In this episode, I reflect on my past experience as a door-to-door salesperson and expose the darker side of individual sales culture in Japan. From aggressive incentive systems to underground economic cycles—money earned through high-pressure sales often fuels nightlife indulgence, gambling, and tax evasion. I question the values behind "making money" and challenge the glorification of success built on personal gain rather than social contribution. Is this really the way we should live and work? Let’s rethink what it truly means to earn, spend, and give value through our labor.

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

●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 time working in Laos and explore the global tendency to overvalue youth and physical beauty. While I appreciated the energy and confidence of the younger generation, I also sensed a lack of humility and respect for age and experience. Drawing from my personal experiences, I discuss how this mindset may reflect broader cultural shifts shaped by social media and changing values. Ultimately, I emphasize the importance of mutual respect across generations—and how humility, not just youth or appearance, defines a person’s deeper worth.

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

●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 how organizations often undervalue outspoken, "carnivorous" employees while favoring obedient, "herbivorous" ones. Drawing from my personal experience working in a top-down corporate culture in Vietnam, I explore how diversity in personalities is essential for a healthy, dynamic workplace. Speaking up can sometimes get you labeled as a troublemaker—but silencing such voices may lead to long-term stagnation. Through a nature-inspired metaphor, I question whether Japanese corporate environments are truly open to different ways of thinking.

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

●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 what it means to "wear a mask" as a professional in Japanese society. While some people appear to live authentically, most of us feel pressure to hide our true selves to survive in social and workplace environments. I reflect on my own experiences, especially during my time as a salesman, where I learned to consciously perform a role to protect my mental well-being. Yet, losing awareness of that performance can lead to burnout. How much of your life is lived in disguise—and where can you truly be yourself?

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

●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 a popular trend on social media—comparing celebrities' youthful photos with their current appearance—and question what it says about our values. Are we turning aging into a spectacle? I argue that wrinkles and changes in our faces are not signs of "decline" but records of a life lived. Every line tells a story, every change holds meaning. Rather than chasing fleeting beauty, we should honor the faces that speak of resilience, experience, and emotion. Your current face carries a story only you can tell—and that story is worth preserving.

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

●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 word "salaryman" and why it feels limiting when used as a self-introduction in Japanese society. I explore how people often prioritize which organization they belong to over what they actually do or strive for. I also share a memorable story of a Japanese factory owner who once said, “I did salary for seven years,” instead of calling himself a “salaryman.” That subtle choice of words revealed his values and his distance from corporate identity. Through this, I consider the deeper meaning of identity and purpose in the working 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 respond to a listener’s question about how to prepare for a job in the Japanese manufacturing industry, especially with little to no prior experience. I share my own story of entering the industry from scratch and explain how I studied specialized vocabulary, observed factory operations, and built my knowledge step by step. If you're starting a new job in manufacturing or worried about your Japanese language skills in a technical setting, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement based on real-life experience.

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

●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

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

Why are so many business meetings in Japan so dull and unproductive? In this episode, I reflect on two key issues: top-down communication that discourages open discussion, and the surprising absence of humor. I compare my experience in Japanese companies with meetings in Thailand, where even senior employees aren't afraid to be playful. Could a little humor—and a more open structure—revive our meetings and spark real dialogue? Let’s talk about what makes a meeting meaningful.

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

●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 how the jobs we take just to make a living can sometimes lead to unexpected growth. Drawing from my own experience in a sales job I initially hated, I reflect on how those early struggles taught me skills that became valuable later in life. Whether you choose a job based on passion, money, or convenience, there’s no perfect answer. Sometimes, it's the act of jumping in that sets you on a meaningful path. Embrace the unexpected—it may shape your future in ways you never imagined.

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

●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 share practical techniques to maintain a strong presence in meetings—without speaking. From subtle nods to strategic note-taking and clever timing, these silent strategies are especially useful in traditional Japanese workplaces. Learn how to look engaged, be remembered, and even earn respect while saying almost nothing. Perfect for introverts, observers, or anyone who prefers to speak less but still wants to stand out. Let’s explore the quiet art of being heard—without actually talking.

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

●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

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