Japanese Culture and Traditions– category –

Japanese school lunch (Kyushoku) is the biggest thing I want to be proud of in the Japanese social system. In most elementary and junior high schools in Japan, lunch is served fresh off each school kitchen. Of course, professional dietitians prepare the menu. It's good not only in taste and nourishment but also as a learning opportunity.

【Necessity is the mother of geographical characteristics】 As you can see it in the image below, Japan is a country of backward parking. Even speeding drivers follow the rule. Do you know why that is? Some people outside Japan may think...

【Can we free ourselves from other people's values?】 Martin Luther said "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." The words first reminded me of wall paintings in Lascaux Cave where ...

A famous joke suggests the only way to get Japanese people to jump off a sinking ship is to say, "Everybody else has already jumped." This strong peer pressure acts as an Invisible Hand—a mutual monitoring system. This system ensured high compliance during COVID-19 without legal restrictions, but it’s a double-edged sword: it guarantees meticulous quality control (Japan’s strength) but stifles the radical creativity needed in the new economy. Surprisingly, CondeHouse continues to empower me, a management anomaly who questions the consensus. Therefore, expect both the impeccable quality you rely on and the unconventional creativity you might not expect.

Kyoto's language is a social minefield. We decode the hidden meanings behind their polite phrases—like why "Your children are so cheerful" is actually code for "Shut them up!" I explore how this high-context culture evolved as a life-saving political skill, and argue that this unique Japanese ability to read unspoken intentions is now essential for transmitting traditional craftsmanship.

【Using a chainsaw to cut butter】 The above words are a wise saying by Barry Commoner, an American biologist, to express the inefficiency of nuclear power generation. By the way, the topic of this article is not about energy policies; N...

HJapan’s national shame: the average lifespan of our modern houses is only 30 years. We explore the paradox with Hōryū-ji—the world’s oldest wooden building—whose secret lies in flexible joints and continuous, generational care. Ultimate strength comes not from rigidity, but from the ability to flex and absorb shock. The lifetime of our furniture often exceeds that of the house it sits in.