ビジネス日本語講座

In this episode, I explore Japan’s cultural resistance to side jobs, focusing on the expression “wearing two pairs of waraji”—a metaphor for taking on more than one role. I share my own experience working in Bangkok, where a company strictly prohibited outside work, and reflect on how such restrictions reveal the conservative nature of many Japanese firms. Why is pursuing a dream seen as irrespons...

In this episode, I reflect on the subtle “scent” people give off when they have not fully let go of a dream. It is not a physical smell, but an aura that reveals hidden frustrations, unfulfilled ambitions, or lingering hopes. I share my experience working in Bangkok with colleagues who carried this energy, and how it shaped my view of human struggles. Drawing on the classic drama The Great White T...

In Japan, exchanging business cards is more than just a polite introduction—it is a silent negotiation of status and identity. In this episode, I explore how Japanese salarymen use a single card to measure hierarchy: company size, job title, and organizational prestige. Drawing on my own experiences in Japan and Southeast Asia, I explain why business card etiquette matters, how hidden power dynami...

In this episode, I explore a unique theme: “The Job Center for People Who Want to Boss Others Around.” Human desires take many forms—some want love, some want comfort, others pursue self-realization or wealth. But one common and rarely discussed desire is the urge to feel superior and show authority. I look at professions where this tendency appears most clearly—doctors, lawyers, teachers, constru...

In this episode, I reflect on the contrast between city life and rural life through my own experiences and cultural references. Urban living offers the convenience of freedom and anonymity, but it also fosters isolation and a sense of disconnection. By contrast, rural communities provide natural beauty and close human ties, yet their dense networks can feel overwhelming, even suffocating for outsi...

In this episode, I explore the question: does an easy job really exist? Society often insists that no work is ever easy, but my own experiences suggest the truth is more complex. I discuss how the meaning of “easy” differs—whether physical, mental, or relational—and share examples from my past: exhausting moving jobs, low-pressure route sales in Thailand, and creative but highly controlled office...

In this episode, I talk about survival strategies in Japanese companies where manuals are valued above creativity. I share my own experience working as a pharmaceutical route salesman, where even greetings and gestures were strictly controlled. While manuals bring efficiency and consistency, they often suppress innovation and produce managers who rely on micromanagement. I explain why strictly fol...

After living in Southeast Asia for ten years, I returned to Japan and was struck by how little had changed. Unlike the folktale of Urashima Tarō, where the hero comes back to a world transformed, my “reverse Urashima” experience was finding a society that felt almost the same. From 100-yen coffee at convenience stores to the rigid business manners expected abroad, I reflect on the comfort and frus...

In this episode, I talk about one of the most practical yet rarely discussed skills in Japanese corporate life: making excuses when you need to skip work or arrive late. From the safest option of claiming illness to more questionable reasons like family emergencies, I explore which excuses are believable and which can damage your reputation. I also explain cultural aspects such as train delay cert...

In this episode, I explore the hidden survival skills required in Japanese corporate culture, focusing on the art of mastering subtle “insidiousness.” I explain how reading the atmosphere, using sarcasm and irony, and strategic positioning often define who thrives in the workplace. Through real examples, I reveal how these tactics are valued inside companies but remain meaningless once you step ou...

In this episode, I question the traditional Japanese belief in “career consistency.” In many Japanese companies, being recognized as a true professional often requires staying in the same job for decades. Even dull or unfulfilling work can be valued if endured long enough. Drawing on Shibusawa Eiichi’s famous quote and contrasting it with Fukuzawa Yukichi’s humor and openness, I reflect on how the...

In this episode, I reflect on why workplace relationships matter more than job content itself. From my experience, what truly shapes comfort at work is whether our values, or “work sense,” align with colleagues and especially bosses. I compare two contrasting types: the “relaxed type,” who values balance and free time, and the “stoic type,” who prioritizes work above all. I also share insights fro...

