In this episode, we sit down with Zach Mathis—now commonly known in Japan as Tanaka Zakku—a cybersecurity expert with over two decades of experience working in Japan. Zach recently chose to relinquish his American citizenship and naturalize as a Japanese citizen. When he announced it on Twitter, the post exploded, racking up almost 6 million views.What was surprising wasn't just the reach, but the reaction. The comments were overwhelmingly positive. Given the rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country and how quickly Japanese ultranationalist elements on Twitter tend to dogpile these kinds of announcements, Zach’s reception was a massive exception to the rule. We had a wide-ranging conversation about how he fell in love with Japan, the reality of the naturalization process, his cybersecurity career, and his twenty-year journey here. Hope you enjoy it!Links & Resources:Zach's viral naturalization post on XHybrid State of Mind (The Tanaka Zach Anthem) [musical outro]Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DogePunk2077. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.Finally, if you are hoping to hear more Deep in Japan music, check out Jeff's SUNO page. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, Jay and Trey are joined by special guest Mythic Weeb James Hatheway for a three-hour tour de force through the green room of modern Japan—covering, among other things:The Japanese naturalization process The myth of Japan's “ancient” tradition of HatsumodeThe Sankebetsu brown bear incident The rise of a very small online “Bear Slayer" movement, devotees of lo-fi aesthetics, spear-sharpening rituals, and MS-Paint iconographyThe odd rise of Elon Musk's "Unhinged" AI companion in Japan and what it might mean for a society governed by constrained intimacy and a growing need for low-stakes emotional release valves.Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DogePunk2077. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.Finally, if you enjoyed the outro, check out Jeff's SUNO page. It's filled with goodies. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, we walk the streets of Japan with Tom Gill—anthropologist, longtime Japan resident, and one of the most clear-eyed observers of the country’s marginalized communities. Gill is best known for his decades of fieldwork among day laborers, the homeless, and the urban poor, particularly in places like Tokyo’s San’ya district. Rather than studying Japan from a distance or through official narratives, Gill practices what he calls “being there”—immersing himself in the lives of people most visitors (and many locals) never see. Whether you’re interested in Japan, anthropology, or the uncomfortable realities beneath orderly surfaces, this episode is a reminder that understanding requires proximity—and humility.Enjoy the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going.And make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DogePunk2077. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening! 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! -J and TreyTRACK LIST: [0:00:00] 01. クリスマス・イブ / 山下達郎 (Tatsuro Yamashita)[0:03:24] 02. クリスマスキャロルの頃には / 稲垣潤一 (Junichi Inagaki)[0:07:24] 03. 悲しみは雪のように(1992 single) / 浜田 省吾 (Shogo Hamada)[0:10:58] 04. X'masがいっぱい / 工藤静香 (Shizuka Kudo)[0:14:17] 05. Snow Lie / 岩崎良美 (Yoshimi Iwasaki)[0:17:31] 06. クリスマスまで待てない (雪だるま Version) / 渡辺 美里 (Misato Watanabe)[0:21:14] 07. 最後のHoly Night / 杉山清貴 (Kiyotaka Sugiyama)[0:24:42] 08. Sweet Snow Magic / スターダスト☆レビュー (Stardust Revue)[0:28:02] 09. クリスマスの夜 / 岡村 孝子 (Takako Okamura)[0:31:51] 10. ひとりでX'mas / 今井美樹 (Miki Imai)[0:35:14] 11. 冬のフォトグラフ / 新井正人 (Masahito Arai)[0:39:15] 12. 遠い街のどこかで… / 中山美穂 (Miho Nakayama)[0:43:28] 13. リフトの下で逢いましょう / 南野 陽子 (Yoko Minamino)[0:46:30] 14. スノーフレイクの街角 / 杏里 (Anri)[0:50:01] 15. Last Christmas / 松田 聖子 (Seiko Matsuda)[0:53:47] 16. クリスマスは一緒に / 竹内まりや (Mariya Takeuchi)[0:57:00] 17. Merry X’masをあげたい / 井上昌己 (Shoko Inoue)[1:00:20] 18. Kissin' Christmas (クリスマスだからじゃない) 2023 / 桑田佳祐 & 松任谷由実 (Keisuke Kuwata & Yumi Matsutoya)Enjoy the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going.And make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DogePunk2077. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening! 

Jay and Trey are at it again! This week, we investigate why Japanese parks are becoming "no-fun zones" with draconian bans on ball games—is the country waging a war on its own children? We also dive into the "Ultimate Waifu" politician Kimi Onoda, and the latest stats showing Japan’s English proficiency plummeting to new lows. And last but certainly not least—the big reveal—Trevor's got a new "Number One Waifu," none other than "Muscle Idol" and Saitama Queen Reika Saiki. Does that make Trevor the King of Saitama? You decide. As always, sauce included: Very Low Proficiency: Japan Drops into Bottom Group in English Ability RankingJapanese Company Offers Up to 10 Days Paid Leave for Workers to Mourn Their Favourite Celebrity's Marriage or RetirementReika Saiko - Japanese Muscle GirlClips from Reika’ 4-hour Workout 所持金20円で焼き肉を無銭飲食か 酒や漬物、デザートまで約1万2000円分 49歳男「お金がない」で判明Democracy Manifest and his succulent Chinese meal News report 1991Democracy Manifest Wiki完全自殺マニュアルOnoda Kimi’s YoutTube ChannelLongform Interview with Onoda KimiJapan’s Ultimate WAIFU: Kimi OnodaPARKS FOR KIDS TO KICK A BALL AROUND IN TOKYOResearch on local governmental restrictions for ball play in block parksEnjoy the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DogePunk2077. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening!