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
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 [...]
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: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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.