• How do Japanese names work? | Japan Station 196/Ichimon Japan 28
    2026/02/15
    This is a re-release of Ichimon Japan episode 28. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do Japanese names work? Topics Discussed How people in Japan normally state their family name before their given nameThe complicated history of naming practices in JapanCommoners being prohibited from using family names during the Edo PeriodThe Meiji era laws that mandated every Japanese person take a family nameThe reluctance of some people to take a family name during the Meiji PeriodThe fact that many (most?) people with the surname Satō (佐藤) are probably not descended from samuraiThe fact that many commoners were given last names based on the geographical features of the area in which they livedThe story of how the Furo (風呂) family supposedly got their family name from Minamoto no YoshitsuneThe most common family names in Japan in 2019How many Japanese family names there areThe prevalence of rare Japanese last namesThe regional nature of some Japanese family namesThe convention of naming boys based on their birth orderHow it's easy to forget people's first names in JapanSome of the factors people in Japan consider when naming a babyAsking people in Japan about the kanji they use for their given name as a way to spark conversationThe phenomenon of siblings having related namesInteresting names in animeThe practice of picking a baby name based on the way a name is writtenHow much it usually costs to have a shrine pick a baby name for youWhat a seimeihandanshi isWhat it might cost you to have a seimeihandanshi pick a baby name for youA list outlining the most popular baby names in Japan of 2019The Japanese naming convention of tōrijiHow shorter names have become common in Japan in recent yearsHow female names that end in -ko used to be more commonAnd much more! Note: Just for the sake of clarity, I'd like to point out that the story of the Furo family name did not occur during the Meiji Period (actually it probably never even occurred in the way it is normally told). However, because the story was introduced alongside the changes of the Meiji Period it's possible to be left with the impression that there was a connection there. There is no direct connection. The story was simply brought up as an example of the many interesting ways in which people in Japan acquired last names. Listen to Ichimon Japan on [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1492400997" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Apple Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pY2hpbW9uamFwYW4ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Google Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/japankyocom/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyocom" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Stitcher[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZVgnljVM8gcR1ar98eK0D" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Spotify[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-59510504/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]iHeartRadio[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/mv3zr-ad2df/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyo.com" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]PodBean[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyocom-p1290988/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Tunein[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://ichimonjapan.libsyn.com/rss" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]RSS[/btn] Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha. And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance! Support on Patreon Mobal Link Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo. Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan Get a T-Shirt! Support the ...
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    1 時間 14 分
  • What the hell does "depakosu" mean? | Japan Station 195
    2026/02/07

    On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about two peculiar words depakosu and puchipura. Also i talk a bit about the origin of the name of the anime Odd Taxi.

    👉Topics Discussed

    • What depakosu (デパコス) means
    • What puchipura (プチプラ) means
    • The origin of the name of the anime Odd Taxi (オッドタクシー)
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

    • Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    None

    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    16 分
  • Why life in Aomori is so DIFFERENT | Japan Station 194
    2026/02/01

    On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about some of the unique aspects of living in Aomori Prefecture.

    👉Topics Discussed

    • What it's like living in Aomori Prefecture
    • About the Shimokita Peninsula
    • Why life in Aomori can be so inconvenient
    • What "English Toast" is (igirisu tōsuto, イギリストースト)
    • What igirisu tōsuto is
    • About the history of igirisu tōsuto
    • Why people in Aomori throw peanuts at oni on Setsubun instead of soybeans
    • The dialects of Aomori
    • How Aomori became one of Japan's biggest centers for apple production
    • About senbeijiru (rice cracker soup)
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

    • Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    None

    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    1 時間 3 分
  • The CRAZIEST Taishō era slang EXPLAINED! | Japan Station 193
    2026/01/21

    On this episode of Japan Station, we go through a list of some of the most unique and interesting slang of Japan's Taishō period (1912-1926).

    👉Topics Discussed

    • Popular Taishō era slang
    • How polie during the Taishō era used to say moshi moshi
    • Why it was an insult to call someone Mitsukoshi during the Taishō era
    • What it was like during the Taishō era
    • Taishō era youth culture
    • What a gomu geta was
    • What musen meant during the Taishō era
    • Taishō era opera otaku
    • What SS meant during the Taishō period
    • The sexy meaning of tōchaku (到着)
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

    • Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    If you want to learn about Edo/Meiji period street merchant slang, check out the link below!

