Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan government plans to seek court order to dissolve Unification Church https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/a887888a706b-update1-japan-govt-plans-to-seek-court-order-to-dissolve-unification-church.html 80 women arrested in Tokyo's Kabukicho for alleged prostitution https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/76a6a3b25794-80-women-arrested-in-tokyos-kabukicho-for-alleged-prostitution.html Top court upholds ruling in favor of Japan's ban on dual nationality https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/79690722ca9e-top-court-upholds-ruling-in-favor-of-japans-ban-on-dual-nationality.html Japan rice exports up 600% over 8 years amid growing int'l 'onigiri' love - The Mainichi https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230929/p2a/00m/0bu/018000c Japan school absenteeism at record high of nearly 300,000 in FY 2022 https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/d8cd090637bd-japan-school-absenteeism-at-record-high-of-nearly-300000-in-fy-2022.html Visitor tax starts at popular west Japan island Miyajima in bid to combat overtourism - The Mainichi https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231002/p2a/00m/0li/014000c Johnny & Associates renames itself to Smile-Up due to J-pop scandal https://asiabusinessdaily.substack.com/p/johnny-and-associates-renames-itself Luxury lockup: Former Japan prison to open as high-end hotel in 2026 https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/a2e188fc6925-luxury-lockup-former-japan-prison-to-open-as-high-end-hotel-in-2026.html Totoro sequel anime, Mei and the Baby Catbus, to screen at Ghibli theme park this fall | SoraNews24 -Japan News- https://soranews24.com/2023/10/06/totoro-sequel-anime-mei-and-the-baby-catbus-to-screen-at-ghibli-theme-park-this-fall Check out our sponsors! STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes! DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/ If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below! mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64 amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM