The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty If you want to translate video games and anime, you’ll probably have to work freelance. That means no 9–5, no benefits. You’ll be working weekends and rushing work to your clients. That’s been the experience of our guest this week, Nora Stevens Heath, and she's loving every minute of it. Nora has translated A+ titles like Kingdom Hearts 2, Your Name, Assassination Classroom, and Mario Kart DS. Listen to our conversation with Nora and find out if you have what it takes to translate games and manga professionally. You’ll learn what it’s like working with a big clients like FUNimation, how to get started as a freelance translator, and the step-by-step process freelancers use when translating games. P.S. We also settle an age old debate: Final Fantasy vs. Dragon Quest iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty If you're having a hard time planning your trip to Japan, then don't! You can avoid all that stress of fitting everything into your schedule and trying to see the best spots by simply avoiding the planning. Taking the road less traveled can yield a more authentic experience and is a sure cure for the itch of adventure. This week Koichi, fresh off a trip from Japan, and Michael sit down to discuss the joys in exploring Japan with limited or no itinerary. They give you insight on why traveling free from guide books and blogs can improve both your language skills and overall experience. Initially, this may sound crazy but after listening to the episode, you'll realize taking an adventure can be even more fulfilling than planning a ton of activities. By the way, we also write about learning Japanese: tofugu.com/japanese/ iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

In January 2017, Tofugu started collecting the best, newest Japanese learning resources each month and reviewing them in a series (which you can read here: https://tfg.li/jlr2017). It's been six months since we started, and we've collected 32 new resources. Now it's time to reveal the best of the best! In this episode, Kristen tells you her 5 absolute favorite resources. As Tofugu's translator, she knows what it takes to study faster, better, and stronger. So if your progress is stuttering, listen to this podcast to discover new Japanese study tools that will get you back on your feet and running toward the finish line. --- For the full list of all 32 resources, check out our series "JAPANESE LEARNING RESOURCES" https://tfg.li/jlr2017 iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty The JET Program recruits hundreds of new English teachers every year to live and work in Japan. You could be one of them. But before you apply, there are some things to consider. What is the salary like? What are the benefits? Do you get any support? And most importantly, what is living in Japan REALLY like? Jamal asks Michael, a former JET ALT and current President of JET Alumni Association in Portland, all these questions and more (a lot more). The JET Program isn’t for everyone, but it could be for YOU! The only way to know for sure is to get your questions answered, and this podcast will answer almost all of them (probably about 90%). The rest you can ask us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/tofugu). --- For a complete guide on the JET Program, outlining the experience from start to finish, check out Tofugu’s JET Program Guide: https://www.tofugu.com/series/jet-program/ iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