    • Japanese Street Merchant Slang: 10 Words from Japan's Edo Merchants | Japan Station 158

    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    1 時間 4 分
  • 10 Reasons You'll Hate Living in Japan. Really? | Japan Station 192
    2026/01/14
    On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: 10 Reasons You'll Hate Living in Japan. Really? Topics Discussed Reasons why you may hate living in JapanNo trash cansWhy there are few public trash cans in JapanWhere to find trash cans in JapanWhether it's rude to walk while eating or drinking in public in JapanLack of soap in public restroomsIndividually wrapped itemsAbout not being able to have tattoos in JapanWorking conditions in JapanAbout salaries in JapanAbout the weird way Japan slices loaves of bread (shokupan)About the annoying nature of streets in JapanThe size of streets in JapanStreet signs in JapanCheese in JapanHow difficult it can be to find authentic food and cuisine from other countriesYou you will stand out if you don't look Asian in JapanHow it will be annoying to live in Japan if you look Asian but don't speak JapaneseAnd much more! Listen to Ichimon Japan on [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1492400997" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Apple Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pY2hpbW9uamFwYW4ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Google Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/japankyocom/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyocom" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Stitcher[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZVgnljVM8gcR1ar98eK0D" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Spotify[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-59510504/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]iHeartRadio[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/mv3zr-ad2df/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyo.com" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]PodBean[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyocom-p1290988/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Tunein[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://ichimonjapan.libsyn.com/rss" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]RSS[/btn] Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyoSupport on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. To learn more about how the Tokyo sarin gas attack is not the direct cause for there being so few public trash cans in Japan, check out the episode of Japan Station linked below. The REAL Reason Japan doesn't have public TRASH CANS! They're LYING TO YOU! | Japan Station 163 To learn more about the MAJISON Tokaido Challenge, check out the latest episode of Japan Station. See the link below https://japankyo.com/2023/08/im-walking-from-kyoto-to-tokyo-and-im-legally-blind-japan-station-majison-tokaido-challenge/ We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapanKyoNews)Twitter (@JapanKyoNews)Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
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    1 時間 15 分
  • Okuribito: Mortician or millionaire? What does it mean? | Japaan Station 191
    2026/01/07

    On this episode of Japan Station, I break down the two very different meanings of the word okuribito.

    👉Topics Discussed

    • About the 2008 Japanese film Departures (Okuribito)
    • What does okuribito mean?
    • What does おくりびと mean?
    • What does okuribito 億り人 mean?
    • The Japanese slang term okuribito
    • Why it is more difficult to become an "okuribito" in Japan now
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    None this time

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    For more info on what Ami is doing and Suzmizumi LLC, check out their Instagram page.

    • Sumizumi LLC Instagram
    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    15 分
  • How charcoal is saving this rural Japanese town (Ami Eldridge of Sumizumi LLC) | Japan Station 190
    2026/01/05

    On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Ami Eldridge, the co-founder of Sumizumi LLC, a company in rural Kochi Prefecture trying to revitalize the area through charcoal production.

    👉Topics Discussed

    • About Ami Eldridge's efforts to revitalize rural Kochi Prefecture
    • About the Niyodo Town and Niyodogawa River area
    • About how Sumizumi LLC is using charcoal and akiya (abandoned houses) to revitalize the Niyodogawa area
    • The many uses of charcoal
    • The intricacies of making charcoal
    • About turning akiya (abandoned houses into airbnb
    • How many people Ami has gotten to relocate to Niyodogawa
    • How people in Niyodogawa are creating new businesses like skate parks, curry shops and tea shops
    • How to access the Niyodogawa area
    • About the new lie flat overnight bus that runs from Tokyo to Kochi
    • How airbnb's can be used to help revitalize rural communities
    • When the best time to visit Niyodogawa is
    • What foods to eat in Niyodogawa
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

    • Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    For more info on what Ami is doing and Suzmizumi LLC, check out their Instagram page.

    • Sumizumi LLC Instagram
    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    33 分
  • Why "religion" in Japan doesn't make sense (to Westerners): A Talk with Hiroko Yoda | Japan Station 189
    2025/12/31

    On this episode of Japan Station, author Hiroko Yoda joins us to talk about the complexities of religious and spirituality in Japan, a topic she covers in her new book Eight Million Ways to Happiness.

    👉Topics Discussed

    • Why Hiroko Yoda was told to tell people she's Buddhist before going to the U.S. to study abroad
    • About "Yaoyorozu no kami"
    • About the history of the word for religion (shūkyō, 宗教) in Japanese
    • About the wide variety of Japan's "eight million gods"
    • Why Japanese people say they are not "religious"
    • The problem with surveys that ask Japanese people whether they are "religious"
    • About why Japanese people get married in the "Christian" style
    • Why Hiroko Yoda decided to write Eight Million Ways to Happiness
    • What Shugendō (修験道) is
    • About Shugendō practice
    • About the connection between Buddhism and funerals
    • Why funerals in Japan can be so expensive
    • About post-death Buddhist names
    • And much more!
    👉Subscribe to the Podcast!

    • Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

    👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
    • Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
      • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
    • Support via a one time donation!
      • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
      • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
      • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
    👉Affiliate Links

    Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

    • Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

    👉Links, Videos, Etc.

    Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspir by Hiroko Yoda is available now wherever you get your books. You can also use the links below to get a copy.

    • Amazon
    • Penguin House

    And here's some other relevant links.

    • Hiroko Yoda's Newsletter
    • Hiroko Yoda's Instagram
    • Hiroko Yoda's Bluesky
    • Hiroko Yoda's X
    👉Follow on Social Media
    • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
    • Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
    • The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
    • Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
    • Website: https://japankyo.com/
    • Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
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    57 分