Real Gaijin
Mark Kennedy, Bill Adler, Tim Romero, Alex Dwyer, Jack Krown, Baye McNeil, Lee Arnold, Michael Thuresson, Tomomi in Japan, David Wagner, ArieUnveiling the Real Japan: An American Expat's Inside Look | Hot takes, commentary, and unfiltered insights on life as a foreigner in Japan.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 430 | Founded | 6 years ago | Last Issue | 4 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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realgaijin.substack.comLatest Issues
Japan’s Marriage Meltdown: Why the Baby Bust Starts Long Before the Altar
The problem is that Japanese couples have difficulty finding each other in the first place (original AI-generated image by author Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- Japan’s latest National Fertility Survey, which was published on September 11,...
▶︎ AMA Podcast (S-02, E-25) with Tomomi Iwasaki, Japan country manager for a European beauty tech brand
What does it take to build a foreign brand in Japan and serve as the liaison between global headquarters and the realities of the Japanese market?
Real Gaijin1 typically showcases foreigners living and working in Japan, as well as individu...
How Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Mounjaro Became a Runaway Success in Japan—and Triggered Its Own 25% Price Cut
A doctor explaining the benefits of Mounjaro to a 57-year-old smoker who is mildly overweight and has just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (original AI-generated image by author Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- On August 1, 2026, Japan sl...
Japan's 34-Year Wage Surge Collides with Cautious Consumers
There is a clear disconnect in Japan between the positive news about real wage growth and the ongoing concerns about inflation (original AI-generated image by author Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- Japan’s nominal wages surged 4.7% in July 2...
🎤 AMA Podcast (S-02, E-25) with Tomomi Iwasaki, Japan country manager for a European beauty tech brand
Click on the graphic/link below to watch or listen to the podcast.
What does it take to build a foreign brand in Japan and serve as the liaison between global headquarters and the realities of the Japanese market?
Real Gaijin1 typically s...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Mark, a Chicago native, spent nearly three decades navigating the corporate world of Tokyo. But in a bold move, he ditched the suit and tie in his early fifties, seeking a simpler life in the heart of Japan's countryside on the island of Kyushu.
Bill Adler is an American writer living in Japan. His books have sold over a million copies.
Partner at JERA Ventures; founder, podcaster, investor, mentor, author, picker, grinner, lover, sinner
Joyrides Fueled by the World’s Most Beloved Beverage. \ud83c\udf75\ud83c\udfb5\ud83d\udc7b ✏️ ⚽️ - Kamkaura, Japan + Los Angeles, California.
Welcome. Frog’s Glen is my name for a rural corner of the Kanto area I live in with my partner and dog. I write light- and not so light-hearted essays about life here and in Tokyo.
I’m a writer, raised in Brooklyn, braised in Japan. Author of three books on life in Japan. I love me some lasagna, The West Wing, House, The Wire, Tonkotsu Ramen, Onsen (Hot Springs) and of course Miki (not necessarily in that order).
Who are Zoot & Algy? They're two quirky animals cast into a weird and wonderful world by an unseen but friendly entity. Tasked to form a "zoocracy" - a country run by animals - there's goodwill and more than a little love in their adventures!
Chicago-born and raised humor writer, long-time resident salaryman in Japan. Author of The Salaryman, a memoir about life working inside Japanese companies, and Salarymanhood, a senryu-style illustrated joke book.
Japan Country Manager for a European company. Writing about business, work culture, and what it really takes to succeed in Japan. Mom of two.
Media and Crisis management
Saving the world from mediocre products
Social
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