To learn more about Japanese black companies, check out our article on Tofugu: https://tfg.li/2v0V0jv --- Do you want to work in Japan? Sure, we all do. But before you take that sweet new job with the Tokyo semiconductor conglomerate, maybe you should do some research to find out if it's a... BLACK COMPANY! (dun dun dun) "Black company" is the name Japanese people give to companies that are not so great to work for. Sexual harassment, unpaid overtime, required alcohol consumption, bullying; you name and a black company does it (to you). Kanae, our current Tofugu intern, used to work at a black company in Tokyo, and she shares her experience so YOU can avoid these problems. Learn all the warning signs of Japanese black companies, which may be hard for foreigners to see (because they're entering into unfamiliar territory anyway). After listening to this podcast, you'll be able to steer clear of unhealthy work environments and straight into that sweet, sweet dream job in Japan. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Michael and Koichi discuss career opportunities in Japanese Studies with Shinpai Deshou blog founder, Paula Curtis. Paula is well acquainted with the academic and professional aspects of Japanese Studies and dedicates her time in assisting others to further their careers along with contributors to the blog. Discussed in the episode: - What Japanese Studies entails - Options after getting your B.A. - Resources on finding and landing a career - Integrating secondary skills into your career hunt You can hear more from Paula at: Shinapi Deshou: shinpaideshou.wordpress.com Paula's digital portfolio: prcurtis.com Paula's bilingual digital archive: http://carvingcommunity-dentouart.com/ Paula's Twitter: @paularcurtis iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty What if you were forced to live using ONLY Japanese vending products for one whole year? Impossible, right? Maybe not. Koichi, Kanae, and Michael answer this question as they live through the scenario, step-by-step. Follow their journey from naked in Narita airport to living like royalty on the bounty of Japan’s vending services. After listening to this podcast, you’ll know every kind of Japanese vending machine there is, as well as WHY there are so many vending machines in Japan. And on your next trip, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich blessings of vending machines without the curse of butthole money (all will be explained in the podcast). iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty For the first time ever, members of the Tofugu staff sit around and answer your Japanese language, living, and visiting questions. We answer questions like: - Are the Yakuza dangerous? - How old do you have to be to be an ALT through JET? - Should you go to a nomikai even if you don't drink alcohol? - Have we ever eaten Crayons? - Should someone live in Japan for six months or twelve? - And more? Probably? We didn't check carefully, so there are probably more questions that I didn't add to the description. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Hotels are easy, comfortable, and consistent. But did you know that there are other--sometimes odd--places that you can spend the night? Michael and Koichi talk about their experiences staying in love hotels, capsule hotels, manga cafes, business hotels, ryokans, hostels, and more. Be sure to stay in one of the places if you can. They're experiences worth trying (and much cheaper than hotels usually, too)! iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty There's a good chance that you're using a Japanese resource that's merely tricking you into thinking you're being efficient. These companies make more money, and you get a false sense of "feeling good" and "feeling like you're making progress." In actuality, you aren't learning nearly as effectively as you could be, not to mention efficiently! In this episode, Michael and Koichi argue that actual efficiency has more to do with "creating the right kind of suffering" in your Japanese studies. They also talk about which popular Japanese learning tools actually help you to be efficient, versus the ones that trick you into thinking you're being efficient. And, of course, because this episode is about efficiency, they also show why (and how) you should spend less time so you can learn more Japanese. Sounds like it doesn't make sense, but if you listen, you'll understand why this is important. By the way, we also write about learning Japanese: http://tofugu.com/japanese/ iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Visiting Japan and don't know what to eat? Sushi and ramen are great, but you don't want to spend your vacation eating the same things every day. That's why Michael and Kanae discuss their favorite Japanese foods (and where to find them), so you can step off the plane ready to eat. Whether you're a picky eater to the steel-stomached vacuum, this podcast has something for everyone. Oh, and if you think you've tried everything Japan has to offer, Kanae has a special list of "adventurous" foods you've definitely (probably) not tried. You'll learn: - Where to eat Japan's batter-fried goodness - What Japanese fishermen eat on the regular - Places to eat chicken buttholes - The main types of Japanese restaurants iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Koichi and Michael chat with Kewl0210, a manga scanlator. For those who don't know, a scanlator is a person who scans, translates, and uploads manga online for free. This practice is highly controversial in the translation community and technically illegal. Michael and Koichi discuss the many facets of this practice, including: - How to learn Japanese through scanlation - Where scanlators source their manga - How they choose which manga to scanlate - Why they're faster than the pros - Bitter scanlation group rivalries For more from Kewl0210:
http://hiwamatanoboru.com/ We do not condone, endorse, or support this practice or project and do not encourage others to attempt it. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty The whole gang gets together this week to discuss learning Japanese in a classroom. Everyone on the show has had different experiences learning Japanese, so it's an especially interesting look into the process. If you're currently in or considering taking a Japanese class, this is an essential listen. You'll hear a range of perspectives from: - Kristen's traditional route - Koichi's mixed educational experiences - Michael's self-taught journey - Kanae's native Japanese classes

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Michael and Koichi get the opportunity to chat with writer, translator, and interpreter, Frederik Schodt. Fred is known for working closely with the “God of Manga” himself, Osamu Tezuka, as a translator and interpreter. He is also one of the first writers to help bring manga to the western world with his landmark book, "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics." Fans of Osamu Tezuka (and manga in general) will enjoy this interview with the man who helped shape Tezuka’s voice and influence in the West. They discuss: - Fred’s roots in manga translation - What working with Osamu Tezuka is like - His thoughts on the manga translation industry - The path he took to become an interpreter - What was under Osamu Tezuka’s famous beret - The process in translating "The Osamu Tezuka Story" biography To hear more from Frederik Schodt, check out the links below: Frederik Schodt’s website: http://www.jai2.com/index.htm Twitter: https://twitter.com/fschodt *New Book!* The Osamu Tezuka Story: http://www.stonebridge.com/catalog/the-osamu-tezuka-story

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week the whole gang comes together to discuss their personal experiences with discrimination in Japan. Join us as we try to navigate this complex issue without painting Japanese people with a “broad brush.” In this episode, we discuss: - What it means to be “accepted” by Japan - Passive & active curiosity - Why Michael stared down a foreigner - Why old Japanese ladies hate Koichi