top of page


Japan and Diversity – What I Learned from Being a Little Different
I grew up being ambidextrous, meaning I can use both hands for almost everything. As a kid, I copied my mom and brother, who are...
Feb 214 min read
1
0


The Cultural Divide: Why Japanese and American Startups Walk Different Paths
When a startup fails in Silicon Valley, it’s often seen as a badge of honor—proof that an entrepreneur had the courage to take a risk. A...
Feb 24 min read
9
0


Japan’s Love for Limited Editions: A Culture of Scarcity and Innovation
Japan embraces its four distinct seasons, each bringing unique experiences—cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant festivals in summer, fiery...
Feb 24 min read
8
0


Tale of Two Packages: What U.S. and Japanese Shipping Reveal About Culture
In America, seeing a crushed package at your doorstep is about as surprising as finding junk mail in your mailbox. In Japan, it would be...
Feb 13 min read
3
0


The Changing Role of Bookstores in the US and Japan: Adapting to Lifestyle Shifts
I’ll admit it—I didn’t enjoy reading until my 40s. But once I became a bookworm, I discovered the joy of books, both as objects and as...
Jan 204 min read
14
0


The Overlooked Heroes of Japan’s Economic Miracle
Once, I asked students to identify the heroes of Japan’s economic miracle in the 1960s and 1970s. Were they the dedicated salarymen who...
Jan 194 min read
8
0


Cultural Design: How Values Shape Visual Choices
If you’ve ever lived or traveled in Japan, you might have noticed something surprising: Yahoo! is still a thing. Yahoo! Japan remains a...
Jan 53 min read
8
0


Product-Out vs. Market-In Approach
When I was a college student at the University of Michigan, my friends and I had three coveted items on our wishlists: the sleek Acura...
Nov 29, 20243 min read
43
0


Size Matters: The Hidden Factor in Going Global
When expanding into a new market, the importance of size often goes unnoticed—but it shouldn’t. Size plays a critical role, whether it’s...
Nov 24, 20243 min read
20
0


The Roadmap to Going Global: From Passive Entry to Localized Success
Expanding your brand globally is an exciting but complex journey. It’s not just about shipping products overseas—it’s about building a...
Nov 24, 20245 min read
45
0
bottom of page