Due to new professional and personal obligations, there will be no more new Japan Talk episodes for the foreseeable future. My sincere thanks to all of you who have been listening to Japan Talk, especially to those who supported us by filling out the listener survey recently, and my apologies to those of you who are disappointed by this decision. Thank you again, and please accept our wises for the very best to all of you.

Listen Now:

Chat with Melissa Pitsch

Listen Now:

We are going on break for the summer. Next Saturday podcast will be on September 6. We will post our interview with Melissa Pitsch before then. Have a nice summer!

Listen Now:

* Special all IreneB, all Spanish-language music edition * Blogging an earthquake * Does IreneB have a Japan connection? * Japan News Junkie. . . Please join! Listener Mail * Ronaldo "Racum" Ferreira (Brazil): Japan/Latin America connection * Duncan (Hokkaido): Using Japan Talk in the classroom * What was it like for IreneB being an R&B artist in Spain? Japan News Roundup * Woman stabbed in Hachioji in killer's bid for fame * J-exports fall for the first time in more than four years * Consumers like Panasonic best * Newly rich women in Japan * J-docs avoiding generic drugs * Press urged to lighten up on Masako * Acupuncture improves tuna meat * Frank talk about beans * Japan recycling more food waste * Mutt owner dogged by prankster * Peace demo slated for Yasukuni * New protein named for Pikachu * Pokemon bullet train goes into service * Japan's 62,000 dying communities * J-cell cameras designed to thwart pervs * New defendants "rights" in Japanv * Paul Simon sues clockmaker * Man arrested for stealing and wearing women's undies * What are IreneB's plans for the future? * Where can people go to find out more about IreneB? Music - All by IreneB * Mi Realidad * Me Dejo Llevar * Un Nuevo Camino Links of Interest * Japan News Junkie * IreneB on Myspace * IreneB on YouTube * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* All-Spanish music next week * Japan News Junkie. . . Please join! Listener Mail * Bryan Starchman - Man of Starch * John Rozewicki - Introducing a new Japanese study podcast * Imanual Portalatin (Camuyano) - Japan-Latin America connection? * Melissa Pitsch - weather, marathons, kanji, and garlic * Camden Basset - Japan-Korea relations Japan News Roundup * Korea mad at Japan again * Eggs and tomatoes thrown at Japanese embassy * Demonstrators butcher Japan national bird in protest * Japan-Korea exchange student program suspended * Japanese condom ads removed from Seoul subways * Calls for derailing Japanese bid for U.S. Security Council spot * Taeshima/Dokdo history in a nutshell * Chinese like Koreans least of all their neighbors * Nihon University debate club suspended for discrimination * Toyota trying out ads on new cars * Commander: Less crime among U.S. forces than general Japanese population * Japan embraces brain science for English learning * Cigarettes to 500 yen a pack? * Pair arrested for selling radioactive cell phone straps * Shades, makes to be banned at ATMs * Watermelon good for what's good for you? * Man sentenced to prison for file sharing * Man frightened by of Chihuahua kicks it to death * Contract employee dies of overwork Music * Cutting Evil Smile Diablo, by Guitar Vadarã(Japanfiles.com) * Blind Touch, by Swinging Popsicle (Japanfiles.com) * Bad, Bad, Bad, by Ketchup Mania (Japanfiles.com) Links of Interest * Japanfiles.com * Japan News Junkie * Bryan Starchman - Man of Starch * John Rozewicki - Japan Study Abroad Podcast * RUNNET - Running in Japan * Camuyanos Great Adventure * Takeshima/Dokdo history * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* New music source: Japanfiles.com * 382 responses to our listener survey! Thank you! * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors Listener Mail * Replies to Phillip Black on Japundit * Melissa Pitsch - WWOOF, a great way to experience Japan * Amanda (Texas) - Rotary student exchange program * Deadrat - Regrets about not going to Japan Japan News Roundup * Toyota to add solar panels to the Prius * Homeless man sues Tokyo for welfare refusal * Violence against railway workers hits record * Government to restrict color contact sales * Thieves make off with load of flour * Japanese college girl apologizes for graffiti * Japan drops plans for iPod tax * Two in five Japanese have chronic katakori * Japanese woman fools burglar with tea * Chicken labeling food scandal * Duo arrested for fake Korean-Japanese weddings * Doggone Olympics * Court upholds execution Shimonoseki car/knife killer * Osaka is Japan's sexual assault capital Music * Video Killed the Radio Star, by ROCKET Kã(Japanfiles.com) * Forgive Me Now, by IreneB (Podsafe Music Network) * Fake It, by Brad Sucks Links of Interest * Japanfiles.com * Japanfiles on MySpace * JapanFiles