Hello, and welcome to the History of Japan podcast, Episode 1, Introduction.

For our first episode, we're going to be covering the basics of Japan podcast. Episode 1. Introduction. For our first episode, we're going to be covering the basics of this podcast. Who I am, what kind of podcast this is going to be, and why you should

take the time to listen to it. So, who am I? My name is Isaac, and I've studied Japanese language,

culture, and history for the better part of a decade.

My specialty is Japan from around 1600, what historians refer to as modern Japan, because

historians are a very relative definition of the word modern.

I speak Japanese fairly fluently, and I'm hoping to be a PhD candidate starting this fall.

Fingers crossed on that one.

But don't worry.

I do my best to avoid being stuffy or overbearing.

What is this?

Well, it's a podcast about Japanese history, covering any aspects I find personally interesting, and anything

you suggest as well. The organization will be thematic, with the first couple episodes,

laying out a general history of Japan for reference by those unfamiliar with it or who need

a refresher. I'm not sure quite how many episodes that will take, but my guess would be somewhere

between 10 and 15. In the future, I'll start thematic episodes with a statement directing people

to the one covering the appropriate area of general history. For example, before an episode on

the post-World War II economic recovery in Japan, I would direct listeners

to an episode on the American occupation.

If there's interest, I would consider doing guest episodes with people knowledgeable on certain

topics, as well as listener Q&A episodes.

So, why should you take the time to listen to this with so many other things you could

...