I stayed mostly at home this week, but my writing wandered: into an Oakland landmark with quiet echoes of Japan, into the political winds shaping 2026, and into the humble perfection of chicken skin on a skewer. Funny how the themes connect only once they’re on the page.

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This week took me from clear plastic drawers in my California home to an overflow room at a “Why build in Japan?” event, and finally to a tiny bottle of umeshu the size of an apple. On the surface, they have nothing in common. Look a little closer, and they all point to the same Japanese lesson: start small, make space, and let that change what feels possible.

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February began with familiar rituals, thoughtful conversations, and a tanuki photo that resurfaced at just the right moment. And with Setsubun this week, it felt like the perfect time to notice what we’re ready to let go of, and what we want to welcome in.

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This week from California, I’ve been thinking about winter camellias here and in Japan, a CES debrief viewed from here, and two metal sparrows in tiny knitted outfits at Enoshima Station … small details that still shape how I see the country’s relationship with technology, care and seasonality.

More in this week’s newsletter, if you’re curious.

The first weeks of 2026 have felt a bit like moving through overlapping layers of time. A century‑old plate, a sparkling Shinnenkai in San Francisco, and a tiny memory from a train station in Kanagawa, three unrelated moments that somehow ended up speaking to each other.

Funny how objects, gatherings, and even small metal sparrows can remind you where you’ve been, and where you’re standing now.

Did you know January 15th is often considered the last ‘acceptable’ day in the West to wish someone a Happy New Year? In Japan, that window is even shorter, January 7th! If you didn’t send your nengajo by then, you’re officially too late.

This cultural nuance got me thinking about timing, balance, and why so many New Year’s resolutions fail. Plus, I share thoughts on Japan Consulting Office’s 20-year milestone and a hidden gem in Kanagawa in my latest newsletter.

As we step into 2026, I’ve been reflecting on themes that feel especially relevant this year: the energy of the Year of the Horse, my commitment to strengthening US-Japan collaboration, and the fascinating world of Japan’s mascot culture where even tax offices have characters!

I also have some exciting news: I’ll be speaking at the 3rd Compliance and Leadership Forum on January 23rd. If you’re interested in practicing your Japanese skills while learning about talent development at Japanese companies in the U.S., join us! There will be prizes too!

Happy New Year! 今年もよろしくおねがいします
This phrase means “Let’s keep supporting each other this year”, a beautiful way to start 2026 with gratitude and collaboration.

The Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, freedom, and forward momentum, qualities I hope to carry into everything I do this year. In my first newsletter of 2026, I share reflections close to my heart: how The Traveling Cat Chronicles moved me in the best way, why we need to rethink gender pressures in Japan, and how my New Year’s Eve traditions have shifted from Flemish Oudejaarsavond with bread and cheese to Japanese Ōmisoka with Toshikoshi soba.

I also look back on 2025 with gratitude and share why I’m excited about bridging Jinji and US HR in the year ahead.

Cheers to a year of connection, learning, and forward momentum!

The holidays are a time for reflection, and for me, that means thinking about bridges built, myths challenged, and sweet cultural moments savored.

In my latest newsletter, I share thoughts on becoming a U.S.-Japan Council Leader, redefining timelines beyond the “Christmas Cake” stereotype, and finding meaning in something as simple as yokan.

As we head into the last week of 2025, I’m grateful for this journey and excited for what’s ahead. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season!

What do a woodcarving master, three Bonenkai, and blindfolded chess have in common? They all taught me something this week.

Year-end in Japan is a whirlwind of gratitude, reflection, and connection—and even though I’m thousands of miles away now, those traditions still shape how I close out the year.

This season reminded me how much timing and intention matter. Sometimes, opportunities feel like synchrodestiny: the right people, the right moment, the right conversation. I’ve seen that in my work too, especially when bridging Japanese HR practices with U.S. norms. What feels perfectly reasonable in Tokyo can be a lawsuit in San Francisco, and navigating that gap takes more than compliance, it takes cultural fluency and empathy.

This week, I’m reflecting on three very different experiences that share a common thread: perspective. From watching Rental Family with Brendan Fraser and thinking about belonging, to mentoring Japanese startups in Silicon Valley, to finding winter magic in Kenrokuen Garden, I explore how mirrors appear in unexpected places.

And right now, I’m in full Bonenkai mode! Those year-end gatherings in Japan where we “forget the year” and celebrate what’s ahead. You’ll read more about that next week!

Edition 25 is here!
As winter settles in, I’m reflecting on the small comforts that make this season special, and the conversations shaping how we work and live. From a delicate winter dish to thoughts on cross-cultural HR and workplace wellness, plus a nod to roasted chestnuts, this edition is all about warmth and connection.