In this episode, I explore the paradox of how vulgar, shallow, and chaotic elements of Japanese pop culture—often dismissed domestically—gain traction and admiration overseas. Why are cheap variety shows, flashy advertisements, or bizarre cityscapes embraced in a world shaped by Western harmony and rationalism? I reflect on the decline of Western modernity, the exhaustion of reason, and the search for meaning in disorder. Perhaps beauty is no longer found in symmetry, but in chaos. Through cultural contrast and personal insight, I invite you to rethink what “beauty” and “value” mean in our age.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, I explore the tension between conformity and individuality in today’s work culture. Based on my own experiences, I question whether losing our uniqueness for the sake of fitting in is truly worth it. Are we really living—or just surviving in society’s shell? I propose a “Third Way”: living with basic decency and social awareness, while secretly nurturing a quiet, burning madness inside. I believe this balance leads to true excellence. This message is for those who want to express themselves fully without losing their place in the world.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, I reflect on my experience working in a Southeast Asian country where social life revolves around loud drinking parties and karaoke. As someone who prefers quiet conversations and meaningful connections, I struggled to fit in. I share my honest thoughts on the cultural gap, the pressure to join group activities, and what I learned from observing others. This is not a critique, but a personal perspective on how different lifestyles reveal deeper values. If you’ve ever felt out of place in loud social settings, this episode might resonate with you.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, I reflect on the hidden costs of buying cheap goods, like those from 100-yen shops. While low prices may seem convenient, poor quality often leads to waste and environmental harm. I share personal stories, including my long-used sneakers and memories of my frugal grandfather who hoarded plastic bags. Through these reflections, I question the balance between saving money and living meaningfully. Is excessive thriftiness truly virtuous, or does it deprive us of life’s richness? A heartfelt exploration of consumption, values, and how we assign meaning to the things we own—and the lives we live.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this satirical episode, we explore a fictional “training course” designed to turn you into the perfect micro-manager. From obsessively monitoring your subordinates' screens to demanding hourly progress reports, this parody dives deep into the traits of controlling managers often found in traditional Japanese corporate culture. While humorous in tone, it sheds light on the harmful effects of excessive control, lack of trust, and fear-based leadership. In the end, we reflect on what true leadership really means: trusting your team, allowing room for growth, and resisting the urge to micromanage. Are you becoming a micro-manager without realizing it?

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this thought-provoking episode, we explore a paradoxical survival strategy in the age of AI: becoming a micromanager. As automation and generative tools like ChatGPT replace white-collar tasks, many professionals fear obsolescence. But ironically, those who reject efficiency and cling to control—micromanagers—may remain indispensable. By positioning themselves as bottlenecks, they become irreplaceable in rigid corporate cultures, especially in traditional Japanese companies. Is this the smartest way to survive the AI wave, or a symptom of deeper organizational dysfunction? Tune in as we examine this ironic phenomenon with a sharp, critical eye.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, I reflect on a growing uncertainty many people face today—what skills to learn, what work to pursue, and how to live meaningfully in an age where old rules no longer apply. Comparing Japan's stable Showa era with today’s rapidly changing world, I explore why so many feel lost, not only during their working years but also after retirement. This episode doesn’t offer simple answers—but it asks the right questions. If you've ever wondered, “What should I be doing with my life?”, this is for you.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Are all sales jobs equally tough? Not really. In this episode, we dive into the connection between sales roles and supply chain management (SCM). Discover why salespeople in the upstream of the supply chain—like raw material suppliers—often enjoy more stability, higher status, and fewer headaches. Meanwhile, those in downstream sectors struggle with price wars, short lead times, and endless negotiations. If you're in sales or considering a career move, this episode offers strategic insights on how “where” you sell can completely change your work life. Understanding SCM positioning might be the career hack you've been missing.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we dive into the Japanese workplace culture of "obligatory overtime"—staying late just because others do. Why does this still exist, and how can you deal with it without hurting relationships or your reputation? I explore the roots of this practice, its psychological and cultural background, and offer practical strategies to leave work on time with confidence. For those considering a job in a Japanese company, this is a must-listen. Learn how to protect your time, maintain professionalism, and avoid being trapped by outdated norms.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Should we turn what we love into a career? In this episode, I explore the challenges of pursuing passion as work. I also share why it's okay not to find your “one true calling,” and how asking deep questions—and even playing—can lead to genuine creativity and fulfillment. Let’s reflect together.

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●ビジネス日本語学習者のための無料メルマガ講座

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my162p.com/p/r/odSmegng⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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