ビジネス日本語講座

Was the past really better, or did we simply fail to see its problems? In this episode, I reflect on why my view of the past has changed over time. While today's world faces serious challenges—including inflation, war, AI-driven disruption, and political polarization—it also exposes injustices that were once ignored or accepted. I discuss how social media, transparency, and public debate have tran...

Why are prices rising, and what can we do about it? In this episode, I explain the main causes of inflation in simple terms, without relying on complicated economic jargon. We explore how higher raw material costs, energy prices, labor shortages, wage growth, exchange rates, and monetary policy all influence the cost of everyday life. I also discuss whether prices can ever fall again and why long-...

As AI transforms white-collar work, many people are turning toward blue-collar careers in search of security. But is fear the right reason to choose a profession? In this episode, I argue that the real question is not which job is safer, but how you can build lasting value through your skills and experience. I also examine why manual trades have always been essential, long before AI became a major...

Japan’s manufacturing industry is facing a serious labor shortage. In this episode, I explore four major strategies companies are using to respond: automation, labor-saving systems, foreign workers, and redesigning production processes. I also discuss why simply hiring more people is no longer enough and why the future belongs to factories that can operate efficiently with fewer workers. Beyond te...

In this episode, I discuss why success in the AI era depends less on gathering information and more on making better choices. AI can provide endless ideas, analyze data, and summarize knowledge, but it cannot decide what you should dedicate your life to. Our time, energy, and attention are limited, making strategic focus more important than ever. Real strategy is not about doing everything—it is a...

In this episode, I compare today’s AI boom to the California Gold Rush. During the gold rush, many people searched for gold, but some of the most reliable profits came from selling tools, supplies, and services to the miners. I explore how a similar pattern is emerging in the AI industry, where many businesses focus on selling AI courses, consulting, and tools rather than creating lasting value. A...

In this episode, I explain why AI is not a treasure map. AI can help us learn skills, generate ideas, summarize information, and improve efficiency, but it cannot tell us exactly what business will succeed or where the next opportunity lies. Markets are ultimately driven by human emotions, curiosity, and unpredictable decisions—not by algorithms alone. That is why real success still requires obser...

In this episode, I discuss why starting a business with the question, “What will make the most money?” can lead to losing sight of the customer. Profit is essential, but when it becomes the only goal, people gradually stop seeing customers as individuals and begin seeing them as wallets. Drawing on my own experience in sales, I explain how pressure to meet targets can change the way we think. I ar...

In this episode, I explore why people can easily copy templates but can never copy someone else's life. In the age of AI and social media, it has become simple to imitate successful content formats, attractive designs, and popular marketing strategies. However, true originality comes from personal experience, not from templates. Your struggles, failures, career path, and unique perspective cre...

In this episode, I examine whether the Japanese reputation for hard work is truly a virtue or has become a hidden trap. While many foreigners admire Japan's diligence, punctuality, and strong work ethic, these strengths also have a darker side, including overwork, burnout, and workplace pressure. I explore how Japan's postwar economic success was driven not only by effort but also by favor...

In this episode, I discuss why building a sales system is more valuable than relying solely on individual sales talent. Hard work and persistence are important, but they do not always create sustainable success. I explain why analyzing the real reasons behind sales—such as product quality, market timing, referrals, and business structure—is essential for long-term growth. Drawing on my own experie...

In this episode, I explore why presenting yourself as a “free spirit” may not resonate with many Japanese business owners. While traveling, changing careers, and living abroad can broaden your perspective, those experiences are often interpreted differently in corporate culture. Japanese executives tend to value consistency, loyalty, and long-term commitment. I discuss the gap between personal fre...

Why do so many salespeople end up focusing on closing deals rather than solving customer problems? In this episode, I explore how incentive systems, sales quotas, and performance evaluations can gradually shift attention away from creating value and toward chasing numbers. Rather than blaming individual salespeople, I examine the organizational structures that shape their behavior. I also discuss...

Money matters, but is chasing profit alone enough to build a meaningful life? In this episode, I examine the difference between pursuing income and creating genuine value. Using examples ranging from professional gamblers to entrepreneurs, I explore why following trends may generate short-term rewards but often fails to build lasting fulfillment or trust. As AI makes production easier than ever, t...

In this episode, I discuss why skills are necessary but never sufficient for long-term success. Learning video editing, programming, accounting, or earning professional qualifications can open doors, but they do not guarantee meaningful results. What truly matters is understanding the market, recognizing what people value, and knowing how to apply your skills to solve real problems. In the age of...

In this episode, I explore the Japanese expression *“nandaka naa”* (“I don’t know… something feels off”) and why it often leaves conversations incomplete. While feelings of discomfort or doubt are valuable starting points, they become meaningful only when we can explain their causes. Using examples from workplaces, restaurants, politics, and social media, I argue that critical thinking begins by t...

In this episode, I introduce one of the most influential books in my life: *Shoji-kun no Seishunki* by Sadao Shoji. Rather than offering a traditional book review, I reflect on how this memoir mirrored my own university years, my struggles to find a sense of belonging, and my search for an authentic path. I also explore how the meaning of "culture" and "education" changes depen...

In the age of artificial intelligence, being "useful" is no longer enough. As AI rapidly automates analysis, writing, translation, and problem-solving, many white-collar professionals risk tying their entire identity to their usefulness at work. In this episode, I explore why modern education and corporate culture encourage this mindset, and why it can become a hidden form of dependence....

In this episode, I explore the idea that human desire rarely appears in its raw form. We often express our ambitions through noble words such as helping others, changing the world, or pursuing freedom, while deeper motivations remain hidden—even from ourselves. Rather than condemning desire, I argue that recognizing it is the first step toward honesty. I also reflect on my own motivations as a con...

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to access information, summarize books, and generate ideas within seconds. But does that mean reading books is no longer necessary? In this episode, I argue that the true value of reading is not simply acquiring knowledge—it is developing the ability to think. Books invite us to follow complex arguments, question assumptions, and build our own j...

In this episode, I reflect on an experience from my early career at a Japanese manufacturing company in Thailand. After being told that I lacked "culture" or "education," I initially felt frustrated because I had spent years reading philosophy, history, and literature. Over time, however, I realized that the meaning of "culture" depends on the world you belong to. In...

In this episode, I explore why academic achievement and knowledge of political philosophy, social thought, and intellectual history do not always go hand in hand in Japan. Rather than criticizing highly educated people, I examine the structure of Japanese higher education and its close relationship with corporate society. Using the classical distinction between *techne* (practical skills) and *epi...

In this episode, I question the popular idea of becoming a "bridge" between Japan and other countries. Drawing from my own experience working in Thailand, I explain why people in bridge roles often become trapped between competing expectations without having real decision-making authority. While these positions are essential for international business, they can also require sacrificing p...

In this episode, I examine why abstract language has become so powerful in the worlds of self-help, spirituality, and success philosophy. Words such as "love," "energy," "purpose," and "authenticity" often sound profound, yet their meanings are rarely defined. Because they are difficult to challenge, they can easily become persuasive business tools. I also e...

In this episode, I explore why modern society often rewards people who appear virtuous rather than those who are willing to confront uncomfortable truths. I argue that today's "hypocrisy" is rarely driven by bad intentions. Instead, it grows from sincere people who adopt socially approved language and behavior to avoid conflict, criticism, or exclusion. As concepts such as empathy, p...