One of the things I love about interviewing experts and business leaders is the opportunity to learn while I work. I get to hear their experiences, process their wisdom, and share it with anyone willing to read the final product. While I was working on a recent project, a Japanese startup founder recommended a book…
A Roadmap for Learning Japanese: How to Optimize Classes, Textbooks, and Flash Cards to Achieve Fluency
A few weeks ago, I was listening to a podcast about learning Japanese, and the host divided learners into two camps: those who use textbooks and those who don’t. I immediately thought, “Wait a second, what’s wrong with something in the middle—occasional textbook use?” The thought lingered with me long after the podcast was over,…
Shimanami Kaido: A Foolproof Guide to Enjoying Japan’s Cycling Sanctuary
Seventy kilometers, six scenic islands, six massive bridges, and two prefectures—all woven together by a single blue line. This is the Shimanami Kaido: Japan’s premier long-distance cycling route. There are countless articles and videos that cover this internationally popular tourist destination. It’s convenient to have so many resources, but when I was planning my own…
Working for a Japanese Company: How to Express Your Individuality While Maintaining Harmony
Foreign professionals in Japan often struggle to communicate new, diverse ideas and opinions to Japanese colleagues in a corporate world that prioritizes harmony and consensus. Modern Japanese companies that operate globally recognize the importance of employing a diverse workforce. However, according to a survey featured in the Nikkei Asian Review, few companies have been able…
Bringing Japan to America, One Company at a Time: An Interview with Tetsuo “Ted” Kumon
As an American consultant living and working in Japan, I’m always thrilled to meet professionals who are engaged in business between my birthplace and Japan, my adopted home. When I met Tetsuo “Ted” Kumon, a U.S. market-entry specialist, at a trade show several years ago, I was intrigued by his business. In an age where…
The 3 Most Useful Japanese Learning Apps on My Phone in 2020
I’ve been augmenting my Japanese studies with technology ever since I brought my trusty iPhone 3G from the States to Japan when I moved here in 2009. Taking the device overseas reduced it to nothing more than an overweight iPod Touch, but that was enough to start exploring the nascent Apple App Store. So, I…
Four Professional Communities that Will Help You Grow Your Network in Japan
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…