Live in Tokyo with Max D. Capo
Max D. Capo
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Live in Tokyo with Max D. Capo features conversations with unique people who live in Tokyo, exploring what life in Japan is like from both insider and outsider perspectives. Guests include creatives, entrepreneurs, mixed Japanese individuals, and others with distinctive views on Japan. The show focuses on personal experiences and cultural observations about living in Tokyo.
Episodes
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Ep. 33 | My Life in Japan as a Mixed Race J-POP Singer ft. Angela Aki 23.10.2026 58mEpisode #33 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastAngela Aki is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter born and raised in Tokushima, Japan, known for her powerful piano-driven ballads and deeply personal lyrics. After spending a decade fighting to break into Japan's music industry as a mixed-race artist, she became one of the country's most beloved performers, with songs like 「手紙」 becoming generational anthems. In 2014 she stepped away from her career to study musical theater composition in the United States, and has recently returned with her new album Shadow Work, a deeply personal body of work born from five years of therapy and self-discovery.NEW ALBUM [SHADOW WORK]https://open.spotify.com/album/2IdM3we2u6vwMQpeETtHPi👉Guest's Socials:https://www.instagram.com/angelaaki_official👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo🎧Live in Tokyo Podcast audio only:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XdRNqW9BYi9avrXHiuczqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-in-tokyo-with-max-d-capo/id6806572530Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdh7wpjdTime Stamps(0:00) Intro(1:07) Live in Tokyo Podcast welcome(2:18) Introducing Angela Aki and cultural significance(5:44) Max discovering Angela (Half Japanese artist) in 2006(6:40) Growing up mixed in rural Tokushima(10:25) Moving from Japan to Hawaii(11:22) Struggles and trauma being Mixed in Japan(13:15) Angela's move to America(15:05) "Wasian" and mixed Asian identity in 2026(17:22) Do Japanese people think Angela is a foreigner?(20:57) Living "outside-in" & chasing worth instead of self worth(22:23) Being rejected by 14 Japanese record labels before her career(26:24) Recognized as being "Japanese" left an empty feeling(30:11) Starting therapy & shadow work(34:21) Hitting rock bottom(37:09) Breaking generational trauma(38:35) Falling out of love and back in love with her old music(41:46) Becoming one face in the crowd(44:02) Why vulnerable conversations matter(47:52) Spreading music with love attitude(50:14) The struggle was Angela's greatest teacher(52:05) About album "Shadow Work" & "Forgiveness"(55:26) Closing: will Angela make a new Anime opening/ending theme song? -
Ep. 32 | Living the Dream Life in Tokyo | Half Japanese-Australian Singer ft. Alisa 17.10.2026 46mEpisode #32 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastAlisa is a singer-songwriter based in Tokyo, Japan. She was born in the UK to a Japanese father and Australian mother, and was raised between Australia and Japan. This episode covers topics such as being mixed Asian with a Japanese father, finding out how to live your best life in Tokyo, and interesting facts about Japan. 👉Guest's Socials:https://www.instagram.com/alisamusic_official👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo🎧Live in Tokyo Podcast audio only:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XdRNqW9BYi9avrXHiuczqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-in-tokyo-with-max-d-capo/id6806572530Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdh7wpjd📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Please Support me on Patreon, or become a YouTube member and your name will be in the ending credits.https://www.patreon.com/maxd🎙️My Podcast Equipment:https://a.co/d/09Qbid4zTime Stamps:(0:00) Introduction(0:28) Welcome Alisa(1:41) Her connection to Shizuka & the ABC kids' show(3:23) A gap year in Japan & toning down her Aussie accent(4:42) Japanese dad, Australian mom: how her parents met(6:42) Growing up with a traditional Japanese dad (otoso)(8:46) Spotting hafu kids in Tokyo & representation(10:40) Max's experience being mixed in Japan(13:06) Moving to Tokyo for good(15:48) Identity crisis at Melbourne Uni(17:47) Max's Japan Study Abroad days in Sendai(19:38) Being the only Asian kid in class in Australia(21:27) No one blows their nose on the train in Japan?(24:08) Kafunsho: the story behind Japan's allergy season(27:12) Azabu-Juban used to sell hemp(28:48) Japanese audiences clap on 1 & 3(30:36) J-pop's secret sauce: chords & lyrics that don't need to rhyme(32:36) Japanese words that don't translate(37:37) Mental health in Japan(38:21) Tokyo brings the best life out in people(41:26) Where to go on your 3rd or 4th trip to Japan?(44:01) What's next for Alisa?(46:16) Closing thoughts -
