Shaun Mckenna
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Former Music journalist/editor and current Features editor and @JapanDeepDive podcast host/producer for @japantimes
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Articles by Shaun Mckenna
J-pop idols are behind much of Japan’s Gen Z slang
Once upon a time, you could track the origin of the latest Japanese slang along a predictable path. A phrase might bubble up from comedians in Osaka, get picked up by a variety show and eventually find its way into everyday conversation. Language moved gradually through expected gatekeepers. Now, it moves at the speed of the algorithm.
Good Service Reacts. Great Service Anticipates. Agentic AI Delivers
Artificial intelligence has entered a new phase with Agentic AI, and superannuation and wealth management leaders that act quickly can take advantage of new innovations and reshape how they deliver services. For years, the focus has been on using automation to perform routine work faster and at scale, but this is no longer enough.
ALBUM REVIEW: Blood Dynasty - Arch Enemy
Time to get your biggest, stompiest boots on – ARCH ENEMY are back. With three decades under their belt and having crushed their way through eleven studio releases with various superstar personnel the band return with Blood Dynasty; the melodic death metal batting plate that they have claimed as fiercely as their contemporaries over the years primed for some violence from the home team. The craftmanship is where the bat strikes flush here.
EP REVIEW: Coast To Coast - Pain Of Truth & Sunami
Surprise! Well, as much of a surprise as loudly having the living daylights kicked out of you can be, anyway. An unannounced split EP from two of the most popular hardcore acts in the game right now in PAIN OF TRUTH and SUNAMI is just the tonic for the way things are going; Coast to Coast probably won’t fix the widening cracks in society and politics, but it’ll be the best way to forget about it for around nine minutes.
The Lord Of The Rings: A Musical Tale
The size of the cast was impressive for a touring production; I counted 24 Hobbits pre-show, though I was informed there are 25 in total along with up to 5 swings/understudies. As the performance unfolded, I was struck not only by the cast's talent but also by their versatility. Each performer demonstrated the ability to sing, dance, act, and execute fight choreography while playing multiple musical instruments live on stage and from memory.
ALBUM REVIEW: Life Knife Death - Wolfbrigade
Every plateful of something to get angry about dished up by the world proves that punk remains perennial. Hell, the heaving lungfuls of additives to what’s been served up to the large majority of humankind should be enough to turn the stomach of anyone paying attention. To that end, thankfully, WOLFBRIGADE have been professionally angry for the better part of three decades now.
ALBUM REVIEW: Mister Misery - Mister Misery
Breaking into any genre, especially in metal, follows certain unspoken rules – generally speaking, the smaller the pool is, the shallower the water. While any attempt to crack the horror metal scene lends itself to inevitable comparisons or denigrations to the big fish of ICE NINE KILLS or MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, MISTER MISERY have done well for themselves in the face of the competition; the Swedish outfit have carved out their own space in the niche handily.
ALBUM REVIEW: Retrieval - Sacri Monti
The ongoing California psych-rock movement has been incredibly good to those on the receiving end of it. HARSH TOKE, WAND, The Band Currently Known as OSEES; all jabbing at you on the tippy-top point of a very handily wielded spear. But to say that fellow state-sharers SACRI MONTI aren’t made for the same thrusting would be doing them a disservice.
Kabuki-cho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’
What do homeless influencers, fantasy boyfriends and around 280 bars crammed into six allies have in common? They are all a part of Kabuki-cho, which is either a tourist trap or sleazy red-light district depending on who you ask. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one
Japan’s summer music festivals survived the pandemic but they now face new threats: extreme heat, a weak yen and aging audiences. Music writer Patrick St. Michel joins us to talk about the “Big Four” festivals and how these challenges are changing the way we have fun during summer. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
EP REVIEW: An Eye For An Eye - Ethos
This might be some people’s introduction to ETHOS. Lucky them. Given that the band have been knocking around for over 15 years now, with two albums under their belt, the five-piece have somehow eluded a greater spotlight. Their new EP, An Eye For An Eye, might just change that. Not that their previous efforts weren’t much cop, far from it.
Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet
On this week’s Deep Dive, we speak to Alex K.T. Martin who has done a series of pieces exploring what lies beneath the surface of Tokyo. Hidden rivers, ancient artifacts and crumbling infrastructure are just a few of the discoveries he made during his reporting. And while it’s important to know how we’re going to manage these things as climate change — or more importantly, the possible flooding that comes with it — worsens, sometimes it’s just fascinating to learn about the world under our feet.
The Forsyte Saga Part 2: Fleur
Author(s): John Galsworthy, adapted by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan Company: Ashley Cook for Troupe in association with Park Theatre Running time: 2h 20min approx Venue: The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Dates: 1 Dec 2025–10 Jan 2026 "Those who don’t understand their own history are doomed to repeat it." Years have passed since the family scandal and Soames and Irene are divorced with children of their own.
The sweaty pleasure of Japan’s inconvenient art
Japan is known for its convenience, but if you want to see some of the best artwork the country has to offer you’ll need to travel way off the beaten path. It involves trekking, sweating and, on the odd occasion, you don’t even know if the art will be there when you arrive. This week, writer Thu-Huong Ha is our tour guide into the world of Japan’s inconvenient art movement. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
What does climate change sound like in Okinawa?
With temperatures rising we can all feel how climate change is affecting our lives, but what if we could hear it too? This week, Japan Times climate editor Chris Russell joins us to discuss what researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology are listening to. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: A Different Life - Cold Years
The stark evolution of punk since the early 80s has unearthed things no-one could have expected, from the influence-via-boot style hardcore to the broad appeal soaring of the arena punk crowd. What remains consistent are the core tenets and philosophies – among others, if you’re not true to yourself, you aren’t punk rock. On that front, Aberdeen natives COLD YEARS don’t mess around.
HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Lunar Strain - In Flames
Context changes everything. For melodic death metal, picturing the spawning grounds of its most successful progeny without geographical knowledge makes it easy to conjure up images of some frigid vista, deep in the frozen North. Where biting winds howl across dark chasms in the frost, split open to the sky by the staggering contests of Titans that have altered the surrounding landscape forever.
ALBUM REVIEW: Of Sorcery And Darkness - Nocturna
If you had a dollar for every symphonic metal band named NOCTURNA that had two female vocalists, you’d have two dollars. While strikingly weird that it has indeed happened twice, 2022 introduced the NOCTURNA as seen here as a solid, albeit unorginal take on the formula that early-era NIGHTWISH brought into being – a huge symphonic metal sundae with a big gothic swirl right through the middle.
Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think
With an increase in tourists heading to these parts, some may be wondering if Japan is a safe destination for those with disabilities. If you’re concerned, Josh Grisdale from the website Accessible Japan is here to help. Check out this past interview with him on everything from accessibility in Tokyo to dealing with trains and the country’s shifting attitudes. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: Ex Tenebris (Remaster) - White Willow
Music is strange. While that’s the sort of blanket statement that might earn you a half-lidded nod of approval from the more herb enthusiastic audio lover and a barely disguised eye roll from the rest, it really doesn’t get more true than when you consider the sphere of rock and metal. Norway has more black metal heritage per square inch than snow, but it’s also the stronghold of the mid-to-late years of progressive rock as the genre twisted and reformed.
ALBUM REVIEW: Thoughts & Prayers - CNTS
Life is a funny thing. One day you’re a roaring machine, marshalling the hardcore forces into punching each other in the head. The next, a car accident and a hospital bed, damaged vocal cords, unable to even speak and predicted to never speak again. Less “ha-ha” funny than tragically ironic, granted, but vocalist Matt Cronk has more right to see the humour than anyone after living through that first-hand.
Sakura stories revisited: Getting in the mood for hanami
We are revisiting some past content on the science, economics and culture of cherry blossom season. Most importantly, we talk about some of the best spots to check them out in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. Read more: In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is a big deal. Warming is making it harder.
ALBUM REVIEW: Daydream Illusion - Thornbridge
There’s something symbiotic about Germany and power metal. Throw a dart at any calendar made there in the last 40 years and you’ll hit a key date for the genre, such is the influence of the pairing. While the tactic of “just be HELLOWEEN, hold the mustard and extra cheese” tends to get the job done, it’s interesting to see what new flavours newcomers bring to the table to shake things up.
