Sign in

Jake Adelstein

@tokyovice.bsky.social
3.9K followers 436 following 1.3K posts

Investigative journalist in Japan, paladin, priest, 禅僧, drinker of coffee and donut consumer. One good deed a day is my low-bar motto. 一日一善 Follow me on substack tokyopaladin.substack.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This is xenophobia as policy. Welcome to #Japan. Spend money but don’t stay tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/takaichi-j...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Welcome to Japanistan, where the foreign residents who buried their lives here aren't welcome anymore. It's not a kind policy–and not even a wise one
The Japanese government, under rabid nationalist Sanae Takaichi and her half-American minister, have effectively made permanent residence impossible for many.
0126
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Japan just told the foreigners here, who learned the language, paid taxes, raised kids, buried the years — you were too slow. No permanent residency. Not because you didn't earn it, but because it's easier to blame 3% of the population than govern tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/takaichi-j...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Welcome to Japanistan, where the foreign residents who buried their lives here aren't welcome anymore. It's not a kind policy–and not even a wise one
The Japanese government, under rabid nationalist Sanae Takaichi and her half-American minister, have effectively made permanent residence impossible for many.
18420
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Brain Glitches @cinemajules.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
When rich get richer too fast and working classes getting squeezed, populism kicks in, the blaming game accelerate the raise of fascism spread everywhere i guess.
143
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The new barista has permanently closed Café Japan to most foreigners. Goodbye “Cool Japan” welcome to “Cruel Japan” where xenophobia is policy. For hundreds of thousands of people who planned to live here, the new policy is tragic indeed. #Japan #Sakoku tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/the-unwelc...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
The Unwelcome (Tatami) Mat
Permanent residency may be permanently out of reach for the majority of Foreigners who called Japan home.
2184
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Really enjoying The Festival America in France which celebrates American authors and French authors writing about America. The US as seen from a foreign perspective is quite a strange country. Trumpistan is not a vibrant democracy anymore.
0145
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
alexander solsten @solsten.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
@tokyovice.bsky.social has written a bunch of good articles on the topic tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0
Takaichi endorsed “Hitler’s Election Strategy” in the ‘90s, threatened TV networks as communications minister, claims foreigners abuse Nara’s deer without evidence and speaks to the Gods #InsaneSanae
143
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Really enjoying The Festival America in France which celebrates American authors and French authors writing about America. The US as seen from a foreign perspective is quite a strange country. Trumpistan is not a vibrant democracy anymore.
0145
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
A lot of people want to leave Japan, even those who have been here for decades. I can see why. I don’t blame them– 2026 has been ROUGH in Japan, to say the least. I’ve covered some of it myself for @unseenjapan.com and so has @tokyovice.bsky.social I’m not going to pretend things are
1114
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Tempio Eikando Zenrin-ji - Kyoto, Japan
Anchoring the foreground in heavy, moss-encrusted stone, a low cylindrical water basin (chōzubachi) holds a perfectly still, mirror-like disk of water reflecting the verdant canopy overhead. Etched across this liquid mirror, the dark, inverted silhouette of an overhanging branch cuts across the bright reflection of emerald leaves. Beyond the basin, a gnarled, sinuous tree trunk arches upward, framing a serene garden where soft mounds of moss merge into a bed of fine white gravel (shirakawa-suna). In the background, a traditional tile-roofed plaster wall (tsujibe) stretches horizontally, its weathered surface sheltered beneath a airy canopy of fresh green maple foliage.  Tucked against the eastern slopes of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range, Eikandō—officially designated as Zenrin-ji—was established in 853 CE by Shinshō, a leading disciple of Kūkai, originally as a Shingon sanctuary before evolving into the head seat of the Seizan branch of Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Buddhism). Celebrated across Japanese literary history as Momiji-no-Eikandō ("Eikandō of the Autumn Leaves"), the temple complex interweaves historic worship halls, winding covered walkways, and contemplative gardens designed to mirror the tranquil beauty of the Western Paradise. Water basins like this stone vessel perform a vital ritual role within the precinct, providing a site for temizu (hand-and-mouth purification) before entering sacred spaces or tea pavilions. The stonemasonry exemplifies the enduring legacy of Japanese architectural stone craft (monozukuri), where unrefined granite is subtly shaped to harmonize with the natural contours of the earth.
