Ep. 108 Japan’s Breeding Visa & The Plague Rat

Ep. 108 Japan’s Breeding Visa & The Plague Rat

From MEET IN THE MIDDLE by James, Rachel, Jake and Danny

May 15, 2026 · 47 min · Season 6 · Episode 108

About this episode

The episode discusses Japan's breeding visa rumor, government-funded dating apps, and shares bizarre personal stories.

The crew is back for another round of absolute mayhem! We kick things off in "Have You Heard?" where Jake investigates a wild rumor about "breeding visas" in Japan. While that might be fake news, the real story is just as bizarre: the Japanese government is literally subsidizing Tinder Gold and matchmaking apps to fight the loneliness epidemic. Danny is ready to sign up for government-funded Grinder, while James and Rachel feel a bit "pimped out" by the idea of state-sponsored flirting. In "Confessionals," we hear two of the most skin-crawling stories in podcast history. First, a woman tries to rescue a "hairless kitten" in an alleyway, only to have the vet lock the door and call animal control because she’s been cuddling a mange-ridden city rat all night. Then, a guy tries to be the hero at a steakhouse by performing the Heimlich maneuver on an elderly woman, only to realize she wasn't choking—he just physically launched her 3,000-pound dentures across the restaurant and into an industrial bin. "Rachel's Furry Box" gets a makeover this week! Danny has officially handed over the reigns (and the ginger hair), and we now…

People in this episode

Hosts: James, Rachel, Jake, Danny

Topics covered

  • breeding visas
  • loneliness epidemic
  • government subsidies
  • bizarre stories
  • social dynamics
  • cultural commentary

Keywords

  • breeding visa
  • Japan
  • Tinder Gold
  • loneliness
  • bizarre stories
  • Heimlich maneuver
  • cultural commentary

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tinder, Grinder

Books & works: Rachel's Furry Box, Rachel's Furry Purse

Places: Japan

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