Welcome to Design Talk.

In this episode I give a short talk titled “Doshite Nippon?” for Naonori sensei’s 'Gateways to Japan' discovery module at University College Dublin. The talk was recorded on April 1st 2025.

Kodate sensei is founding Director of the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies and Director of the Public Policy Programme in UCD.

Why Japan? I contend that it is good to experience the ordinary strangeness of a culture that is quite different to one’s own. My starting point is to consider the classic images of Japan after which I strive to give a flavour of what it is like to live and work there.

Notes

Naonori – https://people.ucd.ie/naonori.kodate

Allen – https://people.ucd.ie/allen.higgins

Gateways to Japan (DSCY10080)

JET – The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (see JET Ireland), established in 1987 and still running, invites third level graduates from overseas to participate in international exchange and foreign language education throughout Japan.

interac –Japan’s largest provider of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) https://interacnetwork.com

Japan Digital Nomad Association – https://japandigitalnomad.com/en/

Images:

四季と酒

shi ki to o-sake

These are: the four distinct seasons.

Haru (春) Springtime cherry blossoms.

Natsu (夏) The lush greenery of summer holidays, flowers, fruit and heat.

Aki (秋) Autumn when the leaves turn red and orange and gold.

Fuyu(冬) Winter cold (really cold), snow, and cosy indoors.

Add to this Japan’s visually striking architecture: Buddist temples (tera/-ji), Shinto shrines (jinja), Torii (gateways), and Castles (shiro/-jo) – former seats of power from the medieval period.

And not to forget – sake!

Acknowledgements

Music

Title: Check Them In

Artist: Ema Grace

Source: https://bit.ly/2tJ6Bnd

License: CC BY 4.0

Artist notes: Ema Grace is an AI vocaloid produced by Ryoma MAEDA (@Ryoma_Maeda). Styled as virtual Singer&Idol 架空のバーチャルアイドル & シンガー、それがEma Grace.

Cover Art

Title: Japan Digital Nomads

Credit: Japan Digital Nomads Association

Source: https://japandigitalnomad.com

License:

Podcast License

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