Japanese America

Episodes

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  A New Audio Thriller from Koji Steven Sakai 19.10.2026 1m

  Send us Fan Mail A little something different from me! 🎙️ Many of you know me through Japanese America, but I've also been working on a new narrative podcast with Milton: The Red Room. It's a fictional audio thriller that begins with an impossible 911 call and unravels into a mystery involving a missing teenager, disturbing secrets, and supernatural horror. We've put a lot of work into bringing this story to life, and today is officially launch day! Huge thanks to Voyage Media for helping us ...
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  S3E09: Costumes and Consequences: Who Gets to Wear What? 08.10.2026 26m

  Send us Fan Mail Every October, the leaves start falling, pumpkin spice hits the menus, and the internet gears up for the exact same annual screaming match: what is harmless fun, and what is straight-up cultural appropriation? In this special guest-free Halloween episode, co-hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle MaliZaki bypass the tired internet finger-wagging to unpack the real cultural divide at the heart of this debate. Why do locals in Japan often love seeing tourists in kimono, while Asi...
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  S3E8: Unwanted Truth – John Okada and the Book That Wouldn't Stay Silent 10.09.2026 43m

  Send us Fan Mail When John Okada published No-No Boy in 1957, it was met by the Japanese American community with silence, discomfort, and outright rejection. Okada passed away in 1971 believing his novel was a failure, unaware that it would later be rediscovered and hailed as a foundational classic of Asian American literature. In this episode, Koji and Michelle are joined by author, filmmaker, and historian Frank Abe—author of the biography John Okada: The Life and Rediscovered Work of...
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  S3E7: Kidnapped from Peru – The Naganuma Story & the Fight for JLA Redress 13.08.2026 28m

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Japanese America! In Season 3, Episode 7, we step directly into one of the most monumental, legally complex, and deeply emotional chapters in our community’s history: the fight for Japanese American Redress. While most people think of Redress in terms of the landmark Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and the 120,000 Japanese Americans forced into domestic concentration camps, there is a massive parallel story of international kidnapping and legal limbo that to...
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  S3E6: In the Dust Behind Barbed Wire — The Rhythm of FandangObon 09.07.2026 21m

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Japanese America! In our annual July Obon Special, we explore how the traditional summer dance circle has expanded into a massive, multi-ethnic movement of resistance, collective healing, and cross-cultural solidarity. In this episode, we feature powerful clips from the new documentary Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement—a brilliant co-production between the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and PBS. We trace the incredible journey of how an early...
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  Season 3, Episode 5 (Special Uncut): Kouraku and the Taste of Home — Special Japanese Interview with Mamoru Tokuda-san (シーズン3・第5話 特別編: 後楽、故郷の味) 12.06.2026 16m

  Send us Fan Mail This is the special, uncut companion episode to our main June 2026 feature on Kouraku, officially certified by the City of Los Angeles as America's oldest operating ramen shop. While our main episode features English translations, we wanted to share our entire raw, heartwarming conversation exactly as it happened on Second Street in Little Tokyo. Listen in as host Michelle Malizaki sits down with Kouraku's owner, Mamoru Tokuda-san, speaking entirely in Japanese. Mamoru-...
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  S3E5: Kouraku and the Taste of Home — Feeding a Community 11.06.2026 20m

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Japanese America! In this episode, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki take the podcast on location to Second Street in the heart of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, to record inside a true culinary and cultural landmark: Kouraku. Originally opened in 1976, Kouraku was recently honored by the City of Los Angeles with an official street sign certifying it as America's oldest operating ramen shop. To celebrate this incredible 50-year milestone, Koji an...
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  S3E4: The People’s Government: George Takei on Democracy and the Tule Lake Legacy 07.05.2026 23m

  Send us Fan Mail In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki take the podcast on the road to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Little Tokyo. In this special archival episode, they dive into a landmark 2024 conversation with the legendary George Takei, recorded by Sharon Yamato during the Tule Lake Pilgrimage. George reflects on his family's cross-country odyssey through the American concentration camp...
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  Special Presentation: Introducing "Un-History" with Koji Steven Sakai 06.05.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail Koji here. I’m stepping away from our usual schedule for a moment to share a new project I’ve been building in my garage in South Pas. As a screenwriter and producer, I’ve realized that some of the biggest "plot holes" aren't in Hollywood—they’re in our history books. That’s why I’ve launched Un-History. Using a piece of analog hardware that picks up a ghostly frequency I call the "Dead Air," I’m pulling history’s biggest icons onto the hot seat for a final audit of the...
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  S3E3: The Living Bridge: Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong and the Portland Sakura 09.04.2026 27m

  Send us Fan Mail It is peak Sakura season in the Pacific Northwest. In this episode of Japanese America, Michelle and Koji beam up to the Rose City to sit down with Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, the Executive Director of the Japanese American Museum of Oregon (JAMO). Hanako shares her personal journey from growing up in Idaho—where her own family’s incarceration history was largely absent from her education—to becoming a self-described "steward of memory" and "translator" of the past. We dive into ...
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  S3E2 The Architect of Community: Irene Hirano Inouye 12.03.2026 25m