316231
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jim Rion・ライオン ジミー @jimrion.com · 18/09/2026
😭😭😭 "Uketsu also credited American translator Jim Rion with helping the English edition find success. "I think the excellent quality of Jim Rion's translation also played a part in the success of the English edition and its selection as a Dagger finalist," he said."
mainichi.jp
Mystery man Uketsu reflects on Dagger shortlist, early life in Britain - The Mainichi
LONDON (Kyodo) -- If you've ever seen Japanese horror novelist Uketsu -- who wears a stark white mask and full black bodysuit -- chances are you'd nev
1010726
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Puppy killers, puppy fuckers, pedophiles, and pedophile protectors. The worst of the worst fucking over every decent person left in this Republican made nightmare.
2233
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Unpopular opinion: In John Waite’s “Missing You,” despite the singer’s repeated insistence that “I ain’t missing you at all,” I have come to suspect that he is, in fact, missing her quite badly. Indeed, he appears deeply saddened by the loss. #missingyou youtu.be/k9e157Ner90?...
youtu.be
John Waite - Missing You
YouTube video by JohnWaiteVEVO
1183
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
ignore me @ibjoshua.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Not as clever as “You’re so vain” I guess
011
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Unpopular opinion: In John Waite’s “Missing You,” despite the singer’s repeated insistence that “I ain’t missing you at all,” I have come to suspect that he is, in fact, missing her quite badly. Indeed, he appears deeply saddened by the loss. #missingyou youtu.be/k9e157Ner90?...
youtu.be
John Waite - Missing You
YouTube video by JohnWaiteVEVO
1183
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I resigned from ExxonMobil today. I spent the last three years doing fossil fuel extraction research at both BP and ExxonMobil. Neither company is acting responsibly. They are racing to maximize extraction while the window to act closes, and gambling with our lives. More below.
145136954892
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Nobody’s talking about this: Epstein gave his files to Vladimir Putin via a former Norwegian PM in 2018. Putin’s been blackmailing Trump ever since. It’s all public-domain information. Trump’s not just a pedophile—he’s a traitor tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/everybody-knows-whats-really-in-the⁠
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Everybody Knows What's Really In The Epstein Files And Who Donald Trump Works For.
Donald Trump committed horrific acts with his "buddy". In 2018, Epstein gave the Kremlin intel on his former friend. Putin has owned Trump ever since. Everybody knows.
52210
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 08/09/2026
Dr Oz: "These charlatans are shockingly effective at being grifters ... we have normalized fraud. We have normalized stealing from the poor"
4741311193
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Nobody’s talking about this: Epstein gave his files to Vladimir Putin via a former Norwegian PM in 2018. Putin’s been blackmailing Trump ever since. It’s all public-domain information. Trump’s not just a pedophile—he’s a traitor tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/everybody-knows-whats-really-in-the⁠
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Everybody Knows What's Really In The Epstein Files And Who Donald Trump Works For.
Donald Trump committed horrific acts with his "buddy". In 2018, Epstein gave the Kremlin intel on his former friend. Putin has owned Trump ever since. Everybody knows.
52210
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Taylor Drew @mollymay5000.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Some movie credits run for over ten minutes, but many manga translators have to beg for clients to even allow their work to be listed on a private portfolio, let alone anywhere that the public can actually see and use, and manga production teams are *significantly* smaller. It's obscene, honestly.
27726
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Thank you, @tokyovice.bsky.social for these books on swords and zen philosophy ⚔️🙏🏾
2784
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
His book is less known and very profound. It does ask a difficult Buddhist question which is: is it ever acceptable to take a life of one horrible evil person to save the lives of many others. But as a SAMURAI, I’m sure his answer would probably be yup. I’m not so sure.
041
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Yay! “The art of war is not to kill people, it is to kill evil. It is a strategy to give life to many people by killing the evil of one person”—Munemori And paired with it, is the essence of his “No Sword” (無刀) teaching: “Conquering evil, not the opponent, is the essence of swordsmanship.” 
151
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Nobody knows why Pentagon #PeteHegseth is such a racist, but apparently it's now very clear why he is so homophobic. Because during his time in the service, he was voted by the other soldiers as “the most likely to be fragged by his own troops” Pete, you missed the “r”
071
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Weary journalist versus #weeb
161
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
#SlamPoetry I dislike weebs.
