Showtime at Japan Expert Insights
“Showtime at Japan Expert Insights” is an exciting new podcast that brings listeners up close and personal with the leading figures of Japan’s dynamic industries, from technology and business to entertainment and culture. Each episode features live interviews with top Japanese professionals, offering insider perspectives and expert commentary on the latest trends and innovations shaping the nation.
Co-host Maya Matsuoka and I explore the multifaceted world of Japanese entertainment, culture, and industry trends. We feature in-depth discussions with leading experts who offer valuable perspectives on the latest developments and timeless aspects of Japan’s entertainment landscape.
Our podcast aims to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Japan’s entertainment industry, including everything from television and anime to gaming, film, and beyond. The format is conversational, very similar to the current Japan Expert Insights programming, and we aim to keep the discussions engaging, yet informative, allowing our audience to gain deeper knowledge about Japan’s dynamic cultural scene.
Showtime at Japan Expert Insights is now streaming on
Talking About the Film “How Dare You?” with Director Mipo O
Welcome back to week two of Asian Pop-up Cinema. Today, our special guest is the visionary director Mipo O. A graduate of Osaka University of Arts and a former protégé [...]
The Film Seaside Serendipity with Satoko Yokohama
We are back at the 2026 edition of Asian Pop-Up Cinema here in Chicago. For today’s podcast episode, we are sitting down for an in-person interview with director Satoko Yokohama [...]
The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat with Yukihiro Morigaki
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Asian Pop-Up Cinema here in Chicago. For today’s podcast episode, we are sitting down for an in-person interview with director Yukihiro Morigaki to discuss his [...]
From Independent Films To Emmy Wins with Yuki Sakamoto Solomon
Our next guest is a powerhouse in the international film community. Yuki Sakamoto Solomon is a Chicago-based producer, festival director, and the founder of Coyote Sun Productions. With a career spanning [...]
The Asian Pop-Up Cinema Showcase
Our next guest is Sophia Wong Boccio. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sophia's deep roots in the film industry began with her parents' careers as a prominent editor and actress. [...]
From Stir Friday Night To Chicago Med
Maya Tanaka Allwardt is an actor and musician originally from the Bay Area. She is a recent Jeff Award nominee for her role as Little Sally in Theo Ubique’s Urinetown. [...]
The Untold Epic Story of Commodore Perry in Japan
This week’s guest is Harry Wright, the founder of All Things Japan and the visionary behind a developing historical project titled The Black Ships: A Sea of Change. Drawing on [...]
Making A Japanese Harry Potter Film/TV Series
There is a secret hidden at the summit of a Japanese volcano... and it isn't a myth. It’s canon. Did you know that within the official Harry Potter canon, there [...]
Let’s Talk About Japanese Entertainment: Q&A
Welcome to 2026! On this episode of Showtime @ Japan Expert Insights, Maya Matsuoka and Michael Foster are kicking off the year by sharing our favorite Japanese movies and TV [...]
The Life of Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director
In this episode, we revisited a special event hosted by the Chicago Japan Film Collective featuring authors Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle. We explored the storied life of Ishiro Honda, focusing [...]
From Toronto to Tokyo: The Path to Vertical Filmmaking
This week's guest is Ron Reid Jr., a Toronto native who originally traveled to Japan with just $400 in his pocket and has since established himself as a prominent filmmaker and [...]
How to Bring Japanese Cinema to Life
Our next guest is Aki Takabatake, the founder and CEO of Momo Films Inc., a Toronto-based boutique film distribution company specializing in Japanese cinema. A University of British Columbia graduate, she [...]
Film-making: Bridging Japan and the World
In our next episode, we meet Megumi Nishikura, a US-based documentary film-maker whose work explores identity, belonging, and the cultural intersections between Japan and the world. Her feature documentary film "Hafu [...]
Getting A Head Start In Japanese Film Production
Tokyo-based Japanese film producer Kanako Fujita is the founder of Felis Pictures Ltd. and a graduate of King’s College London, where she earned her degree in Film Studies. A participant of [...]
Tales of an Independent Filmmaker from Sendai
This week’s guest is Takashi Horie, a New York-based independent filmmaker. Born in Sendai, Miyagi, he graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1996. Since then, Horie has [...]
Deep Dives: Getting Into The World Of J-Dramas
Born in Chicago, Kanako spent most of her life in Tokyo before returning to the U.S. decades later to make it her home once more. Her passion for launching creative projects [...]
The Rules Of Living And Making Movies In Japan
This week's guest is Greg Dale, a Princeton graduate with a decade of experience in New York theater, has been directing and acting in Broadway-level productions and films in Japan. [...]
A Rising Star In Japanese Movies and Television
This week's guest is Stefanie Arianne, an accomplished actress with roots in both the Philippines and Japan. After moving to Japan to pursue acting, she quickly rose to prominence, earning a [...]
Creating a Card Game for Japanese Business
This week we have Kanako Horii. Born in Chicago, she spent most of her life in Tokyo before returning to the U.S. decades later to make it her home again. Her [...]
Need to Know: Crafting Japanese Entertainment
This week, we feature Jeffrey Rowe, a Canadian actor, voice actor, and producer. He splits his time between Okinawa, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Rowe has appeared in nearly 50 films and [...]
Alongside interviews with professionals in the Japanese entertainment industry, the podcast delves into the world of Japanese-centric cinema, television, and new media, with special episodes dedicated to in-depth reviews, hidden gems, and deep dives into iconic films and filmmakers. Whether you are a Japan enthusiast or a newcomer, “Showtime at Japan Expert Insights” is your go-to source for all things Japan, wrapped in engaging conversation and expert analysis.