Radio * JapanFiles Last FM * World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) * Rotary Club Youth Exchange Student Program * Brad Sucks website * Brad Sucks video project * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* G-8 Summit coming to Japan this week * Gaijin House Japan * Featured artist: Kayoko Takamichi * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors Listener Mail * Jorge: Saludo desde MÃxico * Sam McKoon: Learning katakana and hiragana * Jordan Cassady: Weather north of Tokyo * Phillip Black: Wants to come to Japan Japan News Roundup * Rinko Kikuchi on being Japanese in Hollywood * Aiful to sue Lehmen for bad assessment? * Ramen noodles are a'changing * J-embassies told to economize * Megumi Yokota book to be published in English * Cops tried to cover liability in suspect immolation * Another food scandal * Train crew rapist charged * Group defrauds woman of 4.5 million yen * Child porn sites ignoring watchdog group Music (Podsafe Music Network) * Vegas Hard Rock, by Charlie Crowe * Open Your Eyes, by Kayoko Takamichi * Wakatta Tsumori, by Kayoko Takamichi Links of Interest * Gaijin House Japan * Kayoko Takamichi on MySpace * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* A day late * Featured artist: Kayoko Takamichi * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors Listener Mail * Pete Bohan: Diabetes in Japan * Nate: Japan relations with Korea and China * Amanda in Texas: I like the music! Japan News Roundup * No disclosure on Nork nukes? * 963 apply to become astronauts * Space weddings coming soon * Night * Ninja sighting closes New Jersey school * Ambulances used as taxis in Japan * No Fishing Day. . . But who cares? * Emergency butter imports planned * More foliage whacked * Photos fool vending machine age verification system * Man arrested for dogging convenience stores * Local school district refuses government tests * Japanese tops as tourists * Japanese tourists from hell Music (Podsafe Music Network) * Vegas Hard Rock, by Charlie Crowe * Haru, by Kayoko Takamichi * Night, by Kayoko Takamichi Links of Interest * Japan Diabetes Society * Kayoko Takamichi on MySpace * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* The rainy season cometh * Heavy rains in Kyushu * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors Listener Mail * Itobun: It's Miyagi no Mie! * Zichi Lorentz: Head of household on a koseki * Yesterday 87: Listening to Japan Talk while working security * Riyu: Border customs question answered Japan News Roundup * Tsutomu Miyazaki executed * Sanrio (Hello Kitty) to create a new character series * World facing third oil shock? * Japan to target 10% foreign population * WWII bomber crews honored!?! * Police arrest Greenpeace members * Japan to force citizens to slim down (Good luck!) * TV Asahi warned over false weight loss claims * Government to press for higher minimum wage * Homeless man arrested for robbing ramen shops of food * Woman dies after hospital pumps food into lung * Clean diesels on the horizon * Fisheries co-op accused of false labeling of eels * Baseball support group sues Japan Pro baseball * Record number of elderly suicides * Fansubbers to be targeted by Japanese rights organizations * Government worker blames groping on "sexual arousal" Music (Podsafe Music Network) * Vegas Hard Rock, by Charlie Crowe * Love Survives, by Love Spirals * Mad Cult, by The Volume Brothers Links of Interest * Tsutomu Miyazaki * Border check discussion on JAPUNDIT * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Major earthquake rocks Tohoku, Tokyo * 240 listener surveys submitted * Many thanks! * Still need a few more * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors Listener Mail * Riyuu: Border customs questions * Kayako Takamichi: Greetings again from Cat In The Rain * Yesterday87 (Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.): Japanese Family Registry (koseki) Japan News Roundup *Akihabara Massacre * North Korean and Japanese stances softening? * Japanese companies raided for trading with North Korea * Tokyo Sky Tree * Korean Supreme Court upholds right nipple pinching by military * Lawmakers call for tripling of ciggie tax * Hospital apologizes for operating on wrong eye * Thief caught when he tries to cash in a hot lotto ticket * Woman sues over repatriation to North Korea from Japan * Cosplay event canceled when oldster complains * Man arrested for staying in restaurant for 3 days without paying * Judge charged with stalking co-worker * Teacher slapped on the wrist for 20-year pedo spree Music (Podsafe Music Network) * Vegas Hard Rock, by Charlie Crowe * Love Survives, by Love Spirals * Drinking For England, by The Volume Brothers Links of Interest * Japanese family register system (koseki) * Kayoko Takamichi on MySpace * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Back after two weeks * Thanks to Tokyo Dan of What's Happening in Tokyo * Please help Japan Talk! * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors * We need 250 responses Listener Mail * Geoff Robbins (LA): Correction about Garageband music * Michael: Did you hear the one about the parrot? * Chad Walker: Greetings from Running Chad * Paul Christopherson: Pubic hair in Japan * David Boyle: News about Big Dreams In Little Tokyo * Weiser Cain: Some comments about Japan Talk * Kenneth Kiser: New listener * Amanda B: I love Bart! Japan News Roundup * Olympic swimsuit row * Slacks catching on among high school girls * Japan cracking down on spam * Minors illegally hired for hazardous nuclear work * The saga of No. 57 * Obama thrilled over Obama victory * Panties for Peace * Police sued by apartment owner for loss of business * Provision of Nationality Law declared unconstitutional * 366 parking violations in six months * Japan mulling intro of carbon footprint labels * Figure skating coach arrested for rape * Tumor turns out to be 25-year-old towel * Woman found hanged inside airliner toilet * Man arrested for shooting girls with water pistol * Naked bandit nabbed Music (MF247) * Burlingame, by Ken Sato * Bruges, by Ken Sato * Red Bazooka, by EEE Links of Interest * What's Happening In Tokyo * WHIT mention of Japan Talk * jindies.com * Shut Me Up (Mindless Self Indulgence) * Going to Japan? Read this! * Parrot Story * Running Chad * Big Dreams Little Tokyo website * Big Dreams Little Tokyo on Amazon * Big Dreams Little Tokyo video clip * Tiger Industry Films * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* All blues tunes * Please don't forget the survey! * No Japan Talk next week. Next episode on May 31. * Please help Japan Talk! * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors * We need 250 responses Listener Mail * Momo-J (Japan): Thanks for playing my music! * Tadashi (Japan): Using Japan Talk to study English * Overoften (Japan): Spooky Japan Talk experience * Peter Grant (Canada): Running in Japan * Dr. Kenney (California): Japanese teeth * Hulagirl: Japan Talk (and Bart) rocks! Japan News Roundup * Marine gets to four years for Okinawa abduction * U.S. providing sex offender list to other countries * Whaling crewmembers accused of blubber misuse * New car system to control your house * Motorcyclist feeling the pressure in urban areas * Newlyweds live at ball park for a month * More flower vandalism * Bird-killing junior high schoolers nabbed * Farmer demands right to drink and drive * Man acquitted for train grope due to lack of evidence * 95% of 5th graders own game consoles * Cops give kerosene drenched man smokes and a lighter * Opium poppies discovered at flower festival * Man throws glue in girl's face * Kiss of death * Nudity crackdown on the way? * "Hookup cafe" report Music * Don't You Tell Me by Saffire * Stop Watching Your Enemies by Koko Taylor * Ain't Seen My Baby by Cephas and Wiggins Links of Interest * The Marmot's Hole * Momo-J * Japan Dental Association * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Strong earthquakes this week in Kanto * Please help Japan Talk! * Fill out this survey and help us find sponsors * We need 250 responses Listener Mail * John Griesser (Austria): Big fan of Japanese music * Ramon (Switzerland): Japanese baseball (You Gotta Have Wa) * Peter Grant (Canada): Knowing Japan from Canada * Courtleigh Duquesne Cannick: Japan Talk appreciated Japan News Roundup * J-gas tax still in the news * Japanese X-ray technicians at U.S. base not licensed * Number of J-kids still shrinking * Bicycle hit-and-run woman arrested * China snubs Koizumi again * Burglar cleans our adult film firm * The high price of rice in Japan * Yokohama college profs selling degrees? * High school teacher arrested for in-class up-skirts * Women make money with peep shots Music * Pilgrimage by Momo-J (Podsafe Music Network) * Diana by Kirk King and the Solar Majors (Garageband) * Shut Me Up by Bankey (Garageband) Links of Interest * Robert Whiting * Chrysanthemum And The Bat * You Gotta Have Wa * The Samurai Way of Baseball * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Golden Week in Japan * All comedy/novelty tunes this week Listener Mail * Cat In The Rain: Keep up the good show * Keep up the great show, Mr. JP! I'm your big fan in Japan. * David Penner: Thanks for podcast * David Powell: Don't forget Monkey Majik * David Appelyard: Evidence? * Kevin: What about Japanese health insurance system? Japan News Roundup * Gasoline prices back up in Japan * Truck driver arrested for stealing fuel * Fight break out in gas lines * Aomori University: Coffee may help prevent uterine cancer * Robert De Niro to expand into Japanese-style hotels * Japanese whisky crowned best in the world * Chinese snub ex-PM Koizumi with Olympic invites * Japanese companies poorly organized * Where's the butter in Japan? * Court awards damages for man who worked self into a coma * Man arrested for holding ex-girlfriend hostage * Man arrested for assaulting flowers * City worker fired for viewing porn on the job * Japan to give preferential visa treatment for language knowledge * Banker wanted to be a weirdo... succeeds... arrested Music All from the Podsafe Music Network * Everything Is Dangerous by Tom Smith * Box Of Wine by The Clintons * Spam by Sudden Death Links of Interest * Sendai * Golden Week * Monkey Majik * BackpackingAbroad.com * Frontline on healthcare * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Chris Juergenson - Featured artist of the week Listener Mail * Jordan Cassady: Historicast * Jesse: Thanks for the podcast * JAPUNDIT: Going to Japan? Japan News Roundup * U.S. military to press charges against Okinawa Marine * Gas tax to return * Miso paste made to Bach * Greenpeace to target tuna fishers * JASRAC raided by Japanese FTC * Most Japanese against lowering age of adulthood * Woman throws dead mother into trash heap * Man sues company for "power harassment" * Man arrested for 8,000 phone calls to ex-girlfriend * Company president arrested for stripping on train * The latest suicide fad in Japan Music All from the Podsafe Music Network * Love Dog by Chris Juergensen * Long Time Wondering by Chris Juergensen * Some Sympathy by Chris Juergensen Links of Interest * Chris Juergenson * Sendai * Ayumi Hamasaki * Hikaru Utada * Joey Carbone * Akiko Wada * SMAP * Koyanagi Yuki * Lindberg * Historicast * Going to Japan? Read this! * JASRAC * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Back after an unscheduled day Listener Mail * Josh Keller: Fukudome playing for the Cubs * Geoff Robbins: Interested in visiting Japan * Gino Rodrigo: Traveling to Japan for the first time Japan News Roundup * Nagano to increase Olympic torch security * Temple thinking of dropping out of Olympic festivities * RR companies see no need for men-only cars * Dairy products increase prostate cancer risk * Glaucoma sufferers in Japan continue to drive * Rules set for citizen-judges * Overseas firms best for women in Japan * Top J-court rules public videos, garbage admissible * MJ seed possession legal in Japan * JAL pleads guilty to price fixing in the U.S. * Toho sues Subway over for Godzilla * Police advertise to find owner of illegal gun * Illegal firearm rewards to be offered by J-cops * Self-service gas stations targeted by thieves * Trucker offers to fix sabotaged cars for sex * 3 teen girls arrested for assaulting policemen * Sexual harassment hotline for women started in Japan * Infant dies in car as mom plays pachinko Music All from the Podsafe Music Network * The Spirit by Chris Juergensen * Drifting by Karmyn Tyler * Round The Bend by Adrina Thorpe Links of Interest * Gino Rodrigo * Kosuke Fukudome * Nikko * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Featured artist of the week: Timothy Harada * Running late due to cherry blossom viewing Listener Mail * Eric Gauvin: This is a spider roll * David Appleyard: The high price of disposing of garbage in Japan * Kyle: Why are there sub-windows during Japanese TV shows? * Daneeta Loretta Saft: Thanks from Tokyo Cowboys * Joe: Joe In Japan is now in Japan * Mark Robinson: Izakaya: The Japanese Pub Cookbook Japan News Roundup * The continuing saga of Japan's road taxes * Giants' Uehara qualifies for free agency * U.S. companies most female-friendly in Japan * New law requires backseat seatbelt use * 10 million yen found in discarded pot * Japan corporate confidence at lowest level in 4 years * Toyota accused of using gov't money to develop Prius * Platform barriers to go up on Tokyo's Yamanote Line * Lindsay Hawker's killer hiding in Ikebukuro? * Sony BMG accused of software piracy * Court say Japanese military forced Okinawa suicides * Doctor pays phony patients to scam insurance system Music All from the Podsafe Music Network * Wake Up by Timothy Harada * Song Of Triumph by Timothy Harada * Good Bye by Timothy Harada Links of Interest * Izakaya: The Japanese Pub Cookbook * Utsunomiya * Tokyo Cowboys * Kairoworld * Joe In Japan * Lindsay Hawker story * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Why Obama is leading* Japundit contributor Marie Mockett's new book Listener Mail* The VICE Guide to North Korea* Tokyo Cowboys* Kyle - Cleanliness in Japan* Kyle - How are foreigners treated?* Alfonso Ponce - Japan-Mexico Free Trade Agreement* D - How is Japanese baseball different from U.S. baseball? Japan News Roundup* Man kills in hopes of being executed* Teen shoves man in front of train* Cellphone rage kills * Chinese government crackdown on online maps* Crows black out part of Sapporo* Burqua promoted for pollen allergy relief* High-tech gravestones* The Dignity of a Woman* Police captain arrested in attempted to rape * Nissan to nix Richard Gere commercial* Prince Hotels in hot water for rejecting teacher confab MusicAll from the Podsafe Music Network* Sweet As Sin by Ruby James* With You, With Me by Timothy Harada * Emily Has Compassion Fatigue by 3 Blind Mice Links of Interest* VICE Guide to North Korea* Tokyo Cowboys * Marie Mockett* Kairoworld* Chrysanthemum And The Bat* You Gotta Have Wa * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* POKE-IT-NOTES Listener Mail * LT Dan Norton - Thanks for Japan news * Billy - Chikan experience Japan News Roundup * McDonald's Japan wants to make you a star! * Another vendor to take a shot at red hots * Gangster apologizes for shooting wrong man * Yokohama unleashes manners patrol * The boomerang does come back in space * Legal news from Japan * Japan condemns roo cull as hypocrisy * Single households the majority * More than half of Japanese use mobiles in bath * Woman reaches settlement with temple over "purification" * Cinema drops plans to screen Yasukuni movie * Chiba cop copies porn evidence for personal use * Police enticing elderly to surrender driver's licenses * University professor demands sex for doctorate * Teacher accused of abusing disabled student * Man arrested for stripping schoolgirl of underpants Music * Mr. Lovely by Beth Thornley (Podsafe Music Network) * Forest In The Morning by Fumitaka Anzai (Podsafe Music Network) * Maybe I'm Amazed by Blake Morgan (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * Len Cullum * Larry Simon * Shoji story on Japundit * Billy's Blog * Billy's chikan adventure * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Japan Talk, country style! * Why are we "award-winning"? Listener Mail * Nick Ramsay - Japan Soc pronounced as Japan "sock" * Mike Hutson - Congratulations on #100 * Mark Meyers - Japanese food overseas * Jessica - Greetings from new listener * Kaori Umeda - Greetings, and thanks for remembering Japan News Roundup * Charles Jenkins: The Reluctant Communist * Mark Geragos representing Kazuyoshi Miura * Miura's blog leads to his arrest * Japan defense official: Nation will go on alert over Taiwan * Cartoon cat Doraemon appointed ambassador * Woman prevails in suit against yakuza. . . Kind of * Greenpeace claiming to be effective * German activist denied entry to Hokkaido port * Man dies of heart attack trying to rescue another man * Junior high school girls arrested * Light sentence expected in murder of American * UNICEF: Japan not doing enough against child porn * Good Samaritan arrested for robbing elderly women * U.S. govt: Japan's courts serve accusers * Couple try to scam man for on-train groping incident Music * I Can't Settle Down by The Gordons (Podsafe Music Network) * Birmingham by Beth Thornley (Podsafe Music Network) * Spotted Mule by Michael Gaither (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * JapanSoc (Japan Social Bookmarking) * Charles Jenkins * The Reluctant Communist: My Desertion, Court-Martial, and Forty-Year Imprisonment in North Korea * Doraemon * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Lots of stress at Japundit Media Central * Hacking hangover * Where did all the readers go? * Real-world work piling up * May have to cut back on JAPUNDIT posting * JapanSoc Japan Social Bookmarking site Listener Mail * Ruisu - Congratulations on 100th * Dave Keyes - Congratulations on 100th * David - Congratulations on 100th * Zichi Lorenz - Japan's first English teacher * Sasha - More about the movie "Nobody Knows" * David - Origins of the Japanese * Noriko - Okinawa Marine rape case * Kanon - Okinawa Marine rape case Japan News Roundup * Woman hate farding on trains, but do it anyway * Researching finding ways to deliver drugs thru food * Yakuza paid to empty building of tenants * KONISHIKI under the knife for gastric bypass * Council proposes stricter stance against tobacco * Embassies in London refuse to pay for congestion * Armed panty robber claims innocence by indecency Music * Stress by Jim's Big Ego (Podsafe Music Network) * Talk, Talk, Talk by Cheryl B. Engelhardt (Podsafe Music Network) * You're An A**h**e by Jim's Big Ego (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * JapanSoc (Japan Social Bookmarking) * Nobody Knows * Ruisu * Zichi Lorentz * Origins of the Japanese * Ranald MacDonald * Ainu * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Number 100!!! * Replaying songs from Episode 1 * A taste of what we sounded like back then Listener Mail * Brian Starchman - Nobody Knows * Kelton - Spider rolls * Keisuke - Disappointed with lack of news last week * Victor - New listener * Alfonso Ponce - Saludos from Mexico * Zichi Lorentz - Keep it up Japan News Roundup * Rape charges against Okinawa Marine dropped * Chinese deny culpability for tainted dumplings * Kiyoshi Miura. . . Nabbed in Saipan * Japan mulls