Japan This Week

A weekly roundup of the week's biggest — and smallest — national news, crime, politics and entertainment stories from Japan Today with a dash of opinionated commentary and a sprinkling of readers' comments. Ready for you every Friday evening (JST).

Japan This Week is a news podcast hosted by Japan Today, with 105 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Japan Today hosts Japan This Week, a news show with 105 episodes published.

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  Japan This Week

  Oct. 31, 2025 | Japan’s foreigner problem: Kimi Onoda and the politics of coexistence

  Oct 30, 202514 minS0

  When Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister on Oct. 21, one of her new cabinet pick's stood out. Kimi Onoda was appointed minister for economic security and the “Cool Japan” strategy — but also given a new title: Minister for Promoting an Orderly Coexistent Society with Foreigners. It’s a phrase that says a lot about how Japan sees outsiders. In this week’s Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how anti-foreigner sentiment is gaining political traction, why “coexistence” has become such a loaded word and what that means for Japan’s future. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-vDNg-hhBZo Chapte...

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  Japan This Week

  Oct. 24, 2025 | Trial of Shinzo Abe's assassin

  Oct 24, 202513 minS0

  The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami — the man who assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — has begun in Japan. But this case is about more than guilt or innocence. It exposed disturbing ties between Japan’s ruling party and a controversial church, triggered public sympathy for the killer and forced the country to confront deeper questions about justice, trauma and political power. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A2hwKzrn7ls Do you think the trial will bring clarity or just more controversy? Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – The assassination of Shinzo Abe 02:10 – Who is Tetsuya Yamagami? 04:30 – Sympathy and the “Yamagami Girls” 06:40 – Unif...

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  Japan This Week

  Oct. 3, 2025 | Why stalking cases in Japan keep ending in tragedy

  Oct 2, 20259 minS0

  Stalking cases in Japan are becoming harder to ignore. Women are being targeted, threatened and, in too many cases, killed — even after going to the police for help. In this edition of Japan Today Spotlight, we examine why stalking cases so often end in tragedy, what reforms are being proposed and what experts say women can do to stay safe. ▶ Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Dnv7M8KS_Y

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  Japan This Week

  Sept. 26, 2025 | Why nuisance YouTubers are causing outrage in Japan

  Sep 25, 202510 minS0

  A rise in obnoxious and aggressive content creators is sparking outrage across Japan — from graveyard stunts and sushi sabotage to harassment on public trains. Japanese media now calls them “nuisance YouTubers.” In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we dig into what’s really going on. Why are some influencers acting this way in Japan? Would they pull the same stunts in cities like London or New York? And what’s the impact on foreigners who actually live here and are trying to do things right? 🎥 Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hah65eM4iw0

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  Japan This Week

  Sept. 19, 2025 | Why Japan's 'lost generation' is still losing

  Sep 18, 20258 minS0

  Japan’s “lost generation” came of age during the employment ice age of the 1990s and early 2000s. Promised stable jobs after graduation, they instead faced hiring freezes, temporary contracts and decades of low wages. Now in their 50s, many are still struggling with low pensions, limited savings and social isolation. The government has pledged new support through reskilling programs and pension reform, but critics question whether it’s too late. 🎥 Watch the full Spotlight episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UYAyCwzT1F4

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