In a world obsessed with updates—new phones, apps, and endless progress—we rarely question what “renewal” truly means. In this episode, I explore the wisdom of standing still. Factories must update their machines to survive, yet the human heart needs silence, not constant change. Like a sage in the mountains, we must learn to see which things should change and which should remain. True renewal begins not with replacing what is old, but with polishing the stillness within. In the noise of progress, stillness itself may be the strongest form of life.
In this episode, I examine a quiet belief deeply rooted in Japan’s corporate world — the idea that if you work hard enough, someone will notice. This faith turns effort into performance: tired faces, loud sighs, and visible exhaustion become signs of virtue. True diligence, however, is silent and self-contained. When work exists only to be seen, people lose authenticity and become “air.” I argue that genuine effort should be witnessed not by bosses or society, but by one’s own conscience — that real freedom begins when we choose sincerity over approval.
In this episode, I explore why so many brilliant communicators in Japan’s manufacturing world—people full of humor, insight, and real experience—never appear on the internet. Their silence is not due to inability, but to culture: a corporate faith that treats knowledge as company property and praises loyalty through quiet obedience. Speaking out feels like betrayal. Yet, I see expression as a new form of loyalty—one rooted in honesty, respect, and responsibility. By turning the “world of oil and iron” into voice, I aim to preserve the living spirit of Japan’s craftsmen before it fades into silence.
In this episode, I discuss what I call the “thought hustlers” of today — intellectuals who pretend to be anti-establishment while profiting from the very system they criticize. These people turn ideas into commodities, trading integrity for influence and outrage for clicks. I explore how abstraction, staged anger, and brand-making have replaced genuine thought, and why modern audiences reward emotional theater over truth. True thinkers risk isolation and misunderstanding, while the hustlers chase views. I argue that real philosophy demands pain, honesty, and courage — not applause or algorithms.
In this episode, I explore the idea of “trust with boundaries” based on my experiences in both Japanese and global workplaces. Many Japanese companies confuse loyalty with control, creating cultures that resemble religious devotion. True trust, however, is built on respect for each person’s freedom — on waiting, not forcing. Boundaries are not coldness but the highest form of respect. As Japan’s workplaces become more diverse, we must learn to coexist with people of different values, recognizing that genuine trust grows not from sameness, but from understanding across our differences.
In this episode, I talk about the phrase “Japanese should not work for foreign companies,” which often appears in Japan’s public discourse. I question why such an idea still exists and what it says about our society. From my perspective, choosing to work abroad—or for a global firm—is not betrayal, but an act of freedom. I argue that true patriotism means improving one’s country, not restricting people’s choices. Working abroad can strengthen Japan from the outside, and I believe we should celebrate that freedom to choose where we work.
In this episode, Shigeki talks with a recruiting professional based in Bangkok about how generative AI is transforming the world of work. From writing job postings to screening candidates, AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are now part of daily operations. They discuss rising salaries for AI specialists, shifting skill values between white- and blue-collar jobs, and what it means for the future of human work. The conversation also touches on Thai workplace culture, lifestyle changes, and even Bangkok’s growing matcha boom. A candid, ground-level look at AI’s impact on modern careers.
https://note.com/gensaisalaryman
（タイ現採リーマンさんに日系企業へのキャリアの相談をしてみたい人がいたら、上記のリンクからお気軽にどうぞ！）
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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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During my week-long stay in Bangkok’s Pratunam district, I faced a confusing Airbnb situation. On the second day, the hotel staff suddenly told me my room had been given to another guest and that my belongings were “already outside.” In reality, nothing was lost—but the chaos revealed much about how things work here. This episode reflects on travel uncertainty, cultural differences in responsibility, and what “service” means when order meets the tropical rhythm of Bangkok.
During my stay in Bangkok’s chaotic Chinatown, I saw a man riding a motorbike in nothing but an undershirt. In that moment, I felt a strange kind of freedom — the kind that ignores rules, appearances, and social approval. This episode reflects on what true freedom means, how Japanese order contrasts with Southeast Asian chaos, and why the simplicity of living “as you are” can be a quiet form of enlightenment. Sometimes, wisdom hides in the heat, noise, and sweat of everyday life.
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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
●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/
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In this episode, I reflect on the moral landscape of modern business through the lens of Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s “The Spider’s Thread.” Many enterprises today resemble a thread lowered into hell—offering salvation while profiting from people’s fear and weakness. I discuss how “hope” has been commodified by self-help industries and why exploiting insecurity is not wisdom but cruelty. Instead, I believe in business built on empathy—stepping into the mud together rather than dangling false rescue from above. True value arises not from manipulating anxiety, but from believing in people’s potential and helping them stand on their own feet.
