ビジネス日本語講座

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...

Why do some people find the FIRE movement strangely empty? In this episode, I explore why achieving financial independence is only the beginning, not the ultimate goal. FIRE offers freedom from financial anxiety, but what comes after that? I argue that many discussions focus on saving, investing, and reducing expenses while overlooking purpose, creativity, and contribution. A life built only on de...

Why are lifestyle videos so popular, and what are they doing to us? In this episode, I explore how many modern lifestyle videos prioritize atmosphere over personality. Beautiful cafés, minimalist rooms, quiet routines, and carefully edited moments create a calming experience, but they may also encourage creators to suppress strong opinions, imperfections, and individuality. I argue that this gradu...

Why do so many people seem to have the same personality today? In this episode, I introduce the idea of the “ETF personality”—a mindset that becomes increasingly safe, average, and predictable by copying successful people. While this approach may reduce risk, it also weakens individuality and human appeal. Drawing on literature, business, sales experience, and the rise of AI, I argue that genuine...

Why do so many people today evaluate themselves instead of letting others do it? In this episode, I explore how social media and online culture may have changed the way we present ourselves. Phrases like “I’m highly capable” or “I’ve grown so much” have become increasingly common, but what does this reveal about modern communication? I argue that the fear of being judged as inadequate encourages p...

Is the biggest challenge after retirement really the lack of hobbies? In this episode, I argue that the deeper issue is the loss of a community where people have meaningful responsibilities. Hobbies are valuable, but they are often optional—if you stop, no one is affected. Work, on the other hand, creates obligations, shared struggles, and relationships that give people a sense of purpose. Drawing...

Will AI replace most employees, or is something deeper at work? In this episode, I explore why many business owners may continue to hire people even as AI becomes more capable. While automation can improve efficiency and reduce costs, companies are not merely profit-generating machines. They are also communities built on relationships, trust, recognition, and shared experiences. Drawing on my obse...

Why do so many business and self-help articles sound strangely familiar? In this episode, I explore what I call the “Business Self-Help Grammar” — a recurring set of buzzwords such as authenticity, challenge, purpose, energy, and self-discovery that often circulate through books, newsletters, and online content. While these ideas are not necessarily wrong, they can become detached from real-world...

What happens when being “useful” is no longer enough? In this episode, I explore how AI is rapidly making information, explanations, summaries, and practical advice cheaper and more abundant than ever before. As useful content becomes increasingly commoditized, creators may find themselves competing directly with AI. I argue that the future value of human-created content may lie not in usefulness...

What do retirement, workplace relationships, and the movie *First Blood* have in common? In this episode, I reflect on the deeper meaning of retirement through the story of John Rambo, a man who returned from war only to discover that he no longer had a place to belong. Many people believe retirement is mainly about financial preparation, but losing a job can also mean losing a community, trusted...

What stories never make it onto television? In this episode, I reflect on the popular Japanese TV program *Jinsei no Rakuen* (“Life’s Paradise”), which often features people who leave corporate careers to start a new life in the countryside. While these stories are inspiring, they also raise an important question: what about those whose dreams did not work out? Drawing on my own experience of stru...

What happens after financial independence and early retirement? In this episode, I explore a question that is rarely discussed in FIRE communities: who do retired middle-aged men talk to when they need support? While FIRE offers freedom from work, it can also mean leaving behind the workplace communities that once provided structure, identity, and social connection. I examine the decline of tradit...

Why do so many people seem to adopt the same lifestyles, identities, and ways of thinking? In this episode, I explore the idea that modern trends such as minimalism, digital nomadism, “slow living,” and self-improvement may function as new forms of social templates. Looking back at Japan’s youth cultures of the 1990s, I argue that the desire to fit into recognizable roles has not disappeared—it ha...

Why are activities like sauna, strength training, cold showers, and outdoor hobbies becoming so popular? In this episode, I explore the idea that modern people may be experiencing “abstraction fatigue.” As society becomes increasingly shaped by information, data, algorithms, finance, and digital experiences, many of us spend less time engaging with the physical world. In response, people may be se...

What if corporate life is a kind of training device? In this episode, I explore the idea of the “Salaryman Training Cast” — the habits, behaviors, and values that companies teach employees in order to function within large organizations. From business etiquette and reporting systems to reading the atmosphere and adapting to workplace culture, these lessons often shape people more deeply than techn...

Why has Microsoft Excel become such a powerful symbol of corporate life? In this episode, I explore how Excel is much more than a spreadsheet application. It reflects the core principles of modern organizations: standardization, visibility, accountability, and management. Companies rely on systems that produce repeatable results, make performance measurable, and allow work to be transferred betwee...

In this episode, I explore a simple but important question: why do commodities exist? We often focus on abstract things such as AI, social media, brands, finance, and information. Yet beneath all of these systems lies a physical foundation—energy, metals, food, water, and raw materials. No matter how advanced technology becomes, civilization still depends on resources that must be mined, transport...

In this episode, I explore how Japanese corporate life may be changing from a “board game” model to a “chess” model. In the past, the path to success seemed relatively clear: enter a good university, join a major company, get promoted, and retire comfortably. Today, however, industries decline, companies merge, AI changes the rules, and career paths are far less predictable. The game board itself...

In this episode, I explore a common claim: “I don’t read books, but I think for myself, so I’m fine.” Is that really enough? While reading alone does not make someone wise, neither does relying only on personal experience. Human beings often mistake their limited experiences for universal truths. Reading is not simply about gaining knowledge—it is about confronting ideas that challenge our assumpt...

In this episode, I explore why Facebook seems to be slowly losing its place at the center of internet culture. Rather than focusing on technology or business performance, I look at a deeper shift in human behavior and identity. Facebook once rewarded a “successful” and socially approved personality, built around careers, achievements, and real-life status. But many people eventually grew tired of...

In this episode, I explore how human personalities gradually adapt to the media environments they spend time in. Different platforms create different kinds of people. YouTube rewards strong reactions and clear characters. TikTok pushes people toward short, intense, highly stimulating communication. Even platforms like note in Japan seem to encourage a certain “sensitive” and self-analytical person...