  Send us Fan Mail "Irene made all of us believe that museums could be more than things that looked towards yesterday. They could be places that are central to today and tomorrow." To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are dedicating this episode to a true titan of the Japanese American community: the late Irene Hirano Inouye. As the longtime CEO of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and founder of the U.S.-Japan Council, Irene’s vision turned a "mess" of an old temple building into ...
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  S3E1: Beyond the Rink: Kristi Yamaguchi on Heritage, Resilience, and Gold 10.02.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail What happens when two distinct cultures become one lived experience? We’re kicking off Season 3 of Japanese America with a bit of a "chill" as we look ahead to the Winter Olympics starting next month. In this premiere, hosts Michelle and Koji dive into the archives of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) to revisit a powerful interview with an American icon: Kristi Yamaguchi. Originally recorded for JANM’s landmark exhibition, More Than a Game: Sport in the Japanese A...
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  S2E11 Blending Traditions Japanese American Holiday Customs and Unforgotten Voices 11.12.2025 27m

  Send us Fan Mail Celebrate the holidays through a Japanese American lens! 🎄🥢 From quirky Christmas traditions in Japan to the rich flavors of New Year’s osechi, this episode uncovers the meaning behind festive rituals. Featuring moving performances from "Unforgotten Voices From Heart Mountain: An Oral History of the Incarceration," co-authored by Joanne Oppenheim and Nancy Matsumoto, and the diary of Stanley Hayami, we honor resilience, gift‑giving in hard times, and the enduring legacy ...
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  S2E10 Thanksgiving Food Traditions and Japanese American Identity 13.11.2025 31m

  Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Koji and Michelle as they explore the fusion of Japanese and American cultures through food in the latest episode of the Japanese America Podcast. They delve into their Thanksgiving traditions, unique culinary experiences, and the impact of Japanese cuisine on identity. Koji shares a personal essay about his relationship with food, including his thoughts on natto, while Michelle reflects on her family's cooking. Discover the flavors that shape their stories and the...
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  S2E9 Cruising J-Town: Exploring Japanese American Car Culture and Community 09.10.2025 47m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we ride through the heart of Southern California’s Japanese American car culture with Dr. Oliver Wang, curator of the Cruising J-Town exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. From the sleek lines of import tuners to the slow roll of classic cruisers through Little Tokyo, we explore how cars became more than machines—they became mirrors of identity, pride, and belonging. Through personal stories and historical snapshots, we uncover how Japanese Ame...
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  S2E8 Legacy of Hope: Clara Breed's Letters and the Art of Compassion 11.09.2025 19m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Japanese America Podcast titled "Legacy of Hope: Clara Breed's Letters and the Art of Compassion," hosts Koji and Michelle embark on a touching exploration of the enduring power of empathy and small acts of kindness. They begin by sharing personal anecdotes about the impactful teachers in their lives, setting the stage for the inspiring story of Clara Breed, a courageous children's librarian from San Diego during World War II. Clara Breed's quiet defian...
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  S2E7 Nisei Week and Beyond: Uniting Generations Through Tradition with Helen Ota 14.08.2025 23m

  Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode of the Japanese America Podcast, hosts Michelle and Koji take listeners on a nostalgic journey through the vibrant summer festivities of Japanese American culture. They share delightful anecdotes from events like Obon and Nisei Week, highlighting the unique traditions and foods that make these celebrations special. The episode features a captivating interview with Helen Ota, the 2025 Nisei Week Foundation President, who discusses her leadership journe...
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  S2E6 From Karate to Cuisine: Junki Yoshida's American Dream 10.07.2025 29m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Japanese America podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Junki Yoshida, the mastermind behind Yoshida Sauce. Through humorous and candid storytelling, Mr. Yoshida recounts his remarkable transformation from a rebellious youth in Japan to a successful entrepreneur in the United States. As an immigrant facing numerous challenges, he carved a niche for himself by popularizing Japanese flavors in America with his sweet and savory marinade. Listene...
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  S2E5 Blending Traditions and Finding Balance -- Michelle's Immigration Story 12.06.2025 27m

  Send us Fan Mail In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Michelle and Koji explore the unique journey of Japanese immigrants adapting to life in the U.S. They delve into the cultural crossroads and identity challenges faced by these individuals, from nostalgic childhood dreams influenced by American commercials to the bittersweet farewell to Japanese citizenship. Through humorous anecdotes and heartfelt stories, listeners gain insight into the resilience required to blend traditions and find ...
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  S2E4 From Dachau to Salvation A Story of Unexpected Heroes 08.05.2025 20m

  Send us Fan Mail In this poignant episode of the Japanese American Podcast, we explore the incredible journey of Holocaust survivor Solly Ganor and his unexpected salvation by Japanese American soldiers during World War II. Through Solly's harrowing experiences on a death march from the Dachau death camp, listeners are introduced to the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion—soldiers who defied prejudice and became beacons of hope for many. Joined by guest Naoyuki Ikeda, the episode delves into the ...