Ep. 31 | My Life between Malaysia, Japan, and the West ft. Ayako Ogawa 05.10.2026 44mEpisode #31 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastAyako is currently a DJ based in Southeast Asia. She is born to a Japanese father and Malaysian-Chinese mother. In this episode she describes her experiences growing up in Malaysia versus Japan, Japanese family structure vs Malaysian, and her experience on the latest dating show "House of Feelings", including differences between Asians from America vs. Asians from Asia.👉Guest's Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayakoogawa👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo🎧Live in Tokyo Podcast audio only:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XdRNqW9BYi9avrXHiuczqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-in-tokyo-with-max-d-capo/id6806572530Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdh7wpjd📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Please Support me on Patreon, or become a YouTube member and your name will be in the ending credits.https://www.patreon.com/maxd🎙️My Podcast Equipment:https://a.co/d/09Qbid4z0:00 Intro0:41 Welcome Ayako2:56 Malaysia's languages & international school4:07 Ayako's parents' story & growing up 5:14 Malaysian Chinese & Peranakan heritage6:35 Growing up mixed & moving to Japan during Covid9:14 Being treated like a "gaijin" in Japan9:43 Where does she feel most at home?10:59 Why Bali life wasn't for her12:54 House of Feelings & being the "bombshell"13:59 Asian Americans vs. Asians from Asia15:17 Is Tokyo home? Feeling socially excluded16:39 People glamorize Japan too much17:59 How rare is a Japanese Malaysian?19:02 "Hafu," "quarter" & mixed labels20:57 Dating in Malaysia vs. Japan vs. America24:26 Controlling partners & insecurity28:30 Japan's cheating culture31:00 Malaysian men over Japanese men33:32 Family values: caretaking vs. independence35:21 Japanese Family gatherings: relaxed vs. proper38:50 Dating an American in Tokyo41:00 Favorite anime: One Piece – Zoro or Sanji?43:16 Looks matter less as you get older43:42 Outro -
Ep. 30 | Moving to Japan for a Music Dream | ft. Kole from Tokyo Sims 16.09.2026 48mEpisode #30 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastKole from Tokyo Sims is a musician and content creator based in Japan. In this episode, topics involve growing up in Atlanta, being mixed Japanese, cultural norms in Japan, and how Kole is making moves to create music again, his original passion.👉Guest's Socials:YouTube: @Tokyo_Sims_yt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kole404_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyo_sims_👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo🎧Live in Tokyo Podcast audio only:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XdRNqW9BYi9avrXHiuczqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-in-tokyo-with-max-d-capo/id6806572530Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdh7wpjd📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Please Support me on Patreon, or become a YouTube member and your name will be in the ending credits.https://www.patreon.com/maxd🎙️My Podcast Equipment:https://a.co/d/09Qbid4zTime Stamps:0:00 Intro: Gen Z vs. Millennial Wasian0:14 Welcome Kole from Tokyo Sims1:53 Having a Japanese mom, American dad4:25 Parents met at Waseda in Tokyo5:29 Growing up in East Point, Atlanta9:11 Kole being the "white kid" at school in ATL & being white-passing11:18 Kole did Wrestling in High school12:20 Japanese as a first language & Saturday school15:17 How a realtor led to songwriting with Sony Music16:17 Writing songs for Crystal Kay, Sumire & LDH16:54 Full circle: the rappers from a Vice documentary18:20 Kole discovers Max's videos at age 1421:56 Dropping out of college & moving to Kawasaki22:57 Competing on Japanese rap show "RAPSTAR"24:17 Out of savings: construction work25:53 The factory job that broke Kole27:06 Rock bottom & starting Tokyo Sims29:12 Why there's no "cringe" in Japan30:54 Most memorable (and unpostable) interviews32:58 Japan's hidden m3th problem35:42 Kabukicho touts & who really runs the area38:01 The Japanese mafia and the 2011 earthquake38:22 Streaming, longevity & getting back into music40:45 Interviewing Ice Spice41:14 Jackson Wang & the back-crack video44:32 Celebrity lookalikes: Tom Cruise, Tobey Maguire & more47:06 Advice for new creators -
