Between the Covers

The book "Brain Science of Exams" by Yuji Ikegaya, a professor specializing in brain science at the University of Tokyo, offers an updated perspective on effective memory techniques, originally presented in his earlier work, "High School Student Learning Methods." The author explains that the human brain, primarily optimized for survival, tends to forget information quickly unless it's deemed esse...

This analysis, titled "What You Don't Know About Japan," examines how changes in Japan's best-selling books reflect shifts in its society from 1991 to 2015. It argues that popular literature serves as a mirror to economic and social transformations, particularly during Japan's "lost decades." The author, Huang Yanan, who studied history and economics, chronologically links major political and econ...

This document provides excerpts from Doing It, a book by Kazuo Inamori, an acclaimed Japanese entrepreneur known for founding Kyocera and KDDI and revitalizing Japan Airlines. The text explores Inamori's unique philosophy on work and life, primarily addressing common challenges faced by new and aspiring professionals. It tackles six key questions: how to overcome a rough start in one's career, the...

The provided text introduces the autobiography of Edward Thorp, a renowned mathematician whose genius extended to the realms of gambling and finance. It highlights his revolutionary card-counting strategy for blackjack, which famously "beat the dealer" in Las Vegas, and his pioneering work in quantitative investment, transforming Wall Street with his "market-neutral" approach. The text explains ho...

The provided text introduces "Sensemaking", a book by human scientists Mats Peter and Rasmussen from ReD Associates, a strategy consulting firm. This book offers an innovative approach to tackling complex business challenges that traditional methods fail to address. The core of "Sensemaking" lies in its ability to comprehend human behavior, experiences, and cultural factors, moving beyond mere obj...