Koji Sato began his apprenticeship as a chef at the age of 18. The inspiration behind this decision was the popular television drama “Dear Mother” (aired on NTV at the time). After 17 years, the young man who admired the reserved chefs opened a traditional Japanese restaurant in Akasaka, where he emphasized the ingredients and flavors of his hometown.READ

Krishna Ramachandra is a former corporate finance lawyer whose transformative journey has taken him from chasing social expectations and financial success to fostering a deeper sense of purpose and community in today’s fractious world. As humanity faces an inflection point in its history, he emphasizes the importance of utilizing one's bandwidth efficiently and finding identity and self-expression while adapting to new domains. Krishna sees a world where traditional occupational definitions are giving way to more fluid identities and purpose-driven approaches, and he seeks to leverage his expertise to empower communities and foster a sense of unity, envisioning a world that works for all.READ

You wouldn’t think the future of the Japanese telecommunications industry would involve the story of Jewish immigrants to Ohio, but that’s just one of the ways analyst Marc Einstein can surprise you with unexpected, tangible answers to complicated questions. Many tech companies in Japan have grown to depend on Einstein’s insights to guide their way forward, and the country’s ability to withstand an increasingly competitive world may very well rely on a man whose success traces to his own family’s resilience.READ

Nishikigoi, often referred to as "swimming artworks" or "swimming jewels," are increasing in popularity not just in Japan but also internationally. It is not uncommon for foreign enthusiasts to participate in auctions, with some koi being sold for tens of millions of yen. Mr. Kentaro Sakai is the breeder behind a koi that sold for a record-breaking 203 million yen. His breeding techniques, sparing no effort or time, are highly respected in the industry. Mr. Sakai shared with us his passion and philosophy towards the care of koi.
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Narita Koi Farm, with its commendable track record, annually sells approximately 300,000 Koi to over 30 countries worldwide. At the 54th All Japan Combined Koi Show, a Kohaku, categorized under section 95 and nurtured by Narita Koi Farm, clinched the overall grand championship, solidifying its status as the world's number one in the realm of Koi. We had the privilege of speaking with Ryuki Narita, who vigorously promotes Koi both domestically and internationally, about the allure of these magnificent creatures.READ

Aderans is known among the middle-aged and elderly population for its men's wigs, but it has now expanded beyond just wigs to aggressively venture into wellness businesses that cover beauty, health, and medical care. It is a global company with a network of 67 companies across 19 countries and regions. We spoke with Yoshihiro Tsumura, who leads Aderans, about his management techniques for turning the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities for growth.READ

Looking back on his own success in becoming a billionaire through his abilities regardless of his academic background, Takatoshi Maruo has gained the sympathy of many people by teaching the importance of "earning power" as well as how to be a good person and the importance of moral values. Many young people visit Bali because of his generous contributions to society, and he is affectionately called "Bali's Aniki (Big Brother)". What message does Aniki send to Japanese who have lost their vitality?READ

In this interview, Mr. Takashi Shimokawa, who runs the preparatory school "Bulkan Juku" and is also the pioneer behind "Kyushu Jangara Ramen," a renowned tonkotsu ramen chain, shares his insights. In 2021, he ventured into blending ramen with vegan cuisine by opening "Vegan Bistro Jangara," contributing to the popularization of vegan food. He discusses his hopes and fears for the children who will shape Japan's future, the life lessons learned from managing businesses in the vastly different fields of education and food service, and what he believes is necessary for achieving happiness.READ

Shigetoku Itoku, has had an incredible influence on numerous politicians, business leaders, top athletes, and the youth. , Every word he speaks is filled with soul. For our landmark 100th edition, we are honored to present a passionate message from Master Shigetoku Itoku.
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Mr. Ikusei Murano emphasizes the importance of everyone pondering "Why was I born?" and the spirit of "Taigi," which the Japanese have cherished. He shared his insights on navigating the era ahead, especially in light of the life-altering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Hiroyuki Sasaki has never let failure stop him. Having rebuilt his business from the ground up, he talks about retaining a spirit of altruism and his company's raison d'être, its future, and his drive to become the world's leading inner beauty expert.READ

As the third-generation proprietor of a confectionery store, Mr. Tetsushi Yamaguchi navigated a challenging decade before facing the inevitability of closing the business. However, he found his true calling in operating a nursery, which significantly blossomed his life. He shares with us the lessons learned from his experiences and his dreams for the future.
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Ms. Hideko Suzuki, who first introduced the Enneagram (a theory of nine personality types) to Japan, asserts that "There is no greater happiness than in the mundane everyday." We had the opportunity to discuss with her the mindset for leading a fulfilling life.
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Mr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa, who has been active in various fields such as healthcare, education, and policy, shared his insights on what is necessary for Japan's education system as we enter a new era, drawing on his extensive experience abroad.
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This year (2019) marks the 40th anniversary of the painting career of Hiroshi Senju, a Japanese painter. He has produced over 10,000 pieces to date. Yet, he continues to discipline himself with the belief that he has not yet created his masterpiece, never fully satisfied with the past, and actively continues his creative endeavors. The passion for painting has remained unchanged for 40 years. Where does the source of this passion lie?
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Masaaki Miyazawa, a distinguished figure renowned for his versatile photography in photo books, magazines, advertising, and fashion, has recently expanded his artistic horizon by capturing the serene beauty of Ise Jingu and Japan's pristine landscapes through his lens in both photography and film. In this interview, Mr. Miyazawa shares his profound experiences photographing Ise Jingu and expresses his hopes and insights for the younger generation.READ

Rick Blangiardi coached college football for seven years before starting his career in broadcasting. He is now the General Manager of Hawai‘i News Now, a role which allows him to continue his life of service to Hawai‘i, his colleagues, and his family.READ

Since 2012, Timothy Cottrell has headed the ‘Iolani School, a renowned school with more than 150 years of history in Hawaii. We sat down to hear about how his visionary leadership and experience has driven ‘Iolani further into the 21st century.READ

John Gotanda leads Hawai‘i Pacific University, the largest private university in the state, helping students build skills to succeed in the future.READ

In 1973, George Ariyoshi became the first Asian American to serve as a U.S. governor. A champion of fairness and justice, Hawaii’s longest-serving leader sits down to talk business, politics, leadership, and the future of Hawaii as he sees it.READ

At 27, Naoki Kusano found himself ¥5 billion in debt after the bankruptcy of his father’s ramen business. We sat down to find out how that experience led him to invent his “Ramen Franchise System” in an attempt to transform an entire industry.READ

Nahoko Ishikawa is a specialist in creating health foods that women need to keep glowing. We had a chance to meet the source of her passion, which is her ageless beauty.READ

Isao Aoki is a legend in the world of Japanese golf. Having played more than 1,250 rounds, we spoke with him about how he used his experience to achieve his goals and make his dreams come true.READ

Daniel T. Ebihara, the head of the 'Ken Zen Dojo' in New York, continues to impart the spirit of the sword. After graduating from high school, he moved to the United States alone, expanding his network while changing jobs one after another. He shared with us his life story, reminiscent of the Straw Millionaire, as he continued to forge ahead in life and achieve success in real estate.READ

Awarded the 2017 Best Japan Resilience Award in Medical Manufacturing, Takaharu Futaeda shares his passion for business and how he went on to invent Hikari-reidan, his novel heating and cooling system.READ

In an interview with Kengo Kuma, he shares a remarkable journey that seems almost destined. Inspired to pursue architecture after witnessing the first Tokyo Olympics, Kuma found himself directly involved in the architecture of the second Tokyo Olympics as an architect. Describing this as a "mysterious coincidence" and "fate," we delved into his commitment to architecture.
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Tomio Taki, a permanent fixture in the fashion and apparel industry, says that the success is all in how you relate to other people. Here, he shares his essential strategies for effective education and communication.READ

Don Konishi, fashion designer and sharp-tongued fashion critic, is a man who knows what it means to start over. Having once lost it all, he spoke with us about what he considers to be a life worth living.READ

Entrepreneur and sauce magnate Junki Yoshida is proof that the American dream is still alive and well after heading up several successful businesses in his adoptive home of the United States. He shares his views on contemporary Japan from an American perspective in this interview, a dream ten years in the making for Daisuke Sugiyama, My Philosophy’s editor-in-chief.READ

Mr. Yuichiro Miura, who achieved the summit of Everest, the highest peak in the world, at the age of 80 years and 224 days, becoming the oldest person in the world to do so. We inquired about the future challenge goals and other objectives he aims for, even as he remains aggressive at the age of 82.
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Suntory Beer Limited was established as a new company on October 1, 2014. Its first president, Tetsu Mizutani, is the man responsible for the hit "Kaku Highball." Tracing his career and the paths he chose, we can find hints about how to approach our own jREAD

We spoke with Masakazu Yanagisawa, who is actively engaged in various initiatives aimed at creating an LGBT-friendly society. We discussed his experiences with coming out and his goals for the future.READ

In 1990, Keio University established the Faculty of Policy Management and the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, interdisciplinary faculties that integrate humanities and sciences. By 2010, these faculties had reached their 20th year. In June 2007, Professor Naoyuki Agawa became the dean of these faculties. We spoke to him about the future of SFC (Shonan Fujisawa Campus).
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As a venture capitalist known for discovering leading domestic venture companies, including Tully's Coffee Japan, Mr. Hitoshi Suga has a track record of uncovering prominent startups. We asked him about the mindset necessary for establishing and managing a company.
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