ZenStudio's Original Podcast 'Unpacking Japan' Reaches 200 Episodes. Evolving from Interviews with Foreigners in Japan into a Media Broadcasting Japanese Culture to the World.
ZenGroup's original podcast 'Unpacking Japan' has reached 200 episodes. Through interviews in English with people living in Japan, including notable figures like Yokozuna Hakuho, it spreads Japanese culture globally.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 23:00
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The original podcast program "Unpacking Japan" produced by "ZenStudio", a creative agency deployed by ZenGroup Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka), which provides total support for cross-border e-commerce, has recently reached its 200th episode.
Started in March 2023 as a program delivering the authentic voices of foreigners active in Japan in English, the program has now expanded beyond the boundaries of roots and language into a media that unravels Japanese culture and society from multiple angles. Most recently, it has reached a new milestone by releasing a Japanese-language episode featuring the 69th Yokozuna, Hakuho Sho.
■ Background of "Unpacking Japan" Reaching 200 Episodes
As of the end of June 2025, the number of foreign residents in Japan was 3,956,619, marking a record high. (*1) As the backgrounds of people living in Japan become increasingly diverse, a venue where the voices of people with different positions and cultural backgrounds intersect is becoming ever more important for fostering mutual understanding in society.
Through the voices of people living in Japan and perspectives observing Japan from the outside, "Unpacking Japan" has multifaceted aspects of culture, work styles, economy, regions, and communities. It serves as an entry point for overseas listeners to learn about Japan, a place of empathy and discovery for foreigners living in Japan, and an opportunity for people living in Japan to re-evaluate their own country, region, and Japan seen from the outside. One of the program's appeals is that listeners can familiarize themselves with diverse values while being exposed to English. The program also aims to become a place that connects different communities and builds new relationships.
We view reaching this 200th episode milestone not only as a testament to the program's continuity, but also as a turning point demonstrating that its role and value as a platform for dialogue connecting Japan and the world have steadily grown.
*1 Source: Immigration Services Agency, Regarding the number of foreign residents as of the end of June, Reiwa 7 (2025): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/press/13_00057.html
[Comment from the Program Host: Bieker Tobias]
Bieker Tobias (ZenStudio Section Leader)
"'Unpacking Japan' started from a desire to convey this country more multi-dimensionally through the stories of people living in Japan. Through repeated dialogues with guests, I feel that the words of people who passionately continue to take on challenges have the power to generate new perspectives and realizations. Moving forward, as a platform for dialogue connecting Japan and the world, I want to nurture the program into one trusted by even more people. We will continue to carefully deliver interviews that unravel Japan from diverse perspectives."
■ Highlighted Episodes (Partial Introduction)
Hakuho - How a small Mongolian boy became a legendary Yokozuna in Japanese Sumo
An episode featuring the 69th Yokozuna, Hakuho Sho, diving into his life and career to date. In addition to the reason he came to Japan and the path a Mongolian boy took to become a Yokozuna, he also talks about his activities to spread the charm of sumo to the next generation and the world, such as hosting the "Hakuho Cup".
Release Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Video URL: https://youtu.be/EKUhZKXUBBU/
Meilyne on building GeeXPlus and the secrets to its success
Featuring Meilyne, CEO and Director of GeeXPlus. This episode discusses supporting content creators active in Japan, the secret story behind the launch of the "Trash Taste Podcast", her career in the industry, the reality of moving to rural areas, and the type of creators management companies value.
Release Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Video URL: https://youtu.be/8eFQ7dIlMII/
Economist debunks Japan's "stagnant" economy
Welcoming Jesper, an economist who approaches the Japanese economy with a unique perspective, he talks about the reasons for his positive expectations for the future of the Japanese economy, signs of change, and the possibilities that spread beyond. It is a content that reconsiders the future of Japan without being swept away by pessimism.
Release Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Video URL: https://youtu.be/gOQ3vTjBPrs/
■ About Unpacking Japan
"Unpacking Japan" is an original podcast program developed by the creative agency "ZenStudio" within ZenGroup.
The program name reflects ZenGroup's business...
Started in March 2023 as a program delivering the authentic voices of foreigners active in Japan in English, the program has now expanded beyond the boundaries of roots and language into a media that unravels Japanese culture and society from multiple angles. Most recently, it has reached a new milestone by releasing a Japanese-language episode featuring the 69th Yokozuna, Hakuho Sho.
■ Background of "Unpacking Japan" Reaching 200 Episodes
As of the end of June 2025, the number of foreign residents in Japan was 3,956,619, marking a record high. (*1) As the backgrounds of people living in Japan become increasingly diverse, a venue where the voices of people with different positions and cultural backgrounds intersect is becoming ever more important for fostering mutual understanding in society.
Through the voices of people living in Japan and perspectives observing Japan from the outside, "Unpacking Japan" has multifaceted aspects of culture, work styles, economy, regions, and communities. It serves as an entry point for overseas listeners to learn about Japan, a place of empathy and discovery for foreigners living in Japan, and an opportunity for people living in Japan to re-evaluate their own country, region, and Japan seen from the outside. One of the program's appeals is that listeners can familiarize themselves with diverse values while being exposed to English. The program also aims to become a place that connects different communities and builds new relationships.
We view reaching this 200th episode milestone not only as a testament to the program's continuity, but also as a turning point demonstrating that its role and value as a platform for dialogue connecting Japan and the world have steadily grown.
*1 Source: Immigration Services Agency, Regarding the number of foreign residents as of the end of June, Reiwa 7 (2025): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/press/13_00057.html
[Comment from the Program Host: Bieker Tobias]
Bieker Tobias (ZenStudio Section Leader)
"'Unpacking Japan' started from a desire to convey this country more multi-dimensionally through the stories of people living in Japan. Through repeated dialogues with guests, I feel that the words of people who passionately continue to take on challenges have the power to generate new perspectives and realizations. Moving forward, as a platform for dialogue connecting Japan and the world, I want to nurture the program into one trusted by even more people. We will continue to carefully deliver interviews that unravel Japan from diverse perspectives."
■ Highlighted Episodes (Partial Introduction)
Hakuho - How a small Mongolian boy became a legendary Yokozuna in Japanese Sumo
An episode featuring the 69th Yokozuna, Hakuho Sho, diving into his life and career to date. In addition to the reason he came to Japan and the path a Mongolian boy took to become a Yokozuna, he also talks about his activities to spread the charm of sumo to the next generation and the world, such as hosting the "Hakuho Cup".
Release Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Video URL: https://youtu.be/EKUhZKXUBBU/
Meilyne on building GeeXPlus and the secrets to its success
Featuring Meilyne, CEO and Director of GeeXPlus. This episode discusses supporting content creators active in Japan, the secret story behind the launch of the "Trash Taste Podcast", her career in the industry, the reality of moving to rural areas, and the type of creators management companies value.
Release Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Video URL: https://youtu.be/8eFQ7dIlMII/
Economist debunks Japan's "stagnant" economy
Welcoming Jesper, an economist who approaches the Japanese economy with a unique perspective, he talks about the reasons for his positive expectations for the future of the Japanese economy, signs of change, and the possibilities that spread beyond. It is a content that reconsiders the future of Japan without being swept away by pessimism.
Release Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Video URL: https://youtu.be/gOQ3vTjBPrs/
■ About Unpacking Japan
"Unpacking Japan" is an original podcast program developed by the creative agency "ZenStudio" within ZenGroup.
The program name reflects ZenGroup's business...