Japan is facing a paradox of commerce. On the one hand, from mochi to manga, there’s more international demand for Japanese products than ever before. On the other hand, many of the shops and businesses that produce and distribute beloved Japanese goods are facing an existential threat. Japan’s rapidly declining population means an ever-shrinking customer…
Adrian Francis and Paper City: Preserving the Fading History of the Tokyo Firebombing
“We who have witnessed the obscenity of war and experienced its horror and terrible consequences have an obligation to rise above our pain and suffering and turn the tragedy of our lives into a triumph.”–Ron Kovic The 1945 firebombing of Tokyo by U.S. warplanes is the single most destructive bombing raid in human history. In…
Tiffany Rhodes: All You Need to Know About Being a Recruiter in Japan
With perseverance, determination, and the right credentials, it’s possible to build the career of your dreams in Japan. For Japan’s foreign residents, a career in corporate recruitment is one of the most viable pathways to success. Recruitment isn’t for the faint of heart, but great rewards await those who approach the industry with the right…
Reading in Japanese: How to Boost Motivation and Increase Literacy
As much as I emphasize the importance of using flash cards to learn Japanese, by the time you achieve an intermediate level of literacy you’ll want to start reading native material. Transitioning from textbook reading exercises to the same books, magazines, and manga that native Japanese people read is intimidating. Selecting reading material that’s too…
Voice of Cards: One of the Best Video Games to Help You Learn Japanese
If you’ve ever attempted to play your favorite video games in Japanese, you know how frustrating the experience can be. Massive 60-hour role-playing epics from the Final Fantasy series can obliterate your motivation once you realize just how long it would take to get through them in Japanese. Other games may be simpler, but they…
Michele Fujii: How to Learn Japanese Literature, Language, and History
Literature, language, and history are intertwined. Studying one without exploring the others is like sailing without a rudder. The longer I live in Japan and study Japanese, the greater my curiosity about Japanese history and literature has grown. However, making the transition from textbook learning to native-level literature is intimidating. With greater access than ever…
The Real Reason Most American Cars Haven’t Gained Traction in Japan
When I was earning my MBA in the mid-2000s, not a day went by when I wasn’t pouring over a case study. As a car enthusiast, the business vignettes from automotive-industry case studies were naturally the most memorable. These cases are where I first learned that, up until the mid-1990s, most American cars sold in…
Ben Shearon: Investing and Saving for Retirement as a Foreign Resident in Japan
Investing and saving for retirement is an intimidating prospect, even in your home country. Add in the layers of complexity that come with retiring as a foreign resident abroad, and you may be tempted to give up on the endeavor entirely. That would be a grave mistake, as Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, explains in…
Driving in Japan: Thoughts and Tips
Japan is famous for its comprehensive, efficient, and punctual (for the most part) public transportation system. However, when it comes to reaching more remote areas or experiencing some of the country’s unrivaled scenic locales, you’re going to need a car. Before you get behind the wheel, check out our roundtable discussion for three unique international…
Norifumi Suzuki: Now Is the Time to Launch a Startup in Japan
Japan’s expanding startup ecosystem can be enigmatic to the outside world. There’s no shortage of online debates as to whether Japan should emulate the popular startup ecosystems of the United States or, in typical fashion, blaze its own trail to success. One thing that most experts agree on, however, is that a robust startup ecosystem…