In 1995 the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the city of Kobe and its surroundings. Over 6,400 people tragically lost their lives during the disaster. According to Kyodo News, the Urban Disaster Research Institute in Tokyo revealed that one out of every 100 Japanese residents in the region suffered injuries. That ratio was nearly double for…
Asking Japanese People – Online Services
The pandemic has changed many of our habits, especially how we buy things and our media consumption. Like many people, I have started buying online more, and I am also watching Netflix more than I used to. This got me wondering about the preferences of the Japanese people around me, and I have decided to…
Exploring Our Relationships with Japanese Media and Pop Culture
One of my guiding principles in life is to wear my passions on my sleeve. Hobbies, interests, and passions can propel you to amazing places in life and can push you beyond self-imposed limits. In our latest edition of Kokoro Media Unfiltered, we explore the role that Japanese media and pop culture has played in…
The Challenges and Rewards of Japan’s Food and Beverage Industry: An Interview with GourmetPro’s Ugo Bataillard
Ugo Bataillard is committed to helping foreign brands discover the rewards of entering the Japanese food and beverage market. As CEO and co-founder of GourmetPro, he partnered with COO Vincent Nicol to form an exclusive network of local consultants to support international brands of all sizes. In this interview, Ugo and I discuss his entrepreneurial…
Valentine’s Day in Japan: How and Why Do Japanese Women Give Chocolates to Men?
Giving Chocolate to the Man You Love In some countries, Valentine’s Day is a special day when lovers give gifts to each other, or men offer flowers and other presents to their sweetheart. In Japan, it is customary that women offer chocolates to men, who only receive the gifts. Valentine’s Day is the busiest season for…
10 Expressions You Need to Know before Drinking in Japan
Gathering around food and drinks in an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) to smooth relationships (including and especially work-related ones) is an important part of Japanese culture nicknamed ”nomunication.” Joining Japanese people at the izakaya is a good way to break the ice and get to know them better. If you go to small, five- or six-seat places,…
The Joy of Japanese Seasonal Products
A few years ago, a friend of mine asked me if I could bring them back a sort of Kit Kat that they had enjoyed so much during their trip to Japan. I had a look in several stores, and after further research, had to announce to them that I could not buy the requested…
Moving into 2021 in Japan
First of all, I sincerely wish you the best for 2021, wherever you are. Originally, I wanted this article to be bright and hopeful. I wanted to talk about what good things could be expected in Japan for the year to come. But this is proving to be difficult. At the time I am writing…
How to Make Friends and Build a Network in Japan
Moving to a new country is equal parts exciting and intimidating. Living abroad offers endless potential, but unlocking this potential means leaving a lot behind, including frequent interactions with the friends, family and colleagues that define life in your home country. In our latest video roundtable discussion, I joined the Kokoro Media team to talk…
Looking Back on 2020 as a Foreign Resident in Japan
This time last year, I was in the middle of a whirlwind U.S. tour, working nomadically, while celebrating the holidays with my family and friends in Washington D.C., Nevada, and California. Upon returning to Tokyo in early January, I couldn’t fathom what 2020 would have in store for Japan and the rest of the world….