About this episode: In this bonus episode, we explore Japanese customer service at a restaurant. First, Internationals explain their frustrating experience ordering meals. And later we hear from a Japanese individual who experienced customer service abroad. Listen to the Episode We encourage you to listen to the podcast rather than read the transcript if you can. Controversial Japan …
Controversial Japan: E6 No Need for Questions
About this episode: “Sometimes I ignore my questions, and I just take it for what it is.” says Eri, a Japanese woman with an international mindset. In this episode, we explore the Japanese conformity and collectivist culture. First, Japanese individuals explain why they follow the crowd and then we hear what it’s like to navigate Japan from the expats’ perspective. …
Controversial Japan: E5 No Japanese No Service
About this episode: “I’m on a holiday. I’m there for the experience, right? But there are other people living their lives. My experience just intrudes in their lives, basically.” says Rutger, a Dutch man who visited Kyoto as a tourist. Rutger and (host) Kaho Koda visited Kyoto together back in 2018. And they still talk about that one evening in …
Controversial Japan: E4 Girl Power
About this episode: “I feel like it’s almost harder for a woman to be supported by other women in Japan to some extent because I don’t think it’s a common idea that Japanese women want to change their conditions for themselves.” says Fanny, a French woman living in Japan. In this episode we talk about feminism in Japan. Do you …
Controversial Japan: E3 Let’s (not) Talk about Sex
About this episode: “Often we are very talented to divert the conversation. Because that’s the way we speak. We don’t directly address on something. But we always kind of divert it.” says Terra, a Japanese man living in the Netherlands. In this episode we talk about how Japanese society does not discuss sex. We also talk to an English teacher, …
Controversial Japan: E2 Don’t Say I Love You
About this episode: “You don’t say I love you. You don’t give your mom a hug at the end of the day. Like I feel really awkward doing that. And it’s something that I tried to change at some point in my life. But I think my mom didn’t feel comfortable with it as well when I started to try …
Controversial Japan: E1 The Lazy Guy
About this episode: “If you live in Japan, and work in a Japanese company, you need to follow the Japanese custom.” says Misora, a Japanese woman working in Tokyo. First, we follow Misora’s story about her ‘lazy’ colleague Paul. We also discuss Paul’s perspective – the western individualistic point of view. Listen to the Episode We encourage you …
Controversial Japan: E0 Trailer
About this episode: Japan is a prime example of collectivist culture while western countries put emphasis on the individual – such polar opposite mindsets. Misunderstandings and confusions are bound to happen when these two perspectives collide. Every episode we unpack one controversial opinion about the Japanese mindset, culture, and custom through stories and interviews. Join host Kaho Koda as she …