In this episode, I reflect on how modern society has stopped believing in ideals. Today, any vision for a better world is dismissed as “unrealistic” or “naive,” replaced by endless debates about money and feasibility. When imagination fades, people cling to the past—tradition, pride, and nationalism—because it feels safer than dreaming. Yet, a world without ideals slowly decays, drifting without direction. I argue that to speak of ideals, even at the risk of being mocked, is an act of intellectual resistance. As long as someone dares to imagine, hope—and humanity—will not disappear.
In this episode, I question how “life struggles” have become a form of currency in today’s empathy-driven culture. On social media, people turn pain into content and seek validation through shared suffering. But true hardship, I argue, is often silent—it cannot be packaged or sold. I explore how excessive dependence on empathy weakens our ability to think, creating a society that feels deeply but reflects little. Genuine strength lies not in being understood, but in facing loneliness with quiet dignity. “Struggle,” I conclude, is not something to market—it’s something to live with.
In this episode, I explore why modern society often values the act of “being employed” more than the substance of one’s work. I reflect on how corporate life grants social approval simply for showing up, while freelancers live without that safety net. Leaving a company, I argue, is not only a financial risk but also a psychological one—the loss of identity and recognition once tied to a job title. Through this reflection, I invite listeners to consider what truly defines personal worth beyond organizational belonging and to find the courage to build credibility on their own name.
In this episode, I explore how greetings in Japan go far beyond simple politeness. Saying “hello” or “good morning” often reflects hierarchy, power, and unspoken social order. I share my own struggles with greetings as a company employee, how these rituals reveal authority dynamics, and what I discovered after moving abroad to Thailand. I also reflect on how becoming a freelancer freed me from the obligation to greet. Through this reflection, I question whether greetings are expressions of respect—or instruments of control—in Japanese culture. Join me as I unpack the hidden hierarchy behind everyday words.
In this episode, I explore the modern obsession with “comment power” — the ability to speak quickly, cleverly, and confidently in any situation. I question whether this skill, often praised on TV and in business meetings, truly reflects intelligence or merely replaces real thought with rhetorical flair. I argue that today’s culture values speed over depth and fluency over sincerity, leading to shallow discussions and stagnant organizations. True intellect, I believe, requires time, silence, and the courage to think before speaking. Through this reflection, I invite you to rediscover the dignity of contemplation in an age of instant opinions.
In this episode, I explore the social meaning of small gestures—sharing sweets or cigarettes—as tools for human connection. Across Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, such acts ease conversation and shorten distance. Yet what we truly need is not candy or tobacco, but emotional space—room to talk and listen naturally. Genuine communication begins when we can connect without props.
In this episode, I discuss the limits of sales techniques through the SPIN Selling method I learned in Vietnam. While the logic behind SPIN—situation, problem, implication, and need-payoff—is sound, I question whether such formulas belong in human relationships. When even a father uses SPIN to persuade his son, sincerity is lost. Sales, like parenting, is not about manipulation but trust. True persuasion begins not with technique, but with empathy.
In this episode, I explore why people often feel compelled to pretend to be passionate. From corporate golf culture in Thailand to Japan’s obsession with appearing busy, I question the social performance of enthusiasm. True sincerity, I argue, lies not in acting passionate but in allowing ourselves to rest, to be unproductive, and to live without pretense. Sometimes, doing nothing can be the most honest way of being yourself. “Don’t fake passion—listen to your silence.”
In this episode, I explore how Japan’s traditional career model—lifelong employment within one company—has shifted toward a new era of mobility and continuous learning. Once, loyalty and mastery of a single skill defined success. But today, rapid technological change demands adaptability and the courage to let go of old expertise. Using examples from manufacturing and corporate culture, I reflect on how workers can navigate transitions, overcome “insider–outsider” barriers, and embrace reskilling as a lifelong practice. True growth, I argue, begins when we release past identities and learn to move with time itself.
In this episode, I explore why people fear silence.
Moments of quiet often make us anxious, but silence can reveal honesty and trust.
In sales, silence is not failure — it’s the moment when the customer is truly thinking.
Those who can wait without speaking often win deeper trust.
We live in a world obsessed with talking and explaining, yet true communication begins when we can sit quietly together.
Learning to accept silence is not weakness; it’s emotional intelligence.
Silence, at times, speaks louder than words.