ビジネス日本語講座

In this episode, Shigeki reflects on the modern obsession with “creating individuality.” On social media and platforms like YouTube, many people try to build a personality or character from the very beginning. However, Shigeki argues that true individuality does not start with pe...

In this episode, Shigeki explores a curious aspect of Japanese workplace culture: the small talk of middle-aged salarymen. Contrary to the common belief that good conversation must be witty or intellectual, the small talk that many office veterans enjoy is often simple, familiar,...

In this episode, Shigeki explores an interesting question: why do Japanese salarymen engage in so much small talk? While it is often explained as a cultural trait, the real reason may lie in the structure of Japanese companies. In many workplaces, performance is not judged by num...

In this episode, Shigeki explores an interesting pattern found in the comment sections of YouTube videos about semi-retirement and FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Many viewers post comments describing their own assets, retirement plans, or progress toward financial i...

In this episode, Shigeki explores a fundamental question about Japanese society: has a true civil society ever existed in Japan? He begins with the figure of the Japanese salaryman, whose identity is often closely tied to their company. Unlike many Western societies, where indivi...

In this episode, Shigeki examines a surprising weakness many people have: the belief that “I am not the kind of person who gets scammed.” While people often assume that only the uninformed or careless fall for fraud, the reality is more complicated. Modern scams increasingly targ...

In this episode, Shigeki discusses a practical survival strategy for working in traditional Japanese companies: do not raise your employer’s expectations too high. While exceeding expectations may initially lead to praise or promotion, it often creates a cycle where standards kee...

In this episode, I reflect on the growing popularity of the “digital nomad” lifestyle. Social media often portrays working from cafes, traveling the world, and escaping office life as an ideal form of freedom. But what exactly are these stories offering? Many of them provide neit...

In this episode, I examine the recent popularity of the idea of “verbalization” in Japan. While many people now emphasize the importance of expressing thoughts clearly, Japanese society has traditionally valued harmony, restraint, and reading the atmosphere rather than openly sta...

This episode examines the history of Japan’s internet side-hustle culture and explains how the 2010s produced what the speaker calls “the last men.” After the global financial crisis and the rise of smartphones and social media, many people began seeking freedom from traditional ...

This episode explores the idea of “safe” and “dangerous” addictions in modern society. While people admire passion and obsession, their evaluation changes depending on what the object is. Reading or fitness may be praised, while drug use is condemned, even though the underlying p...

This episode explores why self-help continues to sell so well by analyzing its underlying structure. The key argument is that the true product is not knowledge or techniques, but anxiety. Self-help content identifies vague personal fears and offers reassurance, creating a cycle t...