Yin & Young EP59 - Michael Newman and James in Japan

Yin & Young Podcast

Recorded late 2021.

Synopsis: Michael Newman (former TV writer, from episode 12, link below) has moved to Japan. James is also in Japan and at the time was quarantining in a fancy hotel. Today’s podcast focuses on acclimating to living in Japan: convenience store food, toilets, dating, maid cafes, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• 6:15 James is in Japan for a teaching program and is quarantining in Tokyo. The rules are less strict than his Taiwan quarantine.

• 12:31 Movie prices in Japan have come down in price compared to the 90s.

• 20:16 Michael's teacher was concerned when they learned that Michael was eating a lot of convenience food, but they doesn't understand how bad the convenience store food is in the US (e.g. 7-11 hot dogs).

• 22:48: Michael Newman shares his reasons for coming to Japan. Is currently taking Japanese classes but does not like online instruction (thanks COVID).

• 33:07 Politeness levels in Japan.

• 40:25 Culture shock?: Michael has acclimated to Japan. He doesn't want to move back to the US because he doesn't want to drive everywhere. Prefers walking.

• 41:12 Discussion of modern Japanese toilets (bidet, seat warmers, etc…) and how they are much better than the US.

• 52.46: What’s dating/socializing like in Japan. Tip: Having a local Japanese friend helps a lot.

• 54:45: Maid cafe/Girl’s bar culture

• 1:11:55 Keeping fit in Japan: walking.

———

LANGUAGE CORNER (1:18:35): Japanese

• お邪魔します- ojamashimasu - Sorry for the intrusion. Lit. I’m being a demon. (present tense), お邪魔しました - ojamashimashita (past tense). Said when arriving or leaving someone’s home as a guest.

• ツンデレ - tsundere - the ice queen who eventually shows her warmer side.

• 絶対領域 - zettai ryōiki - the area of bare skin between over-knee socks and a miniskirt. lit. absolute territory (originally to describe a force field in the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion).

• お先に失礼します - osaki ni shitsureshimasu - sorry for leaving early (used in an office setting).

• 本音と建前 - honne to tatemae - a person’s true feelings vs their public face.

• ゴジラ - Gojira - known as Godzilla outside of Japan, the name is a portmanteau of the Japanese words gorira (ゴリラ, "gorilla") and kujira (クジラ, "whale").

———

• Yin & Young EP 12 - Comedy Writer Michael Newman: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/2017/4/29/yin-young-episode-12-comedy-writer-michael-newman

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Credits: This episode was produced by James Y. Shih and Daniel Yin.
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