On March 11th, 2011, Kevin Kato and his family were living in Fukushima, Japan. Today they live in Matsumoto. For Episode 69, Kevin visits the Japanofiles Podcast and talks with Dave about his family's experiences of the past several years.

Key Words: Fukushima nuclear disaster; earthquake; radiation; Matsumoto; Nagano Prefecture; interview; podcast about Japan; Japan-related discussion

Until recently, David Gray was in the interesting position of having dual careers -- one in Japan and another in North America. For today's Japanofiles Podcast, David shares his thoughts on the various challenges he faced, and he talks about some recent decisions he has had to make.

Key Words: podcast about Japan; North America; Canada; interview; discussion about life in Japan; career choices; Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture; best; podcasts about Japan; Japan-related conversation 

For Japanofiles 67, Dave talks with Judd Goff. Judd has lived in Japan on three separate occasions, and he has done three very different types of work in Japan. In his present position, he is in charge of a facility where almost all of the employees are Japanese.

Key Words: Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture; Japan-related podcasts; discussion about life in Japan; Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture; Salt Lake City, Utah; Taimatsu Matsuri Festival; podcasts about Japan

Have you ever wished you could take a half year off from what you're doing and move to another country? Today's guest, Michael, did just that. Michael and his wife took a break from their work, moved to Japan, rented a house in Matsumoto, and spent six months doing various things in Japan. On today's Japanofiles Podcast, Michael talks about his half-year stay in Japan.

Key Words: Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan; minka; traditional Japanese architecture; renewable energy; Matsumoto area and the things that Michael likes best; podcast about Japan; English-language interview 

Crime in Japan and the yakuza are the two main topics of discussion on today's Japanofiles Podcast. Journalist Paul Murphy returns to the podcast to talk about the research for his forthcoming book on crime in Japan.

Key Words: crime in Japan; yakuza; Japan related podcasts; organized crime; Japanese criminals; chikan; podcasts about Japan; court cases in Matsumoto; Nagano Prefecture; Shinshu area; honesty in the courtroom.

For Episode 64 of The Japanofiles Podcast, Dave talks with Paul Murphy, a journalist from Ireland who was living in Matsumoto until this past September.

Key Words: Matsumoto Sarin Incident; Aum Shinrikyo; Fukushima nuclear disaster; genpatsu rikon; Matsumoto; Nagano Prefecture; interview; podcast about Japan; Japan-related discussion

In today's Japanofiles Podcast, Nate Shelton, a student at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, talks about his experiences living and studying in Japan.

Key Words: Shinshu University; international studies; Salt Lake Sister City; Matsumoto; Nagano Prefecture; podcast about Japan; interview; English language podcast

Nick Harling visits the Japanofiles from Washington, DC, via Skype. Nick shares many interesting experiences from his time in Japan, and he also explains how he has been able to remain connected to Japan since returning to the US. Nick is also the host of the popular Let's Talk Japan podcast.

Key Words: Japan-related podcasts; interview; from Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Dave Carlson, podcast host; podcasting; Japan podcast

Today Dave talks with Shuhei Fukawa. Shuhei grew up in the US, and then he moved to Japan to attend university. Shuhei is now a first-year student at Shinshu University in Matsumoto.

Key Words: Shinshu University; kikokushijo; English-language interview; Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Japan-related podcasts

For today's Japanofiles Podcast, Dave talks with Wayne Douglas, a New Zealander currently residing in Matsumoto. Wayne recently launched a Japanese and English bilingual website devoted to raising awareness about benzodiazepine drugs. Wayne's story has been featured in The Japan Times, the Yomiuri Newspaper, and the New Zealand Herald.

Key Words: benzodiazepines; Benzo Case Japan; Raising Awareness about benzodiazepine drugs; dangers of misprescribing drugs; Japan court case; English-language interview; Matsumoto; Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Japan-related podcast; Dave Carlson, host