This week, we have Mayu Nakamura, a lifelong traveler and storyteller from Japan, who left home at 16 to study in the U.K. and eventually moved to New York City to pursue a career in filmmaking. She earned her MFA from NYU’s Graduate Film Program and now creates both fiction and documentary films while splitting [...]
This week’s guest is Fujiko, a vibrant and rising Japanese comedian based in Chicago who brings laughter, insight, and a unique cross-cultural perspective to the stage. Originally from Osaka, Japan, Fujiko discovered her passion for comedy through her gift for connecting with audiences, delivering joy with her positive energy, sharp wit, and empowering humor. [...]
This week, we welcome Donie Ordiales and Sho Ikushima—two dynamic voices in contemporary Japanese cinema. The duo will delve into their latest collaboration, Crosspoint—a gripping 2024 Philippine-Japanese action thriller. They’ll take us behind the scenes of filming in Japan, exploring the creative challenges and cultural intersections that shaped the project. [...]
This week, we have Kei Kurosawa, a Filipino-Japanese actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, and content creator. She is known for the Japanese indie horror film, The Red Dress (2023), the Filipino youth-oriented series, Zoomers (2024), and the international Japanese action-drama film, Crosspoint (2024). In this entertainment industry-focused version of Japan Expert Insights, Michael [...]
We are thrilled to share that Michael recently sat down with director Jun'ichi Yasuda and actress & assistant director Yuno Sakura to discuss their breakout film A Samurai in Time (侍タイムスリッパー)—a fantasy comedy that has captured the hearts of Japanese moviegoers. Made on a modest budget of 26 million yen and initially screened in just [...]
This week, we have Moeka Iida, a reporter and researcher at The Economist’s Tokyo bureau, covering Japanese politics, society, business, and culture. With a keen interest in subcultures and social trends, she has written about host clubs in Tokyo’s red-light district, the rise of female writers in Japan’s literary scene, and the changing face of [...]
This week, we have Chiaki Yanagimoto, a Japanese-born, Los Angeles-based producer. After producing a series of genre films, Chiaki switched gears to documentaries, including “KAMPAI! For the Love of Sake,” which premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and was released by IFC Films/Sundance Selects. She is also a founder of SAKKA, a US-based [...]
Mark Schilling is a reporter, critic, and author who specializes in Japanese films and popular culture. Since 1989, Mark has been a regular film critic for The Japan Times and has covered the Japanese film industry for Screen International (1990–2005) and Variety (2005–present). Mark has written or contributed to several books, including The Encyclopedia of [...]
In the fourth episode, we’re excited to welcome Susan Miyagi McCormac, the founder, and Editor-in-Chief of JapanCulture•NYC, a website that introduces New Yorkers to Japanese culture and promotes Japanese-related events. In addition to her work with JapanCulture•NYC, Susan is a Vice President of the Japanese American Association of New York, serves on the JET Alumni [...]
In the third episode of Showtime at Japan Expert Insights, we'll chat with Tetsuki Ijichi about his extensive experience in the entertainment industry and the valuable advice he has for those just starting out. With over 45 years in the field, especially independent film world. Tetsuki is an acclaimed film distributor and producer, having distributed [...]
