Inside JapanGov is the official podcast of JapanGov, the Government of Japan's web portal. Building on stories shared through the JapanGov website and social media, we take a closer look at a variety of initiatives from across Japan and what lies behind them. We hope these will offer new perspectives and perhaps even a few surprises about the many charms of our country.
New episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/user/pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/JapanGov
Publisher
Office of Global Communications, Cabinet Office of Japan
Beyond Aid: The Natural Mosquito-Repelling Incense Connecting Kenya and Japan
JapanGov's PR team interviews Rinnesha representatives about their natural mosquito-repelling incense partnership empowering Kenyan farmers through shared production and sales.
18 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Can Light Keep Food Fresh? A Japanese Innovation Story
Join our PR team as we explore a surprising Japanese innovation that uses light to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer.
In this episode, we introduce iR Fresh, a patented technology developed by Shikoku Research Institute in Kagawa Prefecture. Using near-infrared light—the same type found in ordinary TV remotes—the technology triggers plants' natural defense mechanisms, helping reduce water loss and slow spoilage.
You'll hear how decades of research and trial and error led to a world-first discovery, and why it initially gained more attention overseas than in Japan. We also explore how innovations like this can reduce waste while bringing real benefits to farmers—like protecting brand value and helping them get properly rewarded for their work.
Food loss is a global challenge. Reducing it with light is a simple idea—but one with the potential to make agriculture more sustainable around the world.
Related articles or posts:
https://www.japan.go.jp/topics/2026/09/japans_new_foodtech.html
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/japangov/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/japangov/
https://www.instagram.com/japangov_official/
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/@pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/
https://www.instagram.com/kantei/
27 Aug 2026
From Mountain Villages to Remote Islands: Japan’s Drone Delivery Revolution
Join our PR team as we explore how drone technology is transforming delivery services in Japan's most hard-to-reach places.
From remote mountain villages to isolated islands, many communities across Japan face challenges accessing everyday essentials. In this episode, we introduce Aeronext, a Japanese company using drones to deliver goods where traditional logistics struggle to reach.
We'll explain the patented technology that keeps cargo stable during flight—so stable it can carry a bowl of ramen without spilling a drop. You'll also hear how residents in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, now receive food and daily necessities in as little as 30 minutes, and how drone deliveries provided critical support after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
We also look beyond Japan to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where the same technology is helping deliver blood supplies and improve emergency medical access.
The sky as infrastructure—maybe that future is already here.
Watch the drone delivery video featured in this episode:
https://youtu.be/qgYPySdWXNY
Related articles or posts:
https://www.japan.go.jp/topics/2026/08/sky-based_infrastructure_with_drones.html
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/japangov/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/japangov/
https://www.instagram.com/japangov_official/
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/@pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/
https://www.instagram.com/kantei/
24 Aug 2026
Revitalizing Closed Schools
Join our PR team as we dive into Japan’s creative reuse of closed schools!
Faced with school closures due to declining birthrates, communities across Japan are turning these spaces into opportunities—revitalizing local areas and showcasing the unique appeal of Japan to the world.
Related articles or posts:
https://www.facebook.com/100064276976236/posts/pfbid034YGR2HQMJMrhwMivBHMaHejd2WupFCx1ctjeMJTxx83QWEqHWVpZ2CmhBaLXcxfel/?d=n
https://x.com/japan/status/1924344312239948159
https://x.com/JapanGov/status/1924344308196602022
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7330109972602609664/
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/japangov/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/japangov/
https://www.instagram.com/japangov_official/
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/@pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/
https://www.instagram.com/kantei/
6 Aug 2026
When AI Looks Real: The Challenge of AI Governance
Join our PR team as we explore how Japan is helping build trust in the age of AI through Frontria, an international consortium led by Fujitsu that brings together organizations from around the world to advance AI governance.
As AI-generated content becomes increasingly realistic, how can we tell what is real? And how can societies embrace AI while maintaining trust?
In this episode, we look at how Frontria is tackling real-world challenges such as disinformation, deepfakes, and AI security by promoting practical solutions through international collaboration. We also explore Japan's broader efforts to support trustworthy AI, including its research ecosystem and initiatives that bridge innovation and social implementation.
