Oh, the mystery of espresso martini. When I first saw the display for espresso martini at Specialty Coffee Association of Japan annual trade show, I was intrigued. I became instantly curious about how it would affect the drinker emotionally and physically. Which side wins? The stimulant of coffee or the depressant of alcohol? I went… Continue reading Espresso Martini
Category: Communication
Understanding the ways and means of communication
Introducing Kikai Corporation
Hi Everyone! I created a new company, Kikai. Its written 株式会社きかい in Japanese. Depending on how you write きかい Kikai in Kanji characters, it can mean opportunity, machine, strange, or return to the sea. Suits me perfectly! I want this company to offer all those things: a place for opportunity to do whatever we want… Continue reading Introducing Kikai Corporation
My favorite Indian restaurant
When our family moved to live in Tokorozawa, which is waaay outside of the central district of Tokyo, I was not expecting much in the way of choices of places to eat out. I am very happy my expectation was wrong. One of my favorite place to eat near my home is Jaipur. The Indian… Continue reading My favorite Indian restaurant
Effective Japanese – English Interpreting
People I know label me as a researcher with great language skills.But my unique and best skill that stands out above others is simultaneous interpreting, going from Japanese into English.Recently I had the opportunity to interpret for an event to learn about Japanese culture, with about 55 Japanese and 25 foreign guests.I was responsible for… Continue reading Effective Japanese – English Interpreting
Causes of Lifestyle Disease in Japan
I've been given the opportunity to interpret for two different clients in their research for lifestyle disease in Japan.It was like being paid well for attending an intense one month crash course.The topic was on lifestyle disease (called seikatsu shukan byo, life habit disease, in Japan), but it made me think of why Japanese people… Continue reading Causes of Lifestyle Disease in Japan
Reflecting on 2013
For the past few years, I did not think of reflecting publicly at the year end. This year, the timing was perfect that most of my work was completed at the beginning of December which allowed me to spend time working on the school exams and the term paper. Having had this luxury of time… Continue reading Reflecting on 2013
Marketing And Marketing/Design Research Perspective on Japan as “Aged Society”
For some time, we heard the warning cries from critics and journalists about Japan's rapidly aging population. Well, it has happened. We are now "Aged" society. Japan has more old people who are over 65 than young people who are under 14. Now what? Society is always changing, and it will now change following the… Continue reading Marketing And Marketing/Design Research Perspective on Japan as “Aged Society”
Outliers: The Story of Success
I have a habit of re-reading the books I find I like and worthwhile over and over again. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is one of those books. Gladwell talks about how sheer time one spends doing the thing she enjoys are directly tied with achievements and success tied to that activity. The example he used… Continue reading Outliers: The Story of Success
Japanese SNS Activities by Market Sector
About 3 years ago, I found myself doing some SNS based PR work for my friends, and one project lead to another. It has been exciting and fun to be on this new ground, and like everything else before in my life, work came in not as result of formal education, but learning by reading… Continue reading Japanese SNS Activities by Market Sector
Mentoring
Recent posting by Sonic Rim’s Uday Dandavate on Anthrodesign group mail caused me to think about my own experience with search for mentor. (Thank you, Uday!) About 7 years ago, I felt a keen need for a mentor of my own gender. Maybe it was because of “coaching” boom in Japan at that time, and… Continue reading Mentoring
Research conducted in Tokyo now
Product/service development, design research related people like ethnographers, interview moderators, recruiters, coordinators, interpreters, etc. have been keeping busy in Tokyo since latter part of last year, as overseas companies are again very interested in researching Japanese market. After the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake in March 11, 2011, it has of course been an interesting study… Continue reading Research conducted in Tokyo now
History is no longer created by limited few writers
Joe Paterno, former football head coach at Penn State, passed away last Sunday. Because of his position, power and influence he had over the past decade, so many people has been reacting in various ways over what has been called the biggest US college scandal and the way Penn State fired Paterno unceremoniously to handle… Continue reading History is no longer created by limited few writers
Recent Ethnography Research, Particularly of Recruitment Challanges in Japan
Over the past three years, I have become more and more concerned with the difficulty in creating highly exciting learning session for foreign inspiration/innovation seeking customers of both design companies and end user companies. It has a lot to do with recruiting process for people to research. I see following problems in recruiting, some of… Continue reading Recent Ethnography Research, Particularly of Recruitment Challanges in Japan
Identity integrity of adults and children in internet world, physical world
Having children was the best thing I have ever done. Ever since my first son was born 26 years ago, my children taught me more than anybody else I know. Living together with mother-in-law, husband and children was the next best thing. As researcher, I would always be stimulated. One of the most amazing things… Continue reading Identity integrity of adults and children in internet world, physical world
Reasons for manufacturers to have physical shop in internet shopping era
Amazon package has become a part of everyday life for Japanese living in Tokyo area. Like Starbucks, it has come to be recognized without any sort of mass media advertisement. In advanced countries, combination of IT, logistics, e-money (including credit card), good packaging, and other factors made Internet shopping easy, satisfying, and mostly safe. So… Continue reading Reasons for manufacturers to have physical shop in internet shopping era
FUJIKO SUDA 