208 episodes

Looking beneath the surface of Japan.

We talk to Japan Times journalists and guests about current events and trends in Japan.

Deep Dive from The Japan Times The Japan Times

    • News
    • 4.7 • 116 Ratings

Looking beneath the surface of Japan.

We talk to Japan Times journalists and guests about current events and trends in Japan.

    Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami

    Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami

    We are revisiting some past content on the science, economics and culture of cherry blossom season. Most importantly, we talk about some of the best spots to check them out in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. 
    Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

    Read more: 



    In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is a big deal. Warming is making it harder. (Thu-Huong Ha, The Japan Times)

    We invite you to get ready for this year’s cherry blossom parties (Cassandra Lord, The Japan Times)

    Toshio Katsuki: ‘The cherry blossoms have been my vehicle to find new relationships’ (Himari Semans, The Japan Times)

    Cherry blossoms are just as beautiful on a plate as a branch (Elizabeth Andoh, The Japan Times)

    Japan’s economy to bloom as hanami season kicks off (Kathleen Benoza, The Japan Times)

    Our guide to family hanami hot spots (Jason Jenkins, The Japan Times)


    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

    • 26 min
    A lawsuit puts alleged racial profiling by police on trial in Japan

    A lawsuit puts alleged racial profiling by police on trial in Japan

    Three residents with foreign roots have filed a lawsuit claiming Japanese police officers routinely target visible minorities with searches. In this week’s episode, we speak with the lawyer and one plaintiff about what prompted them to bring the case forward and what they hope to achieve with it. 

    Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

    On this episode:
    Shaun McKenna: Articles | X 

    Read more: 



    Lawsuit filed in Tokyo over alleged racial profiling by police (Karin Kaneko, The Japan Times)

    Making Japanese history by being Black history (Baye McNeil, The Japan Times)

    Brazilian files discrimination suit (Toshi Maeda, The Japan Times)

    Racial profiling in Japan is prevalent but unseen, some residents say (Victoria Kim and Hisako Ueno, The New York Times)

    Lawsuit to end racially discriminatory police questioning (CALL4.jp)

    Stop racially discriminatory police questioning (change.org)

    How Shohei Ohtani mastered the media (Jason Coskrey, The Japan Times)

    How to be an all-star sports parent (Mai Yoshikawa, The Japan Times)

    Ohtani is taken. It’s enough to make you cry. (Yukana Inoue, The Japan Times


    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

    Motoki Taniguchi (left) and one of his clients, Maurice Shelton, hope their lawsuit can change alleged police practices involving stop-and-search. | LOUISE CLAIRE WAGNER

    • 38 min
    [Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart

    [Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart

    This week on Deep Dive, contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein reads us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season.  
    Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

    On this episode: 
    Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram
    Lance Henderstein: Articles | Instagram | Threads

    Read/Listen more: 



    My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times)

    Akiko Mizuno: ‘Time moves forward. Photographers stop time.’ (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times)


    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

    Photo: Aoi Suzuki’s son runs past a home in Taketomi on Iriomote Island (not to be confused with Taketomi Island, which lies to the east of Iriomote). The Suzukis run the Takemori Inn, one of the few hotels on Iriomote. | LANCE HENDERSTEIN

    • 20 min
    A young 3/11 survivor and her vow to protect the ocean

    A young 3/11 survivor and her vow to protect the ocean

    At 12, Miku Narisawa experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ensuing and tsunami destroyed her home. Instead of running from the ocean, however, she is now working to try to protect it through her Odyssey Nature Japan initiative. 