ALBUM REVIEW: Out Of The Cave - Cave
While no sound is truly trapped in the year or decade that birthed it, the modern heavy metal scene is often earmarked as just revisiting something rather than continuing a grand tradition. Is the classic sound so set in stone that any good attempt is seen as a faithful interpretation instead? Well, slap a bit of prog on it, sayeth German newcomers CAVE, and just have a good time rather than worrying about it.
A lawsuit puts alleged racial profiling by police on trial in Japan
Three residents with foreign roots have filed a lawsuit claiming Japanese police officers routinely target visible minorities with searches. In this week’s episode, we speak with the lawyer and one plaintiff about what prompted them to bring the case forward and what they hope to achieve with it. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
[Rebroadcast] Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart Original
This week on Deep Dive we get contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein to read us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Lance Henderstein: Articles | Instagram | Threads Read/Listen more: My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times) Akiko Mizuno: ‘Time moves forward.
Hunting in Hokkaido; Taylor Swift comes to Tokyo Original
You probably don’t think of guns when you think of Japan, but Hokkaido’s hunters do. They say newly proposed gun laws may make their lives more dangerous. Later, we discuss something less dangerous: Taylor Swift’s sold-out Tokyo shows. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Justin Randall: Articles | Linktree Alyssa I.
Japan’s take on immortality; problems in Palworld
Who wants to live forever? As scientists and tech billionaires attempt to tackle the problem of aging and death, we discuss Japanese ideas about immortality. Later, our games writers discuss the recent Palworld-Pokemon flare up. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Japan’s historic moon landing was right on target Original
Japan made history last month when it became the fifth nation to soft land on the moon. What’s more, they landed it close to their target, a feat that could be a gamechanger for space travel. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Japan rings in 2024 with an unwelcome disaster
Join us for the first episode of 2024 as we recap the massive New Year’s Day earthquake and its impact on the people of Ishikawa Prefecture. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Should Super Fund Member Experience be the New Performance Metric?
A recent headline in the Australian Financial Review noted that “Super funds [are] on [a] spending spree to improve customer service.” That’s good news. Delivering high-quality customer service to super fund members is a laudable goal. But should it be more than a goal? Is it time for APRA to add a metric for customer service to the Your Super, Your Future (YSYF) performance rankings? The answer to those questions is yes.
Big in Japan 2023: Anime, Murakami and The Legend of Zelda Original
For our last episode of the year, we’re summing up the year in culture with Matt Schley, Alyssa I. Smith, Thu-Huong Ha and Owen Ziegler, who tell us why anime dominated in 2023, which books stood out among a lackluster crowd and why the Zelda franchise is experiencing a renaissance. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articles | X Matt Schley: Articles | X Alyssa I.
Feeling anxious? Wastewater, heat and Japan’s year in climate Original
In a year that saw Japan release 24,000 tons of wastewater (so far) from Fukushima No. 1 as the planet smashed heat records, it’s no wonder climate anxiety is on the rise. Mara Budgen joins us to break down the year in environment news, where we could see hope, and what we should be worried about. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: A Pirate's Symphony
A Pirate's Symphony, Napalm Records, Visions of Atlantis Ahh, pirate metal. There’s no denying that the space in the genre is significantly jauntier than its often grim-faced brothers and sisters. That doesn’t exclude any potential for epic scale, however.
A problematic otaku dictionary and the Japanese approach to sitting
An “Otaku Dictionary” has Japan’s subcultures upset at an attempt to define them. Thu-Huong Ha and Yukana Inoue join us to explain the linguistic scandal before discussing whether or not Japan has mastered “sitting.” Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Things get warmer with Xi; Johnny’s get the cold shoulder Original
Chinese President Xi Jinping makes the rounds at APEC, Gabriel Dominguez tells us what that means for Japan. At home, NHK has announced its “Kohaku” lineup — with nary a Johnny’s act to be found. Patrick St. Michel discusses the year’s most notable snub. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Bear goes the neighborhood? Japanese wildlife is on the move. Original
As nature reclaims depopulated villages and climate change wreaks havoc on food sources, Japan’s animal population has been inching closer to the country’s urban areas. This week, Alex K.T. Martin joins us to discuss why people are encountering bears, boars and other wildlife in the most unlikely of places. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Japan’s 'four-eyed tax hiker' and the curse of Colonel Sanders
Baseball writer Jason Coskrey and editor Joel Tansey discuss the Hanshin Tigers’ Japan Series victory; Gabriele Ninivaggi explains how the prime minister hopes to get a home run with his tax plan. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: Nemesis AD - Serenity
Napalm Records, Nemesis AD, Serenity “Power metal” and “learning” are two terms generally not found holding hands in the same sentence. Unless that sentence is “POWERWOLF’s brand of power metal makes learning to fear werewolves again simple”, anyway. But at the junction where Germanic history and symphonic extravagance collide sit SERENITY, doing their best to educate the masses through the medium of Austrian hard cheese.
