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James Y. Shih

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Podcast Episodes

Featured
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71  Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71 Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Feb 2, 2023

Podcast disclaimer

Yin & Young EP59 - Michael Newman and James in Japan

February 13, 2022 in Asian American, Travel

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

Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @yinyoungpodcast. Like and subscribe to our content so you don’t miss an episode. 

Credits: This episode was produced by James Y. Shih and Daniel Yin.
Consider supporting Yin & Young on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast

Follow Yin & Young:

  • Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast

  • iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2

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  • Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Comments, questions? Email us at yinyoungpodcast[at]gmail.com

Tags: yin young podcast, podcasts, asian american, relationships, Japan, japanese, travel, language, Culture
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