ビジネス日本語講座

In today’s hyper-visible world, even our efforts must be displayed. This episode explores the modern obsession with showing “proof” of hard work—posting study sessions, seminars, or self-improvement updates—and questions what we lose in the process. Shigeki argues that true growt...

In Japan, “reading the air” once meant a graceful sensitivity—sensing others’ emotions without words. Yet today, it’s often replaced by sontaku, the fearful act of guessing superiors’ wishes and staying silent. True reading the air is born from empathy, not fear; it connects, not...

In every company, the fiery salesman and the calm administrative “gentleman” embody two essential forces: passion and balance. The salesman lives in battle—sweating, persuading, chasing numbers. The silent gentleman, by contrast, maintains harmony, quietly stabilizing the air aro...

In the age of social media, many creators and entrepreneurs pursue being “loved.” But this desire often signals surrender—living by others’ approval rather than conviction. True leaders and strong brands do not seek affection; they pursue overwhelming value. Apple, for example, i...

In a world obsessed with updates—new phones, apps, and endless progress—we rarely question what “renewal” truly means. In this episode, I explore the wisdom of standing still. Factories must update their machines to survive, yet the human heart needs silence, not constant change....

In this episode, I examine a quiet belief deeply rooted in Japan’s corporate world — the idea that if you work hard enough, someone will notice. This faith turns effort into performance: tired faces, loud sighs, and visible exhaustion become signs of virtue. True diligence, howev...

In this episode, I explore why so many brilliant communicators in Japan’s manufacturing world—people full of humor, insight, and real experience—never appear on the internet. Their silence is not due to inability, but to culture: a corporate faith that treats knowledge as company...

In this episode, I discuss what I call the “thought hustlers” of today — intellectuals who pretend to be anti-establishment while profiting from the very system they criticize. These people turn ideas into commodities, trading integrity for influence and outrage for clicks. I exp...

In this episode, I explore the idea of “trust with boundaries” based on my experiences in both Japanese and global workplaces. Many Japanese companies confuse loyalty with control, creating cultures that resemble religious devotion. True trust, however, is built on respect for ea...

In this episode, I talk about the phrase “Japanese should not work for foreign companies,” which often appears in Japan’s public discourse. I question why such an idea still exists and what it says about our society. From my perspective, choosing to work abroad—or for a global fi...

In this episode, Shigeki talks with a recruiting professional based in Bangkok about how generative AI is transforming the world of work. From writing job postings to screening candidates, AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are now part of daily operations. They discuss rising sal...

During my week-long stay in Bangkok’s Pratunam district, I faced a confusing Airbnb situation. On the second day, the hotel staff suddenly told me my room had been given to another guest and that my belongings were “already outside.” In reality, nothing was lost—but the chaos rev...