137: Is Japan the model for Elon Musk’s Twitter?

137: Is Japan the model for Elon Musk’s Twitter?

Author: The Japan Times November 24, 2022 Duration: 25:19
As news about Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter continues to emerge, we’ll talk to Elizabeth Beattie about how the social media platform’s Japan team has been affected. Are you thinking of jumping the Twitter ship? Well, tech reporter Daisuke Kikuchi later joins us to discuss what social media services are doing well in Japan before recapping some of the year’s big tech and tech-related stories. 

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez

On this episode: 
Elizabeth Beattie: Articles | Twitter
Daisuke Kikuchi: Articles | Twitter

Read more: 
Following mass Twitter Japan firings, some call for legal action (Elizabeth Beattie, The Japan Times)
Elon Musk says Twitter is done with layoffs and ready to hire again (Alex Heath, The Verge)
The Zenly implosion: Inside 6 months of tension, culture clash, and conflict (Andrew Deck, Rest of World)
AI-generated art sparks furious backlash from Japan’s anime community (Andrew Deck, Rest of World) 

Get in touch: 
Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter! For a transcript of the show, head to japantimes.co.jp.

Photo: 
Elon Musk’s Twitter profile is seen on a smartphone placed against printed Twitter logos. | REUTERS

There’s always more to the story than the headlines suggest. Deep Dive from The Japan Times goes beyond the surface, offering a richer, more nuanced look at the forces shaping contemporary Japan and its role in the world. Each episode is built on the trusted journalism of The Japan Times, but here the conversation expands. You’ll hear reporters and editors discuss the deeper context behind their articles, alongside candid interviews with experts, analysts, and people with firsthand experience. The discussions naturally span the interconnected realms of politics, economics, and social change, while also making room for the cultural currents-from film and literature to everyday life-that define the national mood. This isn’t a recap of the news; it’s an exploration of the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’ Tuning into this podcast means gaining a clearer understanding of complex issues, from demographic shifts and technological innovation to regional diplomacy and evolving artistic expressions. It’s for anyone curious about the intricate realities of a country often summarized in simple terms. The result is a thoughtful, informative listen that connects the dots between news, business, culture, and society, providing a comprehensive audio companion to one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Deep Dive from The Japan Times
Podcast Episodes
195: Kabukicho: Tokyo's 'stadium of desire' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:44
What do street-kid influencers, fantasy boyfriends and around 280 bars crammed into six allies have in common? They are all a part of Kabukicho, an area of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward that is either a tourist trap or sleazy re…
193: Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:27
On this week’s Deep Dive, we speak to Alex K.T. Martin who has done a series of pieces exploring what lies beneath the surface of Tokyo. Hidden rivers, ancient artifacts and crumbling infrastructure are just a few of the…
192: The sweaty pleasure of Japan’s inconvenient art [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:11
Japan is known for its convenience, but if you want to see some of the best artwork the country has to offer you’ll need to travel way off the beaten path. It involves trekking, sweating and, on the odd occasion, you don…
191: What does climate change sound like? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:17
With temperatures rising we can all feel how climate change is affecting our lives, but what if we could hear it too? This week, Japan Times climate editor Chris Russell joins us to discuss what researchers at the Okinaw…
Japan is doing better on accessibility than you think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
With an increase in tourists heading to these parts, some may be wondering if Japan is a safe destination for those with disabilities. If you’re concerned, Josh Grisdale from the website Accessible Japan is here to help.…
190: Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
We are revisiting some past content on the science, economics and culture of cherry blossom season. Most importantly, we talk about some of the best spots to check them out in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. Hosted by Shaun M…
[Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:26
This week on Deep Dive, contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein reads us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.On this episode: Shaun…
188: A young 3/11 survivor and her vow to protect the ocean [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:37
At 12, Miku Narisawa experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ensuing and tsunami destroyed her home. Instead of running from the ocean, however, she is now working to try to protect it through her Odyssey Nature…