsuji observed the engagement firsthand: "Our tanks were ready on the road, and the twenty or so enemy armored cars ahead were literally trampled underfoot. The enemy armored cars could not escape by running away, and were sandwiched between our medium tanks. It was speed and weight of armor that decided the issue." Major General Murray-Lyon commanded the 11th Indian Division. A World War I veteran, he had served with distinction in the Highland Light Infantry, earning the Military Cross for bravery in Flanders and the Distinguished Service Order for his actions at Moeuvres. The citation stated: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy attacked and penetrated the line after intense fighting and continual bombing attacks, by his courage and personal example he succeeded in driving them out and held his position against further heavy attacks with splendid coolness and determination." This was no desk officer, but a frontline commander faced with an impossible task. Murray-Lyon's division appeared formidable on paper but was severely compromised. It contained only two regular British battalions—the Leicestershire and East Surrey Regiments—with the remainder consisting of four newly raised Indian Army battalions and three inexperienced Gurkha battalions. The Gurkhas, though renowned as elite soldiers, were primarily composed of 18-year-old recruits fresh from deployment. Like all Allied forces in Malaya, the division lacked tanks while facing an enemy flush with armor. After only days of intense combat, Murray-Lyon sought permission to withdraw, convinced the Japanese forces greatly outnumbered him. Ironically, Yamashita's army was outnumbered two to one. The Japanese commander employed Blitzkrieg tactics inspired by his time as a military attaché in Berlin, coordinating air and ground forces with remarkable precision. His approach involved fast-moving tanks, bomber aircraft deployed as mobile artillery, and—most unusually—bicycle-mounted infantry. Prior to the invasion, Japanese planners decided bicycles were ideal for the tropical jungle terrain. Rather than shipping thousands, they seized bicycles from the local population. The offensive typically began with bombing raids on Allied defensive positions, followed by tanks smashing through. As defenders retreated, bicycle infantry continuously harassed and attacked, while coastal amphibious assaults flanked positions along the shore. Colonel Alfred Harrison of the 11th Indian Division reflected on the psychological toll: "Fatigue had stretched the men's mind to the limit and the moral ascendancy which the Japanese achieved in these few weeks included a psychic side. The troops were beginning to attribute almost supernatural powers to the Japanese." Yamashita had rehearsed these tactics extensively on Hainan Island, conducting exercises in amphibious landings, bridge destruction and repair, and jungle operations. The bicycle innovation proved revolutionary—troops covered greater distances more quickly with less fatigue, repeatedly outflanking British forces who found themselves pushed off roads and encircled. The rapid movements created a psychological multiplier effect; British commanders, mistaken about enemy numbers, believed they faced far larger forces than actually present. This "Bicycle Blitzkrieg," as it became known, echoed Mongol tactics—a single swift force striking multiple targets so quickly that enemies believed they faced several armies. Tanks were crucial to this success. The British had deployed no tanks to Malaya before the war, a fatal omission. Combined with bicycle infantry, Japanese armor allowed them to engage British forces before defensive positions could be established. Percival authorized withdrawal from Jitra, directing troops south to Gurun, but those defenses remained unfinished and the Japanese advance was too rapid. Percival later reflected in his memoir, War in Malaya: "This withdrawal would have been difficult under the most favorable conditions. With the troops tired, units mixed as the result of the fighting, communications broken and the night dark, it was inevitable that orders should be delayed and that in some cases they should never reach the addressees. This is what in fact occurred. The withdrawal, necessary as it may have been, was too fast and too complicated for disorganized and exhausted troops, whose disorganization and exhaustion it only increased." From the start, British forces stretched too thinly across a 14-mile front in challenging terrain—dense jungle on the right flank, monsoon-soaked rice fields and rubber plantations in the center, mangrove swamps to the left. Yamashita's concentrated attacks breached the line. Repeated retreats cost both personnel and equipment, as overrun positions offered no opportunity for evacuation and bicycle infantry prevented orderly withdrawal. The Jitra defeat exposed a fundamental strategic error: deploying under-resourced troops across Malaya's entire breadth rather than establishing a shorter, more defensible line further south, which could have shortened British supply lines while lengthening Japan's—a disadvantage the Japanese could not exploit. The Allied retreat continued southward to the Gurun area, though the chaotic withdrawal from Jitra itself inflicted more casualties than the fighting had—many frontline units never received withdrawal orders, while others became lost crossing the Bata River. Murray eventually fell back to the Muda River, establishing defensive positions along the Krian River some thirty miles south. Percival, increasingly desperate, realized his entire strategy had depended on holding the Japanese as far north as possible to minimize air threats to Singapore. The rapid Japanese advance made this impossible. Reluctantly, he ordered a general withdrawal south of the Perak River, while his field commanders pleaded for reinforcements they would never receive. Though Percival had an Australian division in Johor, he refused to commit them north, fearing a Japanese naval invasion further south could threaten Singapore itself.   As Yamashita's 25th Army advanced westward toward Penang, Japanese bombers subjected the island to daily raids. British command, recognizing the island as indefensible, evacuated European residents on December 17th—leaving the local Malay population to face the Japanese. Mrs Muriel Reilly's recollection captures the moment's bitter legacy: "it still hurts to think how the white race 'let down hundreds of similarly faithful servants who trusted in us, and looked to us for protection from the hated Japanese." The abandonment had strategic consequences. In their haste, the British left massive stockpiles of arms and supplies in Penang that fell directly into Yamashita's hands. More profoundly, local Malays turned against their former colonial rulers. Some historians now argue "the moral collapse of British rule in Southeast Asia occurred not at Singapore, but at Penang." Under subsequent Japanese occupation, Penang endured three years and eight months of hardship—food shortages, rampant hyperinflation from the "banana dollar," and systematic repression including comfort women camps and the Sook Ching massacres targeting Chinese communities the Japanese feared might become guerrillas.  The Japanese occupiers' fears about Chinese resistance were prescient. Among the Chinese communities of Malaya and Singapore, anti-Japanese sentiment had been building for over a decade. Since Japan's 1937 invasion of China, ethnic Chinese populations had viewed Tokyo with deep hostility. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, followed by the escalating horrors of the Second Sino-Japanese War, had created a reservoir of determination to resist Japanese expansion wherever it might emerge. As British colonial authority crumbled, this sentiment transformed from passive resentment into active organization. The Battle of Jitra exposed a fundamental miscalculation: attempting to defend all of Malaya with an undersized army. A more strategic withdrawal to Johore would have shortened British supply lines while extending Japan's. As December ended, Murray-Lyon was dismissed from command—a casualty of circumstance. He had spent weeks preparing for the cancelled Operation Matador while neglecting proper defenses at Jitra and Gurun. At fifty-one, this decorated soldier, who had earned the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order in the Great War, became a civilian during Britain's darkest hour. He was replaced by Brigadier Archibald Paris, equally inexperienced in jungle warfare, who paradoxically proved more effective by facilitating the retreat of Murray's division while inflicting unexpected casualties on overconfident Japanese units. By December 26th, the Japanese 5th Division and 4th Guards Regiment crossed the Perak River, preparing an assault on Kampar. This position was crucial—located halfway between Penang and Kuala Lumpur, its terrain was unsuitable for tanks and difficult to outflank, offering a rare opportunity to make a stand. Paris gathered infantry battalions, many composed of Jitra and Gurun survivors: British battalions from the Leicesters and East Surreys, along with Jat and Punjabi units including Sikhs. The 12th Brigade hastily dug trenches, strung wire, and cleared fields around Kampar's ridges to improve visibility. After three weeks of continuous fighting and retreat, the defenders' morale had collapsed. Colonel Alfred Harrison observed on Christmas Day: "fatigue had stretched the men's mind to the limit and the moral ascendancy which the Japanese had achieved in these few weeks included a 'psychic' side. The troops were beginning to attribute almost supernatural powers to the Japanese." The Japanese, by contrast, had grown accustomed to victory and approached each engagement with unshakeable confidence. Yamashita employed German-inspired tactics using aircraft as mobile artillery—vital in terrain where conventional gun placement was impossible. Engagements began with bombing raids on Allied positions, followed by frontal assaults to establish a line, then flanking maneuvers through jungle to encircle defenders. When the assault came from the western coastal roads, Japanese tanks struck the 12th Brigade along a three-mile rural stretch near Gopeng. Small arms and heavy machine gun fire erupted as infantry dismounted from trucks and spread into the brush. Some tanks advanced alone onto a bridge near Dipang, where they encountered defenders with Lanchester submachine guns and Bren gun carriers equipped with anti-tank rifles. Lt Colonel Ian Stewart noted the grim reality: "the anti-tank rifle made no impression against the Jap mediums, while their 37 mm guns went through our armour like paper." The Japanese tankers, closing their hatches in the oppressive subtropical heat—what they described as a "Turkish bath"—approached cautiously, aware of potential counterattacks. British defenders fired desperately at vision slits, their bullets ricocheting uselessly. A 2-pounder anti-tank gun destroyed a single tank, prompting Japanese armor to withdraw and wait for infantry support. Meanwhile, two hundred defenders on the opposite side prepared to destroy the bridge. Fortunately, Kampar's shallow water allowed most to wade across a mile downstream. Stewart's 12th Brigade had purchased time. The British established a strong perimeter around Kampar Hill, resembling a "goose egg" on the map. Their artillery, better supplied than the Japanese equivalent, was concealed in the jungle with two hundred rounds stacked beside each gun. The 15th/6th Brigades occupied the low ground where the road and railway ran through town. Unlike earlier battles where Japanese forces kept defenders pinned with close contact, Kampar's expansive fields of fire and terrain offered space to maneuver—a rare advantage the British would finally exploit. Major General Saburo Kawamura led the attack on Kampar with his 9th Brigade. On December 31st, he probed the 28th Gurkha Brigade entrenched on the hill. Japanese howitzer fire drew return