The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Japan's aging population is often discussed through statistics, but after living here for years, it's something you begin noticing in everyday life. It's reflected in the neighborhoods you walk through, the businesses you visit, and the conversations people have about the future. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I talked about how Japan's demographic changes have shaped our own experiences living here, along with some of the ways the country is responding to those challenges. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Seeing Japan's Aging Population in Everyday Life You don't need to read government reports to notice Japan's changing demographics. We shared examples from our own neighborhoods, from seeing large numbers of older residents out during the d...

Japanese abbreviations can make familiar English words feel completely unfamiliar. Even after you recognize where a word came from, the shortened version may sound so different that it takes a while to understand what people are actually saying. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I looked at some of the Japanese abbreviations that confused us after moving here, along with the cultural references and personal stories connected to them. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Why Japanese Shortens So Many Words English loanwords often become much longer when adapted to Japanese pronunciation. Shortening them makes them easier and faster to use in everyday conversation. That is how names such as Staba for Starbucks and Makku or Makudo for McDonald's became part of everyday...