Peter Galante is the founder of JapanesePod101.com, an educational podcast production company that since its creation in 2005 has had over 60 million downloads.

With over 1000 Japanese lessons and a very active support community, JapanesePod101.com now caters for language learners of all levels. In addition to professionally produced audio and video podcasts, JapanesePod101 provides extensive lesson notes, and a range of additional services to support self-study.

Peter’s story is an inspirational one – starting out with just himself and and friend working round the clock to get the podcasts out. They’ve since grown to take on a large number of staff all around the world, and have been able to invest in projects such as recording audio for every entry in Jim Breen’s legendary Edict dictionary.

This podcast is broken down into two parts. In part one, we focus on the JapanesePod101 learning method, with Peter detailing what’s in the package.

In part two we talk business – what motivated Peter to start the company? What challenges did he face – and how did he use Mixi to overcome a particular issue?

Peter also generously offers listeners of this podcast a 25% discount off all JapanesePod101.com products – just enter the coupon code ‘tame‘ at the checkout.

How to Listen

Please note that the podcast feed only contains Part 2, in which we discuss doing business in Japan.

To listen to part one please click here

Download Part 1: The JapanesePod101 method

Download Part 2: Doing business in Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:08 — 12.0MB)

1 Comment | In: Business Owners, Internet, Language, education | tags: business, education, japanese, Language, online, peter galante, podcasting, teaching. | #

In this episode of Making it in Japan we’re speaking with Robert Laing and Matthew Romaine, who, along with Takeshi Amano run the Tokyo-based translation company myGengo.

Company overview: “MyGengo has offices in Tokyo and offers web-powered human translation services between English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian.

Users submit texts to be translated via a simple web form on the myGengo website. The service then lets qualified human translators (who can apply through the site) to ‘grab’ the translation job and translate it. Customers can choose between three price levels and receive the translations via email for review.
[ref: crunchbase]”

The 25-minute interview can be broken down into three sections.

Section 1: What is myGengo?
Rob begins with an overview of the company and the gap in the market that they are serving. Matt goes on to explain the benefits for translators working with them. They also address the criticism that their affordable service is leaving professional translators without an income – hear why that isn’t the case.

We also learn about some of the more unusual jobs that they receive…

Section 2: What new services are myGengo rolling out?
What we’ve seen so far from myGengo is the just the beginning. In this interview, we hear of their plans for a number of new services set to make a significant impact upon online translation.

Using a tried and tested workflow combined with the latest technologies, myGengo will enable the fast, efficient and affordable translation of RSS feeds. They’ll also be offering a service whereby news sites / blogs and more can be translated by humans, quickly and accurately at minimal to no-cost to content producers. They’ll also be releasing tools for developers, including their API, leaving the door open for further exciting developments.

Section 3: Doing business in Japan
Rob and Matt share their experience and advice regarding setting up business in Japan.

One key factor mentioned is the support of the Tokyo tech scene / gaikokujin entrepreneur network – and believing in what you’re doing.

How to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:49 — 22.7MB)

1 Comment | In: Business Owners, Internet, Language | tags: mygengo, online, translation. | #

In this episode of Making it in Japan, we’re talking with John Daub, the founder of Weblish Media Ltd.

Weblish Media Ltd., established in 2007, is an educational entertainment network, distributed via iTunes to over 100,000 regular subscribers.

Weblish videos are frequently featured by the iTunes Japan Store, and rank ahead of mainstream media companies such as Discovery Channel and CNN. His video series Vocabulary Generator was ranked the No. 1 video in Japan for 10 weeks, and the network has up to a million downloads per month.

In this interview, John tells us of his motivation for starting the company, and why he chose to use iTunes as a distribution platform.

We also discuss the merits of education using online tools and downloadable podcasts – is this the end of the eikaiwa – English language school – as we know it?

Humour plays an important part in John’s videos – hear how llama’s and horses help his viewers with their studies.

John also provides some great advice for those wanting to start up in business in Japan. Questions covered include

• What are the cultural differences that you should be aware of.
• What is Jetro, and what kind of help can you expect to get from them?
• Who should you go to for your corporate bank account?
• What happened when John tried to place an ad in Hot Pepper?
• What’s the most important thing that he recommends people do in order to succeed?

John’s site can be found at Weblish.net, or search for Weblish in the Apple iTunes store.

How to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:48 — 25.4MB)

No Comments | In: Broadcast Media, Business Owners, Internet, Language, education | tags: daub, education, english, itunes, john, Language, podcast, video, weblish. | #

Part 1: Acting and Modeling in Japan

In Part 1 of my conversation with Tokyo-based media producer, actor and model Jeffrey Rowe of Jet Set Inc Jeffrey talks about his work in acting and modeling in Japan.

Download part 1 here (or listen using the player at the bottom of this post)

Hear about

• What is Jet Set Inc?
• How Jeffrey first got into acting
• The different roles Jeffrey has taken on in Japan
• Working in TV in Japan
• Why professional bilingual actors are needed
• Modeling in Japan: Why is Jeffrey known as ‘Mr. Stingray Man’? and why might you end up with a famous chin?
• Advice for actors looking for work in Japan

Part 2: Learning Japanese

In Part 2 of our conversation, we’re talking languages – specifically learning Japanese.

Download part 2 here

• Jeffrey introduces his idea for a language discussion program – what do you think?
• The tables are turned and Jeffrey asks me what I found useful when I was studying the Japanese language.
• I talk about how my assumption that I would simply ‘aquire’ Japanese language skills by living in Japan was wrong, and emphasise how important active study is.
• The importance of learning the written language, and how easy it can be – at least for the Hiragana and Katakana!
• Jeffrey shares how talking to strangers can be a good thing – for everyone involved!
• Joseph shares his story of travelling 9000 miles with an ice-breaking penguin.

Our thanks to Jeffrey for making the time to meet up to record this interview.

Check out Jet Set Inc at http://www.jetsets.jp/

Visit Jeffrey’s blog at http://jeff.jetsets.jp/

Follow Jeffrey on Twitter

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:36 — 11.5MB)

1 Comment | In: Broadcast Media, Business Owners, Language | tags: acting, actor, business owner, education, entrepreneur, japan, japanese, jeffrey rowe, jetsetinc, Language, makingitinjapan, media, modeling, pokya, producer, tokyo. | #