Ep. 29 | My Life as a Female Ex-Japanese Delinquent | ft. Ajuchan 21.08.2026 1h 6mEpisode #29 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastAju "Ajuchan" is a DJ from Japan. She is mixed Black (Bahamian) and Japanese, and was born and raised in Tokyo. Having lived the life of a Japanese ヤンキー (yankee/delinquent), she pivoted later in life to do fashion, and now DJs worldwide. In this episode, we cover topics surrounding finding acceptance of yourself, not belonging to Japan as a mixed person, depression and anxiety, and what it's like dating women as a woman in Japan. -
Ep. 28 | Being a "Foreigner" English Girl Born and Raised in Japan ft. Jazmine Ross 26.07.2026 59mEpisode #28 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastJazmine Sachiko Ross appeared 4 years ago on this channel, discussing her upbringing in Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan, as a "foreign" girl raised in Japan by 2 English parents.4 years later and 7 million views later, she is back to tell everyone what she has been up to all this time.Watch Jazmine's Homecoming video to Noto, Ishikawa:👉https://youtu.be/jZwvmfeRtVQ?si=yjlerzexJtzHBfMR💰 Want to Support the Growth of the Live in Tokyo Podcast?https://gofund.me/67ccb3c5e👉Follow Jazmine:YouTube: @sachi.liminal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sachi.liminal/👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo🎧Live in Tokyo Podcast audio only:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XdRNqW9BYi9avrXHiuczqApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/486frwfzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdh7wpjd📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Please Support me on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/maxdPatrons get Exclusive Early Access to Interviews, Behind the Scenes discussion, and more!✖️Thank you to the below Patrons and YouTube Members for helping me create videos✖️Dana Tarantino, Jon Ruben, Kang Garnic, Anonymous x2Joshua Titus, Kazuo Jin, David Morales, Alex Capo, Ken, Andy, YahikoLey89, briangraf2653Time Stamps:0:00 Intro1:07 Who is Jasmine Sachiko Ross1:57 Growing up in rural Noto, Ishikawa4:17 What was really going on during our first video4:58 Selling everything and quitting the corporate job5:48 "I had the perfect life, but something was missing"6:57 Growing up visible: TV crews in the house9:13 Going viral and freezing up10:15 A TED Talk, and "am I supposed to have a message?"11:44 Van life with no plan12:28 Goen (ご縁): trusting serendipity13:35 First time in Thailand14:16 Why Japan felt "confined"16:10 Solitude, soul searching, and inner work17:14 Feeling inauthentic online19:34 Identity crisis #222:30 How she feels after four years23:20 The parts of herself Japan never let her see26:24 The UK, and being a "fake gaijin"27:11 Laughing at labels takes their power away28:35 Comfort zone, fear zone, growth zone30:43 Cultural codes vs. cultural wisdom31:29 Underneath culture, we're all the same34:20 Is culture just a big cult?35:02 The chance meeting in Bulgaria36:34 The 2024 Noto earthquake37:15 "Would they even want me back?"39:47 Going home for the first time in a decade41:45 "I'm culturally Japanese"43:15 Slipping back in as a Noto local45:09 Eating Noto fish and crying47:16 Standing where her childhood home used to be48:46 The neighborhood moms and old classmates50:31 "So this is what community is"52:20 Learning she can just be herself54:47 Arinomama, goen, ma wo toru56:21 What's next: sharing Japan's wisdom56:44 "Ki" (気): energy as everyday language -