In this episode, I explore the question: under what conditions can long working hours be justified in Japan? I talk about the restaurant industry, where staff shortages and ambition often drive people to extreme overtime, and I recall the old “Can you work 24 hours?” culture that once shaped Japan. I also compare Japan with Europe, where long vacations and family time are valued. While I respect w...

In this episode, I talk about why learning to “slack off” is essential for both employees and freelancers. Slacking off doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities, but rather finding small ways to rest, recharge, and create breathing space. I share my experiences in Bangkok—skipping work to wander around Siam Paragon or browsing Japanese books in Phrom Phong—and how those breaks kept me balanced. Fr...

In this episode, I explore why arrogant or overbearing people often rise to positions of power in Japanese companies and society. Drawing from political figures and my own experiences in manufacturing sales, I reflect on how a culture that respects craftsmen and tradition can sometimes enable disrespectful behavior. I share a story about workplace dynamics, the subtle power of words, and why loud...

In this episode, I reflect on the hidden meaning behind being treated to a meal. When I was younger, I often thought a free dinner was simply kindness. But through experiences at university, in my first company, and later abroad, I realized that meals can carry expectations—sometimes seen as an “investment.” In Japan, generosity is often tied to obligation, while in Vietnam I found a more natural,...

In this episode, I reflect on the challenges of changing jobs in Japan, especially the choice between large corporations and small to mid-sized companies. While big companies often offer better pay, benefits, and stability, smaller firms carry unique risks. One of the biggest pitfalls is the “fixed human relationship” problem: limited staff means little room to escape if you clash with a boss or c...

In this episode, I share a turning point from my college days. While working part-time at a small bookstore, I suddenly quit without notice. When the owner called me back, he told me something I will never forget: “You are strong in solitude. That strength may guide your future.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand. Years later, after struggling in corporate life and eventually becoming a freel...

In this episode, I talk about the unique culture of Japan’s food and beverage industry and how it connects with the Japanese language. From the concept of omotenashi—putting heart into service—to the teamwork between hall and kitchen staff, working in a restaurant in Japan offers both challenges and valuable growth. I also share why I decided to create a new online course designed to help people w...

In this episode, I reflect on the growing trend of seniors in Japan joining resort part-time jobs. At first, the idea of enjoying scenic places while working seemed inspiring. But from my own experience as a resort worker in my late twenties, I realized the reality can be harsh—poor living conditions, difficult managers, and generational gaps with younger coworkers. While some seniors may thrive,...

In this episode, I explore the unique concept of *“sontaku”* in Japanese culture—the subtle practice of adjusting one’s words and behavior by anticipating the feelings or expectations of others. While often seen in politics and corporate life, it deeply shapes how organizations function. I share personal observations from my career, including stories of colleagues whose personalities were tolerate...

In this episode, I reflect on my days as a salaryman and the struggle of surviving endless meetings. I share how I often fought off sleep and felt pressure to make comments, even when I had nothing to say. I describe five typical “safe” phrases people use to sound engaged, including the famous “optimal solution,” which often means nothing. I compare these hollow remarks to TV commentators who spea...

In this episode, I reflect on why news is often overrated compared to real-life experiences. From childhood, I noticed that much of what appeared in newspapers—wars, disasters, or crimes—rarely affected my daily life directly. People often follow news just to keep up in conversation, but I believe true intelligence lies elsewhere. During my time in Thailand, I learned that light, human topics can...

In this episode, I reflect on how much of today’s online culture relies on performance and fiction. On platforms like YouTube or Instagram, I often see creators exaggerating characters—whether cheerful or gloomy—simply to stand out. Viewers know it is not real, yet they still enjoy it. I believe this habit of embracing fiction can weaken our ability to tell truth from lies, leaving us vulnerable t...

In this episode, Shigeki explores the idea of “character culture” and how society often demands that people fit into simple labels such as the “serious type” or the “funny one.” Drawing from both Japanese workplaces and experiences in Vietnam, he highlights how these roles can provide a sense of belonging but also limit individuality. He reflects on his own struggle to resist performing a fixed ch...