020
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 31/08/2026
Sean Duffy gets brutally fact-checked by a reporter, immediately changes topic
2573348901
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I aspire to be Family Mart Man—because in Japan, we’re all family. Cap. Shirt. Socks. I said I’d support the store that says no to racism. I did not say I’d do it tastefully I look like a vending machine that walks. Nationality is a construct. Family is forever. The socks are non-negotiable. #famima
2311
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
NCC (北米日本研究資料調整協議会) @nccjapaninfo.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
What’s the latest from the National Diet Library? You may be thinking about posters or holiday cards for the rest of the year–don’t miss this exploration of the 1907 Umetsukushi book of designs that look retro-modern and timelessly beautiful! Read more at: www.ndl.go.jp/en/publicati...
096
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
alexander solsten @solsten.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Wow finally found a guy who copied that storyline (true story?) from @tokyovice.bsky.social www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
ctvnews.ca
Police look to speak with residents who may have had underwear stolen in Ottawa-Gatineau by handyman
Police in Gatineau, Que., are looking to speak with residents who may have had underwear stolen from their homes in the national capital region over the past few years as part of an investigation into...
111
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
He’s just doing what his boss tells him to do.
1132
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I live a very not #TokyoVice life these days. I'm still a journalist, but also a low-ranking Zen Buddhist priest trying to do one good deed a day and learn to do my job better. It's a quiet life. I don't miss the yakuza And my nemesis is dead. He was an evil man www.dailymail.com/crime-desk/a...
dailymail.com
Fighting The Yakuza and hunting the Tokyo Rippe
NEWSLETTER EXC
2266
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We know that most of MAGA are dumb fucks, but even they should be able to spot the cuck in the photo. When you understand who's really calling the shots in America, everything the orange Mussolini does makes perfect sense because it's destroying the United States Who’s the boss who’s the bitch?
0174
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Sometimes the good guys win. My friend Karen Attiah was wrongfully fired by the Washington Post. Now an arbitrator says: rehire her, with back pay Karen stood up for Khashoggi and against tyranny. Bezos? He’s a Trump sycophant and a traitor. Welcome back! www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/b...
nytimes.com
Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist Karen Attiah (Gift Article)
An arbitrator ordered the newspaper to reinstate Karen Attiah, who was fired after posting about “white men who espouse hatred and violence” following Charlie Kirk’s killing.
59922
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We know that most of MAGA are dumb fucks, but even they should be able to spot the cuck in the photo. When you understand who's really calling the shots in America, everything the orange Mussolini does makes perfect sense because it's destroying the United States Who’s the boss who’s the bitch?
0174
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Holy shit this is amazing.
544174443
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Sometimes the good guys win. My friend Karen Attiah was wrongfully fired by the Washington Post. Now an arbitrator says: rehire her, with back pay Karen stood up for Khashoggi and against tyranny. Bezos? He’s a Trump sycophant and a traitor. Welcome back! www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/b...
nytimes.com
Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist Karen Attiah (Gift Article)
An arbitrator ordered the newspaper to reinstate Karen Attiah, who was fired after posting about “white men who espouse hatred and violence” following Charlie Kirk’s killing.
59922
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
BREAKING: After the Washington Post fired me last year for speaking the truth in the wake of the Charlie Kirk killing, I fought back. And I'm happy to announce: I won my case against the Washington Post. They have been ordered to reinstate me immediately. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/b...
nytimes.com
Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist Karen Attiah
An arbitrator ordered the newspaper to reinstate Karen Attiah, who was fired after posting about “white men who espouse hatred and violence” following Charlie Kirk’s killing.
1196326696246
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 20/08/2026
The economics of cashless don't work for many small businesses. One ramen shop that's stayed cash-only said it would take ¥300,000 (~$1.9K) to add cashless to its ticket machine, after which it'd also lose a slice of each sale to payment processors. buff.ly/4N1TUEg
buff.ly
Why You Still Need Cash in Japan: A Cautionary Tale - Unseen Japan
You just finished your meal at a Japanese restaurant. Then you realize the store only takes cash. Don't panic - here's what to do next.