    On this episode:
    Miku Narisawa: Instagram | Odyssey Nature Japan

    Read more/Listen more: 



    After 3/11, an environment education rethink takes shape in Japan (Francesco Bassetti, The Japan Times)

    COP28, didn't the oceans deserve more attention? (Miku Narisawa, The Japan Times)

    Japan is about to release 1.3 million tons of Fukushima wastewater. Should we be concerned? (Mara Budgen, Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

    Anger at Fukushima’s wastewater; hope in its renewables (Gabriele Ninivaggi, Anika Osaki Exsum, Francesco Bassetti Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

    Preparing for the hottest year Japan has ever seen (Eric Margolis, The Japan Times)
    TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui


    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

    Photo: Yasuhiro Otomo and Miku Narisawa during one of Odyssey Nature Japan's educational fishing programs. | ODYSSEY

    • 32 min
    Hunting in Hokkaido; Taylor Swift comes to Tokyo

    Hunting in Hokkaido; Taylor Swift comes to Tokyo

    You probably don’t think of guns when you think of Japan, but Hokkaido’s hunters do. Hokkaido-based writer Justin Randall says newly proposed gun laws may make their lives more dangerous. Later, Shaun McKenna and Alyssa I. Smith discuss something less dangerous: Taylor Swift’s sold-out Tokyo shows.
    Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

    On this episode:
    Justin Randall: Articles | Linktree
    Alyssa I. Smith: Articles 

    Read more/Listen more: 



    Hokkaido hunters say more firepower means more humane kills (Justin Randall, The Japan Times)

    How are firearms regulated in Japan? (Kathleen Benoza, The Japan Times)

    Bear goes the neighborhood? Japanese wildlife is on the move. (Alex K.T. Martin, Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

    Most Japanese outside major urban areas say they do not engage with foreign nationals (Kyodo)

    Taylor Swift slays her Tokyo era (Allan Richarz, The Japan Times)

    Fans share love for Taylor Swift at sold-out Tokyo shows (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)

    Welcome to Japan, Taylor Swift fans. Please remain seated as you cheer. (Motoko Rich and Kiuko Notoya, The New York Times)

    Seiji Ozawa’s boundless experiment (Chiho Iuchi, The Japan Times)

    The story behind my favorite photo of Seiji Ozawa (Dan Szpara, The Japan Times)


    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

    Photo: Naoko Motooka began hunting 10 years ago. Her hobby is one way Hokkaido hopes to curb a current boom in the deer population. | JUSTIN RANDALL

    • 35 min
    Japan’s take on immortality; problems in Palworld

    Japan’s take on immortality; problems in Palworld

    Who wants to live forever? As scientists and tech billionaires attempt to tackle the problem of aging and death, we discuss Japanese ideas about immortality. Later, our games writers discuss the recent Palworld-Pokemon flare up.  

    On this episode:
    Elizabeth Beattie: Articles | X
    Owen Ziegler: Articles 
    Ann-Loy Morgan: Articles

    Read more/Watch more/Play more: 



    Eternal pursuits: A history of Japanese quests for immortality (Alex K.T. Martin, The Japan Times)

    Living until 100, if not forever, in good health (Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times)

    The digital beyond: Is an eternal existence within grasp? (Elizabeth Beattie, The Japan Times)

    Reverse aging mogul discusses regimen as he strives for the biological age of an 18-year-old (ABC News)

    Overnight smash Palworld is much more than ‘Pokemon with guns’ (Ann-Loy Morgan, The Japan Times)



    Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

    Photo: GETTY IMAGES

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
116 Ratings

116 Ratings

etherdog ,

This podcast is not uncritical of government policy

Oscar Boyd and his guests discuss important topics regarding Japan with clear-eyed analysis. Sean McKenna is a worthy successor. I am still trying to decipher what I hear as “pod tsukane sama”.

Jogabee ,

Wide range of topics!

I’m really enjoying this show! I love the variety of topics the episodes discuss as well as the contributors that add depth to the discussions.

agoodflyingbird ,

simply the best

i’m a huge podcast addict – i listen to twice-daily podcasts from the BBC and The Economist; weekly podcasts by The Verge, BBC Africa, The New York Times; tons of stuff on YouTube – and this one beats them all. great topics, smart reporting and analysis, an awesomely personable host who brings out the best in some great guests each week, and a really cozy, relatable vibe overall. i really appreciate how tight and focused it is, and yet it never talks up or down at the listener. the news roundup and show note links are great too, it brings me to lots of Japan Times articles i wouldn’t otherwise read or even know about. but this show is the best and it’s my primary source on all things Japan. keep up the great work!

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