Now and Zen Japan

This episode is an entertaining and stimulating conversation with a forward-thinking, self-described "Evangelist" for for Digital Transformation in Japan, Mr. Evan Berkosky. Before you decide to tune-out because "Digital Transformation" sounds unexciting, Hold On! Evan makes this topic both insightful and relevant and shares his ideas on how he would initiate quick wins to transform Japan digital landscape if he were to hypothetically, be appointed to the newly created "Japan Digital Agency". What's more entertaining than listening to foreigners give their opinion on how to improve Japan? In this case however, Evan truly knows his area of expertise. We also discuss his early challenges in Japan, starting a successful English school, and how this led to the establishment of a premiere boutique digital marketing agency. He explains how current media monitoring, influencer marketing, and media engagement are vital to every organization, and finally challenges me as to why he should buy a Japanese branded knife from a German knife company. Other topics we discuss:

• Historically, disruptions have created a culture of "uncertainty avoidance" in Japan
• Why he is so passionate about digital transformation in Japan
• The scaleability challenge of creating a chain of English schools
• Why Japan, well-known for high tech industries are not leaders in digitalization
• What two major initiatives he would implement if he were the head of the Japan Digital Agency
• How the traditional Hanko system has slowed business in Japan during the pandemic
• Being a bi-cultural "shock-absorber" explained
• The positive trends propelling Japan's A.I. technology adoption
• The future role of social "Influencers" and how they will evolve
• How brands can save time and make money from social media monitoring
• Favorite Japanese word w/o an exact English translation

Meltwater: https://www.meltwater.com/en
More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp
Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This conversation is one of the most amazing I've had since starting Now and Zen Japan. This episode could certainly change your life. Especially if you suffer from unhealthy lifestyle habits. Prepare to be blown away by Kaki Okumura's wisdom, demeanor, and insight into well-being and nutrition. Kaki breaks down Japanese based wellness concepts through her "Four Essential Pillars to Healthy Living" in a very convincing and non-preachy way. She is a writer, an illustrator, a wellness coach, and very well could be a therapist or nutrition teacher. In addition to her fascinating backstory which includes her experience with food being a source of stress and anxiety and how healthy eating does not have to be a sacrifice, we get into her business as a writer on Medium, starting her own business just after university, and the various revenue streams she has built for herself. Just start listening to the first 5 minutes and for sure you will be hooked and inspired by her simple and empathetic message. Other topics we discuss:

• Improving your overall well-being based on Japanese concepts
• Being overweight OR underweight negatively effects mental health
• Why eating healthy in the US is a challenge whereas its pretty simple in Japan
• The power of balanced meals, moderation, and portion management
• How retired sumo wrestlers lose weight
• What Japanese can learn from the US about healthy living
• Why ginger is included with so many Japanese meals
• Food is closely linked to environment, experiences, and emotions
• Is "organic" really healthier?
• Variety, and why this is nutritionally important
• How much can one make writing for Medium?
• The Free Unsolicited Business Idea
• Kaki's two favorite untranslatable Japanese words

Kaki's Website: https://kakikata.space/
More Now and Zen Japan episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Frank Foley is a charismatic 30-year Japan professional with a deep understanding of character licensing, content marketing, and IP management. He was the country manager for Guinness World Records Japan where he successfully shifted the business model from wacky and crazy to a more Japan focused local strategy. Even participating in the record-setting worlds largest beef skewer event. Frank has represented IP entertainment brands from the Rolling Stones and Ariana Grande to children's educational brands including Thomas the Train. Frank is currently the owner of Next Big Thing which is actually the name of one of two TV shows he is pitching to Japanese networks. You will hear about both shows in this episode.
Other topics of discussion:

• Corporate world record-setting success stories
• "You Gotta Hear This" the untapped Japanese pop music opportunity
• The benefits of Thomas the Train toilet paper
• Differences between representing music artist IP brands vs. fictional IP brands
• Japan Initiatives to differentiate and localize for foreign brands
• The length of Ishigaki's world record setting beef skewer
• How one gets into the Guinness World Records
• Culture as an USP - What keeps him optimistic about Japan's future
• Why Japan is a good "testing ground" for foreign product innovation
• The next big thing for Next Big Thing

Frank Foley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankfoleyjapan/More Now and Zen Japan episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Cynthia Usui. Author of Eight things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the Workforce . After 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, Cynthia successfully re-launched her career and quickly rose to the managerial ranks. She now coaches housewives who want to return to the workforce, how to follow in her footsteps. Cynthia shares many tips and much wisdom from her amazing journey "from Mother to Management". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The work-life balance should be measured from a long-term perspective
• Why it was easier for her to re-invent her career with a non-Japanese hotel
• 3 metrics to evaluate housewives when re-entering the workforce
• On using a SWOT analysis for her students before job interviews
• The success of her government sponsored tourism coaching programs
• What she would do if she were in charge of the 30% "Women in Leadership" mandate
• Why Japanese hospitality needs more personalization
• Career mapping for the 100-year-life and goal setting in 2021 and beyond
• How she quickly progressed from part-timer to management in 7 years
• Why can't the achievements and experiences of rasing a child be included on a resume?
• Favorite Japanese phrase (Read the Air)

Cynthia Usui: Cynthia Usui LinkedIn
Her book: 8 things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the WorkforceGreat Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode we deep-dive into well-know, but often misunderstood Japanese culture topics with Kiyoshi Matsumoto. Kiyoshi is the author of the book “Japan Unmasked, Understanding Japan and its people”. Kiyoshi is Japanese but has lived outside Japan for 33 years working in the travel industry. During this time he has spend countless hours explaining Japanese culture to his foreign guests and realized there are a lot of common misconceptions about Japan and the Japanese. He wrote Japan Unmasked to set the record straight. This book covers many modern and contemporary topics and is not overly academic at all. Its a fun read and covers concepts such as Wabi-Sabi, Ma, Uchi-Soto, and many others. Kiyoshi lists his top three foreign misconceptions and why Face is everything in Japan. Other topics we cover:

• Uso mo houben (white lie) and how it relates to harmony in Japan
• The backstory behind writing “Japan Unmasked”
• Why modern non-academic topics and chapter titles for Japan Unmasked
• Wabi Sabi and Ma explained from Kiyoshi’s perspective
• Impermanent, Incomplete, Imperfect, the three “I’s” of Wabi-Sabi
• 4.6 Amazon rating and the one review which made him most happy
• “Perfection” in Japan is used as a defense, and relates to face
• Why he has not had his book translated into Japanese, but predicts the Amazon ranking
• True or false: Japanese only smile in photos when they make the two-finger piece sign
• Top three foreign misconceptions of Japanese: Productivity, Personal Space, and No Individuality
• Uchi-Soto (in-group & out group) and Omote-Ura (Public face and private face)
• His favorite untranslatable Japanese word

Japan Unmasked: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Kiyoshi-MatsumotoKiyoshi Matsumoto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiyoshimatsumoto/More Now and Zen episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
gugu Mattress Company: https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life