Ep. 26 | Why this German Athlete Moved his Family to Japan ft. Jason Paul 19.06.2026 1h 10mEpisode #26 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastJason Paul is a parkour athlete and champion, who has competed in numerous competions worldwide. Currently sponsored by Red Bull, he moved his family to Japan in February 2025, due to him always being fascinated with the culture. This video goes into his decisions into moving his family to Japan, raising his young daughter in Japan, as well as a descriptive process into getting a visa and housing.💰 Want to Support the Growth of the Live in Tokyo Podcast?https://gofund.me/67ccb3c5e👉Follow Jason:YouTube: @TheJasonPaul Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasonpaul👉Follow Live in Tokyo Podcast or Max D. CapoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveintokyopodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdcapoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxdcapoX: https://x.com/maxdcapo✖️Thank you to the below Patrons and YouTube Members for helping me create videos✖️Dana Tarantino, Jon Ruben, Kang Garnic, Anonymous x2Joshua Titus, Kazuo Jin, David Morales, Alex Capo, Ken, Andy, YahikoLey89, briangraf2653 -
Ep. 25 | Life in Japan as a Mixed Race Singer and Moving to America for the First Time | ft. AISHA 16.01.2026 44mEpisode #25 of the “Live in Tokyo” PodcastAisha is a half Black American-Japanese singer born and raised in Yokohama, Japan. She currently is a singer for the popular game Guilty Gear, and after 30+ years living in Japan, she moved to America for the first time just a few years ago.She is a bilingual native speaker of both English and Japanese, and went to international schools in Japan her whole life.instagram for AISHA is @aishadayoFull video on YouTube -
Ep. 24 | My Dating Experiences as a Japanese Bilingual in Tokyo | MINAMI MINAMI from CREAM 14.12.2025 51mEpisode #24 of “Live in Tokyo” Minami Minami, (that's her official name!) is a vocalist in the duo CREAM in Japan. She's been performing for 17 years in the music industry, touring the nation and releasing multiple albums over her career. She is a bilingual native speaker of both English and Japanese, and was born in Hong Kong, and raised in Kobe, Japan before moving to Tokyo after high school. In this episode, you will learn about Japanese vs Western dating style, being an international Japanese person and how it effects dating standards, and about romantic relationships.Full video episode is on YouTube. -
Ep. 23 | The Pioneer of Male Fitness in Japan | IFBB PRO @KanekinFitness 30.09.2025 1h 6mEpisode #23 of “Live in Tokyo”Shun Kaneko, otherwise known as Kanekin (Kanekin Fitness), is arguably Japan's first and biggest Japanese fitness content creator. He started in 2014 and shined a lot on fitness content for a Japanese audience, and currently is a Olympia and IFBB Pro competitor and champion in the Men's Physique category. In this episode, you will learn about how Japan sees the fitness and bodybuilding world, cultural differences between the USA and Japan, opening up a successful gym business in Japan, and how Shun's upbringing with extra strict Christian parents made it so he wants to live life harder now to make up for lost time, and other topics related to living and working in Japan. -
Ep. 22 | I Left Japan and Became a Music Icon | ft. Sarah of Kero Kero Bonito 15.09.2025 51mEpisode #22 of “Live in Tokyo”Sarah is the lead vocalist of the band, Kero Kero Bonito. She is Japanese and English, born in Nagoya Japan and lived in Otaru, Hokkaido This conversation goes into her experiences as a singer, and as a person living between Japan and the UK. -
Ep. 21 | My Life in the Spotlight as a Celebrity in Japan | ft. Sumire 30.07.2025 47mEpisode #21 of “Live in Tokyo”Sumire Matsubara is a Japanese-American actress, singer, model in Japan. After living most of her life in Hawaii, she moved to Japan at the age of 21 following the Tohoku Earthquake in Japan, and started her career in the entertainment industry. -
Ep. 19 | What It's Like Being a Racing Driver in Japan ft. Hana Burton 26.02.2025 36mHana Burton is a racer, based in Nagoya Japan. She is half Japanese from Los Angeles, California, and has been living in Japan since 2022.After falling in love with racing on a circuit, she decided to pursue her passion of driving despite being 22 years old, which is considered "late in the game."Listen to her story of how she made her way into the racing industry in Japan, figuring out her mixed Japanese identity and how to live and adjust to Japan and the Japanese way. -
Ep. 18 | I am Brazilian But Grew Up in Japan | Japan’s HIDDEN Brazilian Community ft. Fadile 05.02.2025 33mFadile is a model/actress in Tokyo and is of Brazilian-Lebanese descent. Coming from Brazil to live in Nagoya, Japan since the age of 8, she talks about what the Brazilian community is like in Japan and what it's been like growing up in Japan as a foreigner. https://www.instagram.com/fadilewaked/ -
Ep. 17 | How this Filipino-American Music Producer Navigated Japan to the Top of the Industry | ft. Matt Cab 26.12.2024 25mMatt Cab is a Filipino-American producer who has been living in Japan for 17 years, working as a music producer and creator. Having worked with many artists in Asia including BTS, m-flo, Be:First, as well as brands like JR or Yomiuri Giants, Matt continues to influence the Japanese music industry with his deep understanding for music, hip-hop, and a blend of American and Japanese culture. -
Ep. 16 | Japan’s Biggest Mixed Black-Korean J-POP Singer | Singing 25 Years in Japan ft. Crystal Kay 03.12.2024 37mCrystal Kay is a singer in Japan who debuted at age 13, and has been singing for the past 25 years. This is her story of her career, as well as being Black-Korean (Blasian) in Japan and what her life living in Tokyo is like. Discussions include the change in people around the globe listening to Japanese music or K-POP now, how Crystal uses her influences in Black music to sing in Japanese, and what it was like to overcome her struggles of being a singer in Japan. -
EP. 15 | Being a “Foreigner” British Man Born in Japan | Life in Japanese High School ft. Joshua 29.11.2024 40mJoshua is a 3rd generation British citizen, born and raised in Japan. His parents are both of European descent who also were born and raised in Japan. He discusses what it's like going to school in Japan and about his life in Tokyo, as well as comparing what it's like living in the UK versus Japan. 👉Joshua Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jj.jj.7 -
Ep. 14 | Why You Should and Shouldn't Move to Tokyo ft. Lily | Japanese Conbini Snack Haul 15.10.2024 37m📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/maxd Patrons get Exclusive Early Access to Interviews, Behind the Scenes discussion, and more. I’m a 1-man show still so any support is helpful. Or Join as a Member on YouTube to support ad well. ✖️Thank you to the below Patrons for helping me create videos✖️ Joshua Titus, Kazuo Jin, David Morales, Alex Capo, Ken, Andy Lily: https://www.instagram.com/lily_yurika_/ Time stamps: 0:00 Intro 1:10 Sweet vs Salty 1:48 Should: Kids are generally behaved 4:37 Shouldn't: People are robotic and glitch 9:10 Rules stop existing after 12AM 10:09 Should: Healthcare 11:54 Shouldn't: Japan's Tough Work Culture 16:51 Itoen Tea 18:05 Shogun Discussion 19:27 Should: Rich culture 21:29 Chestnut ice cream 22:38 Should: People don't judge you outwardly 24:05 Time Place Occasion in Tokyo (TPO) 25:40 Being Singled Out for Being Foreign or Mixed in Japan 27:48 Shouldn't: You Can't Customize any Food Orders 31:51 Japanese People are Beautifully Considerate 33:34 Best snacks so far 34:30 Should: Food is Overall Healthier in Japan 36:05 Shouldn't: Fitness Food and Nutrition Specifically is Lacking -
Ep. 13 | Miss World Japan (Indian-Japanese) Talks Love is Blind Japan and Dating in Tokyo ft. Priyanka 25.09.2024 37mPriyanka Ghosh Yoshikawa is the first Half-Indian Japanese Miss World Japan from 2016, and is a businesswoman based in Tokyo. Priyanka's Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyankayoshikawa/ 📙Like the Live in Tokyo Podcast? Support me on Patreon! -
Ep. 12 | How Japan's Gen Z is Changing Japan and Why You Should Go to the Countryside ft. Rikodon 03.09.2024 34mRiko is a self-taught English speaker from Kagoshima, Japan. This is her story on how she is not a typical Japanese woman, and how learning English and traveling opened her worldview. Like tea? Try my sponsor, Itoen's Oi Ocha straight from their website! https://itoen.com/collections/oi-ocha Use code MAXDCAPO10 to get 10% off your order. Also please subscribe to their YouTube channel as they are trying to grow it! Found here: / @itoen-tea Riko's Socials: Instagram: @rikodonworld YouTube: @rikodon_
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