First Public Recording of Yoshiharu Doi & Tomoko Chris's Podcast Program: 'It is truly amazing that human activities can be considered through cooking' [Official Report]

Radio station J-WAVE (81.3FM) held the first-ever public recording of the program 'Podcast where Yoshiharu Doi and Tomoko Chris Philosophize about Cooking supported by ZOJIRUSHI' (Navigators: Culinary expert Yoshiharu Doi, J-WAVE Navigator Tomoko Chris), which is distributed every second and fourth Thursday at 16:00, on Saturday, March 14.

This event was held as part of the 'JAPAN PODCAST FESTIVAL 2026', one of the largest podcast festivals in Japan, which took place over two days on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 in Akasaka.

[Official Report] ### ■ Humans are animals that cook Welcomed by the applause and cheers of a large number of fans, Yoshiharu Doi and Tomoko Chris appeared on stage. It has been three and a half years since their podcast began. This was the first public recording for the program. The venue was enveloped in smiles, and a more passionate-than-usual talk 'philosophizing about cooking' unfolded.

Chris: This program started when you suggested, 'Why don't we make philosophizing about cooking the theme?'

Doi: We think about human beings through cooking. It means, 'Humans became humans by cooking. Humans are animals that cook.' 'By cooking, humans are made to be humans. Cooking is important. It is not just about eating. Through the relationship of cooking and eating, human-like compassion, the ability to notice, and the ability to know are acquired.'

Don't you think that we, who are already in the age of AI, do not want to lose our humanity? For that, we need to know about cooking. Everyone thinks they know, but because they actually don't, they think it's okay not to cook. Knowing cooking means knowing humans, knowing yourself. In this world, you can buy as much delicious food as you want if you pay for it, but the show's name became 'Philosophizing about Cooking' out of a desire to create a program that can support those who cook for their families every day.

It is said that culinary expert Doi had been a huge fan of the programs Chris Tomoko appeared in for a long time.

Chris: I also love to cook, and I had spoken with Mr. Doi before doing this podcast program, but for example, when I buy deli foods to take home, there are times when it's easy and 'delicious', but on the other hand, I also think there is meaning in the act of cooking. That is something that became clear to me while talking with you.

Doi: Is that so. I have been teaching home cooking for 39 years. Actually, it is only recently that I understood home cooking in its true sense.