A few days ago I had mentioned that a client of mine has been considering a rather large career change and had asked me for some advice. I was ill-equipped to act as his career counselor, so opted to ask anyone who wanted to comment for their insight. That said, changing careers is something that [...]
09.7.09 | Business, Japan, Windows Mobile | Jason
Despite what it says on my business card, customers seem to confuse me with their personal shrink. Typically this isn’t an issue, as it gives me quite a bit of insight into the thoughts and ideals of (some) Japanese people. However, I was recently asked by someone for advice to help them make a rather [...]
09.3.09 | Working in Japan | Jason
There’s a rather sad story on Page 2 of the Daily Yomiuri newspaper today that states “Suicides climb in 1st half of ‘09“. While Japan has long had more suicides per year than the rest of the planet combined, it’s a little unnerving to see the number continue to reach higher. According to the article, [...]
07.29.09 | Working in Japan | Jason
I think that after today, people will stop answering my impromptu questionnaires. It seems that a growing number of Japanese managers are becoming increasingly tired of non-Japanese people who fail to make an effort at integrating themselves into Japanese society. During an hour-long conversation with the middle-manager of a rather large organization in [...]
02.17.09 | Japan, Living in Japan, Working in Japan | Jason
For almost two years we have heard how companies are shutting down all over the world in response to a slowing economy. Whether this is the ultimate result of corporate greed, globalization, out-sourcing, or something that can be understood only by leading economists, one thing is clear: our current employment is no guarantee of [...]
12.10.08 | Japan, Living in Japan, Working in Japan | Jason
It’s hard to believe that December is here and another year is about to begin. To celebrate this occasion, I’ve decided to share a list of fun things you can do at work to pass the time. These can be done at any company, but it’s really fun if you happen to be the only [...]
Beeping incessantly, the small alarm clock announced the arrival of yet another day. It was ten minutes before seven, and the sun was already high in the sky. A clear blue sky could be seen through the thin curtains, with the distant sound of highway traffic signaling that another work day was at [...]
10.9.08 | Japan, Working in Japan | Jason
A few days ago, while telling me how stupid I was for saying that I wanted a notebook computer to last at least 15 years...
The countdown is almost up on this year's winter Japanese Language Proficiency Test, and thousands of people residing bo...
Do you ever wonder about your neighbours? I wrote a few months ago about how one of my neighbours has the same camouflag...
Believe it or not, I had a terrible habit back in Canada. It wasn't one with drugs, alcohol, women, or even excessive ...
Over the last decade or so I've been battling a bunch of minor problems such as insomnia, headaches, chest pain, and blo...