The Chrysanthemum Question - July 18, 2026

The Chrysanthemum Question - July 18, 2026

Stories from Japan, told from Japan. This week: Japan just passed a law to save its imperial family — and in doing so, may have signed its death warrant. Support: BuyMeACoffee/TokyoBill [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TokyoBill], or visit theTokyoBill.jp [https://thetokyobill.jp]. :)

One More Round - July 11, 2026

Stories from Japan, told from Japan. Japan is drinking less — and the country that invented the after-work drinking party is quietly trying to figure out what comes next.   Support: BuyMeACoffee/TokyoBill [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TokyoBill], or visit theTokyoBill.jp [https://thetokyobill.jp]. :)

The Last Bookstore - July 4, 2026

Stories from Japan, told from Japan. This week: why people are lining up at midnight for a new novel in a country that is running out of bookstores.    Support: BuyMeACoffee/TokyoBill [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TokyoBill], or visit theTokyoBill.com [https://theTokyoBill.com]. :)

The Ball is My Friend - June 27, 2026

Each week, a single topic explored in a little more depth than my companion podcast, theTokyoBill news brief. This week:  how Japan went from having no professional football league to facing Brazil in the World Cup knockout stage — and the manga that started it all.   Music credit: MOTIVATE by Wavecont, via Pixabay.com

Equal Under the Law, Just Not Married - June 20, 2026

Stories from Japan, told from Japan. This week: a country where two-thirds of the public support same- marriage, hundreds of thousands turn out for Pride, and the law still says no.    Support: BuyMeACoffee/TokyoBill [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TokyoBill], or visit theTokyoBill.com [https://theTokyoBill.com]. And, now on Patreon! :)