15811
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Jon Ossoff tells Lawrence O’Donnell: “It’s been amazing to watch this White House melt down over this all week. And about Natalie Harp, these White House staffers are adults — public officials, paid by the taxpayer, with immense power in positions of public trust… No one cares about their feelings.”
10977741111
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
In order to ensure people that I am actually the author of “Tokyo Vice” and “Tokyo Noir” I had to buy a domain so I can send emails that aren't from Gmail. Because there has been a swarm of scammers and swindler using G👨🏻‍💻 to deceive others. A domain adds credibility jakeadelstein.com worth it
jakeadelstein.com
Jake Adelstein - Author, Journalist, Investigator
From the author of Tokyo Vice is Code Blue: the Serial Killer, the Cover-Up, and a Two-Generation Quest for Justice. Coming February 9th.
5355
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Japan just told the foreigners here, who learned the language, paid taxes, raised kids, buried the years — you were too slow. No permanent residency. Not because you didn't earn it, but because it's easier to blame 3% of the population than govern tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/takaichi-j...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Welcome to Japanistan, where the foreign residents who buried their lives here aren't welcome anymore. It's not a kind policy–and not even a wise one
The Japanese government, under rabid nationalist Sanae Takaichi and her half-American minister, have effectively made permanent residence impossible for many.
18420
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Rural Japan has its charms, but vicious, belligerent wasps are not among them. #スズメバチ🐝
3112
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
alexander solsten @solsten.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Great newsletter this week @tokyovice.bsky.social, are they taking notes from Quebec over there or what? Jesus Christ lol. Never underestimate someone’s ability to sabotage themselves while blaming someone else
Here’s the thing all three have gotten backwards: living in a country, paying into its systems, raising your kids in its schools, and contributing to its economy for years or decades doesn’t disqualify you from criticizing it. It’s the opposite. It’s the deposit that buys you standing. Citizenship isn’t a loyalty oath that forbids improvement — it’s a shared mortgage, and everyone making payments gets a say in the renovations. Telling a decades-long taxpayer to shut up and leave isn’t patriotism. It’s asking someone to keep funding a company and never attend a shareholder meeting.
071
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
There is no Trump Derangement Syndrome. There’s just Trump. Who has dementia, is deranged, destructive and dysfunctional. TDS is real, though. Trump Denial Syndrome: a chronic inability to admit you blindly followed a pedophile, a con man, a criminal and a traitor.
1255
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
There is no Trump Derangement Syndrome. There’s just Trump. Who has dementia, is deranged, destructive and dysfunctional. TDS is real, though. Trump Denial Syndrome: a chronic inability to admit you blindly followed a pedophile, a con man, a criminal and a traitor.
1255
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Today the Tokyo Metropolitan Police announced they had arrested a 32-year-old company employee for using an AI image generator to manufacture obscene “deepfake” photos of real women. They were classified as CSAM—Child Sexual Abuse Material. tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/japanese-p...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Japanese Police Issue Arrest Warrant For Elon Musk In Child Porn Production Case?!!! Nope. But That Day May Come
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force arrested a 32-year-old man and a teenager on charges of defamation and child pornography after generating sexual images of woman, from her teenage photos.
0123
Reposted by Jake Adelstein
Bianca Vandenbos @booknotions.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
If you enjoy true crime, preorder a copy of Code Blue by @tokyovice.bsky.social & Amy Plambeck! It comes out in the US on February 9th and Australia and New Zealand February 2nd and The UK on February 11th! I can’t wait to read it and interview both of you!
132
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Today the Tokyo Metropolitan Police announced they had arrested a 32-year-old company employee for using an AI image generator to manufacture obscene “deepfake” photos of real women. They were classified as CSAM—Child Sexual Abuse Material. tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/japanese-p...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
Japanese Police Issue Arrest Warrant For Elon Musk In Child Porn Production Case?!!! Nope. But That Day May Come
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force arrested a 32-year-old man and a teenager on charges of defamation and child pornography after generating sexual images of woman, from her teenage photos.
0123
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
NEWS FROM THE PAS Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg declares war on Hitler: “He betrayed us all.” July 20th 1944 😏
163
Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
NEWSFLASH: Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg declares war on Hitler: “He betrayed us all.” July 20, 1944 😏
061