The Forsyte Saga Part 1: Irene
Author(s): John Galsworthy, adapted by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan Company: Ashley Cook for Troupe in association with Park Theatre Running time: 2h 20min approx Age recommendation: 14+ years Venue: The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Dates: 28 Nov 2025–10 Jan 2026 "If you don’t get the person you truly love, your life is ruined and there’s no going back." Penniless Irene has married into the wealthy Forsyte family out of necessity. Her husband Soames adores her, but Irene does not love him.
The specter of Itaewon has Shibuya spooked
One year on, Elizabeth Beattie joins us to discuss where Itaewon stands after its Halloween disaster, and what its legacy means for celebrations in Japan. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: Melanin Punk - Oxymorrons
Mascot Label Group, Mascot Records, Melanin Punk, Oxymorrons There are three distinct parts to good punk rock. They might show up in unequal measure, but the formula requires the three ingredients to truly work: heart, rage and story. The old guard often rode one or two of those hard but never lacked the others. See BLACK FLAG and THE GERMS, who channelled incandescent rage into their storytelling and backed up every word of it.
Table for one? What depopulation in Japan means for dinner. Original
This week on Deep Dive, Alex K.T. Martin noticed a dip in the national caloric intake and it turns out that a graying population that is increasingly single has something to do with why Japan is gradually downsizing dinner. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: Children Of Night - Jonathan Young
Children Of Night, Jonathan Young, Judge & Jury Records, The Metallist The usual mental imagery of a one man band is someone honking in a public park that you try to avoid eye contact with. JONATHAN YOUNG is no such deflector of attention.
[Rebroadcast] Japan’s got ghosts Original
This week on Deep Dive Shaun McKenna and Dave Cortez discuss a few horror movies before “Uncanny Japan” podcast host Thersa Matsuura tells a classic Japanese ghost story. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
ALBUM REVIEW: Firestar - Iron Savior
AFM Records, All Noir, Firestar, Iron Savior Far be it for anyone to accuse IRON SAVIOR of not earning the right to be self-indulgent. There are scant few bands who wield talent and experience as deftly as the proverbial fantasy swordsman – it’s your HELLOWEEN, your GAMMA RAY, and them – making it all the more impressive that, 28 years into doing power metal better than pretty much anyone, the German four-piece haven’t succumbed to inclinations to phone it in.
Traveling Okinawa with a broken heart
This week on Deep Dive we get contributing writer and photographer Lance Henderstein to read us his article on traveling Okinawa during the rainy season. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Lance Henderstein: Articles | Instagram | Threads Read/Listen more: My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa (Lance Henderstein, The Japan Times) Akiko Mizuno: ‘Time moves forward.
Does a university cannabis scandal point to a larger trend?
A drugs scandal at Japan’s biggest university draws attention to a troubling statistic: Cannabis use among young people is on the rise. Yukana Inoue and Tomoko Otake join us to discuss Japanese attitudes toward marijuana. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
Johnny’s talent agency has admitted to a past of abuse. What next? Original
The Johnny & Associates sexual abuse scandal is like the Harvey Weinstein and Michael Jackson scandals rolled into one. Karin Kaneko catches us up on how things are unfolding, while Alyssa I. Smith and Patrick St. Michel discuss the effect it may have on the Japanese music industry. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram Karin Kaneko: Articles | Twitter Alyssa I.
Anger at Fukushima’s wastewater; hope in its renewables
Good news and bad news out of Fukushima. First, the bad news: Anika Osaki Exum and Gabriele Ninivaggi join us to discuss the reaction to the treated wastewater release plan (China’s not happy). Then, Francesco Bassetti gets us caught up on the good news: There has been a boom in renewable energies there. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.
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