Advertise on podcast: Japan Today Spotlight

Earthquakes, typhoons, floods and other natural disasters are a fact of life in Japan. But being aware of the risks isn’t the same as being prepared for them. This episode looks at what residents should have ready before disaster strikes, how Japan prepares for emergencies and why knowing what to do in those first crucial moments matters. Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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