artillery that effectively repelled their advances. At midnight on New Year's Eve, Lt. Colonel Augustus Murdoch ordered a 12-gun salute fired at the Japanese—perhaps a cheeky gesture. Seven hours later, Kawamura launched his main assault on the western side targeting the trunk road. The brunt fell on a newly formed British battalion, the Leicesters and East Surreys, under Lt. Colonel Esmond Morrison. The 48-year-old, though some dismissed him as a "polo-playing playboy," proved a serious soldier despite his peacetime reputation, frequently sharing front-line dangers with his men. Japanese infantry emerged from the mist carrying mortars. Mortar fire became intense—one casualty was a company commander whose jaw was shattered by a splinter. However, observation officers from the 88th Field Regiment pinpointed Japanese advances, unleashing devastating artillery fire. Colonel Masanobu Tsuji observed "a continuous stream of casualties coming back down the hill to safety, either carried on stretchers or supported on the shoulders of comrades who were themselves wounded." Japanese artillery pieces were covertly moved through secondary jungle to hide their positions. During the fighting, one of Morrison's lieutenants encountered Japanese soldiers in a trench, fired his revolver, and retreated. A gunnery driver named Walker, noticing a nearby Bren position overrun, exited his vehicle armed with a Thompson submachine gun and launched a surprise attack, forcing the Japanese to retreat—earning him a medal. Troop Sergeant Major Hugill, commanding an outlying observation post connected by field telephone, received a distinguished conduct medal for calmly calling in protective artillery fire while cut off. When the attack subsided, he encountered isolated Japanese soldiers who had captured a Vickers-Berthier machine gun. Hugill gathered five infantrymen and led a bayonet charge to reclaim it. Emergency commissioned officer Lt. Edgar Newland commanded a platoon of 30 men in one of the most forward positions. His platoon was surrounded for much of the battle yet successfully repelled numerous assaults over two consecutive days. General Percival specifically praised Newland and his men. Newland received a Military Cross; his platoon sergeant, Euan McDonald, received a distinguished conduct medal. After two days, Japanese forces captured part of Thompson's Ridge. Morrison ordered two platoons of Sikhs and Gujars to bayonet charge under mortar fire. Tragically, 34 soldiers died, including their 21-year-old commander, Charles Lamb, killed in the initial charge. Captain John Graham lost both legs to a grenade but continued encouraging his men, throwing grenades at Japanese trenches before bleeding to death—but they had retaken the position. Courage, artillery, and terrain proved insufficient. Yamashita decided to outflank Percival with seaborne landings on the Malayan west coast. He transported 40 small craft by rail to Alor Star and ordered landings near Telok Anson, 30 miles southeast of Kampar. If successful, he would cut off Percival's 11th Indian Division defending Kampar. Yamashita devised a three-pronged attack: the Imperial Guards Division would paddle down the Perak River into town; another force would approach from the west on landing craft entering from the opposite direction; a third would move up the Bernam River and march north toward Telok Anson. Lt. General Takuro Matsui commanded the landings. While Kampar held, 1,500 of Matsui's men crowded onto landing craft. One steamer towing ten craft went too far south, attempting the Selangor River defended by a Jat battalion with artillery. The Japanese were repelled, losing one to three craft before moving north. In Perak, four landing rafts ran aground on a sandbar and required rescue. A British patrol boat spotted them but left to report—no action followed. Percival later remarked: "unfortunately neither the navy nor the air force were able to take advantage of this unique opportunity." Despite setbacks, Japanese forces landed and advanced on Telok Anson. On January 2nd, they encountered the 3rd Indian Cavalry and 1st Independent Company under Stewart, equipped with armored cars and Thompson and Bren guns. They inflicted significant casualties but with only 250 men couldn't hold. Stewart ordered delaying actions instead. Telok Anson fell, leaving Kampar defenders at risk of encirclement. Although Kawamura's forces showed no signs of breaking after four days of fighting, Paris feared his main supply route had been cut. He requested permission from Percival to withdraw to the Slim River defensive line. Paris prioritized preserving troops over territory: "With no reserves in hand, we were still in a position of being unable to accept major losses." The 12th Brigade held while Paris organized the division's withdrawal. An unusual discovery emerged during delaying actions: Brigadier Stewart found the body of a dead European cyclist in British uniform. Earlier, a Punjabi sentry had shot a man on a bridge attempting to grab his Thompson. Both were likely German deserters from Vichy Indo-China's Foreign Legion, in contact with the Nazi embassy. The British Legation in Bangkok had warned of such infiltrators offering sabotage and espionage assistance. Percival was particularly struck by the German who tried single-handedly to disarm a sentry and seize a bridge. The 12th Brigade discovered another European body—a German political refugee and former mining engineer who had disappeared weeks earlier. Exhausted after three weeks of near-constant combat, the 12th Brigade continued delaying actions. Japanese air forces wreaked havoc on vehicles; Stewart estimated half his casualties—around 90 killed and wounded from 4,000 troops—resulted from aerial attacks. Stewart expressed satisfaction: "It had been an eminently successful battle," though it was more a series of brief skirmishes than traditional battle. Kampar fell when Telok Anson was captured. Percival might have committed Australian brigades from Johore or garrison battalions from Singapore, but concentrating forces at Kampar risked prompting Yamashita to attack elsewhere. The Kampar defenders retreated 30 miles to the Slim River. Tsuji reluctantly acknowledged Yamashita's breakthrough was impressive, if risky. On the east coast, defenders faced more resistance at Kuantan. Percival clung to the airfield, determined to deny the Japanese RAF facilities and limit their ability to strike at reinforcement convoys approaching Singapore. The first convoy from Bombay, carrying the half-trained 45th Brigade under Brigadier Horatio Duncan, was 24 hours away. The 22nd Indian Brigade, led by Brigadier George Painter, defended Kuantan against the Takumi detachment of the 18th Division. One battalion, commanded by a veteran of Kota Bharu, fortified the airfield with barbed wire and trenches. When Takumi's forces approached, the Japanese encountered 4.5-inch howitzer fire inflicting significant casualties. The defenders fought fiercely, each equipped with six grenades instead of two, creating deadly chaos. Tsuji noted the airfield "was obstinately defended," particularly at night when grenades rolled into confined trenches with devastating effect. Word reached the defenders that General Barstow's entire 9th Indian Division was retreating through Kuala Lipis-Jerantut-Raub. The 22nd Brigade demolished installations and prepared to withdraw, though their rearguard risked encirclement. One night, investigating his southern flank with Captain Ian Grimwood, battalion commander Cumming spotted Japanese soldiers climbing barbed wire meters away. Armed with a .455 Webley revolver, Cumming and Grimwood faced seven Japanese soldiers charging with bayonets. They fired as they were knocked down, killing all attackers, but Cumming suffered two bayonet wounds to his stomach. Grimwood dragged him to battalion HQ for first aid. As the airfield was overrun, Cumming ordered withdrawal. A grenade or mortar round knocked him unconscious. He regained consciousness in a vehicle where Private Albel Singh reported a Japanese roadblock ahead. Spotting a fallen tree creating passage, Cumming ordered Singh to charge through. Machine gun fire rained down; Cumming was hit again with a shattered arm, possibly from an anti-personnel mine, while Singh endured a .256 armor-piercing bullet through both thighs yet maintained control, driving 30 miles per hour. The vehicle arrived at brigade HQ covered in blood from six occupants. Cumming would receive the Victoria Cross for his heroism. Painter held the airfield long enough for reinforcements to approach, though it cost much of one of the best Indian battalions. Painter, fixated on flanking fears, believed it "better to lose half a battalion than an entire brigade." The 22nd Indian Brigade lost a third of its strength but retreated by January 3rd. While this unfolded eastward, Yamashita's forces advanced south. Defenders prepared a new defensive line at Trolak, five miles north of Slim River. Reinforcements had arrived; the 45th Brigade was immediately dispatched to repel the enemy's advance on Kuala Selangor, which held another crucial airfield. Whether defenders could withstand Yamashita's onslaught remained to be seen.   While British forces retreated in disarray toward Singapore, another chapter was quietly beginning in the shadows of the collapsing colonial order. On December 25, 1941—Christmas morning, even as Governor Young raised the white flag over Hong Kong—Chinese volunteers in Singapore formalized their resistance. That day, the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army, officially known as Dalforce, was established under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley. Dalforce emerged from urgent necessity. As the Japanese invasion accelerated and British defenses crumbled, recruitment of local Chinese volunteers escalated dramatically. What had begun as an informal volunteer effort in 1939 now crystallized into organized military structure. The initial cadre of 200 volunteers swelled to 4,000 members as the invasion reached Singapore's doorstep. These were not professional soldiers—Dalforce members came from the Chinese civilian population, motivated by the knowledge that Japanese occupation would target them specifically. Many lacked military training; some were armed only with sporting firearms due to critical shortages of military weapons. Supply ships intended for Dalforce, such as the SS Empress of Asia, were sunk before their cargo could reach Singapore. Yet the volunteers pressed forward, organizing themselves despite severe handicaps: makeshift uniforms, inadequate equipment, and internal divisions between Communist and Kuomintang factions, each trained separately by British officers. Dalforce would soon earn the nickname "Dalley's Desperadoes" from British forces—a name reflecting both affection for their fierce combat effectiveness and incredulity that such a hastily assembled, poorly equipped force could fight with such determination. Unlike the demoralized British and Indian troops retreating southward, these Chinese volunteers were not defending a colonial order they had experienced as oppressive. They were fighting for their homes, their families, and their survival against an enemy they had every reason to fear and oppose. As the Malayan Campaign entered its final phase and the focus shifted to Singapore itself, Dalforce would play a role that British military historians had largely overlooked but that Chinese participants would never forget. 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 December 1941, Japan invaded Malaya. British commanders placed their faith in "impregnable" Singapore, but disaster struck immediately. On December 10, Japanese bombers sank Force Z—battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse—in a stunning air attack.Using tanks and bicycles in a lightning "Bicycle Blitzkrieg," Japanese troops shattered Allied lines at Kota Bharu and Jitra, sending exhausted British, Indian, and Australian forces reeling southward in chaos.  

