TANOSHII KAIWA

To mark the 76th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, we note how history in our respective countries tell the event (or what they don’t tell). And, we try to answer a bigger question: how do Japanese and American citizens stand on the topic of nuclear weapons and guns?

Listen to us gush over Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, discuss how countries view them as athletes, and laugh? cry? over Jenna’s past as a figure skater and Misaki’s as a professional pianist.

A topic definitely not covered in our textbooks, cuss words! and everything juicy about them in both English and Japanese: what they are, how and why they are used, and more.

Join us in laughing at common Japanese and English phrases that textbooks teach us to say, from awkward greetings to cuss words.

As residents of a large hegemonic state, we were blessed with early access to vaccines, and thus a country that’s appearing to return to “normal.” But what does “normal” mean now? We talk about what we think life post-COVID will and should look like - which habits and practices from the pandemic should continue, and which should go buhbye.

Whoops,,,we disappeared for a bit but we’re back now! A big thank you to everyone still here, still listening to us weirdos talk to each other. In this episode we catch up on each other lives’, and (shamelessly) plug the projects we’ve been up to!

What kind of world do we want to live in? What future do we wish to have? Give our optimistic thoughts a listen.

How is Halloween celebrated in the States vs. in Japan? Listen to the spooky differences!

Yoga pants and suits - listen to us discuss the differences in dress in America vs. Japan!

What were we like as children? Listen to our nostalgic talks about childhood memories.

We share some tips and pointers on learning Japanese and English, like shadowing, conversation, apps, and more!

A deeply personal dive into what we feel during depressive episodes, some tips to get through those days safely, and how to recognize suicide warnings from our friends in Japanese and English.

Pearl Harbor, slavery, Asian American activism - all things our history classes in both Japan and the States failed to teach us about, and why it matters.

When “I’m interested” turns into “I’m interesting” and” アイス turns into アース: all the blunders and embarrassing moments we encountered while learning English and Japanese.

Although we’re not parents (no experience firsthand lol) we discuss some stereotypes and stories about raising children in Japan and in the States.

A huge treat! Our friend Nicolas (Niko) joined us today to talk about friendship: what it means, how we feel, and when it happens.

Why is Election Day in the United States always on a Tuesday? When were Japanese women able to vote? Listen to us talk politics and election day tips in both countries in this episode!

Expensive tuition? Loooots of group projects and presentations? Heavy focus on examinations? Listen to us discuss the differences between education in the States and in Japan.

What are we watching and reading? Listen to find out all our hot recommendations!

As per the title. Also how to say certain feelings and thoughts in both languages, and societal restraints on seeking help.

Some thoughts and feelings we had about how feminism intersects our daily lives! And across the two countries!

A flurry of some tropes, stereotypes, and other classic stuff about being women in the States and Japan.

We talk *juicy* differences between dating and love between Japan and the States.

A quick introduction and roadmap of what TANOSHII KAIWA is and where it’s heading.