Podcast

227 The Demon Child Causes a Ruckus in the Sea of Japan: Viewing the Hit "Ne Zha 2" Through the Different Development Paths of Post-War Chinese and Japanese Animation

Topics for this episode: Fan Yiru watched "Ne Zha 2" five times; I'm definitely part of the ten-billion project Analyzing "Ne Zha 2" from the perspective of the historical evolution of animation China and Japan have walked different paths in their century-long animation histories What is the core competitiveness of the animation industry? Keywords for the development of the post-war Japanese animation industry: Commercialization

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117 Lavoisier: Why Did a Once-in-a-Century Brilliant Head Get Chopped Off

"Mr. Lavoisier, son of a land grabber, half-baked chemist, disciple of the Geneva stock speculator Necker, former chief tax farmer of the General Farm, director of the Bureau of Gunpowder and Saltpeter, director of the Discount Bank, secretary to the King, member of the Academy of Sciences, intimate friend of Voville, malfeasant of the Paris Food Committee, and the greatest conspirator of the age" was sent to the guillotine in Paris on May 8, 1794. Lavoisier's death is a minor yet significant case in the history of the French Revolution. Some view it as proof of the Terror during the Revolution, others see it as the shameless revenge of ignorant amateurs against a great scientist, and still others believe that Lavoisier, as a chief tax farmer under the Old Regime, deserved his fate. In this episode, we will discuss what the string of diverse titles listed by Marat in The Friend of the People meant, and also how Lavoisier, an intellectual elite of the Old Regime, faced the turbulent waves of the Revolution.

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387 World Wars, Propaganda Beyond the Iron Curtain, and Broadcasting Offensives: Starting from Musk's Threat to Shut Down VOA and RFE

On February 9, 2025, local time, Elon Musk reposted a post calling "VOA" and "RFE" "far-left state media," and agreed that they should be shut down. These two radio programs, established during World War II and the Cold War respectively, had distinct operational methods and propaganda strategies due to the changes of the times. Why did the United States initially resist the establishment of public radio? During the height of the Cold War, how did RFE encounter spies and attacks on the European front? Analyzing the US "Grand Propaganda," how did official strategies like VOA succeed, and where should they go in the new era? Please listen to this episode's guests, Yang Yi and Sha Qingqing, for their insightful sharing!

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116 Studying the Humanities: What Is the Point?

In the previous episode, "Is the Humanities Really Facing a Global Collapse?", we reviewed and reflected on the humanities as a university establishment, which sparked quite heated discussion among our listeners. In this episode, the hosts will discuss what the point of studying the humanities really is, each from their own distinct perspective. The content we share may not be universally applicable and is more or less colored by personal emotion; however, we hope to share more vivid viewpoints, experiences, and feelings with you through this personalized and individualized approach. Starting May 30, 2024, "Leftover Talk" officially launched its "Annual Membership Program."

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224 Toyota Sets Up Shop in Shanghai & Honda "Calls Off the Wedding" After Two Months, But They Have Both Abandoned Fuji TV, Which Lives in the Showa Era

https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/podcast/6793c1db0a4fdd4e3d63d8f4 https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/podcast/6588802f20d779b49ddb51ed

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114 Dads Struggle with Wukong, Hosts of Blossoms Shanghai Send Joint Blessings: 2024 Anime and Film/TV Year-End Summary (Part 2)

In the discussion of the second part, the hosts will start with games, recommending and criticizing Black Myth: Wukong, Baldur's Gate 3, and Mahoutsukai no Yoru. They will discuss the merits and flaws of new and old works such as Look Back, Yuru Camp, Oshi no Ko, Berserk, and Dandadan. The discussion remains heated, and the criticism remains sharp. Popular dramas such as Blossoms Shanghai, Slow Horses, and The Day of the Jackal also receive sharp reviews. Of course, all of the above are purely the personal opinions of the hosts. As the Spring Festival holiday comes to an end, this is offered for your amusement. Starting from May 30, 2024, Leftover Talk will officially launch its "Annual Membership Program".