Happy Aloha Friday! Kuʻulei Agbayani and Paul Brecht recap a busy week across Hawaiʻi sports, including weather-related schedule changes, the departure of Rainbow Wahine water polo head coach James Robinson and Kauaʻi's run toward the Little League World Series. Plus, Kansei Matsuzawa makes his NFL preseason debut, Hawaiʻi soccer puts together an encouraging performance against No. 23 Texas Tech, and hear from Coach Bud Nagamine + Dave Shoji and Khalilah Mitchell on the newly launched Shoji Society.

In this episode, US Men's National Team libero Erik Shoji did a presentation for our coaches where he shares the 8 key characteristics of successful volleyball programs from a player's perspective. We dive into:  Practice  Match Prep  Communication  Standards  Relationships  Competition  Passing Fundamentals  Reading  Culture  And a few more key concepts  Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Join my workshop at www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

This week @adafruit released the LED shoji lamp using the Circuit Playground Express. Looking at some prototyping and work in progress. This week's time lapse features a twisty fidge dragon egg. LED Shoji Lamp Guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/led-shoji-lamp/ LED Shoji Lamp YouTube https://youtu.be/SGZSfHgnZsA Circuit Playground Express: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333 IR Mini Remote: https://www.adafruit.com/product/389 Timelapse Tuesday Twisty Fidget Dragon Egg By ASTAR https://makerworld.com/en/models/2334779-twisty-fidget-dragon-egg#profileId-2551566 https://youtu.be/YLZT1tUAOxk Community Makes https://www.printables.com/make/3253191 https://www.printables.com/make/3249930 https://www.printables.com/make/3240626 https://adafruit-playground.com/u/tbjers/pages/planck-v7-mount-for-apple-iie-fruit-jam-enclosure

This week @adafruit released the LED shoji lamp using the Circuit Playground Express. Looking at some prototyping and work in progress. This week's time lapse features a twisty fidge dragon egg. LED Shoji Lamp Guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/led-shoji-lamp/ LED Shoji Lamp YouTube https://youtu.be/SGZSfHgnZsA Circuit Playground Express: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333 IR Mini Remote: https://www.adafruit.com/product/389 Timelapse Tuesday Twisty Fidget Dragon Egg By ASTAR https://makerworld.com/en/models/2334779-twisty-fidget-dragon-egg#profileId-2551566 https://youtu.be/YLZT1tUAOxk Community Makes https://www.printables.com/make/3253191 https://www.printables.com/make/3249930 https://www.printables.com/make/3240626 https://adafruit-playground.com/u/tbjers/pages/planck-v7-mount-for-apple-iie-fruit-jam-enclosure

Build a 3D printed desktop sized lamp using Circuit Playground Express. Use a mini IR remote to control the brightness and change the colors of the LEDs. It features five multi-colored panels that have geometric designs. Tutorial, CAD files and code: https://learn.adafruit.com/led-shoji-lamp/ Circuit Playground Express: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333 IR Mini Remote: https://www.adafruit.com/product/389 Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------

Tony, Vrai, and Destiny return for Part 2 of their NANA watchalong, covering episodes 8-17, where they discuss Hachi's sexuality, the vilification of women in rock, and the reality vs the mystique of Nana O! 0:00:00 Intro 0:01:29 The story until now 0:02:18 Jackson Hole is REAL 0:06:41 Hachi's big city fantasy vs reality 0:18:41 Shoji sucks 0:25:41 Hachi's sexuality 0:30:45 Hachi's awakening 0:33:36 The girls are fighting but ALSO reconciling 0:35:37 Hachi is hated??? 0:38:11 Junko is hated 0:48:55 Anime vs manga framing 0:50:49 Nana O's mystique 0:58:46 Woman in rock being vilified 1:02:11 The music 1:06:03 Nice things 1:12:18 Yasu rocks 1:17:02 Outro Tony: https://bsky.app/profile/empty-visions.bsky.social Vrai: https://bsky.app/profile/witervrai.bsky.social Destiny: https://bsky.app/profile/gettinganimated.bsky.social AniFem Linktree: https://linktr.ee/animefeminist AniFem Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/animefeminist AniFem Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/animefeminist Recorded Thursday 22nd January 2026 Music: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Gold Coast resident Shoji Umemura began selling Miyazaki Prefecture's specialty, nikumaki onigiri, from his handmade trailer before food truck culture had taken hold in Australia. Leaving behind a stable salaried job at 34, Shoji took a leap of faith, sharing his passion for a dish that no one had seen, heard of, or tasted. - ゴールドコースト在住の梅村昇志さんは、オーストラリアでフードトラック文化がまだ広がる前に、宮崎名物の「肉巻きおにぎり」の移動式販売を始めました。当時はフードトラック自体がほとんど知られておらず、「肉巻きおにぎり」という料理を見たことも、聞いたことも、食べたこともある人はいませんでした。安定したサラリーマンの仕事を辞め、34歳で挑んだ大きな決断。その道のりには、数々のドラマがありました。

