Today's Key words.

・House of Councillors

The upper house of Japan’s National Diet, similar to the Senate in some countries.

・ruling coalition

A group of political parties that together hold power and form the government.

・numerical

Related to numbers or expressed in terms of quantity rather than quality.

・be fueled (by)

To be driven, powered, or strongly supported by something.

・grant

To officially give someone a right, power, or permission.

・filter bubbles

An online situation where algorithms only show users information that matches their existing opinions, limiting exposure to diverse views.

I will upload articles two to three once a week.

▼Vocabulary and Phrases

・took Japan by storm

・cross the ... mark

・structure

・mighty

・despise

■ What This Episode Is About

It’s been almost a year since my last episode.

Even while focusing on my main job, this podcast was always in the back of my mind.

I’ve realized that even when I’m busy, it’s worth making time for what truly matters.

Here are 3 reasons why I’m restarting this podcast:

① To share in both Japanese and English

I want people around the world to listen.

I also want to improve my own English skills.

There’s a good chance I’ll be guiding foreign visitors in Japan a year from now!

② To explore my intellectual curiosity

Curiosity is one of my core values.

When I think deeply and take action with my own hands, it helps me remember things more clearly.

And I love sharing what I learn with others.

③ To build more connections

I believe that new encounters can lead to unexpected opportunities.

I want to connect with people based on shared interests and curiosity.

■ Share Your Thoughts or Get in Touch

https://forms.gle/f3CwW64FesBkjz7Z6

■The flow of discussion

February 13th is "Surname Establishment Memorial Day."

Chairman Tokura of Keidanren mentioned, "Introducing the selective separate surnames system should be a top priority."

What is the selective separate surnames system?

Why aren't common-law marriage or aliases enough?

Why has the issue been shelved?

How is a law amended?

Drafting the bill

Review of the draft

Cabinet approval

Submission to and approval by the Diet

Proclamation and enforcement

From April 1, 2022, the legal age of adulthood was lowered.

From April 1, 2024, the prohibition period of 100 days for women to remarry after divorce will be abolished.

■References:

"Separate surnames 'a top priority,'" says Keidanren Chairman Tokura, in favor of introduction.

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA13CSK0T10C24A2000000/

"How are laws amended? Explaining the process and timeline for law amendments."

https://www.docusign.com/ja-jp/blog/how-laws-to-be-amended

"Civil Code Amendment: Lowering the Age of Adulthood."

https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001300586.pdf

■Books introduced in the episode:

"Selective Separate Surnames: What an IT Executive Thought and Did in His Lawsuit."

https://amzn.to/3SU3ztf

"[Public 702] High School Textbook for Civics."

https://amzn.to/3UGr4ay

■Survey form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■Twitter（現X）

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

■YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

■note
https://note.com/bignoblemen

Flow of Discussion

Ando Momofuku, the inventor of instant ramen, lost his parents in childhood and was raised by his grandparents.

In his early 20s, he succeeded in the textiles (meriyasu) business.

He also succeeded in various other businesses such as manufacturing slide projectors, charcoal, and barracks housing. However, he was suspected of tax evasion by the GHQ and became bankrupt when the bank he chaired failed.

Reminded of post-war scenes of people queuing for a bowl of ramen in Osaka, he was inspired by the Japanese love for noodles. He thought, "Without food, there can be no clothing, housing, art, or culture," and decided to start a business in his pre-50s.

After a year of early mornings to late nights in his shed, struggling with the balance between preservation and convenience of instant ramen, he witnessed his wife frying tempura. This observation led to the idea of flash-frying noodles, solving the preservation issue while ensuring convenience with the addition of hot water. This method is known as "instant hot water drying."

In 1958, "Chicken Ramen" was launched. Despite its high price compared to traditional udon, the novel product quickly became popular due to its quality and convenience.

Other factors contributing to its success included the timing with supermarkets establishing a mass distribution system for processed foods, effective television commercials, and a rising demand for convenience among the growing number of dual-income and nuclear families. The package’s mascot, "Hiyoko-chan," was redesigned in 2010, endearing it to consumers of all ages.

Viewer Letters and Reference Data

"Inbound Marketing 2024 Edition: How Foreigners Decide on Dining Establishments in Japan"

⁠https://pro.gnavi.co.jp/magazine/t_res/cat_3/a_4139/⁠

"Agricultural Cooperative Bank: Survey on Japan's 'Food' from the Perspective of Foreign Visitors"

⁠https://www.nochubank.or.jp/efforts/pdf/research_2023_01.pdf⁠

Survey Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

Profile of Taiki Arai

Education designer specializing in online English learning and essay writing strategies. Holds a TOEIC score of 840 and Pre-1st Grade in EIKEN. Enjoys running and weight training.

