LJP Learning Japanese Podcast

“How have you been lately?”

This is his standard opening to check in on the guest's general well-being and kick off the chat.

“Do you like Japan?”

A common question to gauge a guest's overall sentiment towards the country, leading to more specific follow-ups.

“What do you like about Japan?”

A direct follow-up used to explore the specific positive aspects a guest enjoys, such as food or toilets.

“Are there things you have to complain about?”

Asked to explore a guest's negative experiences or frustrations, often after they claim to have no complaints.

“Which do you prefer, [X] or [Y]?”

A simple binary choice question (e.g., winter vs. summer) to understand personal preferences.

“Would you rather live in the mountains or by the sea?”

A hypothetical question used to reveal a guest's ideal living environment and lifestyle preferences.

“What would be your last meal on Earth?”

A classic icebreaker question used to explore deep-seated memories and preferences through food.

“When did you first experience [a specific food]?”

Used to tap into nostalgia and origin stories, particularly in food-themed episodes like the one on McDonald's.

“If you could create your own [burger], what would it be?”

A creative, hypothetical prompt that sparks imaginative discussion, often during food-centric episodes.

“Is there anything you want to say to the people of Japan?”

A signature closing question that gives the guest a final word or a chance to share a message.