In today's episode, we go back into the vault where Erik Shoji shares some tangible advice that coaches can take and apply in their gym right away with their players. Topics include  Passing Technique & Strategies  Reading and Cues  Mental side of passing  Defensive movement & cues  And so much more.  Click here to view Erik's youtube channel  Click here to register for my free workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Click here to sign up to the waitlist for Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com

If You Can't Handle The Heat Nebraska vs Texas A&M full breakdown.. holy crap.. this game was insane. Enjoy   Support The Boys! Buy Merch Here: https://www.outofsystem.net/ Follow Us: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/outofsystemofficial/?hl=en Tik Tok- https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRKNeayY/ Website- https://www.outofsystem.net/   #volleyball #nebraskavolleyball #upset #ncaavolleyball #texasa&m

Rusza PlusLiga! Co nas czeka w sezonie 2025/2025? Już nie 16, a 14 zespołów, w tym beniaminek z Chełma - czy może się utrzymać? Czy Bogdanka LUK Lublin obroni tytuł mistrza Polski? Kogo widzimy w gronie medalistów, kto awansuje do play-off? Posłuchaj naszej zapowiedzi, w której omówimy wszystkie 14 zespołów, które przystępują do rywalizacji o tytuł mistrza Polski!

In a world where everyone's hustling for side gigs, one man in Japan found the ultimate job, doing absolutely nothing.

Bright on Buddhism - Dōgen - Passages from ShōbōgenzōJoin us as we read the Kazuaki Tanahashi translation of "Actualizing the Fundamental Point," "Being-Time," and "Body-and-Mind Study of The Way."Resources: Dogen, Trans. Thomas Cleary; Shobogenzo: Zen Essays By Dogen; U. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu; ISBN 0-8248-1014-7 (1st edition, hardback, 1986).; Dogen, Trans. Norman Waddell and Masao Abe; The Heart of Dogen's Shobogenzo; SUNY Press, Albany; ISBN 0-7914-5242-5 (1st edition, hardback, 2002).; Dogen, Trans. Thomas Cleary; Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji; Shambhala, Boston; ISBN 0-87773-689-8 (1st edition, hardback, 1992).; Dogen, Trans. Gudo Wafu Nishijima & Chodo Cross; Master Dogen's Shobogenzo; Windbell Publications, London; ISBN 0-9523002-1-4 (four volumes, paperback, 1994).; Dogen, Ed. Kazuaki Tanahashi; Moon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen; North Point Press, San Francisco; ISBN 0-86547-185-1 (hardback, 1985).; Yuho Yokoi; Zen Master Dogen; Weatherhill Inc., New York; ISBN 0-8348-0116-7 (6th edition, paperback, 1990); Steven Heine; Dogen and the Koan Tradition: A Tale of Two Shobogenzo Texts; SUNY Press, Albany; ISBN 0-7914-1773-5 (1st edition, hardback, 1994); Carl Bielefeldt; Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation; University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London; ISBN 0-520-06835-1 (paperback, 1988?); Dogen, Trans. Shohaku Okumura and Taigen Daniel Leighton, with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi: The Wholehearted Way; Tuttle Publishing; ISBN 0-8048-3105-X (first edition, paperback, 1997).; Roshi P. T. N. Houn Jiyu-Kennett; Zen is Eternal Life; Shasta Abbey Press; ISBN 0-930066-06-5 (third edition, paperback, 1987).; Shobogenzo, or The Treasure House of the Eye of the True Teachings by Great Master Dogen, VOLUME 1 - Translator, Rev. Hubert Nearman, F.O.B.C.; Editor & Consultant, Rev. Daizui MacPhillamy, M.O.B.C.; Shasta Abbey Press; ISBN 0-930066-17-0 (1996); Dogen, Trans. Eido Shimano Roshi & Charles Vacher; Shobogenzo Uji; ISBN 2-909422-24-0 (1997); and Shobogenzo Yui Butsu Yo Butsu and Shoji; ISBN 2-909422-37-2 (1999).https://wck.org/relief/chefs-for-gazaDo you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.Credits:Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-HostProven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host

