Last Friday, I had the chance to attend the Japan Society Gala, held at the Grand Hyatt at SFO Airport, a fitting location for an evening celebrating international connection. Just outside the windows, a Pokémon-themed ANA jet was parked on the tarmac, having brought the CEO of ANA all the way from Japan especially for this event. That detail alone speaks volumes about the significance of the evening.
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During a recent visit to Nashville, Tennessee, I was reminded of how deeply interconnected our world can be, and how mindfulness often lives in the quiet spaces between cultures.
What many don’t realize is that Nashville, known for its vibrant music scene and Southern hospitality, shares a special bond with Kamakura, Japan, as official sister cities since 2014. Kamakura, a coastal town just south of Tokyo, is steeped in Zen Buddhist history, home to ancient temples, the iconic Great Buddha and a serene atmosphere that invites reflection.
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In Midnight in Broad Daylight, Pamela Rotner Sakamoto paints a powerful portrait of the Fukuhara family, illustrating their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship and discrimination during World War II. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the strength found in family bonds and the enduring spirit of those who face adversity.
Ever wondered why Japanese feels so hard for Western language speakers, and why English feels just as tricky for Japanese speakers? After 30 years of studying Japanese (and speaking five Western languages), I can tell you: learning those other languages was a walk in the park compared to Japanese. This one is a whole different mountain.
Western languages thrive on rules. Learn them, apply them, and you’re good. Japanese? It’s a language of context and nuance, where meaning shifts depending on who you’re talking to, what the situation is, and even what’s left unsaid. It’s less like following a map and more like feeling your way through a forest at night without a torch.
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If you’re looking for a winter destination that feels like stepping into a living postcard, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a must-see. Known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen is a masterpiece of landscape design, blending elegance and harmony in every detail. Visiting in winter adds a special layer of beauty that few travelers experience.
One of the most iconic sights in Kenrokuen during winter is the yukitsuri, the graceful bamboo supports that protect the garden’s pine trees from heavy snow. These conical structures, radiating from the tree trunks like delicate spokes, are both practical and poetic. They prevent branches from breaking under the weight of snow, but they also create a stunning visual symbol of Japanese ingenuity and seasonal care. Seeing these supports against a backdrop of snow feels like witnessing a centuries-old tradition come alive.
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Ever tried to attend three Bonenkai in five days? I just did, and it reminded me why these year-end gatherings remain such an important part of Japanese business culture, even as traditions evolve.
December in Japan, and for Japan-related communities worldwide, means Bonenkai, the traditional “forget-the-year” party. These gatherings are more than just social events; they’re a way to close the year with gratitude, camaraderie, and a fresh start. I’m also looking forward to the Japan Consulting Office Bonenkai this week, held over Zoom, with our favorite drinks in hand because our team is spread all over the world.
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Last week I had the privilege of mentoring a group of remarkable young people from Sendai through the Sendai Global Startup Campus (SGSC) – U.S. Program, hosted by the U.S. Market Access Center (USMAC). These students came to Silicon Valley with big dreams and an eagerness to learn about entrepreneurship, and they truly impressed me.
Sendai holds a special place in my heart. It’s not only home to these inspiring young innovators, it’s also the hometown of Yoshito Hori, the founder of GLOBIS, Japan’s leading business school. Years ago, I had the chance to visit the region on an MBA school trip, and I still have fond memories of its warmth, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. Seeing this new generation carry that same energy forward is truly moving.
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A Japanese expat manager recently received a surprise during their annual performance review in the U.S.: a comment from their American team that they were “distant and hard to approach.” The manager was stunned. In Japan, maintaining formality and emotional restraint is often seen as professional. In the U.S., it can be interpreted as cold or disengaged.
This moment revealed a deeper issue: the feedback gap between jinji and U.S. HR.
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In a recent ruling, Mizuho Bank Ltd. successfully defended itself against a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by a former U.S.-based vice president. While the legal outcome favored Mizuho, the case highlights a deeper issue that many global Japanese companies face: the perception of bias and the need for culturally intelligent HR practices. 最近の判決において、みずほ銀行株式会社は、米国拠点の元副社長による差別および報復に関する訴訟に対して、成功裏に自己防衛を果たしました。法的な結果はみずほ銀行に有利なものでしたが、このケースは、多くのグローバルな日本企業が直面しているより深刻な課題を浮き彫りにしています。それは、偏見の認識と、文化的知性を備えた人事施策の必要性です。
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