Practical advice, cultural insights, and helpful guides for living in Japan
Master these key Japanese phrases to navigate social situations effectively, build better relationships, and avoid misunderstandings in your daily interactions in Japan.
Understand the fundamental difference between Japanese high-context communication and Western direct styles, and learn how this affects interactions in Japan.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about Japanese communication styles, from understanding indirect responses to building relationships and navigating social customs.
Explore Japan's pioneering mobile payment ecosystem, from early FeliCa technology to today's complex landscape of IC cards, QR payments, and digital wallets.
Master essential Japanese communication concepts like honne/tatemae, reading the air, sasshi, and enryo to navigate social interactions more effectively in Japan.
Discover why LINE dominates Japanese digital communication, how it evolved beyond messaging to become a 'super app', and what it reveals about Japanese social culture.
Learn to interpret Japanese body language, facial expressions, and the meaning of silence to better understand what's not being explicitly stated in Japanese conversations.
Actionable techniques for effective communication in Japan, from getting clear answers to declining invitations politely and building deeper relationships.
Explore Japan's unique relationship with QR codes - from their invention in Japan to their ubiquitous presence in daily life, payments, and social interactions.
Understand the cultural and legal reasons behind Japan's mandatory camera shutter sounds and what this unique feature reveals about Japanese concepts of privacy and collective responsibility.
Understand the subtle verbal patterns and linguistic cues in Japanese communication that reveal deeper meanings and help navigate social interactions more effectively.
Discover how Japan's bathing culture influenced mobile phone design, leading to widespread waterproof technology and unique usage patterns that shaped the industry.