This was an awesome debut by Bryan Cheong, who is, astonishingly, only 14 years old. You would not know it from the crossword, though: the clues are sharp and the fill as crisp as can be. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we are on the edge of our seats waiting for Bryan's second crossword.In honor of the day (Friday), we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, about Phoebe Ann Mosey; and if you don't recognize that name, faer not, you'll assuredly recognize her stage name, which we cover, along with much more, in today's segment.Show note imagery: Traditional parts of a Japanese tea room, including a SHOJI.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Canada's energy conversation grows louder every day. But before we can address the national goals or even energy independence, we need to look at our local utilities and energy systems to understand their capabilities. Host Trevor Freeman walks through how the energy conversation needs to start locally, how to future-proof energy systems, and what the hardworking crews do to build and maintain these systems. Listen to episode 156 of thinkenergy.   Related links   Trevor Freeman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-freeman-p-eng-8b612114 Hydro Ottawa: https://hydroottawa.com/en     To subscribe using Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinkenergy/id1465129405   To subscribe using Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wFz7rdR8Gq3f2WOafjxpl   To subscribe on Libsyn: http://thinkenergy.libsyn.com/ --- Subscribe so you don't miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/user/hydroottawalimited   Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hydroottawa   Stay in the know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HydroOttawa   Keep up with the posts on X: https://twitter.com/thinkenergypod   Transcript: Transcript: Trevor Freeman  00:07 Welcome to a thinkenergy short hosted by me, Trevor Freeman. This is a bite sized episode designed to be a quick summary of a specific topic or idea related to the world of energy. This is meant to round out our collective understanding of the energy sector, and will compliment our normal guest interview episodes. Thanks for joining and happy listening.  Hi everyone. Welcome back to another thinkenergy short. I'm your host, Trevor Freeman. I'm recording this the day after our federal election here in Canada, and energy, as it so often does, did come up on the campaign trail. There was talk about the transfer of energy from province to province, including a west, east pipeline and a national interconnected electricity grid, which we've talked about a little bit here on the show before, improving the way that we move electricity from province to province, not just sort of north to south, between us and the United States, there was also talk about specific strategies on how to address climate targets, albeit not very much talk about that. Nor was there a lot of talk about how to foster the energy transition, although it did pop up from time to time, especially if you're an energy nerd like me and went looking for it. The point is whether it was front and center in election ads or not. There are some big decisions to be made regarding energy in the coming years, and those big decisions will undoubtedly lead, one way or another, to some big energy projects. But that is not what we're going to talk about today. We're actually going to zoom in a little bit and talk about the work that goes on a little bit closer to home that is critical to making the entire system work for the end user. You the customer, me the customer, including those big energy projects, and that is the work that is done to build and maintain our local distribution grid.  So the poles and the wires and the transformers that you see outside your home or outside your business that's actually bringing the power the final step, so that you can use it before we can talk about national energy independence, or these large goals that we have as a country. When it comes to energy, we need to make sure that the poles and wires and transformers in every city, every town and every neighborhood are ready, and that we're building the necessary infrastructure to meet that growing demand, and that is where your local utility comes in. We don't just maintain the system that we have, we prepare it for the future and make sure that we're laying the foundation that we need for tomorrow. Here in Ottawa, it is finally, finally spring, or at least it feels like it's finally spring outside, and that means that construction and outdoor work is starting to ramp up. So today I'd like to shed a little bit of light into what our crews do and your local utilities crews likely do to maintain and to build our system. When it comes to keeping our grid operating in tip top shape, nothing beats planned maintenance. This is the cornerstone of any electric utility strategy to deliver safe and reliable power, and this includes proactive measures like replacing aging equipment, trimming trees near power lines and performing essential upgrades. Such activities are vital in reducing the frequency and duration of unexpected outages and helping maintain that resilient power system that we all rely on. So let's go step by step. Utility poles, they are assessed regularly and replaced as needed. Utilities critical hydro pull program tests 1000s of pools annually to identify the ones that require maintenance and new pull installations also support great expansion to meet a city or a community's growing need new residential developments or new commercial developments. For example, next would be something like vegetation management. So this is another critical aspect. Regular tree trimming and removal near power lines can help prevent outages and safety hazards, especially during storms and high winds. Utilities like Hydro Ottawa, who I work for, employ satellite imaging technology to scan the grid, you know, at least twice a year, to identify high risk areas and potentially dead or dying trees, to allow for proactive maintenance, and that's in addition to the sort of visual inspection that happens as our crews are moving about our system, so all these different techniques that we use. It's like high tech arboriculture with Mission grid resilience. We are aiming to reduce the amount of tree contact with our system. If we go below our streets, we will see chambers connecting vast duct structures to our substations. So where you don't see overhead lines, that means those lines are buried running through duct work maintenance, hole upgrades and cable replacements are also part of a comprehensive maintenance strategy. These efforts are critical to keep our underground infrastructure safe and ensure that the structural integrity of our entire power system is able to accommodate our city's current and growing a. Electricity demands, we also have equipment like Transformers and switches and circuit breakers that are located both outside, overhead, underground, in substations and transformers, and they undergo routine inspections and replacements to prevent potential service disruptions. But it's not just maintaining what we've got, we also need to continue expanding to meet growing need we talk a lot on this show, as all you listeners know about the fact that our demand for electricity is growing, and it's growing at a pace that we really haven't seen before. So we need to make sure that we are building out our grid to be able to meet that demand. In order to do this Hydro Ottawa, for example, is embarking on one of the largest Grid Investment Programs in our entire history, and it's something that a lot of utilities in Ontario and across the country are looking at as they do their long term planning and forecasting. So as an example of just what the pace of change is here in Ottawa, traditionally, we would build a new substation every kind of five to seven years. And this is a major project. A substation is a big project. And so one every five to seven years has been the pace in our next five year period. So kind of between now and 2030 we are planning to energize a new substation every single year for the next five years, substations play a pivotal role in the power grid stepping down high voltage electricity that we get from transmission lines to lower voltages that are suitable for distribution to homes and businesses to our customers. So as an example, again, here in Ottawa, we have a substation that became fully operational in 2022 in Ottawa's southwest end, and that substation alone can power 32,000 homes annually. So substations are one of the major pieces of work that we are doing to build out our grid and provide for the growing electricity demands. And along with those substations come new distribution lines and more poles and wires and transformers and all of the associated equipment. Now, a lot of this work might sound routine, but it's not. It's strategic and forward looking and absolutely essential if we want to build a clean, flexible, reliable energy future here in Canada. So when utilities replace an old pull today, it's not just maintaining the status quo. It's laying the foundation for a National Clean grid tomorrow, it's supporting some of those large projects that we talked about at the very beginning of this episode. When utilities install a new conduit for easier cable upgrades, that conduit could be helping future generations of Canadians stay connected to renewable power. When utilities trim one branch at a time, they're protecting the integrity of an entire community's power system. Now behind these initiatives are a number of dedicated, capable, really smart folks that are working on these projects. Obviously, we've got our outdoor crew so power line technicians, our overhead and underground crews, our stations technicians, our forestry crews. These are the folks that are really out on the front line, that are maintaining and building our grid. You'll often see them out there by our trucks, or in orange, if you see them, keep your distance because they're working, but give them a thumbs up, or say hi. Wave at them and tell them they're doing a great job, because they always are. But then we also have some, let's call them back of house folks that are working on various aspects of our grids, and that's everything from our powerhouse technicians that are operating and monitoring the generators that are in our generating stations, and for Hydro Ottawa, that includes our Shoji air generating station in downtown Ottawa on the Ottawa River. We've got smart grid engineers that are focused on integrating renewable energy resources and modernizing the grid to make it more resilient and sustainable and to bring more data in from the grid to let us make better decisions. We've got system operators that really serve as a communications hub between the field workers and the control center, ensuring rapid response to outages and maintaining the integrity of our distribution system. If you haven't already listened to an episode I did almost a year ago now about grid modernization with with Jenna from Jenna Gillis from Hydro Ottawa. Have a listen to that, and you'll hear a little bit about what those system operators do. The collective efforts of all these folks and many others are really crucial to supporting both the local needs and our national energy objectives. So these big projects, again, to you know, to say that point again, those large projects don't happen without the day to day small projects happening as well. So there you have it. I hope you found that to be an interesting look into some of the essential work that your local municipal utility is doing, and how that connects to those larger, big energy policy decisions and projects. As always, really appreciate you tuning in and look forward to chatting with you next time. Take care. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of The thinkenergy podcast. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and it would be great if you could leave us a review. It really helps to spread the word. As always, we would love to hear from you, whether it's feedback comments or an idea for a show or our guests, you can always reach us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com

Shoji Satake, born in Kyoto, Japan and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, earned a BA in Studio Art and Government from The College of William and Mary (1996) and an MFA from Indiana University (2004). He is an associate professor of ceramics at Rhode Island School of Design. Shoji is also president of the NCECA Board of Directors. His work has been exhibited internationally. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and fly fishing. https://ThePottersCast.com/1108

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This week the Kaizoku Uncharted crew is back and we're hitting the ground running! We're picking up where we left off, by going over My Hero Academia Season 7, Blue Lock Season 2 and One Piece!  Do our eyes deceive us, is that Stain? And Spinner needs to understand that he is no Stain and he never will be. Shoji and Koji were handling business at the hospital and the doctors and nurses were ready to take on that mob. And Jakia keeps that same energy for Endeavor and Justin thinks All for One is a loser. And chef's kiss to the Sad Man Parade. In the world of Blue Lock, Jakia and Justin are still shocked and bewildered that the 'Useful Monk' is around, because he hasn't shown us anything. We love to see a ranking and appreciate the top 7, and Jakia isn't surprised that Bachira made the cut, because he's about it. We love to see some new people and Shidou Ryuusei can do no wrong in her eyes. Justin continues his stan for Kid and Jakia isn't impressed by him challenging Shanks and she's confused as to who these people are in Kid's crew. We learn more about SWORD! They are people who don't have anything to lose and we love it! Justin and Jakia also share what shows they are looking forward to in the Winter 2025 season.  It's a jam-packed episode with a lot to cover, so tune in to hear more.   Shows Discussed:   My Hero Academia Season 7   Blue Lock Season 2  One Piece   Winter 2025 Most Anticipated  

Deku is on-site with Shiggy, who is falling apart in more ways than one. Present Mic watches Shoji and Koda stand on business. Follow Us Below:https://twitter.com/allmightypodDiscord: https://discord.gg/9cc72zAAdam's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@therealsimso

Welcome to episode 281 of the My Hero Academia Podcast. This week Kendra (@sniperofmyheart) is joined by  cosplayer Jenna (@jennnaxjennna) and author/cosplayer Paige Annette Trotter (@paigeatrotter) The podcast is biweekly again. We talk about the latest news (1:08), there are some spoilers in the news sections(3:33- 4:30), we discuss episode 151 "Together with Shoji" (13:29), episode 152 "Butterfly Effect" (28:50. We got into spoilers (49:50)  and round out (1:07:11). A big thank you to our patrons    Hero student: Sofia Trainee:  Zach, Morgan, Jenna, The Real Jory Returns, and Pro Hero: Yuriko Jenna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennnaxjennna/ Paige's links: https://linktr.ee/paigeannettetrotter Kendra's other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/view-from-the-top/id1452919177  Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/MHAPod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Erik Shoji is a professional volleyball player and 3x Olympian from the island of O'ahu. This local product attended Stanford University, where he became the first four-time AVCA team All-American. He finished at Stanford as the record-holder for career digs, with 1,402 total digs. He became a member of the United States senior national team in 2013. He has represented Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team won a bronze medal, the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics, where he earned his second bronze medal. At the club level, Shoji has played for professional clubs in Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, Russia. He played for Polish club ZAKSA since 2021, with whom he has won four Polish League trophies and two CEV Champions League titles. He is one of the greatest liberos to ever wear a team USA volleyball jersey and I am so stoked to talk stories with him today. In this episode we talk about growing up playing sports, getting into volleyball, living abroad, what it takes to be an Olympian, his Olympic experience, future goals, and so much more. Enjoy! Find Erik here: https://www.instagram.com/erikshoji/ Buy our merch on: Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/ Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadias Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod Listen to us on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-it-aloha/id1592266675 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3S4albn4TaWiwqcLVSnHNb?si=88d056857a5b41f2

Volleyball superstar Erik Shoji joined "Let's Talk Sports" with Kanoa Leahey and Billy Hull after winning bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Team USA.

