Now and Zen Japan
Entertaining and insightful conversations with Japan focused business professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Recorded in bars around Tokyo, it’s like eavesdropping on candid conversations with Japan experts who share engaging stories of success, failure, and wisdom gained in Japan. Discover first-hand what it’s like to live, work, and experience the most fascinating country in the world. Direct from Tokyo, this is the Now and Zen Podcast!
Podcasting since 2019 • 96 episodes
Now and Zen Japan
Latest Episodes
Alvin Tan: 6 Controversial Reasons Foreigners should work for Japanese Companies
Have you ever been curious about working for a Japanese company but felt discouraged by stories of long hours, low pay, rigid hierarchies, and mandatory social drinking? If so, this episode is for you. Our guest, Alvin Tan, dives into his contr...
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Episode 96
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43:04
Sean Nichols: Japan Entertainment industry insider & Ultraman actor
Welcome to today’s episode! Our guest is the multi-talented Sean Nichols, whose career is as diverse as it is inspiring. Sean has captivated audiences as an entertainer on Japanese TV, performed as a Manzai stand-up comedian, and even served as...
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Episode 95
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42:02
(Best of) Masafumi Otsuka: Intercultural Business Facilitator and Cultural Navigator
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the often-mystifying Japanese business practices that foreigners in Japan struggle to navigate. Intercultural facilitator Masafumi Otsuka sheds light on puzzling practices like "Why Japanese managers ch...
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Episode 94
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43:04
Yuko Tamura: Bi-cultural storyteller offering "rebellious" insights on Japan.
In this episode, I’m joined by Yuko Tamura, an award-winning writer on the Medium platform and editor of Japonica—the go-to publication for everything Japan. Yuko’s writing is a blend of "Fun Facts about Japan" and what she calls "a li...
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Episode 93
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43:25
(Best of) Ed Thompson: Marketing Consultant and Educator
Now and Zen Japan is excited to welcome Mr. Ed Thompson, a Marketing Consultant and the founder of Concept Design. In this episode, we enjoy some beers while diving into Ed's over 20-year journey in Japan and his extensive career in marketing, ...
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Episode 92
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42:13
