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The Abyss of “Karoshi”: Why Japan Can’t Stop Working Itself to Death
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. -
How to Survive Meetings and Make You Look Smart Out There
【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... -
You Can Hear the Sound of Silence in Hokkaido in Winter
【Funny Japanglish by the Prime Minister】 In 2000, the then Japanese Prime Minister wanted to make greetings in English at the first summit meeting with President Clinton. He tried to cram the following exchange of basic phrases: "How a... -
The Heritage of Trust: Why “Made in Japan” is a Time Machine
In 1955, Doc Brown thought Japanese tech was a joke. By 1985, it was the best in the world. As Tesla overtakes Toyota, join me as I reflect on the hard-won legacy of "Made in Japan," the emotional history of our manufacturing ancestors, and why CondeHouse is committed to preserving this global trust for the next generation. -
The Identity Crisis of Hokkaido: A Journey Through “Desperate” Town Taglines
When conservative civil servants try to be creative, the results are often hilariously sorrowful. Explore the baffling world of Hokkaido's town taglines—where bells and flowers become "unique" features—and discover why Asahikawa chose furniture over its 100 rivers. -
The Hidden Rule of Wrapping: Why Japanese Gifting is Driven by Anxiety (And Why We Don’t Tear Paper)
The hidden rule of wrapping is driven by anxiety: I feel terrible if I force someone to perform instantaneous joy. We joke that Japanese gift packaging is more expensive than the contents. The wrapping is an extension of the giver's dedication; destroying it is impolite. -
What Makes Japanese Food Culture So Special?
【Respect for nature, the core spirit of Japanese food】 UNESCO listed washoku (Japanese traditional cuisine) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. I think many Japanese people seem to misunderstand the key point of the event. They... -
How to Co-exist with Nature in Japan
【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... -
What Is True Rich Life? Market Principles Are Always Right?
【Furniture making is an endangered business in Japan】 Last month, the Ministry of the Environment announced that a butterfly species (shown in the above image) endemic to Japan might have been extinct. The butterflies inhabited only in... -
The Silent Code of Kyoto: Why Their “Yes” Actually Means “You Are Doing It Wrong”
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.