Japan’s closed borders

This week, Michelle, Rahul and Will explore prediction markets — online platforms where people can bet on future events, from elections to pop culture and even world conflicts.Concerns about insider trading are on the rise and platforms are being banned in an increasing number of ...  Show more

Headspace started life as a mindfulness app. Now it's partnering with the US Navy and investing in artificial intelligence for mental health support.The company's CEO Tom Pickett speaks to us about therapy, the increasing role of technology, and tackling burnout at scale.If you'd ...  Show more

Guided by world-renowned chef Masa Takayama, Anthony Bourdain’s return trip to Japan begins with a tour of outdoor food markets and a conversation with an ex-geisha at her teahouse. Plus, he enjoys a special omakase experience at Tokyo’s acclaimed Ginza Sushi-ko, where Masa train ...  Show more

From the BBC World Service: It’s arguably the most secretive and isolated country on Earth. North Korea has cut itself off from the outside world, and its borders have been sealed for three years in response to the COVID pandemic. Some of those living in North Korea have risked t ...  Show more

Japan became the first of the modern Asian countries to experience massive sustained economic growth. Japan had a lot going for it after the end of the war, it was able to rebuild with the help of the allies and go through its own modern industrial revolution. In the 1960s, Japan ...  Show more

Japanese stocks are suddenly soaring, with the Nikkei 225 hitting an all-time high this week after decades of languishing. Warren Buffett has been upping his stakes in Japanese companies and activist investors are taking an interest in the market for the first time in decades. An ...  Show more