Japan Today Spotlight

Afleveringen

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  Putin’s message to Japan: The disputed islands visit 20.08.2026 11min

  Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited one of the disputed islands claimed by both Russia and Japan, adding new tension to an already strained relationship. The territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a formal World War II peace treaty for more than 80 years. This episode looks at why the islands still matter, what Putin’s visit was intended to signal and how Russia’s increasingly close ties with China and North Korea are complicating Japan’s security outlook.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japan has only 2 'baby hatches' 14.08.2026 11min

  Japan has just two baby hatches, where parents can safely surrender infants they are unable to care for. Supporters say they can save newborn lives and offer a last resort for desperate families. Critics worry about anonymous births, abandonment and what happens to children afterward. This episode looks at why baby hatches remain so rare in Japan — and whether the country needs more of them.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japan’s ‘izakaya’ are disappearing 07.08.2026 12min

  Japan’s izakaya have long been a fixture of after-work life, but a growing number are closing their doors. Aging owners, changing drinking habits, rising costs and a younger generation less interested in traditional work drinking culture are reshaping the industry. This episode looks at why Japan’s izakaya are disappearing and what their decline says about broader changes in Japanese society.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan wants AI. Many people aren’t convinced. 31.07.2026 10min

  Japan is investing heavily in artificial intelligence, hoping it can help solve labor shortages, boost productivity and strengthen the economy. But public enthusiasm hasn’t kept pace. Many people remain skeptical about AI’s impact on jobs, privacy, misinformation and even the environment. This episode explores why Japan is pushing AI so hard — and why many people aren’t convinced it’s the right answer.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Mosque under fire: Japan’s Muslims — welcome or wanted? 23.07.2026 17min

  Japan’s Muslim population is growing alongside the country’s need for foreign workers, but so is resistance to mosques, burial grounds and religious accommodation. Arson attacks, online misinformation and local opposition have raised difficult questions about coexistence, integration and who is considered welcome in Japan.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japanese fans clean up stadiums — and why it sparked debate 17.07.2026 8min

  Japanese football fans have earned international praise for cleaning stadiums after matches. But the tradition has also sparked criticism in Japan, particularly from women who question why the same enthusiasm for cleaning is not always seen at home. This episode examines where the custom comes from, whether it is genuine or performative and what the debate reveals about unpaid work and gender roles in Japan.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japan struggles with mental health 09.07.2026 12min

  Japan has universal healthcare and one of the world’s longest life expectancies, yet many people experiencing mental health problems never receive treatment. Stigma, limited access to psychotherapy and a system that often relies on medication over counseling continue to shape how mental illness is treated. This episode examines why so many people struggle in silence and whether attitudes toward mental health are beginning to change.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Mount Fuji has a people problem 03.07.2026 9min

  Mount Fuji remains one of Japan’s most iconic destinations, but record visitor numbers have brought overcrowding, litter, dangerous climbing practices and more rescues. In response, authorities have introduced new restrictions and higher climbing fees in an effort to protect the mountain. This episode explores why the changes were made and whether they will be enough to preserve Japan’s most famous peak.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan’s new criminal underworld 26.06.2026 10min

  Japan’s traditional organized crime groups are shrinking, but a new type of criminal network is taking their place. Known as tokuryū, these loosely organized groups recruit members through social media and encrypted messaging apps, making them harder for police to track. This episode explores how Japan’s criminal underworld is changing and why authorities see tokuryū as one of the country’s fastest-growing security threats.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan’s ‘hikikomori’ shut-ins are getting older — and the clock is ticking 19.06.2026 15min

  Japan’s hikikomori — people who withdraw from society for months or even years at a time — have long been viewed as a youth problem. Increasingly, however, many are reaching middle age while still living in isolation. As parents grow older and support networks shrink, Japan is facing a new challenge with no easy solutions. This episode examines the scale of the problem, what causes it and why time may be running out for many families.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japan ranks last in G7 gender equality 12.06.2026 9min

  Japan consistently ranks near the bottom of international gender equality indexes despite being one of the world’s largest economies. From politics and corporate leadership to wages and caregiving expectations, significant gaps remain. This episode examines why progress has been slow, what the data shows and whether Japan is finally beginning to change.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why tattoos are still taboo in Japan 05.06.2026 8min

  Tattoos have become increasingly mainstream around the world, but in Japan they continue to carry a stigma. From public baths and gyms to workplaces and social perceptions, people with tattoos can still face restrictions and discrimination. This episode explores the historical roots of the taboo, its links to organized crime and whether attitudes are finally beginning to change.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan just started selling weapons. Here’s why that’s a big deal 29.05.2026 10min

  Japan has approved one of the biggest changes to its postwar security policy in decades, opening the door to weapons exports after years of strict limits. Supporters say the move reflects a tougher regional security environment, while critics argue it marks a major shift away from Japan’s pacifist identity. This episode examines what changed, why now and what it could mean for Japan’s future role in global defense.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan prefecture will pay residents to report illegal foreign workers 22.05.2026 13min

  A Japanese prefecture has introduced a system that rewards residents for reporting suspected illegal foreign workers, reigniting debate over immigration, labor shortages and social trust. Supporters say the policy helps enforce the law, while critics warn it could encourage suspicion and discrimination. This episode examines why the measure was introduced and what it says about Japan’s uneasy relationship with foreign labor.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Inside Japan’s ‘Toyoko Kids’ in Kabukicho 14.05.2026 7min

  A growing number of vulnerable teenagers and young adults have been gathering around Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, becoming known online as the “Toyoko Kids.” Many are runaways or struggling with abuse, isolation, mental health issues or unstable home lives. This episode looks at how the phenomenon emerged, why it has drawn national attention and what it reveals about the gaps in Japan’s social support system.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  New divorce and child custody rules in Japan 08.05.2026 10min

  Japan is introducing major changes to its divorce and child custody system, including the possibility of joint custody after separation. Supporters say the reforms could help parents stay involved in their children’s lives, while critics warn about risks involving domestic abuse and enforcement. This episode examines what’s changing and why the debate has become so divisive.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Why Japan has almost no gun crime 07.05.2026 10min

  Japan has some of the strictest gun laws in the world, and shootings remain extremely rare. But the country’s low level of gun crime is about more than just regulation. This episode examines the legal system, cultural attitudes and enforcement strategies that make firearms unusually difficult to obtain and use in Japan.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Can foreigners own land in Japan? 24.04.2026 9min

  Foreigners can legally buy land in Japan, but ownership does not come with residency or visa rights. New reporting requirements and growing political attention have added complexity to the issue. This episode explains what foreigners can and cannot do, how the system works and why the topic is drawing renewed scrutiny.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan’s bicycle crackdown 17.04.2026 9min

  Japan has begun cracking down on cycling behavior, with police issuing fines for violations that were often overlooked in the past. From riding on sidewalks to using smartphones or umbrellas while cycling, enforcement is becoming more visible. This episode looks at what’s changed, why now and whether the crackdown will actually improve safety.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH
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  Japan’s new idol culture trend 10.04.2026 9min

  Japan’s idol industry continues to evolve, with new trends reshaping how fans engage with performers. From changing expectations around accessibility to the rise of new fan practices, idol culture is adapting to a different generation. This episode looks at what’s driving the shift and what it reveals about entertainment and identity in Japan today.Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH