2021– date –

【The pyramid construction is a public project to create employment】 It only took 20 years to make the pyramid of King Khufu by using many slaves. Is there anyone who still believes all this? Some decades ago, the Japanese biggest const...

We are a nation that is both deeply pragmatic and quietly spiritual. We have three times more shrines than convenience stores. Natsu Matsuri is essential, not for the gods, but for workplace harmony—and convincing ourselves that summer is finally, truly over.

Why is Japan's most polite question—"Do you have a minute?"—the biggest productivity killer? I dissect the high-context culture of the Japanese office, where "Wa" equals mutual surveillance. I argue this constant interruption forces a cognitive shift that minimizes deep work, and propose a flexible design solution to fight the deadly disease of loneliness—or failing that, a strategic escape ticket to Tokyo.

"Japan Blue," the color of the Tokyo Olympics, was named by a British chemist in 1875, who saw the entire nation draped in indigo workwear. Natural indigo is notoriously difficult, requiring delicate adjustment, but it yields unparalleled depth. This commitment to meticulous craft defines Okayama Denim, which is internationally prized despite our small market size. When our Singaporean dealer insisted on a collaboration, we partnered with the top maker, "Japan Blue." Now, you can order our furniture upholstered in their special denim—a synergy of modern design and ancient skill. The best part? This furniture denim is fade-resistant. There's truly no reason not to buy it.

【The Great Tohoku Eearthquake was like the end of the world】 At the moment, I was in the building of the Ministry of Finance in the middle of Tokyo and thought I was going to die, staring out a window. Street lamp posts widely swang li...

【Speed and quality are not trade-off】 Leap before you look. Haste makes waste. These are famous ancient proverbs, meaning opposite to each other. It seems a speed-vs-quality issue has been long bothering us human beings. Speed, however...

They always bring up a gap in wages between large companies and SME in order to claim the low productivity of SME, but I think the cause and effect are reversed in their argument. Large companies in a better position in competition pay more salaries to their employees. Their better salaries make them look better in productivity. I've worked for large companies before and found SME are more desperate to increase productivity because it's a more serious life-or-death issue for SME.

【Japanese chopsticks are unique】 One of the difficulties I have to face when going abroad is table manners. Among other things, it's difficult for me to eat without chopsticks. How can you eat a lettuce salad only with a fork? I'm alwa...

【Karoshi, death from overwork】 It's very difficult to summarize this problem briefly because it is so deep-rooted. Are you ready to gaze into abyss? The Japan government has started frequently using the word "Work style reform" since 2...

【A hardship destined for Japanese workers】 You won't read to the end of this article because the average human attention span is down to only eight seconds. It's one second shorter than that of goldfish. I remember I read many articles...