Just Japan Podcast

In Episode 28 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guests Jeff and Liam about the ups and downs of teaching in Japan. Those who come to Japan to teach can face challenges in and out of the classroom as well as from dubious employers. Although a great place, Japan can certainly pose challenges to those who choose to work and live here. Kevin also talks about some other Japan-related podcasts.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Web Page: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/

In Episode 27 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guest Pee Jay. Pee Jay has been teaching in Japan for more than 15 years. He has worked in the public and private school systems in Japan in a variety of positions. Now, a Ph.D student, Pee Jay teaches at several universities in Japan. He talks about what it takes to get a teaching position in a Japanese university and the general working lifestyle versus other teaching jobs.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Webpage: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/

In Episode 26 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea interviews Jarom, an American living and working in Japan. Now in his late 20's, Jarom works as an English teacher in Tokyo, but when he was 19 years old he came to Japan for 2 years as a Mormon missionary. He talks about his experience as a missionary and how different his life is in Japan post missionary life.     Show notes: http://busankevin.com Web Page: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/ RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

In Episode 25 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Jason Harris about becoming a member of the (JET) Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. More than 4,000 people participate in this government run English educaction program every year in Japan. JET's work as public school Assistant Language Teachers throughout Japan. Jason is currently a university instructor in Japan, but was a JET for 5 years and is known as the "JET go to guy" on YouTube with his "myargonauts" channel. Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Webpage: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/

In Episode 24 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks to Victor (KantoKitsune on YouTube) an America living in Japan about his impressive climb of Mt. Fuji last year and again this year. He decided that tackling Fuji-san the way most do wasn't adventurous enough. Victor took on the Sea to Summit challenge from Suruga Bay to the summit of Mt. Fuji. It's a great tale and anyone with an interest in Japan, the outdoors or adventure will be inspired by this episode! Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Web Page: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/

In Episode 23 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Jonathan, an American living and working in Japan. He and his wife are raising their two children to be bilingual. They have lived in Japan, then America and are now back in Japan. Listen to the challenges faced by parents raising and educating their children to speak more than one language.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

In episode 22 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea interviews Jack Courtenay, a New Zealander who longboarded across much of Japan last year in order to raise funds for children's charities. With little Japanese language skills and a lot of guts, Jack had a major Japanese adventure and tells us all about it.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss  

In Episode 21 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about "Gaijin Bars" in Japan. These are drinking establishments that tend to cater to foreigners living in a country like Japan as well as travelers (Kevin also talks about similar bars in South Korea). They can be very interesting places to go, but frequenting them can have their down sides as well.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

In Episode 20, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Liam Carrigan, a freelance soccer (football) writer, cohost of the "Half the World Away" football podcast and teacher in Japan. We talk about World Cup 2014 and Japan's World Cup Team. We also chat about the  professional soccer scene here in Japan and soccer culture in general here in the Land of the Rising Sun.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS FEED: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: @jlandkev

In Episode 19 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Scott Ackerman who is known as Unrested on YouTube. He is an American living long term in Japan who has tattoos and talks about his experiences here in Japan. How will I be treated in Japan if I have tattoos? Can I get a job if I have tattoos? Can I get a tattoo in Japan? Scott will help answer your questions!  

In Episode 18 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about his experiences raising bilingual children in Japan. What are some of the challenges faced by parents trying to raise children who speak two languages?  This is a "Part 1" Episode since this is a topic that w  ill be revisited in future episodes.    The ending song is called "BusanKevin" and was written by Eric Lundgren.   Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss   Eric Lundgren: http://www.eriklundgrenmusic.com/

In Episode 17 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks with Andrew Marston, a photographer and graphic artist from the United States who cycled the length of Japan (more than 3500 km) with two of his friends. Not only did they have an amazing adventure, but they raised more than $13,000 for earthquake and tsunami relief efforts and made a documentary about their journey! Shownotes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Japan by Bicycle: http://japanbybicycle.com/

In Episode 16 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to the man behind Japan Running News, Brett Larner. The Japan Running News website is the most respected English language news source about running in Japan. Brett also does some fascinating work with some of Japan's best-known elite athletes.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com Podcast RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Japan Running News: http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.jp/

In Episode 15 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea interviews Jordan, an Australian university student studying at Kobe University. Learn more about studying abroad in japan and Jordan's advice about improving your Japanese language skills while here. The "Questions About Japan MAILBAG" portion is also in this week's episode. Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS FEED: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

In Episode 14 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea interviews two Asia-based podcasters about what it takes to start and maintain a podcast. Jim Mullins, a Japan-based podcaster has a show called "Mully's Place", a fun conversational style show with his friend Dave and wife Tomoko. Steve Miller, a Korea-based podcaster runs the "Asia News Weekly" podcast, a current affairs and news show that covers topics throughout Asia. Find out how they started podcasting, what eqipment they use and how they work hard to make every show even better than the last. Shownotes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss  

In Episode 13 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea sits down with Dimitri Perrin, a researcher at Rikken, a government research institute in Japan. Not only does Dimitri have an interesting career in Japan, but he is also raising a family and does many things outside of work such as running and fundraising for charity! He and his wife biked around Japan's largest lake on one-geared mamachari bicycles to raise money for Japan's Red Cross after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami!  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

In Episode 12 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guest Pee Jay aka KansaiPJ about drinking culture in Japan.  People in Japan drink a lot and for varied reasons. Believe it or not, sometimes getting drunk may influence getting or not getting a job promotion! We discuss izakayas, festivals, snack bars and more. Travelers and teachers who drink too much and those who do it for fun. Show notes: http://busankevin.com  RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Podcast Page: http://justjapan.libsyn.com

In Episode 11 of the Just Japan Podcast, Kevin interviews Brian Waters, a professor of Forensic Pathology in Japan (A real life CSI guy!). Brian's story is an interesting one. First coming to Japan on a language exchange program, he then became an English teacher with the JET Program. Later he spent years working for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office and now teaches and works as a Forensic Pathologist in Japan.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss  

In Episode 10 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea gives advice about finding work in the teaching industry in Japan. Everything from your previous experience, where you are from and whether or not you have tattoos may make a difference in finding the job you want.  Show notes: http://busankevin.com RSS FEED: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss

Just Japan Podcast 9: Playing in Bands in Japan, Kevin chats with friend of the show Jim Mullins about playing live music in Japan. Jim is a teacher from the United States who lives in japan and has been playing live music for many years. He is a guitar player who sheds a little light into the live music scene for those hoping to play music when they come to Japan.