Who Killed the Middle Manager? Japan's Corporate Hierarchy Is Breaking Down
Japan's middle managers are burning out — and the next generation is quietly refusing to take their place. In this episode of Narrative Japan, Professor Haru and Sakura explore the crisis hidden insid...
19 Touko 6min
What Makes Japan Happy? The Surprising Truth About Ikigai, Loneliness, and Letting Go
93% of Japanese people say happiness matters — but only 61% actually feel it. This episode explores the gap between knowing and feeling, through data on ikigai, fandom culture, smartphone loneliness, ...
14 Touko 5min
Inside the Mind of Japan's High School Girls: Emo Shopping, AI Confessions & Bag Charm Culture
Japanese high school girls are rewriting the rules of modern consumption — skipping comparison shopping, trusting AI over adults, and turning their bags into identity statements.◆Introduction: How Jap...
12 Touko 5min
Japan's Starting Salary Revolution: Inside the $2,000 Monthly Era
Japan's starting salaries are hitting record highs — but rising rents, bonus system overhauls, and Gen Z's unique spending habits are reshaping the entire economy. Sakura and Haru unpack it all.◆Intro...
7 Touko 3min
Golden Week in Japan: Why Half the Country Stays Home While Airlines Hit Record Bookings
Japan's Golden Week reveals a nation torn between saving and spending. With 82% of households cutting costs yet airlines hitting post-COVID record bookings, we explore the fascinating "merihari" contr...
5 Touko 3min
Religion in Japan Is Not What You Think — Funerals, Altars & Train Charms
Japan calls itself non-religious, yet millions visit shrines, buy charms, and hold Buddhist funerals. Explore how faith is quietly shapeshifting into digital platforms, designer furniture, and viral t...
30 Huhti 8min
Japan's Forgetting Crisis: Dementia, Brain Health & What Wasabi Can Do
Japan has 4.43 million dementia patients — and a Lancet study says 40% of cases are preventable. From wasabi compounds fighting Alzheimer's to VR nostalgia therapy backed by Google, the race to protec...
28 Huhti 10min
Japan's Manga Business: How Data, Fans & IP Are Reshaping Comics
Manga in Japan has evolved far beyond bookstore shelves — 66% of companies now use manga IP for marketing, 28 million people read on a single digital platform, and 43% of the population engages in osh...
23 Huhti 10min
