ビジネス日本語講座

In Japan, job hunting starts with “self-analysis” — but is it truly helpful or just an empty ritual? In this episode, I unpack why this process often feels fake, forced, and unfair. From personal doubts to movie scenes that hit home, I explore why defining yourself on paper might not reveal who you really are. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about selling yourself in interviews, this one’s for you. ---...

In this episode, I discuss the unique business culture of Japanese companies, focusing on strict etiquette like exchanging business cards and the importance of following detailed rules. I compare this to experiences abroad, such as in Thailand, where workplace expectations are often more relaxed. Working in a Japanese company can be challenging due to high standards, but it also provides valuable...

Discover the real challenges and surprises of working in Japanese factories through personal stories and honest reflections. This episode explores the gap between expectations and reality, the importance of communication in the workplace, and what it truly means to adapt to a new environment. Whether you’re considering a career change or curious about Japanese work culture, tune in for practical i...

In this episode, I explore how the concept of communication has evolved in Japanese society—from silent diligence being a virtue to the rising importance of self-promotion. Why is “being good at communication” so highly valued today, and what are the hidden implications? Join me as I reflect on culture, business, and a classic Japanese film to uncover the deeper meaning behind this common phrase....

In this episode, I talk about the mindset known as "thinking like a CEO" and why it is highly valued in Japanese companies. Many foreigners studying Japanese may aim to work in Japanese corporations, but understanding what traits are appreciated is crucial. I explain how adopting a broader perspective—considering company-wide benefits, cost awareness, accountability, and long-term thinki...

In this episode, we explore why it’s important to make major life decisions on your own rather than relying on others’ advice. The host discusses how consulting others can sometimes lead to blaming them if things go wrong, which is unproductive. Using everyday examples and insights into Japanese corporate culture, the episode highlights how group decision-making can foster indecisiveness and a lac...

In this episode, I reflect on the concept of “company gacha,” a popular slang in Japan referring to the unpredictable nature of joining a new company. Just like a capsule toy machine, you never know if you’ll get a great workplace or a difficult one. I explore the origin of the term “gacha,” its modern usage, and share thoughts on how to approach job hunting and career choices with realistic expec...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the idea that “a bluff is not a lie,” a phrase often used in business and social situations. While bluffing may seem harmless—or even necessary—it can gradually lead us into self-deception. Drawing on real-life experiences and reflections, I explore how this mindset can affect our sense of honesty and personal values. When does strategic presentation cross...

If you work in a Japanese company, you may be invited to dinner by your Japanese boss. In principle, the person who invites you to dinner should pay, but this does not mean that you should take it for granted that your boss will pay. Even if you don't really intend to pay, you may make a good impression on your Japanese boss if you show a pretence of paying on the surface. --------------------...

A conclusory style of communication is required in Japanese companies. In Japanese companies, you are often instructed to say the conclusion first when reporting to your boss. If you become accustomed to saying things in conclusion first, you will not develop the skill of telling stories to others. It is not interesting to listen to a story that is simply told in a conclusion-first style. --------...

In this episode, I talk about a recent shift in my creative expression—from speaking to creating short-form visual content on YouTube. As someone who has long shared ideas through podcasting, I’ve come to realize the limitations of spoken words alone in conveying something as subtle as sensitivity or emotional tone. That’s why I’ve started uploading short videos, where I express myself through cal...

When working as a company employee, it is not enough to simply face your work quietly and honestly. You need to repeatedly promote yourself to your superiors and management in moderation. However, such self-promotion often leads to self-praise. Self-praise is rarely worth listening to. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ●ビジネス...

When choosing a job, you may choose a job because it pays well or because it seems to have a high social status. That may be the right choice from a short-term perspective. However, when you think about it in the long span of your life, I think it is better to aim for a job that you are interested in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

To improve your skills in any field, you should practise a lot at first. It is rare to get it right the first time. If you think it is normal to make mistakes and just do it in quantity, the quality will improve before you know it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m...

In the industrial society of the past, athletes were valued by companies. This was because gymnasts followed orders obediently, were physically fit and worked patiently, even if they had to work a little overtime. However, in today's chaotic times, if you are a person who only applies himself to the company organisation and obeys what his superiors say, he will not be able to contribute to the...

In Japanese companies, subordinates who cannot move without instructions from their superiors are not highly valued. On the other hand, if a subordinate takes the initiative and does not report, contact or consult with his or her supervisor, he or she will be regarded as selfish. In Japanese companies, it is necessary to have a positive attitude towards work, but also to always consider harmony wi...

In the age of the global economy, both companies and people face tough competition. Both companies and people will find that they have to differentiate themselves in order to win the competition. In this age, customers will not simply choose you if you have mastered your field of expertise. In my opinion, it is a waste of time to strive to become someone who is sought after by the market and whose...

When it comes to interviewing for a job, experience still counts. Interviews are not a chore once you get used to them, but if you don't have much experience you often find it difficult to express yourself well in an interview. It is a good idea to apply to a large number of companies in order to get used to interviewing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------...

One of the favourite words in the Japanese business community is ‘serious’. This word is probably supported by many businessmen in Japan. However, I do not like this word because I can smell the sweat and feel the guts of a gymnast from this word. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座 ⁠⁠⁠...

If you work in a Japanese company, it can still be difficult to take long holidays. For many Japanese salarymen, travelling is a way of experiencing unusual sensations for a short period of time, and the most important thing for them is their daily salaryman life. In the days when you only had to do business in Japan, it was fine if you only thought about business, but with the globalisation of th...

As you live in the world, there will be occasions when you will have to talk about your dreams in public. The size of this dream matters. Dreams that are too big are considered to be a big mouth. Dreams that are too small, on the other hand, are not attractive to others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ●ビジネス日本語学習者のた...

One of the characteristics of Japanese companies is that meetings are long. It is meaningful as a salaried worker to attend long meetings, even if you don't want to. No matter how much you know in your head that the meetings are boring, and no matter how sleepy you feel during the meetings, you have to force yourself to open your eyes and attend the meetings. However, there is a trend today, e...

When working in a Japanese company, you cannot just do the job in front of you. If you only do your job, people around you will see you as someone with poor communication skills. Such a reputation will affect your career prospects. In Japanese companies, popularity is more important than work. You need to do more than just work; you need to chat and get on well with the people around you. --------...

Pressure interviews still take place in Japanese companies. There are many opinions on pressure interviews, but my personal opinion is that it is better to avoid companies that give pressure interviews. In this episode, I discuss pressure interviews, highlighting examples of pressure interviews I have had in the past. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

There is a saying that persistence pays off. In Japan, the meaning of the term seems to be misunderstood and perceived by people. There is no point in just doing something for a long time. New things do not come from mere continuity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/...