Through an interview with one of Frontria's founding members, you'll hear why Japan hopes to serve as a bridge between different approaches to AI governance and help create a more trustworthy and resilient information society.
Related articles or posts:
https://www.japan.go.jp/topics/2026/06/building_trust_in_the_age_of_ai.html
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/japangov/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/japangov/
https://www.instagram.com/japangov_official/
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/@pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/
https://www.instagram.com/kantei/
29 Jul 2026
Turning CO₂ into Everyday Products: A Japanese Tech Innovation Story
Join our PR team as we explore metacol(TM), a Japanese innovation that transforms CO₂ and unused iron into new materials for everyday products.
From sports goods to stationery, metacol(TM) gives new value to these resources by transforming them into useful new materials.
In this episode, we explore how this technology works, why it has the potential to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics, and how it could contribute to a more sustainable future.
We'll also take you behind the scenes of its development—from an unexpected conversation between two researchers to a breakthrough inspired by a uniquely Japanese way of thinking. Along the way, you'll discover the spirit of mottainai—making the most of things instead of throwing them away—and how that idea continues to inspire innovation in Japan.
Related articles or posts:
https://www.japan.go.jp/topics/2026/07/making_more_emitting_less.html
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/
https://x.com/japangov/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/japangov/
https://www.instagram.com/japangov_official/
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/
https://www.youtube.com/@pmojapan
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/
https://www.instagram.com/kantei/
23 Apr 2026
Kendama: Simple Toy, Powerful Connection
Discover with our PR team how kendama, a traditional Japanese toy, has become a driving force for regional revitalization! In Nagai City in the Tohoku region, kendama connects people of different generations and cultures, even across national borders. It brings new energy to the local community and contributes to the city’s revitalization efforts.
Competition audio provided by Global Kendamas Network (GLOKEN)
https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2026/01/revitalizing_kendama.html (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.japan.go.jp%2Fkizuna%2F2026%2F01%2Frevitalizing_kendama.html&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970461258%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mltORLQdu%2F4n7JELIwavItXqeQj3TyJiq9OMOf8cCkY%3D&reserved=0)
□JapanGov
https://www.japan.go.jp/ (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.japan.go.jp%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970629592%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WvhGN%2FcWwPyVky6796CV7UhaespoPt5flqyDgg0kT44%3D&reserved=0)
https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/ (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJapanGov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970653686%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IEqIh3ZlvAbNQG4OSf6IsycHOWZgTomXNPMMfqflm5o%3D&reserved=0)
https://x.com/japangov/ (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fjapangov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970676153%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nHrHU8kzVjYHL3fuvHvrajiSzSLqxULMiFEMSjA39oc%3D&reserved=0)
□Prime Minister's Office of Japan
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/ (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjapan.kantei.go.jp%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970513956%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CEmzQB9HmirJtrN%2Fhe%2B99O78RVTEA2i0iMQNu7pk4eo%3D&reserved=0)
https://www.facebook.com/Japan.PMO (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJapan.PMO&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970562311%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s8JK3VDSP8kFxZuhBp1m18NmovMo1exjEFNYtB1w6eY%3D&reserved=0)
https://x.com/JPN_PMO/ (https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FJPN_PMO%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cwatanabe%40brain-net.co.jp%7Ce7f2c574d9f64ec137d708dea0f383b4%7Cccd82f5e82414ce188242c2821640c49%7C0%7C0%7C639125164970601718%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=XJHR8wYCO%2FbYvUrddKTMiSSWc1CLgx1WcxZN8DPVWn4%3D&reserved=0)
Inside a recent episode
Beyond Aid: The Natural Mosquito-Repelling Incense Connecting Kenya and Japan
Published 20 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I wouldn't have guessed that connection. But why Kenya? The story behind it is kind of unexpected. I interviewed Mr. Io from a company called Rinnesha. His father was sensitive to chemicals and couldn't use regular mosquito incense. So he started making mosquito incense using only natural ingredients. […]
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