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113 Is Some Good Stuff Good, and Is Miyazaki Hayao Capable: 2024 Anime and Film Year-End Summary (Part 1)

The Year of the Dragon has passed and the Year of the Snake has arrived; the Spring Festival is here. With it comes the year-end summary (tǔ) (cáo) of anime and film that listeners have been eagerly anticipating and hosts have been preparing for. To summarize this year in a single sentence: every work has been praised, except for Detective Conan (theatrical version), which has been getting the flak…… Of course, this is not entirely fair, as Dune: Part Two, Metropolis, The Substance, and Gladiator II have also been criticized…… So, with a slight correction, a more fair statement would be: only Detective Conan (theatrical version) is still getting the flak. By contrast, the re-release of Crossroad of the Labyrinth naturally evokes a thousand feelings. Beyond that, whether it is the annual hit film Some Good Stuff or Miyazaki Hayao’s “swan song” The Boy and the Heron, both are key focuses of this episode, especially the discussions extended by the latter, which are as sharp as the heated debate over Attack on Titan. In short, in the new year, it is still the Leftover Talk you are familiar with, and still the year-end summary you like.

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Episode 3: The Decline of the LDP's Money-and-Power Politics and the Challenges of Japanese Political Reform in the Post-Cold War Era

Series: The Rise and Fall of LDP Factional Politics

In the late 1980s, starting with Noboru Takeshita, Japan entered an era where prime ministers changed as frequently as a revolving door. Within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), major black-gold corruption scandals also arose one after another, fueling growing public resentment toward factional politics. In this third episode, the two hosts will detail that "chaotic era" at the transition from the Showa to the Heisei period, taking listeners back to how the LDP lost power in 1993, becoming the opposition party for the first time since 1955. Meanwhile, with the reform toward small electoral districts, what major turning points did factional politics encounter in the post-Cold War era?

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Episode 4: The Return of Strongman Politics and the Collapse of Factional Political Ecology

Series: The Rise and Fall of LDP Factional Politics

After entering the 21st century, Junichiro Koizumi's whirlwind of 'theater politics' objectively weakened the influence of traditional factions within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). With the party leader at the core and the party's power growing, the factions' monopoly on the party's political ecology was broken. After the interlude of the Democratic Party, Shinzo Abe, who returned to power, began to consolidate his long-term rule by cooperating with major factions and expanding the Abe faction. However, this was accompanied by the resurgence of the accumulated ills of LDP factions, leading to a backlash. While LDP factional politics may gradually fade in form, the struggle for power will ultimately continue on the stage of Nagatacho in a different guise.

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Episode 2: The "Triangle-Daifuku-Naka" Struggle and the Basic Establishment of the Postwar Japanese "Politics, Business, and Bureaucracy" Interaction System

Series: The Rise and Fall of LDP Factional Politics

After experiencing the long tenure of Eisaku Satō, factional politics within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) reached its peak in the 1970s. The fierce infighting among the major factions of the "Triangle-Daifuku-Naka" spanned almost the entire decade, capturing the attention of the Japanese public. This series of struggles not only affected the internal power structure of the LDP but also had a profound impact on the political situation and social development of Japan at the time and in the subsequent period. In this episode, we will outline for listeners this complex history of power struggles within the LDP and the various secrets behind them.

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Episode 1: The Eve of Party Politics and the Gestation of Factional Politics under the '1955 System'

Series: The Rise and Fall of LDP Factional Politics

Long before the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was officially established in 1955, the political groups within its major factions already existed. In other words, for the LDP, the history of its factions predates the history of the party itself. In this episode, the two hosts will first trace the evolution of Japanese parliamentary politics since the Meiji Restoration and the origins of postwar politics. Using the experiences of Hatoyama Ichirō, Yoshida Shigeru, Kishi Nobusuke, and Ikeda Hayato as entry points, they will provide a relatively systematic account of the origins and development of factional politics within the LDP.

