Talking About The Film Rental Family with Michael and Maya

The New Director of Japanese Cinema with Taro Kawasaki

Our next guest is Taro Kawasaki. Born in Yamagata and a graduate of the Tohoku University of Art & Design, Taro Kawasaki represents the next generation of Japanese directorial talent. He sharpened his skills working as an assistant director under celebrated filmmakers such as Yuji Nakae, Shinobu Yaguchi, and Natsuki Seta. Taro’s thesis film, DOUGHNUT HOLE (2021), was featured at the Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival, signaling his arrival as a storyteller to watch. His debut feature, FARAWAY FAMILY (2023), which he co-directed, screened at the 19th Osaka Asian Film Festival before seeing its nationwide theatrical release in Japan in 2025.

Bringing Noh Theater To The World with Mariko Anno

This week's guest is Mariko Anno, a Japanese American scholar and performer bridging the worlds of academia and traditional Japanese music. An associate professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo, Mariko brings a unique perspective as both an ethnomusicologist and a professional flutist.She is the author of the award-winning book Piercing the Structure of Tradition, the first English monograph dedicated to the nohkan flute in Noh drama. Her work explores how performers navigate the delicate balance between centuries-old tradition and modern innovation. Currently, Mariko is developing an ambitious English-language Noh production titled Visas for Life, which tells the heroic story of Sugihara Chiune, the diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II.Join us for a conversation on the intersection of performance, history, and the enduring power of the Noh tradition.

Insights on Japan's Cultural Legacy with Roland Kelts

This week, our guest is Roland Kelts, an award-winning journalist and the author of “Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US” and “The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus.” He writes for publications in the US, Japan and Europe, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Guardian, New Statesman, The Times Literary Supplement, Nikkei Asia and The Japan Times, among others, and he has contributed essays and short stories to several book-length collections. He was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University and currently teaches at Waseda University. He is filming a documentary about manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka that will be released in 2028. He divides his time between Tokyo New York City, and he loves to play the drums.

Notes on a LifeLong Film Career with Eiji Uchida

Our guest today is a filmmaker whose work fearlessly explores the fringes of Japanese society with both grit and a profound sense of empathy. We are diving deep into the life and career of Eiji Uchida, the visionary director behind Midnight Swan and Lowlife Love. In this episode, we talk about how he chooses the stories to tell, lessons from working in the industry, and the future of Japanese cinema. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to his provocative filmography, this discussion offers a rare look at the guy behind the lens.

Talking About The Film Rental Family with Michael and Maya

This week on Showtime at Japan Expert Insights, Maya Matsuoka and Michael Foster are taking a deep dive into the 2025 film Rental Family. Directed by the visionary Hikari, this poignant dramedy follows an American actor in Tokyo who joins a daiko agency to play various roles for hire. We will explore how Hikari utilizes the real world industry of Japanese rental services to examine the concept of tatemae and the blurred lines between performance and genuine connection.Our discussion highlights the stellar ensemble of Japanese performers who bring this story to life. From the vibrant Bakeneko Festival to the exploration of hikikomori culture, we break down the specific cultural references and Hikari's unique directorial lens that make this film a must watch.Finally, we will discuss how Rental Family serves as a powerful template for the future of Western and Japanese hybrid filmmaking as we believe Hikari’s approach shows how international co-productions can respect cultural specificities while telling a story that resonates with a global audience.