Overtourism is becoming a serious problem in Japan.

Many Japanese are bothered by the sudden influx of tourists, especially when you take into account that there were almost none during the pandemic. Restaurants and public transportation companies are not equipped to handle this problem, and being a country made up of mostly introverts, this change is unsettling. Imagine yourself as an introvert, coming home from a long day at work, to find a surprise party at your house, 30 strangers coming to talk to you, congratulating you, then asking you to make a toast or something. Only, it happens almost daily during high season in Japan.

Many locals find their routines significantly disrupted, and if you live here, you would understand the degree of discomfort that Japanese tend to feel when their routines are broken by something beyond their control. Well, hey, I guess most of us can relate to that, but with Japanese, they feel it deep in their core.

最近出会った引用があります–どこで見たか覚えていませんが、この状況にふさわしいと思います。「あなたは誰かの完璧さに恋に落ちるわけではありません。あなたが恋に落ちるのは、彼らの欠点です。」–そして、それは少なくとも私には、強く響きました。そしてそれは真実です。例えば食べ物について言えば、あなたが誕生日に行ったその5つ星のフランス料理店の完璧な食べ物に恋に落ちるわけではありません。あなたが良い思い出を結びつける食べ物が好きです。例えば、あなたの母のラザニアのように。それは完璧ではないかもしれませんが、あなたはそれを渇望します。マクドナルドに人々が群がる理由があります、彼らが最高のバーガーを作るわけではありませんが。それはあなたがマクドナルドを訪れ続ける子供時代の思い出です。または、彼らがこっそりとパティに入れるクラックかもしれません。誰が知ってるでしょう。 私は完璧な社会に住みたいから日本に住んでいるのではありません。日本が独自の方法でユニークであるから好きです。ここでたくさんの思い出を作りました。それら全てが素晴らしいわけではありませんが、成長するのに役立ちました。

Since today is Emperor Naruhito’s birthday, I thought I’d talk about the Imperial Family in this episode. I’ve never paid much attention to them because they don’t really cause spectacles like Harry and Megan. They tend to keep out of the public eye most of the time. 

The Imperial family is very special to the people of Japan. The Emperor of Japan is at the center of this family, and people look up to him with great respect. Some are indifferent of course. It's mostly the older generation who still reveres the family.

As we know, Japan's got a serious problem and it’s not just this year’s unusually warm and short winter. The country is facing a declining birthrate that's causing all sorts of headaches, from shrinking populations to economic slowdowns. Imagine walking through Shibuya, only to find it getting quieter and quieter each year. That's what's happening in Japan, and it's a big deal for everyone living there and for people watching from other countries too.

So, what's going on? Well, for starters, fewer babies are being born in Japan than ever before. This isn't a new trend; it's been happening for years. But the reasons behind it are pretty complex. First off, life in Japan can be super stressful. From long work hours to high living costs, especially in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, it's not exactly an environment that screams, "Let's have a bunch of kids!" Plus, the pressure to succeed and the desire for personal freedom often take priority over starting a family.

Then there's the issue of marriage. In Japan, fewer people are tying the knot. Some people are just not interested, while others can't find the right partner. the search for a suitable partner has become a significant hurdle. Traditional matchmaking practices are waning in popularity, and while dating apps and websites are on the rise, many people find these platforms ineffective for fostering long-term relationships.

Many of us have heard of the earthquake that struck Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day. Ishikawa Prefecture received the largest damage with a death toll of over 200 people and counting. Many are still missing, trapped under debris of collapsed buildings and other infrastructures. The 7.6 earthquake struck the region at 4 PM. It was a grim reminder of the Tohoku earthquake that struck Fukushima region back in 2011. Around 20,000 people died in that disaster.

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This episode was produced using AI by cloning my voice. I can't help but feel impressed by how much better AI voice has become. It feels quite weird knowing a computer can copy my voice so easily.

What do you think? Does it sound robotic? Let me know!

#intjapan

#podcast

#japan

#japanese

#earthquake

We've all been there. We come to Japan, expecting everyone to speak English just like in any other countries we have been to. To our surprise, many of them shake their head instead.

Considering Japan is supposed to be a first-world country, why is English proficiency still so low?

#japan

#intjapan

#japaneseculture

#english

Since its officially 2024, let’s talk about everything that has happened in Japan in 2023. Some are not that interesting, some are just dead strange. 

Happy New Year!

Christmas was first introduced to Japan by Christian missionaries in the 16th century. However, it didn't gain much traction until the Meiji Era, around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite the long, dark history, Christmas in Japan isn't celebrated for its religious significance. In fact, less than 1% of the Japanese population is Christian. Christmas is more of a commercial and cultural event. Have a lovely Christmas, everyone!