exempting foreign students from airport fingerprinting * Rainboner Bridge * Low cholesterol bad for you? * MacAir. . . Insides full of waste? * Strange Japanese mating rituals * Surgeon attacks nurse * Teacher sends 170 emails to student * Tips on impressing the opposite sex * Japan's first English teacher * Electric bike, only for the rich * Slowhand to Pyongyang? * Teen girl grabs groper * Ichiro Suzuki set to break multiple records * It's my hobby * Nissan Navara unsafe? * Tokyo Koto Ward's green brainwashing scheme * Police arrest serial foot fetishist Music * Sick As A Dog by Brad Sucks (Podsafe Music Network) * Hey Love by Three Legged Dog (Podsafe Music Network) * Who Dogs the Outlet by George Hrab (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * Nobody Knows * Kameda Family * Ranald MacDonald * Ainu * Philly roll * Spider rolls * Kelton * Zichi Lorentz * J-LIST * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Japan Talk with Jim Street * Recorded in Fukuoka, Japan on January 27, 2008 Music * Baja Taxi by Brain Buckit, from Podsafe Music Network Links of Interest * Dejima * Hakata * Nagasaki * Jonan-ku * Kakure Christian * Daikon oroshi * Natto * Marmot's Hole * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* No good Japanese indie music * Looking for music recommendations * Japan Talk listed in podcast.com * Joe In Japan likes Japan Talk Listener Mail * David Penner - ESL University teachers * Jordan Cassady - Hole-in-one insurance * Nadar M - Groping really that serious in Japan? * Eric Gauvin - Japanese food abroad Japan News Roundup * Only 10 confirmed poisoned by tainted Chinese gyoza dumplings * Suicide squad a deemed a success * Japan debates lowering adulthood age to 18 * Oldster arrested for DIY RR crossing * Tochigi farmers ordered to pay Chinese "trainees" * Blue uniform does not guarantee victory * Forgotten gauze kills woman 12 years later * Ruling expected in grisly malpractice suit * Man sends 30,000 hate mails to former employer * Tokyo parks going to pot * Man busted for burled Buddhas * Man arrested for porn dump Music * Booty Voodoo by Lee Coulter (Podsafe Music Network) * Baja Taxi by Brain Buckit (Podsafe Music Network) * Kolysanka by 3 Blind Mice (Podsafe Music Network) * Another Day by Ruby James (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * Podcast.com * Joe In Japan * Toshi Restaurant * Lee Coulter * Brain Buckit * 3 Blind Mice * Ruby James * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Heavy snow warnings for Kanto * JAPUNDIT hacked * Warned of security problem one week before * Updated to Word Press 2.3.3 * Lots of Japan news Listener Mail * Sam - Staying in touch with Japan through Japan Talk * John Paul - Thanks for a Wednesday podcast * Naughty Ferret - Sushi in L.A. * Vin Alsace - Kudos for Overoften interview Japan News Roundup * Shinjuku still #1 among tourists * A new slant on eye surgery fashion * Japan's oldest Olympian * Long-term visa to go to three years from five * Hair restorer settles over barren bald spot * Raining junk in Fukuoka * Man beats woman over bus seat * Codger clobbers conductor * McDonald's strikes midnight gold * New Osaka governor declares financial emergency * Obama for Obama * Sonny Chiba in TV station punch up * Guide dog group sues trucker over dog death * Curiosity sacks the subway worker * Stress. . . A real pain in the butt Music * Higher by The Sushi Cabaret Club (by permission) * After School by Cutie Pai (MF247) * Maruki Bune by Nozomi Miyatake (Podsafe Music Network) Links of Interest * LongCountdown.com * The Sushi Cabaret Club on MySpace * Mainichi Daily News * Japan Times * The Daily Yomiuri * Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store * Japundit Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Japan Talk with Jon "overoften" Climpson* Recorded in Kumamoto, Japan on January 27, 2008 * Why he came to Japan* How he met his wife* What he is doing here* London Net* About learning Japanese* Any anti-foreigner discrimination or non-acceptance?* Any downside to living in Kumamoto?* Is Jon in it for the duration? Music* Weaving Song by Akino, from MF247 Links of Interest* London Net * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Artist of the week -Salme Dahlstrom* Salme Dahlstrom send JAPAN TALK her latest release* Back from Kyushu* Interview with Overoften coming up on February 6 - Don't miss it!* More interviews/chats in the pipeline: Jim Street, Mr. Pink, David Weber, Melissa Pitsch Listener Mail* Camden Basset: Asks about thinking in Japanese* Camden Basset: Provides information about podcasting basics* Kevin Glenz: Asks about handling overenthusiastic translation clients Japan News Roundup* Big story of the week: Poison gyoza from China* Japan starts global cuisine certification* Teen heartthrob for matrons turns golf pro* The truth about arranged marriages in Japan* Insecticide found in hospital IV* Japanese doctors fearful of publishing* Man runs down woman to rob her* Man fakes road accident, attacks woman who tries to help him* U.S. jurors mock Japanese-Canadian lawyer in court - judge voids verdict* Lonely man calls directory assistance. . . 