*“Yesterday, I Went to Mars ♡”*

A line from Airbnb’s Brian Chesky to Sam Altman stayed with me: “When information is missing, gossip fills the gap. The worst thing is to be feared. The antidote to fear is to share information.” People fear what they don’t understand. Whether it’s AI, business, or relationships — ignorance breeds anxiety. But when we meet, talk, and share what we know, fear often turns into understanding. Transpa...

During the flight back from France, I watched Escape from Kabul , a French film about the fall of Afghanistan’s capital and the people trapped between survival and abandonment. It reminded me how fragile the idea of “saving everyone” really is—when chaos takes over, the circle of people you can protect narrows to those within your reach. From the quiet safety of a plane, I realized how temporary p...

A quiet reflection after a week in France. Traveling isn’t about escape — it’s how I learn, observe, and stay connected to the world. From local eyewear shops to daily life in cafés and trains, every small experience teaches me something new about business, culture, and myself. Each trip becomes both an education and an investment — not in things, but in perspective. That’s why I keep traveling: t...

While returning a rental car in Paris, I discovered how different city returns can be. Unlike airport locations, where staff check everything carefully, downtown branches in France often work on a self-service system — no staff, no inspection, just drop the keys in a box and hope for the best. It was confusing at first, circling around Montparnasse Station trying to find the right spot. But in the...

In this episode, I reflect on an unexpected discovery beneath the Arc de Triomphe. After returning my rental car, I stopped by the monument and noticed what looked like absolute chaos — cars honking, cutting across lanes, and seemingly ignoring all rules. But soon I realized it wasn’t reckless driving at all — the traffic rule itself is reversed here. Unlike most roundabouts, the one at the Arc de...

A short reflection on driving in Europe — and why full coverage insurance is worth every cent. Roads in Europe can be unexpectedly narrow, especially in old towns where streets were built for horse-drawn carriages. Even careful drivers can end up with a few scrapes. After learning this the hard way in Italy, I’ve realized that paying a little extra for full coverage isn’t about fear — it’s about p...

A short reflection from France — where too much wine, espresso, and jet lag caught up with me. My HRV and body battery dropped sharply, reminding me that at 47, the body doesn’t recover like it used to. A small lesson from the trip: even joy needs balance. Next time, one glass, one cup, enjoyed slowly.

While driving through Normandy this morning, I heard an Aimyon song with a line that made me smile: “I’m not going to suddenly become a better man tomorrow.” It was a gentle reminder that change doesn’t happen overnight. We don’t wake up perfect the next day just because we tried hard today. Growth is slow, often invisible, but it builds through small steps. Sometimes, simply recognizing our imper...

’m at Mont-Saint-Michel now, more than 15 years after visiting on my honeymoon. Back then, buses lined the causeway, and the island felt more like a parking lot than a sacred abbey. Honestly, we were underwhelmed. Since 2012, cars have been banned, and in 2014 the new Pont-Passerelle bridge restored the vision of an abbey floating in the sea. Today, instead of buses, sheep graze along the approach...

While staying in Paris, I found myself thinking again about one of the small but surprisingly tricky parts of traveling: tipping. With services like Uber, I’ve noticed that leaving tips regularly makes it easier to get rides quickly—it almost feels like an investment. The same goes for restaurants or shops I visit more than once during a trip: a tip at the beginning often makes the whole experienc...

It’s been 17 years since I started Makoto Eyewear. The business is stable, but I feel drawn to new fields like AI and AR—and yet, I hesitate. Maybe it’s fear of leaving stability behind, or the thought that I’m “too old” to begin again. But small steps matter. If I don’t start now, I may look back with regret.

This episode reflects on the idea of “information avoidance,” the tendency to look away from difficult truths. From war headlines we scroll past to personal health checks we delay, avoiding knowledge can sometimes protect our hearts. But over time, it can also allow problems to grow. The challenge is balance: knowing when it’s okay to look away, and when it’s necessary to face reality. True wisdom...

