The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Language never stops changing, and that's something I've noticed even more after living in Japan for so many years. Because I'm not surrounded by everyday conversations back in the U.S., I'll suddenly start seeing words online that seem like everyone else already understands. Half the time I'm left wondering whether they're compliments, insults, or just another internet joke that somehow became part of everyday English. In this episode, I explore some of today's American meme slang and compare it with the closest Japanese equivalents I could find. Along the way, I also talk about how difficult it can be to separate reliable information from recycled internet myths, especially when slang evolves faster than dictionaries can keep up. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Slang Doesn...

Living in Japan has always felt fairly predictable when it came to everyday prices. For years, I rarely thought twice about grabbing a drink from a vending machine or picking up groceries because prices stayed remarkably stable. Lately, though, that's changed. Like many people living in Japan, I've found myself stopping to look at price tags and wondering, "Wasn't this cheaper not that long ago?" In this episode, I share my personal observations about Japan's recent price increases and compare them with what economists, government agencies, and researchers have been reporting. I'm not trying to explain global economics—I'm simply connecting what I've experienced as a parent living in Tokyo with the data that's helping explain why everyday life feels different. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple ...

When I first moved to Japan, I assumed I had a pretty good idea of what counted as a "bad word." Between anime, Japanese classes, and being married to a Japanese wife, I knew words like kuso , baka , and chikushō . But it didn't take long to realize that real-life Japanese and anime Japanese can sound very different. Words that subtitles translate as extreme insults often aren't nearly as harsh in everyday conversation, while other expressions can carry far more weight than they appear to. In this episode, I break down how I personally interpret Japanese swear words and insults, not by memorizing vocabulary, but by paying attention to tone, relationships, and context. Understanding those differences has completely changed the way I listen to Japanese conversations. Content note: This episode discusses and quotes Japanese swear words and insults. The YouTube version is embedded here because Spotify’s player is not displaying this part...

Living in Japan is full of little moments that teach you something new. Some lessons come through language, while others come from accidentally breaking a cultural custom you didn't even know existed. Most of the time, nobody calls you out in the moment. Instead, you find out later through a friend or family member, giving you the chance to learn without feeling embarrassed. In this episode, I share some of the mistakes I made while living in Tokyo and what they taught me about Japanese culture. None of them were major, but together they helped me better understand the importance of social harmony and why so many customs exist. Looking back, the mistakes themselves weren't nearly as important as the lessons behind them. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning That the Little Things Matter ...

Tokyo summers can be surprisingly difficult to prepare for. Before moving here, I expected the heat. What I didn't expect was the humidity. Walking a few minutes outside can leave you completely soaked, and carrying groceries, camera gear, or even a backpack only makes it worse. After more than 14 summers in Tokyo, I've gradually found the clothing and gear that genuinely make everyday life more comfortable. None of this is sponsored, and there are no affiliate links—these are simply the products I bought myself after years of trial and error. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Staying Comfortable Starts with Your Clothing The biggest difference wasn't buying expensive gadgets. It was replacing ordinary clothing with fabrics designed for hot, humid weather. Quick-drying u...