Japan Unboxed

Social Withdrawal called HIKIKOMORI in Japanese has been a problem in Japan for at least 30 years or so. Most of them are younger adults who were withdrawn from society for various reasons and do not or cannot go to work and stay home most of the time while having their elder parents take care of them. Nowadays it has become a long-term problem so that their parents are too old to take care, and w...

Have you ever heard of a show called Lunch ON! ? It is one of my favorite shows on NHK world. In the show, a team of producers and a camera crew travel places in Japan to ask people to show their lunches. The episode always includes surprises and small heartwarming dramas. Narration by an actor Nakai Kiichi is always cheerful as well. Let’s see if an interview with the show’s producer Mr. Matsuba...

A Brilliant Way To Get 18 Young Voters To Vote Earlier this year, I received a request to do a podcast on politics in Japan. Unfortunately I had to decline it because we are trying to be politically mutual. Although our stance remains the same, today's topic is a rather brilliant way to encourage young people to vote. Let’s see if this unique idea reported on Yomiuri Newspaper can unbox Japan. (So...

Tokyo Olympic seems to have received a go with or without a big spectator. The venue for the opening ceremony is Yoyogi National Stadium which was a symbol of Japan’s economic growth since the 1950s. It needed a full size renovation. An Architecture Kuma Kengo designed this nature conscious building with his lifelong passion for architecture. Let’s see if his interview can unbox Japan. 　　　　　...

Most convenience stores in Japan operate 24-hour. However, this business model is now an issue due to the labor shortage. The convenience stores need to improve productivity and the unattended cash registers are introduced but that is not enough. One of the major chain convenience stores, FamilyMart found a drastic solution and it is the use of robots. Let’s see if an interview with FamilyMart’s e...

March 11 is the day the enormous earthquake hit east Japan 10 years ago. I’d like to express many thanks who offered support from all over the world to my home country, Japan. The total deaths of 15,899 and over 2,500 people are still missing. The Tohoku area is recovering day by day but will need more time for full recovery. Today’s topic is something related to death. When someone passes away, t...

In Japan, soybeans are considered as the meat of the field due to the high content of protein. So, there are many recipes using tofu or other soybean products in Japanese cuisine. With recent demand for alternative sources of protein, there are several Japanese companies which are challenging this task with sophisticated technology. How do they taste? Are they yummy as much as real meat? Let’s see...

The Choshi Electric Railway, about 1 hour away from Narita Airport has faced the danger of closing down many times, but has been able to pull through the crisis with its unparalleled survival skills. The company has turned its debt into a leverage and has increased its fan base through innovative events and product planning. What is the source of this idea? Let’s see if the company president Takem...

https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00163/011500052/ In August 2020, b8ta, a store originated in San Francisco, California landed in Japan. The store was known for its revolutionary business model that allows customers to experience innovative gadgets. 2 locations in Tokyo were picked. Mr. Kitagawa Takashi represents b8ta Japan as a country manager but was originally working as a retail manage...

After graduating from Chuo University in 1953, Mr. Suzuki Osamu worked at a bank before joining Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1958. He is married to a daughter of Mr. Suzuki Shunzo, the second president of the company. After serving as a President in 1978, Chairman in 2000, he became President again in 2008. Mr. Suzuki is now 91 years old and just made an announcement on February 24 that he is stepp...

Funabashiya, a traditional confectionary store in Kameido, Tokyo, with a history dating back to 1805. Its signature dish, "kuzumochi," has been loved by historical story writers such as Akutagawa Ryunosuke or Nagai Kafu, and an influential samurai in Japanese history who led the Meiji Restoration,SaigoTakamori. This "long-established" Japanese confectionary store is now attracting attention from y...

An American apparel brand North Face has known for high quality and has been popular in both the US and Japan. In 2019 the brand has added one particular type of material to its fabric used in the product which is made in Japan. The product is called MOON PARKA. Japanese textile research company SPIBER is responsible for this magical fabric. Let’s see if the SPIBER’s current status can unbox Japan...

