With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting down large professional networking gatherings and preventing free-flowing travel between Japan and the rest of the world, many international job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs are wondering how they can make the essential connections necessary to achieving their professional goals. Fortunately, Japan’s professional networking scene is sustaining itself through a variety…
How Much Japanese Do You Need to Know to Work or Do Business in Japan?
Although I spend most of my time working with Japanese companies and individuals that want to market or communicate with the rest of the world, I occasionally give presentations or write content for those who aspire to work or start a business in Japan. One of the most common questions I receive is, “How much…
A Guide to Daikoku PA: Heaven on Earth for Fans of Japanese Car Culture
I’ve been a stalwart fan of Japanese sports cars since I was a teenager. So naturally, one of the first things I did upon arriving in Tokyo in 2009 was to seek out the local car scene. It was easy enough to attend car shows or visit Fuji Speedway for a track day, but living…
How Japanese Corporate Camaraderie Pushed Me beyond My Self-Imposed Limits
Before 2013, I had never jogged more than five kilometers at a time. This wasn’t because I was out of shape or disliked physical activity. I’ve consistently held gym memberships since I was in high school, and cycling has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember (not to…
5 Quick and Easy Tips to Make a Good Impression on the Japanese Business Scene
Learning all of the intricate rules that shape business conduct in Japan could take a lifetime. This is evidenced by the intimidating amounts of content available on this topic. It’s enough to make you throw in the towel and give up your dreams of working or starting a business in Japan. I’m here to tell…
Tips for Navigating the Rules of Japan
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines social norms as “the informal rules that govern behavior in groups and societies.” As a country with a famously high-context culture, Japan is known for having an endless amount of unspoken rules that conjure up conflicting feelings of fascination and frustration among foreign visitors and residents. In this inaugural…
When Thoughts Become New Worlds
While Haruki Murakami and Hayao Miyazaki have become household names around the globe, there’s one Japanese creator who also deserves mainstream recognition: Hideo Kojima, the game designer best known for the Metal Gear franchise. I’ve been aware of his work since the original Metal Gear game was ported over to the Nintendo Entertainment System back…
Thoughtful Communication during Difficult Times
At the time of this writing, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike is providing weekly updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in English via YouTube. If you live outside of Japan, this might not seem like a big deal. However, any foreigner living in Japan knows that frequent English communication coming directly from high-level public officials is rare….
Thoughtfulness at 30,000 Feet
When you live almost 5,500 miles away from your hometown, you tend to spend a lot of time flying, experiencing varying levels of hospitality and thoughtfulness throughout the process. One flight I’ll never forget is when I was flying with my mother on an ANA flight from Tokyo to Okinawa in 2010. The flight was…
Language Learning Stories: How Did You Learn Japanese? Volume 1
Learning Japanese is equal parts experimentation, practice, and application. In previous articles, I’ve shared how my colleagues and I study the language. Ever curious, I wanted to expand the conversation and find out how members of my social and professional circles tackled Japanese. So, I ended up taking a Tribe of Mentors approach by interviewing…