Just wanted to say that I really like your show. Thanks for putting in all the effort as each show is interesting and informative.

Liana

What I was getting at is how do the Japanese see WWII now. Americans look at the civil war as pretty much a good reason to have a re-enactment weekend or to produce a good movie about it (some really good movies ). It’s in the past. Are the Japanese at that point where they can take their past and do things with it for entertainment?

I just wanted to say this is my favorite episode yet. I’m a political science major in College and anything political (education wise) is a real head turner for me. I’ve studied Japanese politics in a comparative politics class and your show was spot on for what I learned. I actually e-mailed this podcast to my girlfriend so she can listen to it in Nairobi Kenya (she’s studying abroad).

Anyways, I didn’t mean to inflate your ego there (lol), but I did have a good question. Now I know video games are big in Japan much like how they are in America (well different types of games but still the game industry is quite strong). American gamers really like the first person shooters (halo, medal of honor, etc.), and I know those games are over there, but how about the WWII games? Especially the WWII games that comment on the pacific theater of the war. Medal of honor: Rising Sun is totally based in the pacific theater (the first level is Pear Harbor!). What’s really questioning me is do those games make it to japan and if they do, do they even sell? I know it’s kind of a loaded question, but it’s kinda neat if you think about it, you know japanese programmed the games.

i am coming to you not live from the apple store in ginza, japan.

this place is absolutely amazing! i jus wish i could have been here today at 1300 when they did the podcasting lesson. just to see if the Japanese do it a bit differently.

now, i know i won’t be able to authorize this post until i get home to a computer that remembers my login, but still, i thought i’d do something while waiting for my name to be called over at the genius bar for my repair.

i am definitely getting a mac as my next computer. possibly this iMac 20 inch. Very very impressive!

ok, well, adios good people!

my bad

Since you are going to Akihabara,
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/
is a pretty good website just to see what is going on there.
Other good web sites:
Wireless Watch Japan [for cell phone news in English or Japanese]
http://www.wirelesswatch.jp//index.php
Japan Today News [which also has some unusual stories]:
http://www.japantoday.com/

I would be interested in your impression of Mr. Craft [Toy Store]:
http://www.mrcraft.co.jp/top.htm

Finally, I really look forward to your weekly podcasts. They are easy to listen to and always useful for gaining insight into Japan and the culture. Keep up the good work!

roy

thanks for your post! in episode 11 i talk about me going to the ginza store either tomorrow or thursday! w00t!

thanks for the link, and thanks for listening!

josh

http://ifoa79.securesites.net/stores/future_japan.html

The list has Yokohama on it ^^. Hope that one comes your way so you can go experience first hand the insanity that is the apple store.

XD

i emailed you my thoughts on this! Absolutely fantastic idea!

i would love for you to share your insights on japanese high school!

like i told you in the email, send whatever you have my way, and it will definitely get on the show!

thanks, and can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

josh

I think I recall you saying someone wanted an episode about the high schools here, and, well, me currently being a high school student at a big goddamn private school with no formal japanese training whatsoever, I seem to believe that I can assist you if you;d like.

High School from another gaijins perspective. Seriously there is quite a lot to say, when you dont know what to expect, or how to react to the other kids here.

Also, I heard in the episode about trains you complained about all the fucking high school students who dont work all day and take up priority seating and make loud noises.. I just have to throw in a comment or two regarding that;

In my expirience School is just as tough, if not a bit harder than any job I ever had in Canada. They are a lot more strict, and the hours are very tiring. (Ex. I have to get up at 5am so I can bike to the train station, catch the 6:40 train into Miyazaki City and then the 7:15 train to the station closest to my school, (which is still a 20 min walk away)
We usually arrive there by 8ish..

School starts at 8:15 and ends at 4:20, and our school days extend from monday to saturday.. We study all day, and get a 45 minute lunch break, no long breaks in between, or anything. For me, I sometimes find I dont return home until 7:30 at night.

Schools in the US and Canada are a lot easier, from what Ive seen, and I know that by the time school is over, and we;ve walked to our train station, we are tired and cranky and sore, much like everyone else.

So while I understand how some obnoxious kids can get under your skin, the majority of us are just like you.. you should probably respect us as you^d like us to respect you.

Also, Japanese keyboards are retarded.

Also, I wish you could do an entire episode devoted to Suntory Boss.. Seeing as he IS the boss of them all.. Although I doubt there is that much to say about old suntory…XD I love Suntory Boss.

Anyway, keep up the good work. Like your show. And I hate Natto.

-Mic