2021– date –

Obayashi Corporation proved the pyramid legends are impossible, but perhaps the "mystery" is the point. Join me as I explore Taro Okamoto’s theory on incomprehensible art, the fragility of lost civilizations, and why Japan’s Ise Grand Shrine is the ultimate backup system designed to prevent the catastrophe of forgetting.

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.

Inside Japan’s fortress of power, even the elite were powerless against the swing of the metronome. Join me as I recount the collapse of the Ministry of Finance’s paper towers on March 11, 2011, and why that day convinced me that "responsible adults" must reject the easy path of realism and fight for their ideals.

【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...

I’m using my talent for "logical nonsense" to speak up for the invisible 99% of Japanese businesses. Join me as I challenge the government’s elite advisors and prove that a $1 hair dryer holder can teach us more about productivity than any spreadsheet in a Tokyo skyscraper.

If you eat with a fork, you might be an avant-garde designer finishing a shirt with salad dressing. Explore the humorous world of Japanese "chopstick monogamy," the terrifying social pressure of proper technique, and how a nation's obsession with wooden textures defined the soul of CondeHouse furniture.

Tourists love Japan’s order and politeness, but that beauty has a price. Join me as I reveal the shadow behind the "Japan-Sickness"—from my own 100-hour overtime months at the Ministry of Finance to the evolutionary reasons why island societies struggle with peer pressure. It's time to talk about "Fairtrade" for human labor.

【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...