10,000 times!!* Teacher robs boys of their underpants MusicAll of the following songs are by Salme Dahlstrom. * NEW RELEASE: Superstar Car Crash * Shine * Hello California Links of Interest* JapanPodcasters.com* Bicycle Sidewalk * Salme Dahlstrom Official Website* Salme Dahlstrom on Garageband * Podcasting For Dummies - the book* Podcasting For Dummies - the podcast * What Japan Thinks (About Chinese Products) * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Going down to Kyushu until January 26th - no podcast next week User Mail* Japanese in Peru* Awareness of Alberto Fujimori in Japan* Japanese chocolate* Thoughts on starting a vidcast* Special show on podcast mechanics coming? Japan News Roundup* Japan facing shortage of adults* 3D security camera system planned for Tokyo* Terminal chimp* Airlines to outsource crews* Fight for the right to beat your wife * Beijing Olympians to train in Japan* Police cracking down on smut crimes* To starve and reject* 200 hospitals drop emergency facilities* Be molested, lose weight?* Japan - the world's largest urban mine* Serial rapist shown mercy MusicPodsafe Music Network* Shiro Kumo Aosora by Plastic Soul BandMF247* Daylight65 by Portfolio* Haru wa Basha ni Notte by Portfolio Links of Interest* JapanPodcasters.com * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

User Mail* Speaking English to foreigners * Bicycle bells and pedestrians* Origami* Japanese exports* Memoirs of a long life in Japan * New Year shrine turnout highest in 35 years* Net TV on the way* Smoking banned in Tokyo cabs* Japan cops get see-thru-wall radar* Tokyo aid targets net cafe refugees* Japanese vehicle sales worst in 35 years * Mike Honda in Tokyo* Warm pork chops and cold crabs* Man dumps accident victim in hospital parking lot* Hokkaido teacher get Morality Manual* Teacher slaps all students in class* Man 57 arrested for sending nudes to girl 23 MusicPodsafe Music Network* Clay Waltz by Koharu* Sayonara by Chiemi Jones* Settle Down by Cabin Dogs Links of Interest* JapanPodcasters.com* JAPUNDIT post about Koharu* Koharu's Japanese website * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Happy New Year!* The Year of the Rat* What is a rat person?* Chinese zodiac facts * Japan Talk wins award! * Choke and croak 2008* Japan effectively outlaws using foreigners as slaves* The downside of learning Japanese* Growing old in Japan not a good idea* Accident victim refused by hospitals dies* Japan's confusing energy policy* Police want to ban cell phone use by bicycle riders* Man arrested for discarding kids' undies linked by DNA to murder MusicPodsafe Music Network* Big In Japan by Supergene* Girls Do It Better by The Sumo SistersMF247* Weaving Song by Akino Links of Interest* JapanPodcasters.com* Chinese zodiac * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Man, it's Christmas* A busy week * And busy holidays* No Japan Talk until January 5, 2008 * Listener Feedback * Farm Minister defends research whaling* Science Minister says UFOs are fun* Green tea cuts prostrate cancer risk* Handle keeper * Ministries say Japan can meet Kyoto targets* Japan to ban incandescent lightbulbs* Go to bed, save the Earth* Teen wars over Internet posts* Acquitted rapist sues for 126 million yen* Police lock the barn after the horse is long gone* Oceans 13 inspires teen crime spree* Assigning mad cow blame* Osaka tops in purse snatching for 32nd consecutive year* Nanjing Massacre. . . Fact or fiction? * See you next year (January 5)! MusicPodsafe Music Network* Man, It's Christmas by Jimmy Bratcher* Christmas Sweeter Than Wine by Heth and Jed* Another Silent Night by Douglas Spotted Eagle Links of Interest* Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Big freeze forecast for Kanto* The perfect rotten end to a perfectly rotten week * Listener Feedback * (In?) Justice finally done* Consumption tax set to rise* Gibson develops self-tuning guitar* Toyota develops violin-playing robot* Ishihara's Franco flub suit dismissed * Nagging works!