Twitter (currently X)

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

Note

https://note.com/bignoblemen

■Flow of the Discussion

Ride-sharing will be partially legalized this spring.

There are mainly two types of ride-sharing: TNC-type and PHV-type.

TNC-type involves a platform managing drivers, with examples of platforms being Uber, Lyft, and Grab.

PHV-type is managed by the country, with drivers being regulated directly.

In some countries, ride-sharing was introduced in the early 2010s.

In Japan, taxi companies will manage ride-sharing drivers.

Ride-sharing has been considered equivalent to unlicensed taxis.

However, there are increasing instances of "taxi refugees," with people waiting over an hour to catch a taxi.

Many taxi drivers are in their 70s.

Partial legalization is planned for April, with full legalization expected by June.

Factors preventing Uber's entry into Japan include differing values; Japan progresses with reforms while adhering to rules, whereas Silicon Valley sometimes breaks the rules.

There was no demand for ride-sharing in Japan at the time.

Plus, the principles of Impact, Risk, Governance, and Sense-making were not fulfilled.

■ Survey Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■ Twitter (currently X)

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

■ YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

■ note

https://note.com/bignoblemen

■ Reference Material

・What is Ride-sharing?

https://jidounten-lab.com/u_rideshare-rule-japan

・Ride-sharing Legislation and Safety Measures in Other Countries

https://www8.cao.go.jp/kisei-kaikaku/kisei/meeting/wg/2310_05local/231106/local03_02.pdf

・The Potential of Ride-sharing, Limited Legalization from April 2024

https://business.ntt-east.co.jp/bizdrive/column/post_215.html

・Ride-sharing to be Legalized in April Next Year: The Japanese Model Managed by Taxi Companies

https://www.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1555961.html

・Number of Uber Users

https://backlinko.com/uber-users

Ride-sharing Driver Recruitment

https://gojob.go.goinc.jp/rideshare

・Why Did Uber's Ride Service Fail in Japan?

https://coralcap.co/2021/04/why-uber-ride-failed-in-japan/

・Digital Agency note

https://digital-gov.note.jp/

■Flow of the Conversation:

- Randoseru (Japanese school backpack) imported from the Netherlands / Originally like a "Furoshiki" cloth bag / Prototype of the modern box-shaped randoseru created when Emperor Taisho entered Gakushuin University, donated by Hirobumi Ito / Nationwide spread around 1955 / The number of pages in textbooks for randoseru has also increased / About double for elementary school students / About 1.5 times for junior high students / Modern elementary school randoseru are colorful / In 2001, Aeon introduced 24 colors / Popular colors for boys are black, navy, and blue / For girls, purple, pink, and light blue are popular / The purchase price of randoseru is rising annually / Increase in education expenses per child / Often purchased by grandparents, not parents / Seiban expanding randoseru overseas / Initially for overseas children / Actually sold for adults in Germany / Randoseru features: "durable and hard to break," "resistant to rain," "available in a variety of colors"

■【Seiban Official】Randoseru Selection Documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Bic3Go2dY

■Research Data:

- Survey on Randoseru Purchases

https://www.randoseru.gr.jp/graph/

- Randoseru Market Remains Strong Despite Declining Birthrate - Early Purchasing due to "Randoseru Activities," Rising Average Prices

https://www.nli-research.co.jp/report/detail/id=74083?site=nli

- Current Situation and Issues in Textbook Publishing (Fiscal Year 2023)

https://www.textbook.or.jp/publications/data/23tb_issue.pdf

■survey form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■X

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

■YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

■note

https://note.com/bignoblemen

■Flow of the Conversation

MBTI / Once popular among teens and twenties on social media / Today's topic is BIG FIVE / BIG FIVE determines personality based on the strength of five factors / Openness / Conscientiousness / Extraversion / Agreeableness / Neuroticism / High Openness in Kyushu, low in Hokuriku and Tohoku regions / Low Conscientiousness in Tohoku region / High Extraversion in metropolitan areas and Okinawa, low in Chugoku region / High Agreeableness in Kyushu and Okinawa / High Neuroticism in Tohoku and Chugoku regions, low in Okinawa / Differences between MBTI and BIG FIVE / MBTI is typological / For example, "You're a wizard" / BIG FIVE is trait-based / For example, "You're a wizard with HP40, MP120"

