ビジネス日本語講座

In this episode, I explore the question: does an easy job really exist? Society often insists that no work is ever easy, but my own experiences suggest the truth is more complex. I discuss how the meaning of “easy” differs—whether physical, mental, or relational—and share example...

In this episode, I talk about survival strategies in Japanese companies where manuals are valued above creativity. I share my own experience working as a pharmaceutical route salesman, where even greetings and gestures were strictly controlled. While manuals bring efficiency and ...

After living in Southeast Asia for ten years, I returned to Japan and was struck by how little had changed. Unlike the folktale of Urashima Tarō, where the hero comes back to a world transformed, my “reverse Urashima” experience was finding a society that felt almost the same. Fr...

In this episode, I talk about one of the most practical yet rarely discussed skills in Japanese corporate life: making excuses when you need to skip work or arrive late. From the safest option of claiming illness to more questionable reasons like family emergencies, I explore whi...

In this episode, I explore the hidden survival skills required in Japanese corporate culture, focusing on the art of mastering subtle “insidiousness.” I explain how reading the atmosphere, using sarcasm and irony, and strategic positioning often define who thrives in the workplac...

In this episode, I question the traditional Japanese belief in “career consistency.” In many Japanese companies, being recognized as a true professional often requires staying in the same job for decades. Even dull or unfulfilling work can be valued if endured long enough. Drawin...

In this episode, I reflect on why workplace relationships matter more than job content itself. From my experience, what truly shapes comfort at work is whether our values, or “work sense,” align with colleagues and especially bosses. I compare two contrasting types: the “relaxed ...

In this episode, I explore the question: under what conditions can long working hours be justified in Japan? I talk about the restaurant industry, where staff shortages and ambition often drive people to extreme overtime, and I recall the old “Can you work 24 hours?” culture that...

In this episode, I talk about why learning to “slack off” is essential for both employees and freelancers. Slacking off doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities, but rather finding small ways to rest, recharge, and create breathing space. I share my experiences in Bangkok—skippin...

In this episode, I explore why arrogant or overbearing people often rise to positions of power in Japanese companies and society. Drawing from political figures and my own experiences in manufacturing sales, I reflect on how a culture that respects craftsmen and tradition can som...

In this episode, I reflect on the hidden meaning behind being treated to a meal. When I was younger, I often thought a free dinner was simply kindness. But through experiences at university, in my first company, and later abroad, I realized that meals can carry expectations—somet...

In this episode, I reflect on the challenges of changing jobs in Japan, especially the choice between large corporations and small to mid-sized companies. While big companies often offer better pay, benefits, and stability, smaller firms carry unique risks. One of the biggest pit...