A History of Japan

Justin Hebert takes a chronological approach to Japanese history, starting from the prehistoric Jomon period and methodically working through each era. Across 15 seasons and nearly 280 episodes, the show has reached the turbulent 1930s, covering the rise of militarism, the Manchurian Incident, and the political assassinations that rocked interwar Japan. What sets this podcast apart is the pacing. Rather than rushing through centuries in a handful of episodes, Hebert lets each story breathe, often spending several months on a single historical arc. The result is something that feels more like a long-form narrative than a typical history lecture. He openly discusses the biases present in historical sources and points out where scholars disagree, which gives listeners a more nuanced picture than the standard textbook account. Episodes run about 25 minutes on a biweekly schedule, making them easy to fit into a commute or lunch break. Hebert also includes content warnings when episodes deal with violence, torture, or other heavy subjects, which is a thoughtful touch. The show's companion website offers additional reading suggestions and episode notes. Rated 4.7 stars on Apple Podcasts, the podcast has built a dedicated following among people who want to understand Japanese history in depth rather than in soundbites. The chronological structure means you can start from episode one and follow the entire story of Japan as it unfolds.