USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has been at the center of recent controversy in Japan, with claims that it is secretly influencing Japanese media. But how much of this is true?
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In this episode, we take a closer look at USAID’s real impact on Japan, exploring joint projects such as HIV prevention in Zambia and entrepreneurship support in Africa. We also examine the role of Japanese politician Tamaki Yuichiro, who has been accused of having ties to USAID. His involvement, however, was in projects like Jordan’s irrigation system—far from the conspiracy theories circulating online.
Additionally, we highlight some lesser-known facts about USAID, including its unexpected influence on hip-hop culture, its role in creating fortified rice for global food aid, and even its use of sensor-equipped cows for agricultural development.
Key topics in this episode:
What’s real, and what’s just speculation? Let’s break it down.