What's the true measure of strength? This week, we explore the idea that it's not about winning, but about surviving through adaptation. We draw lessons from a newly discovered ant with an unprecedented survival strategy, and from the latest research on why the physically strong Neanderthals disappeared from history. Join us for a calm look at why flexibility and cooperation, not just powe...

On today's episode, we start with a big question about the value of a single human life, using Einstein as an example. This leads to a thoughtful look at Elon Musk, asking if he might be a figure of similar historical significance. We explore his intense work ethic, the world-changing scale of his vision, and how he approaches his work, not to say he's the same as Einstein, but to consider...

In this episode, I reflect on how AI has become part of daily work, from research to translation to note-taking. Recently, I read a blog about an “AI school” workshop where non-engineers used tools like Cursor, an AI code editor, and Dify, an AI workflow builder, to create a working website in under 30 minutes—starting only from a voice memo. The story was eye-opening. It showed how quickly system...

This episode looks at the life of Samuel Morse, the inventor of Morse code. Few know that he was a painter until his mid-40s, when personal loss pushed him toward science. At 53, he completed the invention that transformed global communication. Morse’s story reminds us that experiences from one chapter of life can shape the next, and that change is possible at any age. His journey gives real meani...

For 17 years, Makoto Optical has continued serving customers in Shinjuku and Ginza. Updating our website has always felt like part of the daily routine, but when I paused to look back, I realized we’ve shared over 5,000 customer stories and received more than 2,000 reviews. It’s something I’m truly grateful for.

A reflection on a piece of Indian jewelry whose turquoise stone went missing. More than decoration, jewelry can hold meaning, protection, or memories, depending on what we invest in it. This episode explores how objects gain value through the stories and emotions we attach to them — and how that meaning can be as powerful as the material itself.

On today's episode, we discuss a fascinating new technology from Sony that feels like something out of science fiction: a fingertip robot that can "physically install" skills like playing the piano. This sparks a quiet reflection on the future of learning and the nature of human effort. If a robot can teach us the mechanics, what becomes the new focus of our practice?

This episode reflects on the idea that stability is never permanent. Relationships, work, health, and even business are always in motion—constant change is the true nature of life. Stability, when it comes, is just a fortunate exception. By seeing change as natural and learning to carry a heart that won’t break when things shift, we can face challenges with less fear and more openness.

This episode reflects on why people who have once finished something — whether it’s a marathon, a mountain climb, or a debate competition — often carry that strength into other parts of life. Crossing a finish line or reaching a summit builds a quiet confidence: “I’ve done it before, I can do it again.” It’s not about winning first place, but about proving to yourself that you can see something th...

This episode reflects on how even something as familiar as morning radio calisthenics can shift with the times. In Japan, it’s now sometimes seen as noise, while in China the same activity is full of loud music and energy. It’s a small reminder of how changing lifestyles and values shape what we call “normal.”

This episode reflects on how much our environment shapes us. From the advantages of international schools in places like Barcelona—where children can naturally grow into English and even trilingual speakers—to the risks of relying only on Japan’s domestic market and language, the focus is on “environment lottery.” Education abroad can be both an investment and a kind of insurance, not just for chi...

In this episode, I reflect on what I call a “plus-minus zero” approach to health. At home I rarely drink beer, but while traveling I sometimes do—and then balance it the next day with a run or a hike. Health advice is everywhere, often telling us what we should or shouldn’t do. But in the end, there’s no universal formula. What really matters is finding a rhythm that feels sustainable, both for th...

Is today's excitement tomorrow's irritation? On this episode, we explore that question through a personal story of feeling thrilled in a new city one day, only to feel bored and frustrated the next. This leads to a quiet conversation about the fleeting nature of external happiness and the search for a more sustainable, internal sense of fulfillment that isn't dependent on constant nove...