*“Yesterday, I Went to Mars ♡”*

In this episode, I recount my early-morning run in Seoul, where I underestimated the -7°C weather and nearly regretted skipping gloves. Despite the biting cold, the clear air and neatly maintained paths near N Seoul Tower offered a surprisingly refreshing experience. I also talk about the stark contrast between Seoul’s chilled streets and its toasty indoor heating, highlighting why proper winter g...

we take a closer look at Seoul, a city known for its modern skyline, well-maintained streets, and efficient public transit—yet also home to a curious practice in some older buildings where flushing toilet paper is discouraged. We discuss how this custom emerged from narrow pipe systems and less dissolvable paper in decades past, and how contemporary infrastructure upgrades are changing restroom ha...

Join us on this exciting episode of "Eyewear Revelations" as we dive into the upcoming event, "Eyewear Personality – Discovering a New Me," on March 23, 2025, at Takino River Flames in Tokyo. Hosted by eyewear enthusiast T and gadget-loving Makoto from Makoto Eyewear, this podcast explores how classic and avant-garde glasses can unlock a new side of your personality. Discover T’s fiery passion for...

In this episode, we explore how AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AR (Augmented Reality) can reshape daily life—from simpler eye checkups to smarter remote work—and even help us prepare for future missions to Mars. Our host, who has 15 years of experience running an eyewear shop, talks about blending that expertise with cutting-edge technology to create genuinely useful solutions. If you’re curious...

This episode dives into the evolving nature of programming education and why it’s about so much more than memorizing code syntax or mastering specific tools. Drawing inspiration from Sam Altman’s assertion that true programming education focuses on creative problem-solving, we’ll explore how AI is shifting the way we learn and innovate. We discuss how the rapidly changing landscape—from the era of...

In an age where AI can handle much of the creative process—like selecting the perfect pair of glasses—the true differentiator remains our ability to connect personally. This episode explores how the “democratization of influence” has shifted the way we communicate, with more people than ever stepping onto the public stage to share their ideas. Yet, while technology drives efficiency, it risks dimi...

This episode dives into the growing fascination with batteries, sparked by visions of Mars exploration and survival in extreme environments like Everest. We examine how these scenarios highlight the need for safe, long-lasting energy storage solutions. We also explore the rising trend of decentralized energy: imagine every household generating and storing its own power, turning neighborhoods into...

Meta (formerly Facebook) and Spain’s BCBL (Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language) are collaborating on a research project called “Brain2Qwerty.” By using noninvasive devices like EEG and MEG, they collect brainwave data while volunteers type on a keyboard, training an AI to predict text based on these signals. Early tests show up to 80% accuracy—especially promising with MEG—though equipm...

I recently brought back Ray-Ban x Meta glasses from Italy—still unavailable in Japan—and discovered just how convenient voice-activated photo and video capture can be. In this episode, I also discuss my favorite camera, the Insta360 X4, and how even small features can dramatically change the way we capture experiences. While these new devices and AI tools come with their share of risks and quirks,...

In this episode, reflects on a recent trip to Italy—recalling the days of backpacking with a paper map and compass versus today’s smartphone convenience. This journey sparks a discussion about the accelerating pace of technology and the game-changing potential of quantum computing. Learn about PsiQuantum’s ambitious quest to build a billion-dollar optical quantum computer by 2027 and how their unw...

In this episode, I share my experiences traveling through Italy and discovering luggage storage app called bounce, which made exploring Milan a breeze. I also talk about the highs and lows of using ChatGPT for trip planning—from helpful tips to a few off-base suggestions—and how local advice filled in the gaps. Tune in to hear how mixing new tech tools with real-world interactions can supercharge...

Join me as I recount a whirlwind day starting at dawn in Rome, exploring the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City—often considered the heart of the Catholic faith—before heading to Milan to witness Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic masterpiece, The Last Supper. Along the way, we’ll delve into the intriguing histories behind these world-renowned sites, from centuries of painstaking restoration...

In this episode, we follow a day in Rome spent covering 20 kilometers on foot—10 kilometers running solo at dawn, and another 10 walking with family. We marvel at the nearly 2,000-year-old Pantheon, widely considered the world’s oldest concrete structure, with its perfectly measured dome and ingenious oculus. We also visit the Colosseum, dating back to around 72 AD, which once hosted gladiator bat...

In this episode, we explore Venice in the early morning, when the city’s quieter side becomes more visible. We discuss how trash is collected by handcarts and boats instead of cars, and how a special “vacuum boat” helps deal with wastewater for buildings not fully connected to modern sewers. We also touch on Venice’s shifting water levels—visible in the shells clinging to walls—and the MOSE Projec...

In this episode, we discuss a journey from Milan to Venice—a city that initially seemed like just another tourist spot, but turned out to have a uniquely captivating atmosphere. Traveling with family offered a fresh perspective, especially when touring iconic sites like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. We also talk about discovering a renovated historic residence that elevated the stay b...

In this episode, I share my experience arriving in Milan at five in the morning during off-season February, when the days are short and the city is hushed by rainy weather. I discuss attending a trade show—despite the weak yen, I still managed to buy more than I planned—and then heading into a nearly empty city center. I’m traveling with my junior-high daughter, who’s exploring Europe for the firs...

In this episode, we explore the often-heard phrase “If I could overcome it, so can you” and uncover the hidden pitfalls of an overly rigid self-responsibility mindset. While personal effort matters, people’s individual circumstances—financial constraints, health issues, and lack of support—can heavily influence their outcomes. When we overlook these differences, we risk alienating those who need h...

In this episode, we dive into “unnecessarily refined, streamlined yet pointless” concepts—whether it’s a dazzling sports move that doesn’t lead to a score, or sleek glasses with no real function. Far from being mere distractions, these “pointless” creations often spark genuine innovation, especially in a world increasingly driven by AI’s efficiency.

In this episode, we dive into a recent experience my daughter shared: her classmates were happily hanging out until one student left—at which point they instantly began speaking negatively about that person. Disturbed by the sudden shift and anxious that others might talk about her behind her back as well, my daughter came home feeling uneasy. We’ll reflect on this situation through the lens of Yu...

Is Elon Musk—visionary behind SpaceX, Tesla, and the newly rebranded X (formerly Twitter)—secretly running the U.S. government under Donald Trump’s second term? That’s the rumor floating around online, featuring allegations of a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” massive federal layoffs, and Musk’s associates embedding themselves in key agencies like the OPM and GSA. In this episode, we se...

In this episode, we dive into how AI agents are reshaping consumer behavior—from automatically finding the best deal on a recommended product to handling complex, multi-faceted requests. We discuss why conventional SEO tactics are no longer sufficient in a world where AI prioritizes “real-world” trust, reviews, and the ability to meet highly specific criteria. We then introduce the concept of RAG...

In this episode, we dive into the world of AI-driven quant investing and ask whether this powerful combination might be truly unbeatable. We start by explaining the basics of quant investing—how data, math, and statistics guide investment decisions—and show how AI’s ability to process massive amounts of information in real time can supercharge these methods. We also address the big question: if ev...

In this episode, we explore Elon Musk’s bold plan to cut U.S. federal employees by offering them full pay if they resign—otherwise facing potential layoffs—and why this approach simply wouldn’t fly in Japan. We break down how America’s top-down, performance-driven culture enables leaders like Musk (and the U.S. president) to enact sweeping reforms, in contrast to Japan’s entrenched bureaucracy, ro...

In this episode, we dive into DeepSeek (深度求索) , a rising AI company from China, and its visionary founder, Liang Wenfeng . Formerly a hedge fund entrepreneur managing over ¥1 trillion in assets , Liang transitioned into AI with a mission to make advanced AI transparent and accessible to everyone . DeepSeek stands out by prioritizing Explainable AI (XAI) over commercial expansion. With a world-...

In this episode, we explore the emerging trend of combining multiple AIs to tackle complex challenges—similar to a group of friends, each with unique strengths, working together on a difficult project. We’ll look at two standout companies: deepseek , which taps into individual AI “specialists” for different tasks and then integrates their solutions, and Sakana AI , which fuses smaller AI “units” i...