Grab your bachi and join the Krewe as they sit down with Takumi Kato (加藤 拓三), world champion taiko drummer, to explore the sounds of taiko, his personal experiences and approaches to taiko, & his current adventure across the United States performing 1,000 times in all 50 states.------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:26:27)------ Past KOJ Episodes on Music ------The Japanese Pop Music Scene ft. Patrick St. Michel (S5E10)Shamisen: Musical Sounds of Traditional Japan ft. Norm Nakamura of Tokyo Lens (S4E1)City Pop & Yu ft. Yu Hayami (S3E14)Exploring Enka ft. Jerome White Jr aka ジェロ / Jero (S3E1)------ Links about Takumi Kato & Peaceful Forest ------Takumi Kato's Homepage (ENG)Donate to Support Takumi's Taiko InitiativeNHK World Program about Takumi Kato & "Peaceful Forest"Performance Here in New OrleansTakumi Kato on IGPeaceful Forest on IGTakumi on FacebookTakumi Kato on YouTube------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar

The Krewe is joined by journalist & author of Tokyo Vice, Jake Adelstein, to dive into the yakuza. How did these organizations gain prominence in Japanese society, and how have the police & government responded over time to their presence? What behind-the-scenes decisions went into the TV adaptation of Jake's thrilling memoir? Find out all this and more in today's episode!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Donate today to Japan Society of New Orleans!Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:47:50)------ Links about Jake Adelstein ------Jake on X/TwitterJapanKenkyu on X/TwitterJake on InstagramJake on FacebookJake's Website: Japan SubcultureTokyo Vice on AmazonThe Last Yakuza on AmazonPre-Order Tokyo Noir on AmazonThe Evaporated: Gone with the Gods (Jake's Podcast)------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar

Three-time U.S. Men's Volleyball Olympic player, Erik Shoji joins Kanoa Leahey on Let's Talk Sports

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, is a little shift from our typical beachy episodes. We're going indoors, with one of the greatest liberos of all-time in Erik Shoji. In Paris, Erik will make his third Olympic roster, in search of his second Olympic medal (he won a bronze in 2016). We cover quite a bit in this insightful chat, including: His childhood, as the son of the legendary Dave Shoji and younger brother of Kawika, an all-American setter as well as an Olympian How Michael Gervais' new book, the First Rule of Mastery, led to a huge breakthrough this season from a mental standpoint How he has never been burned out, despite playing the same position since his freshman year of college at Stanford The beauties and challenges of life overseas And so, so much more. Erik is incredibly well-spoken and thoughtful, and this is an episode y'all will surely enjoy! SHOOTS! *** Looking for the cleanest supplements in the business? Momentous has you covered. Use SANDCAST15 for 15 percent off.  Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  We have a new book! Playbook of Champions: The habits, routines, and stories of Olympians, Champions, and world-class athletes. If you listen to the show – which, if you're reading this, then you are – then this is the perfect book for you, as it is a distillation of the best golden nuggets from our first five years of the podcast. Check it out on Amazon! We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB  

Prepare for lift off as the Krewe sits down with returning guest Dr. Kate Kitagawa of JAXA to look deep into the past, present, and future of Japan's space program! From pencil rockets & SLIM landers to international collaborative efforts, discover Japan's role in exploring the far reaches of outer space.------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:58:25)------ Past Episodes with Dr. Kate Kitagawa ------The Age of Lady Samurai (S01E12)------ Links about JAXA & Dr. Kate Kitagawa ------JAXA (English) on TwitterJAXA (Japanese) on TwitterJAXA on InstagramJAXA (English) on FacebookJAXA (Japanese) on FacebookJAXA Website (Japanese)JAXA Website (English)ISAS (English) on TwitterISAS (Japanese) on TwitterISAS on InstagramJAXA on YouTubeJAXA Space Education Center Website (English)MMX GameLunarcraft GameSLIM The Pinpoint Moon Landing GameKate's Book "The Secret Lives of Numbers"Kate's Website------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar

The Krewe is joined by Patrick St. Michel, Japan-based writer for the Japan Times and author of Make Believe Melodies blog. Patrick shares his passion and expertise on all things J-Pop, what's popular now, where to find it, and so much more!  Are you a life-long fan of Japanese pop music? Or maybe you are looking for ways to discover more about J-Pop after hearing Yoasobi's latest hit? This episode is for you!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:53:00)------ Links about Patrick St. Michel ------Patrick on Twitter/XPatrick on InstagramMake Believe Melodies SubstackPatrick's Work for Japan Times------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar

Malia Shoji, the head volleyball coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, really dives deep into what it takes to build a successful team. She talks about how important it is to have strong connections among team members, a commitment to growth, and everyone being on the same page with their goals. Before taking on this role, Malia had a great run at Utah, where she helped lead the team to six NCAA Tournament appearances in a row. She played a big part in getting players recognized as First Team All-Americans and achieving high national rankings. In our chat, Malia shares her approach to creating a team culture that's not just about winning games, but also about having healthy relationships within the team. We get into the nitty-gritty of what it's like to start a new program, how team values evolve over time, and why things like being genuine, open, and dedicated are so crucial to a team's success. She tells some personal stories from her volleyball journey, highlighting how important it is to recognize and nurture both the skills players show on the court and the qualities they bring off the court. We also get into some coaching tactics, like how to give effective feedback and the impact that Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules have on college sports. And to cap it all off, Malia shares some advice for parents who have kids in sports. Key Takeaways & Timestamps:What's the importance of deep connection, commitment to growth and a clear mission within your team?What're some practical strategies for embedding team values both on and off the court?How can you use the Development Pyramid to drive your team members through feedback and growth?Where does coaching volleyball align with building an amazing team?(00:23) Introduction(02:00) The Core Values of a Successful Team(05:57) Deep Connections: The Essence of Team Building(07:56) Commitment in Action: Beyond Individual Needs(09:43) Family Influence: Volleyball and Beyond(14:07) On-Court vs. Off-Court: Balancing Skills and Team Chemistry(16:01) Celebrating Growth: The Butterfly Moments(19:10) Navigating Feedback and Recognition in Team Dynamics(22:04) The Development Pyramid: A Framework for Growth(25:16) Advice for Parents of Young Athletes(26:47) Recruitment Philosophy and Building a Team Culture(28:06) Navigating NIL and Athlete Retention in College Sports(29:58) Personal Motivation and the Impact of Coaching(33:46) Sharing the TacosMentions:The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel RuizConnect with Malia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malia-shoji-77228513/Build Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:https://heytaco.com/Use Coupon Code: AMAZINGTEAMS for 15% off for the first 3 months.About the Amazing Teams PodcastWe started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.The Amazing Teams Podcast is produced by HeyTaco. Please share your feedback with us here: https://amazingteams.com/feedback.