* Tokyo man stabbed by "Spiderman"* Teacher loses job for skirt lifting* 13-year-old tries to kill dad with bat* Crime on the decline* Shootings on the rise* Most popular baby names in Japan* Tired of playing the victim* 71-year-old bus driver arrested for molesting primary schooler MusicPodsafe Music Network* Christmas Here On Mars by Bubble* Country Road ChristmasTime by Craig Cradiff* Christmas in Malibu by The Rad Dudes Links of Interest* Ruisu * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Back after a two-week break * Culture Shock: The Japan Discovery Challenge * Japan to regulate the Internet* Japan getting safer* Woman casts pearls before bureaucratic swine* 10 percent in Japan 75 years old or older* Milk Seafood Cup Noodle* Whale curry box lunches available in Tokyo* Japan's dumbest business practices * One man's buffalo chips are another man's treasure* South Korea, Taiwan wanted nukes left in Okinawa* Third time not a charm for unlucky robber* Splish-splash* Hospital dumps blind patient in a park* Quasi-indecent assault* Primary school teacher arrested for soliciting 13-year-old* Gas bandits strike fire engines* Firefighter arrested for arson* Popular slapping cop indicted* Inter-generational trouble on the train* Kitty porn caper: Stranger than fiction MusicPodsafe Music Network* The Christmas Season by Sudden Death* Another Silent Night by Douglas Spotted Eagle* Christmas in Hawaii by The Hot Rods Links of Interest* Culture Shock: The Japan Discover Challenge* Milk Seafood Cup Noodle* What Japan Thinks * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* A day late * Ivica Osim downed by major stroke* Getting away with murder in Japan* Japan court rejects confession* OB-GYN shortage to get worse in Japan? * Chinese toys safer than those of other countries?* Crowd strips field of sunflowers* Big Al would have been proud* Tax Offices says celeb gaijin are skipping on tax* Pair robs oldster of gold bars* A woman's place* 50% of Japan young subject to "dating violence"* Police nab "Quick-Draw McGraw" MusicPodshower* Beautiful Day by Rika ShinoharaPodsafe Music Network* Lady Pearl by Madi SatoMF247* Proceed (Sleeper Mix) by Hiroshi Takasugi Links of Interest* Another tradition fading, Japan Times* LA Times report on murder in Japan* Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Featured artist of the week: Rika Shinohara * Nova failure causes 40% drop in English industry sales* The yellow fever myth* Machine judges age* Space curry* U.S. pressured Abe to change sex slave stance * Lottery leavings* Japan to lower age of majority* Organization cannot determine who is in charge* Needle terrorism* Firefighter drove engines, ambulances without license* National health insurance uncoverage* Thieves steal guardrail* Senior cop arrested for shoplifting MusicPodsafe Music Network* Headphone * Bura Bura* Morning GloryAll by Rika Shinohara Links of Interest* Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Ninniku Monogatari * Listener Feedback * All in the Family Mart* Blackwater in Japan* The taxman cometh* Lost leg located in Tokyo* Signs with a message that smells * KittyCon 2008* Foreigners fight funny food* 3-million studying Japanese* KFC chickens out of Japan* Brain interface for Second Life* Diabetes rates higher in rural Japan* Easy pickings in Japan* The Suicide Club* Tokyo teachers stiff schools for food fees* New online dating site law eyed* Anti-groping cellphone solution * DENTSU U.S.A. employee sues randy prez MusicMF247* Seishun Maggie by The Alan Smithy Band* For You (Arrive Dream Mix) by Hiroshi Takasugi/Podsafe Music Network* Breakin' Out by Shemekia Copeland Links of Interest* Ninniku Monogatari* Alex Kerr* Dogs and Demons* KittyCon 2008 * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* Quiet week in Japan* Probably no podcast next week (10/27) * Japan to remain ugly?* Japanese sleep habits* Will higher fines stop gangsters from using guns?* Nintendo is not playing games* What Japanese people wish their spouses would stop doing * Foreign teachers at NOVA strike* JAL to offer premium economy class* Taxi fares to rise in Tokyo* Digital New Years cards* Miss Universe, Riyo Mori, caves to PETA pressure* Lynching in the name of The Almighty* Teacher resigns over ribald golf ball gaffe MusicMF247* Boarder No Border by EEE* Starmain by Seseragi 25* La, La, La by Yoshimi Matsuoka Links of Interest* What Japan Thinks * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Listen Now:

* All non-Japanese music from garageband.com* Some equipment trouble, sorry for the static!* A busy week makes for a bit of a hurried podcast * Kameda fight * More on foreign crime in Japan (Zichi Lorentz)* Cherry blossoms blooming in Tochigi (Melissa Pitsch) * Hospital closes because of doctor shortage* Hospitals ask government for relief from drunks* Foreigners fingered* Crackdown on foreigners to cause problems * Government bureau of Wikipedia* Pitter-patter parent to pay* Freaks bearing gifts* Panty perv pinched* Superstar pedophile* Lonely man throws bleach on women MusicGarageband* Hello California by Salme Dahlstrom* Raven's Wings by Amy Martin* Blue Bird Tattoo by Circe Link Links of Interest* Zichi Lorenz foreign crime statistics * Mainichi Daily News* Japan Times* The Daily Yomiuri* Asahi Shimbun * Japan Talk in the iTunes Store* Japundit* Jindiecast Contact: podcast@japundit.com

Watch Now: Play in Popup.