■Article:

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jenvpsy/9/1/9_19/_pdf/-char/ja

■BIG FIVE Free Diagnosis Test:

https://big5-basic.com/front/index.php?route=logic/diagnosis

■Feedback and Survey Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■Flow of the Conversation:

History of convenience stores / Originated in America / Initially an ice specialty store “Southland Ice Company” / Operated from 7 AM to 11 PM / Later became Seven-Eleven / Expansion to Japan during the high economic growth period of the 1960s / Seven-Eleven in 1974 / FamilyMart in 1973 / Lawson in 1975 / Birth of Ministop, Daily Yamazaki, NewDays, etc. / On the other hand, Circle K Sunkus, Save On, Coco Store, etc. merged with FamilyMart and Lawson / Seven-Eleven with "Dominant Strategy" and "System Construction" / FamilyMart with "FamiPay," "FamiMaru," "Digital Signage" / Lawson with various store formats like "Lawson Store 100," "Natural Lawson," "Seijo Ishii" / Mr. Sakuma also talks about convenience stores.

■Episode where Mr. Sakuma spoke:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PtVXgNup2hIz4794NGgre?si=6I5w2zmFSK2cJn8c_VqiVA

■Survey Form

https://forms.gle/8oxJusnfnZavbXQN7

■Story.

The thick-soled shoe controversy / When did they become popular in Japan / Boston Marathon in 2017 / Suguru Osako finished 3rd / Wearing NIKE thick-soled shoes / The following year Toyo University also started wearing them and achieved good results / Gradually changing from asics and mizuno to NIKE / In 2021, NIKE will have 95% share in Hakone Ekiden NIKE's share will fall below 50% in 2024 / asics and adidas will recover / asics will launch two types of thick-soled shoes in 2021 / Shoe manufacturers are training athletes nowadays / PUMA, NIKE and adidas will invite athletes / What will be the share rate after next year / Uniforms will also have Logos on uniforms / mizuno will be the largest manufacturer in 2024 / may be replaced by a foreign manufacturer in a few years / sponsor's logo on the right chest / the ban will be lifted in 2021 / "Kinuta Dental" will be a hot topic in Hakone in 2024 / has a store in Hachioji, Tokyo / about 250 ads in total / Dr. Kinuta, the director, was featured in "Markezine". / The Hakone Ekiden may be beyond the category of student sports

■Thesis

https://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/ed8eece2a68fd7ba536bed45ac1ece7b.pdf

■ Storyline.

Coming-of-age ceremonies / YouTube LIVE in Sabae City / Inspired by Mayor Ishimaru of Aki Takata City / Budget allocation by the government / What is being discussed in the HAKONE EKIDEN / ① Kanto Gakuren Selection (Kanto Student Union Team) / The 100th event was discontinued / The 79th event started / Official rankings were also added for the 83rd to 89th events / The 84th event was ranked 4th / The coach at that time was Susumu Hara / Open participation from the 91st event onwards / Kanto Intercollegiate points were introduced in the process / Takushoku University failed to qualify three times because of this / The team suffered a bitter blow / The Kanto Intercollegiate quota was introduced at the same time as the abolition of Kanto Intercollegiate points / Nihon University was a special participant in the 95th event / The organisation system was in a rigid state. / The 100th edition was actually a national event / 11 non-Kanto universities participated in the qualifying round / Kyoto Sangyo University came 27th / Many university students in Kanto are recommended for sports / The environment is good / Universities outside the Kanto region are getting stronger while training and working part-time / Two runners who can run 15 km are needed for the All-Japan University Ekiden / HAKONE Ekiden. At least 10 runners capable of running 20km for the preliminary round / Director Hara is in favour of this / It will lead to regional development / Perspectives of runners outside the Kanto region / Perspectives of university PR / Perspectives of industrial companies

■Tamesue-san and Tokumoto-san's dialogue

https://youtu.be/pT39bWJgozw?si=5lsPgom3Tuum1-XB

■Summary

・Greedings

・The outline and history about Hakone Ekiden

・Hakone Ekiden review

・A few words on Aoyama Gakuin's run from the 1st to 10th sections

・Mr.Hara

■Survey Form

https://forms.gle/8oxJusnfnZavbXQN7

■note

https://note.com/bignoblemen/n/n1f64b817ee87