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222 Masahiro Nakai Forced to Leave the Industry Due to Sexual Assault Scandal; Fuji TV Cornered by Shareholders and Sponsors

Topics for this episode: Insufficient reflection equals no reflection at all: Is Masahiro Nakai forced to leave the industry? Old men in the Japanese entertainment industry failing to control their lower bodies is a structural chronic ailment of a patriarchal society. Major shareholders and advertisers speak out, leaving Fuji TV in a "stuck on a tiger" dilemma. Fuji TV, the "rat crossing the street," why did its stock price rise? Can this controversy drive reform regarding the survival of traditional television?

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112 Starting from Taiga Dramas: A Casual Chat on Japanese History

In October 2024, the renowned Japanese actor Mr. Nishida Toshiyuki unfortunately passed away. Host Sha Qingqing, along with teachers Kang Hao and Wang Kanliang, recalled the many Taiga dramas in which Mr. Nishida had appeared. In this episode, the three of them start from Taiga dramas, and during a relaxed chat, they discuss and critically comment on numerous historical figures and events from Japan's medieval and early modern periods. Whether you are a fan of Taiga dramas or Japanese history, you should find content of interest. Xie Guoming: A Sino-Japanese trade merchant during the Southern Song Dynasty who resided long-term in Hakata Port, Japan. Nankōbō Tenkai: A Japanese Tendai sect monk active in the 16th-17th centuries, and a political advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

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SP: President Trump Launches a Coin, Rednecks Rejoice—What Exactly Is "Trump Coin"?

Just two days before Trump's inauguration as president, on January 18, 2025, Trump launched a meme coin named $TRUMP on his Trust platform. Seven hours later, the market capitalization of $TRUMP surpassed $20 billion, reaching as high as $70 billion within a single day. One netizen joked, "Trump's family has been striving for three generations since his grandfather immigrated from Germany more than 100 years ago. By the time of Trump today, the family's wealth had finally accumulated to $4 billion. Who would have thought that launching a 'shitcoin' today would result in a market cap of $30 billion? More than 100 years of struggle were worth less than seven hours."

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111 Can Listening to Bach Really Cure Illness? Bach and His Reputation in Life and After Death

Bach is ever-new to those who listen often, yet the charm of his works remains undiminished. What was Bach's life like? Was he the benevolent old gentleman depicted in his portraits? Why did his employer consider him merely an average candidate, third in line for the job? Why did his fame remain long buried after his death? Can Bach's music really cure illness? And how did he embed his name into his works? In this episode, hosts Sha Qingqing, Zheng Shiliang, and Bo Qiao discuss various issues surrounding the musical figure of Bach. The Geyersbach mentioned in the episode, who, after Bach "challenged" him with a work, teamed up with others to ambush the latter's piece, is speculated by Christoph Wolff, former director of the Bach Archive and Professor Emeritus of Music History at Harvard University, to perhaps be BWV 15, Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen. However, Wolff emphasizes that this is merely his speculation. Based on this speculation, Geyersbach should have been responsible for the continuo part, and the corresponding movement might be: Auf, freue dich, Seele, du bist nun getröst'. We included this passage in the episode when discussing this work, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is indeed this piece.

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220 Japan's Top News of 2024: A Private Ranking: Everything Will Pass, and the Future Is Happening

Topics for this episode: When will the new paid content drop? It's up to you Big News ① & ②: Fumio Kishida becomes Prime Minister, bringing new opportunities to China-Japan relations Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Big News ③: One year since the strong earthquake on Noto Peninsula; concerns over the speed and efficiency of disaster relief Big News ④ & ⑤: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and Nissan; the myth of "Made in Japan" fades

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109 Fresh Nostalgia: A Chat with Xiaoshui on Showa Idols

In the 1980s, after years of economic takeoff, Japan moved toward a bubble economy, and the prosperity of the entertainment industry also gradually reached its peak, with "idols" being a keyword in this context. In the nearly ten years following Yamasaki Momoe's retirement, the industry's passion for idols was completely ignited, forming a brilliant era of idols that reshaped the entertainment circles of Japan and even all of East Asia. More than thirty years later, the influence of Showa idols has not only failed to dissipate but has been cherished, discovered, and even reinterpreted by many young people who did not experience that golden age. In this episode, we invite Xiaoshui again to have a casual chat about 1980s Showa idols, starting from a magazine and a performance she organized.

