6 weeks after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, NHK online news announced that 27,931 people are dead or missing, and over 136,000 people are still living in evacuation in extreme hardship at Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima prefectures. As the rest of Japan slowly but steadily recover from the earthquake, recovery is still far away for… Continue reading Social Media Balance Out Traditional Media, And Japanese Responsibility Starts at The Bottom
Category: Japanese Behavior
The charms and quirks of a unique people.
Heart of Japanese 2011
As business owners and individuals sent words of condolences and encouragement, immediately following the earthquake, I felt miserable because the words wouldn't come. I was in shock after experiencing the same earthquake in Tokyo inside a subway train, and the ominous 6 hours walk home through eerie Tokyo where nothing was broken, yet practically nothing… Continue reading Heart of Japanese 2011
Understanding Japanese Culture Through Music
Joseph Campbell talked about the role of mythology in people's lives. It's so true. And it seems to me music tells so much about each culture. Modern Japanese choral music performed by children at schools show so many things about Japanese culture. Importance of harmony between people. Working together. The lyrics of modern choral music… Continue reading Understanding Japanese Culture Through Music
New Year in Japan
New Year's day is a big holiday in Japan, and traditionally, there are decorations that are associated with the New Year like pine branch, cut bamboos, woven dried rice stalks. I vaguely thought of the decrease in these decorations at homes and cities for the last few years, but this year, I became aware of… Continue reading New Year in Japan
Researching the aging market in Japan
Japan has had more elderly people aged over 65 than younger people aged 15 and younger since 1997. Above graph shows other countries are following the same trend as in Japan. What does this mean to me? As a 50-year old, it is about ME. And as a researcher, I am tremendously interested in what… Continue reading Researching the aging market in Japan
Good way to see the Japanese culture, design and values
One good way to see the Japanese culture, design and values would be to visit TOTO showroom in Tokyo. It's a totally Japanese language, Japanese place, but that makes it even more interesting to observe. TOTO is a kitchen, bathroom ceramic goods manufacturer, and they are doing quite well. In this tough economic time, the… Continue reading Good way to see the Japanese culture, design and values
Luxury found in Tokyo
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, luxury means a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment. It also means something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary, or an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease. With such definition, living in Tokyo is full of luxury with TOTO toilet… Continue reading Luxury found in Tokyo
Sunday morning rush hour in Tokyo suburbs
Sunday morning between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. is children and youth's rush hour in suburbs of greater Tokyo area. It is the day for sports matches for kids who play sports. Baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts, volleyball and others, Japanese in general loves to train and play sports formally, and that creates this… Continue reading Sunday morning rush hour in Tokyo suburbs
Understanding Ichiro’s words through American master coaches lessons
My friend and I were having lunch on March 24th, and she showed me that the World Baseball Classic final game was being played in Los Angeles as we were having our lunch in Tokyo. During my teenage years, with an American step-father who loved to watch sports on TV, our family watched some kind… Continue reading Understanding Ichiro’s words through American master coaches lessons
The way Japanese executives think about company responsibility
I don't know what percentage of Japanese executives feel this way, but last week, I've heard it directly from the director of major Japanese companies, like I did from many Japanese executives before. We are responsible for providing livelihood for the citizens. We have to think of ways to offer meaningful jobs for as many… Continue reading The way Japanese executives think about company responsibility
Potential of Twitter in Japan
Uchida Yoko people thought it was another one of those crazy ideas I brought in. Rather than doing Q&A after panel discussion, I proposed that we set it up so that everyone can post question or comment during panel discussion to realize audience participation. I explained that people would feel freer to express their opinion… Continue reading Potential of Twitter in Japan
Toyota dealership visit in suburban Tokyo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectkobo/sets/72157612706079650/ Buying an automobile has never been an option to me since I moved from the US to Tokyo. Why would I want a car? Trains and buses are so cheap, they are everywhere, runs on time, clean, safe. Taxis aren't so expensive. If I needed to drive somewhere for some reason, I would rent… Continue reading Toyota dealership visit in suburban Tokyo
Japanese boys addicted to PSP
My Australian friend once mentioned to me during his first visit to Japan that he noticed that eating is interacting in Japan. At many sushi place, you grind your own wasabi. We mix chopped nori, ground ginger to our taste at the table when we eat cold soba noodle
Personal entertainment devices
My Australian friend once mentioned to me during his first visit to Japan that he noticed that eating is interacting in Japan. At many sushi place, you grinde your own wasabi. We mix chopped nori, ground ginger to our taste at the table when we eat cold soba noodle
Eating process is important
My Australian friend once mentioned to me during his first visit to Japan that he noticed that eating is interacting in Japan. At many sushi place, you grinde your own wasabi. We mix chopped nori, ground ginger to our taste at the table when we eat cold soba noodle
FUJIKO SUDA 