In this episode, I share a deeply personal story from my time working in Laos. What began as a warm friendship with a local colleague ended abruptly, leaving me confused and hurt. Looking back, I realized that my inability to adapt my personality to the local culture may have caused the rift. Through this experience, I learned that working abroad is not just about language skills or professional competence—it's about flexibility, self-awareness, and cultural sensitivity. I hope my story offers insights for anyone navigating life and work in a foreign country. Sometimes, growth comes from our most painful moments.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

●ビジネス日本語学習者向けブログ

ビジネスのために日本語を学んでいる人のための情報を発信しています⁠https://businessnihongo555.blogspot.com/⁠

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, I share real-life experiences from my career as a salesman—both the struggles of hard sales and the relief I found in easier roles like route sales. Many people believe all sales jobs are stressful, but that’s not always true. There are smart ways to find sales positions that offer freedom, stability, and even enjoyment. If you're curious about how to choose the right sales job or want to escape from high-pressure roles, this episode is for you.

➡️ Check out my full Udemy course:

https://www.udemy.com/course/make-sales-easier/?referralCode=17E259AA4D2CEC7964C6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, I talk about the surprising power of working in a café. While I usually work from my home office surrounded by books, sometimes the atmosphere becomes too heavy, and my thoughts get stuck. That’s when I step outside. Working in cafés like Komeda in Japan—or small shops in Bangkok during my time in Thailand—helps refresh my mind and focus. I share my personal experiences, including writing Kindle books in a quiet Bangkok café with a friendly cat. If you’re feeling stuck at home, maybe a change of scenery is just what you need.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

●ビジネス日本語学習者向けブログ

ビジネスのために日本語を学んでいる人のための情報を発信しています⁠https://businessnihongo555.blogspot.com/⁠

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, I reflect on the rising number of freelancers in Japan and what this shift means for society. Traditionally, Japanese work culture has favored salaried employees and stability, often sidelining those who choose alternative paths. But as freelancing becomes more common—fueled by remote work, side jobs, and changing values—it's time to rethink how we support diverse ways of working. I discuss the outdated biases, the role of education, and why embracing flexibility can lead to a more inclusive, hopeful future. It's not just about jobs—it's about freedom, dignity, and building a society that respects different ways of living.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

●ビジネス日本語学習者向けブログ

ビジネスのために日本語を学んでいる人のための情報を発信しています⁠https://businessnihongo555.blogspot.com/⁠

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, I explore how cultural relativism—once a hallmark of liberal thought—has been increasingly used to justify conservative ideologies. From Russia’s stance on traditional values to China’s rejection of Western-style democracy, the idea that “every culture is different” is now often used to resist change and silence criticism. I discuss how this reversal creates a dilemma for liberals: how to respect cultural differences while defending universal human rights. What happens when a philosophy meant to protect freedom becomes a tool to suppress it? Let’s dive into this complex and thought-provoking shift in modern political discourse.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

●ビジネス日本語学習者向けブログ

ビジネスのために日本語を学んでいる人のための情報を発信しています⁠https://businessnihongo555.blogspot.com/⁠

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, I talk about the silent pressure to act “equally” in the workplace. While fairness and respect are essential, suppressing our natural feelings can be emotionally exhausting. I share my thoughts based on real-life experiences in Southeast Asia, and explore the struggle between personal emotions and social expectations. Do we really treat everyone the same, or are we just pretending? This episode invites you to reflect on the balance between honesty and professionalism, and how we navigate that in modern work environments. Let’s think together about what authenticity means in professional life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

●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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------