Kyoto-based geisha culture guru Peter Macintosh joins the Krewe to take a look at geisha culture, reality vs. perception, how societal changes impact the geisha scene today & much more. If you are a fan of traditional Japanese culture, this episode is for you!  ------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Liquid IV Offer Link  to save 20% Off your Entire Order! (00:03:28)Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:53:00)------ Links about Peter Macintosh ------Peter's WebsitePeter on IGReal Geisha, Real Women on IGReal Geisha, Real Women Documentary on YouTubeReal Geisha, Real Women WebsitePeter's YouTube Channel------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar2024 Matsue-New Orleans Sister City Exchange Program Application

In this engaging episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew sits down with Kawika Shoji, whose journey through sports has been fueled by a diverse love for competition and a dedication to mastering various disciplines. Kawika's early dreams of playing basketball or golf gave way to volleyball, where his father, renowned coach Dave Shoji, introduced Sunday volleyball practice sessions at a young age with him and his friends. This early exposure to structured practice and high-level play laid a solid foundation for his impressive volleyball career. Delving into the nuances of athletic growth, Kawika discusses how remaining present in the moment and tackling each immediate goal prepared him for larger achievements down the road. His tenure at Stanford stands as a testament to this approach, leading to his evolution as both a competitor on the volleyball court and a scholar. Reflecting on his heritage, Kawika highlights Hawaii's vibrant athletic culture, crediting it with nurturing his own path as well as that of numerous other elite athletes, including the unforgettable journey to the Olympics with his brother, Eric Shoji, and another friend and local athlete, Micah Christenson. Join Andrew and Kawika for a insightful discussion that celebrates the discipline ingrained by sports and the deep connections it forges. This episode is a touching tribute to the ways in which athletic pursuits can shape life's trajectory, creating bonds and building character along the way. Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, warmth, and the spirit of athletic excellence. Enjoy the episode!

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Japanese home? Is it the scent of tatami mats? Shoji-style sliding doors? What are other major components and influences that go into making the Japanese home, be it traditional or modern, as well as Japanese Architecture as a whole? With special guest Azby Brown, the Krewe is going to dig into that today!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode (timestamps [hh:mm:ss] where you can find the code)!Liquid IV Offer Link  to save 20% Off your Entire Order! (00:03:28)Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  (00:53:00)------ Links about Azby ------Azby's WebsiteTitles by Azby (Amazon)Azby on Twitter/XAzby on IG------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event Calendar2024 Matsue-New Orleans Sister City Exchange Program Application

Lingzhi Zhuang is a chinese exhibition maker, project space and gallery owner based in Shanghai. Her gallery LINSEED was established in 2022, focusing on a younger generation of asian and international artists. Having studied at Goldsmith's in London, Lingzhi received the call to take a post at Pearl Lam Galleries, one of the most acclaimed galleries in Asia, asking her to move to Shanghai. After several other stations Lingzhi decided during Covid to open her own space and ultimately her gallery LINSEED in 2022. The gallery highlights emerging artists and fuses asian and western approaches. Lingzhi relates the beginnings of her project space, the support she received to realize her vision and how she founded her gallery LINSEED in challenging times. She reflects a new generation in China, to which she herself belongs to. Young people leading nomadic lifes, often going abroad to study in the UK, the US or elsewhere and bringing back those manifold influences to their home country. She herself attaches great importance on friendship, trust and community. Although having learned her skills in galleries with a more corporate background, she believes in a new way of working together, while still not losing view of the business side of things. Lingzhi also talks about the solo presentation of Asami SHOJI (b.1988, Japan) which LINSEED will show at Independent New York 2024. It will be featuring Shoji's latest series of daily and gestural paintings that encapsulate the passing of time and life. Each painting in this series, created in a continuous sequence, represents a specific day or moment, reflecting the artist's state and her environment. Recorded January 29, 2024, 32 min., language english Links: https://www.linseedprojects.space/https://www.independenthq.com/ https://van-horn.net/podcast/ #VoicesOnArt #IndependentSpecial #IndependentArtFair #NewYorkCity #LingzhiZhuang #Linseed #Shanghai #VanHornGallery #van_horn_duesseldorf #DanielaSteinfeld #Art #Talk #Storytelling #Podcast

In this episode: PARKING LOT AMNESIA-We've all been there, you park the car and cannot find it later amongst the school of fish feeding on the asphalt. Yours resembles a Koi/Kia. Looks like we're gonna need a smaller parking lot...(Written by Xavier Combe-MD Players: Antoine Herbez & Xavier Combe) SLEEP KILLER BANJO-A Japanese hotel featuring Shoji architectural style paper thin walls and sliding doors is not a great start for a Good Night's Sleep...(Written & Narrated by Jim Hall) WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?-A talk show that wants to solve the problems of listeners leaves everyone in the non-plussed column...(Written & performing all the character voices-Walt Wood) Your host Bobo closes out the show...    

Chaque matin, Samih vous dévoile des infos insolites qui vous permettront de vous coucher moins con. Retrouvez Bruno sur Fun Radio avec Bruno Guillon, Christina, Pino, Karina, et Maurine sur funradio.fr et sur l'application Fun Radio.

Welcome to episode 95 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Shoji Suzuki's 1961 album, “Swingin' Christmas.” I truly hope you enjoyed this episode. This is one of my favorite albums and played a huge part in my collecting journey. I'd love to say it's the best album in my collection, but I actually have several others that blow it away. I'll be covering one of those on Christmas Day. I mentioned Shoji Suzuki's biggest hit, “Suzukake No Michi,” and I wanted to share a video of it with you. This is from 1987 and features the Rhythm Aces lineup that appeared on this album—Shoji Suzuki on clarinet, Toshio Suzuki on piano, Jimmy Takeuchi on drums, Ryusei Matsuzaki on vibraphone, and Yoichi Kobayashi on bass. I loved finding this and being able to see the entire band performing. Shoji Suzuki and his Rhythm Aces – Suzukake no Michi – 1987 As hard as it is to believe, December is just around the corner, which means I'll have a new episode each week. Throughout the month, I'll be covering some of the best and most interesting albums in my collection. I'll start off with the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club's 10th anniversary performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. After that, I'll cover a really groovy late 60s album, “Christmas Song/New Year's Song.” Then tune in for Kayo Ishu's outstanding vocal jazz album, “Scat Christmas.” I'll close out the year with a pair of extremely rare albums from the early 70s that have to be heard to be believed. As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you'd like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I've also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I'll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Welcome to episode 94 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Shoji Suzuki's 1963 album, “Merry Christmas.” This is a great album and I can't tell you how excited I was when I first learned that Shoji Suzuki had made another Christmas album. Of the two, “Merry Christmas” seems to be the harder one to come by. I believe I've only seen two copies come up for auction. The first time I saw it, I settled in for a protracted bidding war, but I managed to get it for a reasonable price. The market for Shoji Suzuki records seems to fluctuate with no rhyme or reason. I've seen copies of “Swingin' Christmas go for $30-50, while other copies sit for weeks, being relisted over and over with no buyers. The prices for some records are pretty consistent, but with others it's impossible to tell. I asked one of the guys in Japan about it, and he said he just hopes that when he finds a record he needs, there aren't several other bidders looking for it at the same time. I hope you're enjoying these episodes about Shoji Suzuki. Tune in next week when I talk about his “Swingin' Christmas,” which is one of my all-time favorite albums. Then listen in each week in December as I cover some of the best and most interesting albums in my collection. I'll start off the month with the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club's 10th anniversary performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. After that, I'll cover a really outstanding late 60s album, “Christmas Song/New Year's Song.” If you like Now Sound music, you'll love this album. Then listen in for Kayo Ishu's outstanding “Scat Christmas.” I'll close out the year with a pair of extremely rare albums from the early 70s that have to be heard to be believed. As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you'd like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I've also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I'll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Dr. Shoji Nakayama, active in Japanese medical and public health research, delves into his extensive career centered around environmental health and public safety. Dr Nakayama is currently serving as the deputy director of Japan's Environmental Children's Health Study (JECS), involving over 100,000 participants, Dr. Nakayama advocates for transformative approaches in public health – focusing on altering environments rather than solely individual behaviors. He is passionate about interdisciplinary approach to biomonitoring, exposome research and improving public health. We overview his career, his passion for public health, his exciting career in post disaster public health research, his groundbreaking research on forever chemicals substances and emerging contaminants. His vision extends to advocating for multidisciplinary methods in biomonitoring and exposome research, recognizing the complex interplay of factors affecting public health. Topics Covered with Time Stamps * (0:40) Dr. Nakayama's transformative journey from clinical medicine to public health advocacy* (7:47) His pioneering research on the implications of forever chemicals and emerging contaminants* (13:15) Research in fluorinated and experience at US EPA* (26:28) Insights in Regulation , EU vs US vs JP * (27:44) Lessons learned from disaster response following the 2011 earthquake in Japan* (35:47) The importance of Disaster Response Research* (39:25) Insights from the monumental Japan Environmental Children's Health Study* (44:30) The expansive realm of exposome research and its practical applications* (46:54) Collaborative approaches in public health and the hurdles in research funding and policy formulation* (49:14) Discussion on Environmental Effects at a Population Level vs Individual Level* (55:16) Urbanization, green spaces, and their health implications* (57:35) Navigating public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan* (59:00) Debates and developments around HPV vaccination in Japan* (1:00) Dr. Nakayama's source for his enduring commitment and passion for advancing public health.Japan's Environmental Children's Health StudyElsevier Profile: Shoji F. Nakayama, MD, PhD This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leafbox.substack.com

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In Other News with Ethan.  We get stories of the Death of A Branson Legend, Shoji Tabuchi, You Can Take A Tour of The Homeless in SF, A Man Smuggles Snakes into China in his Pants, and What's the Best Hangover Cure Food

Hey y'all! Join us as we discuss the My Hero Academia episode "What a Twist!", including plenty of goat noises, Shoji being the GOAT, and speculation about Vlad King's quirk. You can find spoilers and TWs on our website, myheroanalysis.com. Thanks for listening!

