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November 7, 2022

Season 1

01. Tuning in to the community

A Ghanaian entrepreneur and 33-year resident of Japan launched an online radio station as a way of giving back to the community. The project is inspiring some young Africans to pursue their own dreams.

3min
November 7, 2022

02. 50 Job Rejections Changed My Life

Marvin is from Brunei. He now works as a data analyst after he was turned down by 50 companies in his job search. What insight did he gain from his experience?

3min
January 2, 2023

03. Homework Challenges

Elsa is from the Faroe Islands. Her two children attend a Japanese public school. She feels sad that she cannot always help them because of language issues.

3min
January 9, 2023

04. Parental Styles

Our anchor traveled to the city of Izumo in Shimane Pref. for an impromptu "chatroom" with a Brazilian woman who shares her joy of raising children in rural Japan.

3min
March 3, 2023

05. Family Matters

In the latest edition of Chatroom Japan, NHK WORLD-JAPAN visits a Brazilian community in Shimane Prefecture. The locals discuss life in a foreign country, and why they always put family above all else.

3min
March 6, 2023

06. A Shop for All

Meet Marcos Takato Ikegami, a Brazilian supermarket owner in Izumo City, western Japan. He sells all sorts of imported goods, but the chance to learn more about his native culture will always be free.

3min
March 24, 2023

07. Embracing Natural Hair

Maminata Ouandaogo's passion for African hairstyles has helped hundreds in Japan with their natural hair. But outside her salon, she says social pressure keeps some people from embracing it.

3min
April 28, 2023

08. Fukushima's Warm Welcome

Xu Quanyi sees it as his mission to promote the charm of Fukushima. Sharing his stories is how he counters the stigma Fukushima continues to suffer following the 2011 disaster.

3min
June 12, 2023

09. A Missing Piece of Happiness

Tokyo couple Greg Dvorak and Ono Kenji say Japan is preventing them from fulfilling something essential for their long-term happiness. They want the country to legalize same-sex marriage.

3min
June 19, 2023

10. In Pursuit of Sustainable Fashion

Shocked by what he saw in India's textile industry, Aditya traveled to Japan to find a better way to produce fabric. Now, he works with a start-up that's hoping to change how we create clothes.

3min
August 7, 2023

11. Can Tradition Inspire a Green Future?

Aditya Sharma seeks a sustainable balance between protecting the planet and meeting consumer demand for clothing. He explores a Japanese tradition in the hopes of finding inspiration.

3min
August 14, 2023

12. Taekwondo Inspires Changes in Kids

A Brazilian couple who moved to Shiga Prefecture, Japan, teaches taekwondo to children. Their efforts are helping kids develop more than just athletically.

3min
September 4, 2023

13. Life after School - Stay or Go?

Rika met with a group of international students to hear about their experiences and plans in Japan. Do they see a future for themselves here? Or are they planning to go back abroad? Let's find out!

3min
September 18, 2023

14. My Life in Fukushima

We set up our "chatroom" in Fukushima Prefecture. Four local residents from different backgrounds participated. We asked them their views on Fukushima, and what they thought about the 2011 disaster. Let's hear about their lives in Fukushima.

3min
November 11, 2023

15. An Education Chance Opens the World

Maxine is a university student. She joined a school providing educational support and life advice to international students wanting to enter Japanese high school. This experience changed her life. What insights did she gain?

3min
December 4, 2023

16. Empowering Kids Through Song

A Brazilian woman living in Japan is trying to promote a music video she made for kids about sexual abuse while navigating the differences between the two cultures.

3min
December 11, 2023

17. My Eco-Friendly Farm

A woman from France is now an organic farmer in Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture. The town was affected by the 2011 nuclear accident. She is working to change that image.

3min
December 25, 2023

18. What Do You Do When a Major Earthquake Occurs?

A major earthquake struck central Japan on January 1. We hear from three Brazilians who were affected by the quake. What can we do to prepare for disasters? Please share your thoughts with us.

3min
February 4, 2024

19. Finding an Apartment in Japan Is Too Hard!

A young man from Vietnam is using his own struggles finding an apartment in Japan to help other foreigners get settled. If you're new to Japan and faced similar challenges, tell us.

3min
February 19, 2024

20. The Local "Sento" - More Than a Bath

Have you ever been to a sento? Christian Dimmer, a German urbanist living in Japan, focuses on the community-building potential of Japan's public bathhouses. It is common these days in our society to live alone or in single-family units. He hopes that people can rediscover the value of the community communication nourished by public bathhouses.

3min
February 26, 2024

21. How Do You Care for Loved Ones as They age?

A Nepalese nursing home manager in Fukuoka Prefecture harnesses his background in IT and his diverse staff to give elderly residents and their families peace of mind.

3min
February 26, 2024

22. Things I learned from the Kumamoto Quakes

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? If you don't, Andrew Mitchell from the UK has some stories to tell you from his own experience living through the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

3min
March 4, 2024

23. Are You Proud of Your International Background?

A Chinese woman living in Japan holds gatherings for Chinese children with the goal of boosting their confidence in their international background.

3min
April 19, 2024

24. Do You Have Your Own "Me Time"?

All moms need some "me time." And that's why one forward-thinking woman in Kyoto Prefecture established Mamo Heart, a space for mothers to not only relax, but also get their own business ideas off the ground.

3min
April 26, 2024

25. My Temple, My Sanctuary

A monk from Myanmar came to Japan to build a temple for the people of his country. He believes it's his mission to offer them a place of sanctuary and provide them with physical and mental comfort.

5min
June 21, 2024

26. Dreams of Mt. Fuji: Hard and Rewarding

Passang Lama Bhotia fell in love with Mt. Fuji as a child in Nepal. After becoming a Himalayan mountain guide, he came to Japan and now works on the mountain he dreamed of, guiding foreign tourists.

5min
July 26, 2024

27. A Word That Offers Comfort

Chinese mother Yang Hu finds reassurance in a Japanese word that helps her connect with others while navigating cultural differences in Tokyo.

3min
August 2, 2024

28. Learning More Than Skills from Woodblock Prints

David Bull came to Japan to master the art of woodblock printing. He learned valuable lessons about Japanese culture and that there is more to the works of art than the paper they are printed on.

5min
August 16, 2024

29. I Was Born in Japan and Called Gaijin

Imagine being called an outsider in the country where you were born. Chuk Besher knows what that's like. It made him ask questions about identity and diversity.

5min
August 25, 2024

30. Bridging Smalltown Dojos with the World

A town in Shizuoka Prefecture is drawing visitors from Australia to Mexico, thanks to Kiwi kendoka Graham Sayer. He says giving back to the community embodies the spirit of the Way of the Sword, or kendo.

5min
November 29, 2024