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218 [Tokyo Meetup] A Great Era of Sino-Japanese Civilian Exchange Is Arriving: Listen to the Voices of Representatives of the Million Chinese in Japan

This episode is an audio edited version of the offline exchange held on December 20 at the Ginza branch of One-Way Street Bookstore in Tokyo, Japan, by Eye on East Asia.

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108 Did This Literary Classic Have a Mistranslated Title? From Whitman to Hemingway: American Literature in Baseball

Baseball is indeed not a sport well-known to most Chinese people, but as the sport most passionately pursued by Americans in history, it has undoubtedly entered our field of vision in unexpected places through various forms of entertainment such as films and novels. Which literary classic associated with baseball has a mistranslated Chinese title? What was baseball like in the era of Whitman and Mark Twain? Who exactly is Joe DiMaggio, repeatedly mentioned by Hemingway in The Old Man and the Sea? How does Philip Roth use baseball to express his literary melancholy? Welcome to this episode of Leftover Talk.

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105 How Should the History of Aggressive War Be Remembered

Starting May 30, 2024, "Leftover Talk" will officially launch its "Annual Membership Program." Listeners who join the "Leftover Talk" Annual Membership will enjoy the following "benefits": 1. Free access to newly released "paid episodes" each month, as well as access to all past "paid episodes." 3. Participation in monthly online lectures and sharing sessions by the hosts. Related content will not be released as regular episodes and is exclusive to annual members. 4. Ability to ask questions or engage in discussions with hosts and guests on the Knowledge Planet, enjoying personalized exclusive consulting services.

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215 [Urgent Bonus] Yoon Suk-yeol "Flips the Table" with Sudden Martial Law Decree; South Korea Endures Six-Hour "Winter in Seoul"

Topics for this episode: What exactly happened during the six-hour "Winter in Seoul"? Launching martial law after more than 40 years, what was Yoon "Kaka" thinking? This farce can be traced back to September. Who gave President Yoon this bad advice? Prosecutor-turned-president Yoon "Kaka" essentially despises the democratic system.

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366 The Nation of Coffee: How Did Japanese Coffee Culture Form?

When mentioning Japanese lifestyle, coffee is an important keyword and representative. Rich and balanced, combining acidity and bitterness, this unique taste preference makes Japanese coffee quite special in the world. However, several hundred years ago, when coffee was first introduced, it was difficult for the Japanese to accept it, and it began to be promoted on a small scale only due to its medicinal value. What happened during coffee's first encounter with Japanese society? What "Greater East Asia" story lies behind Japan's first modern coffeehouse? How did coffeehouses during the Taisho era become linked with the entertainment industry, turning into "special venues"? After the war, how did Japanese coffee remain unconventional, eventually evolving into a distinctly Japanese coffee style? Welcome to this wonderful sharing by Sha Qingqing and Yue Xiaoya!

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214 Four and a Half Years, Over Two Hundred Episodes, Three Hundred Thousand Subscribers on Xiaoyuzhou: Only Gratitude

A commemorative episode marking the point where Eye on East Asia has reached four and a half years, over two hundred episodes, and surpassed three hundred thousand subscribers on Xiaoyuzhou.

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213 Trump Re-elected as US President: How Will Japanese and South Korean Leaders Respond This Time?

Topics for this episode: Trump's second term: Who will call first, Japan or South Korea, and for how long? The podcast has already influenced the US election, so why does it seem like there is no movement from Japan and South Korea? Shigeru "The Great General" and President Yoon: Who can get along well with Trump? With Trump's return, will the drama of group owners leaving the group happen again? How will the South Korean right wing face potential changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula in the future?

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