Once Again, we welcome on the greatest libero in the world as well as a friend of the show, Erik Shoji. Erik talks about how he created such a large following on social media, the lack of social media in European sports and what it takes to be the best.

Mark Coleman PRIDE FC Career DEEPDIVE - Episode 148 / #lytesoutpodcast The UFC's first ever Heavyweight titleholder returns to the LytesOut Podcast to talk about the second half of his MMA Career. As the MMA Detective says, we like to start off "HOT" and we do, as Coleman addresses the circumstances surrounding his leaving the UFC and his signing with PRIDE FC. Historic details from the champ.RECORDED: 2nd week of January, 2023Chapters:0:00 Intro0:45 Jon Jones HOF Ceremony2:35 UFC 100 Jon Jones Issues6:05 Getting Taken Down In Competition7:07 Randy Couture Strategy9:10 Matt Hughes Issues in Hawaii11:53 Leaving for Pride13:26 Takada vs Mark Coleman17:44 Suzukawa Pro Wrestling Controversy26:46 Japan Banana Commercial29:11 Japan Game Show Contestant31:00 Ricardo Morais vs Mark Coleman33:45 Training w/Tim Catalfo Obake35:40 Masaaki Satake vs Mark Coleman37:44 Big John McCarthy didn't tap Coleman38:45 Preparing for Grand Prix39:30 Training at Miletich Fighting Systems43:30 Taken Down at MFS?45:00 Fighting after Royce Gracie46:30 Akira Shoji vs Mark Coleman48:32 Grand Prix Bracket Placement51:00 Fight Intensity56:36 Shoji was Legit59:00 Watching Fujita vs Kerr1:01:35 Japanese Backstage Antics1:02:50 Fujita vs Mark Coleman1:03:49 Igor Vovchancyn vs Mark Coleman1:08:18 Post Grand Prix Delay1:09:49 Training with Ken Shamrock1:15:45 Mike Bernardo - Tom Erickson1:17:00 Allan Goes vs Mark Coleman1:18:26 Training with Jeremy Horn1:19:06 Minotauro Nogueira vs Mark Coleman1:20:50 Respect for Jiu Jitsu1:24:00 Randleman vs Ortiz Rumor1:24:45 Tito Ortiz vs Mark Coleman1:26:51 Kurt Angle1:31:30 Mark Schultz1:32:56 Dave Schultz vs Mark Coleman1:33:48 Mark Schultz vs Mark Coleman1:36:30 Strength OverTechnique1:36:56 Phil Baroni1:39:00 Sakikibara & Phil Baroni1:42:15 Hammer House 4 Life1:45:28 Crazy Horse Charles Bennett1:49:08 RAW vs Hammer House1:50:16 MMA Detective & Miguel Iturrate Wrap UpSubscribe to the Lytes Out MMA History Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdcebSeWpoMqcotWR_1rHnQSocials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lytesoutpodcast/ iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lytes-out-podcast/id1568575809 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LytesOutPodcast/ Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Patreon - Lytesoutpodcast@gmail.comThanks for listening to Mark Coleman PRIDE FC DEEPDIVE - Episode 148 / #lytesoutpodcast Follow the #LOP team on Instagram: Chris - @chrislightsoutlytle Mike - @mikedavis632 Miguel - @iturratemOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power#MMA #UFC #NHB #LytesOutPodcast #LytesOut #MixedMartialArts #ChrisLytle #MMADetective #MiguelIturrate #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #FightPodcast #FightTalk #DEEPDIVE #FiftyFightClub #MMAPodcast #FightPodcastSupport the show

Last time we spoke about the long and bloody patrol of Carlson's raiders. Shoji and his men were in for a nasty surprise when they disappeared into the jungle for a long march back to the 17th Army, for they were not alone. Carlson's raiders hunted them down for over a month killing 488 Japanese at the cost of 16 marine lives. Shoji's main body had been reduced to just 800 men when he finally rejoined the 17th army HQ. Over in the Buna-Gona front, the Australian-American forces fell into a bitter stalemate despite 2 weeks of trying to find weaknesses at either area. The concealed Japanese bunkers were taking a heavy toll on the allies, but ultimately the Japanese were just prolonging the inevitable as they had nowhere to run. Then we finished off with the battle of Brisbane, where some yanks got a bit handsy with some gals, prompting brawls with the aussies. Today we are venturing back to starvation island and Green Hell.

In this MILESTONE 50th episode, Clarence and Stephen celebrate 50 episodes of hosting the show, they catch up a little and talk about their Thanksgiving meal traditions. Then they sit down with two-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist, Kawika Shoji (11:49 - 1:23:59)! They talk about Kawika's recent retirement, his incredible career, playing on the same team as his brother and much, much more!

Whoa! Christian, Brian, and Josh fire up the mics to discuss Shoji's backstory in My Hero Academia, welcome Hunter X Hunter to the weekly lineup and much more!! As always you can find Christian on Twitter/Instagram @thechrisespinal Josh @jdcole_37 and Brian @bdotesp! follow the show on Twitter/Instagram @newjumpcity. Check out Brian's Twitch Stream here! Our theme song is by @drum_fu. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here! Feel free to email us at newjumpcitypod@gmail.com with any suggestions, recommendations, feedback, or fan theories you'd want us to read on the show!

Things are really popping off with Spinner, Shoji, and Koda. The heteromorphs are finally getting the spotlight we've waited for. Horikoshi is really popping off with these chapters. We hope you all enjoyed this week's class, and we will see you next time! Follow us on Twitter: Class 1A Podcast | Andrew | James | Dylan Want even more My Hero Academia Content? Check out our YouTube!

TOKYO, JAPAN - The BIG NEWS is finally out re Major League Rugby 2023 teams! Rugby Morning's John Fitzpatrick and our Matt McCarthy break it down. ALSO... The biggest stars in rugby are now flocking to Japan - not just France. With that, we have an EXCLUSIVE with Japan Rugby League One Chairman Genichi Tamatsuka and COO Hajime Shoji, who explain why. They also discuss: -A global rugby competition for professional clubs -Rugby World Cup expectations -Lessons Major League Rugby can learn from the Japan League -A JRLO vs MLR All-Star Game or Championship -Future Rugby World Club back in Japan -Need for a global rugby calendar Watch... Listen/Download the Podcast version... Please share and join our weekly newsletter: http://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/ Find All Here: -Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com -Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp @RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats. -Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyWrapUp -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RugbyWrapUp -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RugbyWrapUp -Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/RugbyWrapUp #USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #JRLO

Spinner is here, he is big, and he is PISSED. This week we dive into hero society's problem with heteromorphs. And of course we get an amazing face reveal with SHOJI. We hope you all enjoyed this week's class, and we will see you next time! Follow us on Twitter: Class 1A Podcast | Andrew | James | Dylan Want even more My Hero Academia Content? Check out our YouTube!

Learn how this man’s experience with grief led him to start a Death Café in Japan and become a death doula and Willow EOL educator. My guest Masatoshi Shoji is a licensed acupuncturist, health communicator and medical translator in Sendai Japan. He started Death Café Sendai in his hometown in 2015 and since then has… Continue reading Ep. 367 Increasing Death Awareness in Japan with Masatoshi Shoji