Tokyo Paladin with Jake Adelstein
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During the year of the horse, reflecting on the year of the dog
Step back in time to 1994, the year of the dog, when Saitama Police arrested married dog breeders who were serial killers. But who really solved the…
Jan 15
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Jake Adelstein
31
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3
Kabukichō: A Name That Promised Kabuki—and Delivered Everything Else
Kabukichō, the red-light district of Tokyo, got its name from a Kabuki theatre that was never built. But if you know the sleazy history of Kabuki, the…
Jan 9
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Jake Adelstein
44
5
The 108 Bells
I'm not sending the traditional Japanese new years cards this year. I'm mourning my cranky and lovable Zen master. The year has ended but he's still in…
Dec 31, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
55
2
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The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0
Oct 4, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
169
58
48
Back to 1925--Japan's xenophobic party steps forward to take Japan backwards
Jul 21, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
81
18
18
The Death of The Salaryman
Aug 28, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
70
48
18
“Japanese First” and the Race to the Bottom: How Japan’s Upper House Election Became a Showcase for Xenophobia
Jul 13, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
53
15
12
He killed the ex-Prime Minister of Japan to put a bullet in a cult: the trial of Yamagami sheds light on the path from suicide to homemade…
Nov 26, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
45
12
5
Yakuza and Bonsai: A Brief History Of Japan's Attempts To Tame Gangsters (PART 1)
Oct 17, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
43
8
5
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Human Accident (人身事故)
Human Accident (人身事故)
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For the yakuza in your life, "Thank you for your painful hard work" (ご苦労様) is appropriate but never "Otsukare-sama"!
Happy holidays! It's the season to thank everyone in your life for their hard work over this trying year — but be careful how you phrase it.
Dec 25, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
48
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10
Put The “X” Back In Japanese Xmas! (And not the Elon Musk ‘X’, FFS)
Once upon a time in Japan, Christmas Eve was a time for young lovers to check into a love hotel and indulge in carnal pleasures. Maybe it’s time to…
Dec 18, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
and
Kaori Shoji
36
7
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How Shiori Ito Took On Japan’s Rapist-Friendly Justice System
The award-winning documentary is finally being shown in Japan.
Dec 11, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
33
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9
Simple Advice From Zen Master Ryōgen: Make Your Plans For Tomorrow The Day Before
Ryōgen Zenshi was never great with time management and once showed up to officiate a funeral 30 minutes late. But he was absolutely on time for his own…
Dec 7, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
34
3
3
He killed the ex-Prime Minister of Japan to put a bullet in a cult: the trial of Yamagami sheds light on the path from suicide to homemade…
The cult took his home, his money, and killed his brother. More would suffer. He knew they prospered because of a powerful politician protecting them…
Nov 26, 2025
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Jake Adelstein
45
12
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