In Japan, Intermittent fasting is getting popular and it is common to believe being overweight is the source of many diseases. Autophagy, known as the research of Dr. Osumi Yoshinori, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2016, has been known to keep various diseases away and lead to longevity by reducing calorie intake. Dr. Aoki Atsushi of Jiji Medical University lived to...

She was born as the youngest of 12 during the Iran-Iraq War. The sound of fireworks still reminds her of an air raid. 　In elementary school she attended in Saitama, she was shocked she had to sit next to a boy. In Iran, which is a Muslim country, boys and girls are separated until high school, and they take separate buses. Women have to cover their hair with a hijab. This is a story of an Iranian...

If you are a Japanese and have a college degree, the total number of years to have studied English would be more than 12 years. Yet you still can’t speak English. That’s how the majority of Japanese people feel. We know a few English words. We know a fair amount of grammar. But why are there so many Japanese who can't hear, understand, or carry on a conversation in English? This is a mystery of al...

Any working adult is required to have a wider variety of skills such as language skills, communication skills in order to make a living. Investment skills may also become important especially for Japanese who have very strong resistance to. YouTuber Dan Takahashi has about 356,000 subscribers on his channels. After graduating from college, he joined Morgan Stanley, and co-founded a hedge fund at a...

Restaurants are struggling in the wake of the spread of the new coronavirus. According to Teikoku Databank, a major data company, 780 restaurants went bankrupt in 2020, the highest level on record. Struggling restaurant owners are starting take-out and delivery services. Food truck may be one to rescue but the key to sucess seems to be something that ordinary Japanese people are not used to. Let’s...

In general, it is an advantage for the farmers to be close to the metropolitan area, as it is easier to keep freshness and cheaper to transport the vegetables. The Broccoli division of JA Shimabara-Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture which is almost 6,800 miles away from Tokyo has disproved such a theory. For the past 20 years since 2001, their business has been growing steadily. Their annual sales in 20...

The season has come for the common entrance exam for colleges in Japan. With COVID19 and the severe cold weather, students must not only wear masks to prevent infection, but also protect themselves against the cold. Disposable body warmers are a must-have item for those students taking the exam. However, few people know the secret of those little warm pouches which fit in the pocket. Let’s see if...

Former Goldman Sachs analyst, Mr. David Atkinson was born in England in 1965. He studied Japanology at Oxford University. After leaving Goldman Sachs in 2007, he joined Konishi Bijutsu Kogei in 2009 which has been repairing Japanese national treasures and important cultural properties for more than 300 years. In 2011, he became the chairman and president of the company. His company is one of the s...

Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the food service industry has been greatly affected in many countries around the world. Egypt is no exception. The general manager and the chef of Makino, one of the few traditional Japanese restaurants in Egypt, explained the situation of the restaurant industry in the wake of the COVID19 and the possibility of promoting Japanese food in the future. Maki...

Sakai Sonoko was selected as one of the 15 creative women by the New York Times in 2020. Her recipe book, "Japanese Home Cooking: Simple Meals, Authentic Flavors” is rated 5 stars on Amazon. Today’s episode is about how she discovered Japanese beauty in California through a local farmer who accidentally gave her our traditional dried fruit, Shibagaki. 2021/01/21 今、ロサンゼルスで「干し柿」が絶賛...

January is a special month not only because of a new year but the event of coming of age to celebrate the milestone of turning 20. There is an American who graduated from Harvard University, and became a comedian in Japan. His name is Patrick Harlan, aka Pacun. He talks about his young adult life and dreams and offers aspirations for the future for those who newly became adults. 大人になった今、若...

Among depressing news, Japan’s bullet train, Shinkansen was reported to find a new eye opening way of its use. This time they don’t transport people but produce! Japan is known for delicious fruits and produce, why not use the fast train to reach cities far away? Let’s see how the new business of Shinkansen can unbox Japan. Source: Nov. 17, 2020 Toyo Keizai Online https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-...

COVID19 sure has forced us to change how we live our lives in many ways. There is one Japanese comedian who decided to live between NY and Tokyo in the midst of a pandemic even though she is successful in Japan as a comedian. Watanabe Naomi has over 9 million followers on her Instagram, and talked about the role of influencer today. Let’s see how her experience as an influencer can unbox Japan. 20...