Welcome to today’s episode! Our guest is the multi-talented Sean Nichols, whose career is as diverse as it is inspiring. Sean has captivated audiences as an entertainer on Japanese TV, performed as a Manzai stand-up comedian, and even served as the global representative for Japan's biggest YouTuber. He’s toured with Aerosmith and, most famously, broke barriers as the first—and only—foreigner to star in the Ultraman series during its 40-year history, playing "Sean White" in 50 episodes.

In this episode, Sean takes us on a dream journey, sharing how he went from watching Ultraman on TV as a child to donning the iconic suit. He dives deep into his experiences in the Japanese entertainment industry: founding his own talent agency, navigating cultural nuances, and facing the highs and lows of stand-up comedy—including a memorable loss in the final round of a competition due to one bold joke. Plus, Sean reflects on the biggest professional risk of his career, one that ultimately led to touring with rock legends Aerosmith.

Get ready for an episode filled with passion, perseverance, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else! Other topics we discuss:

• The top 3 things Japanese always find hilarious
• How auditions and talent agencies work in Japan
• Best explanation of what is a “Tarento”
• Representing the most famous Japanese Youtuber Hikakin and getting him on stage with Aerosmith
• Backstage Stories with Steven Tyler and the band
• How humor in Japan is different from western humor
• Japanese comedy-style Manzai explained
• 3 tips for foreigners interested in getting into the Japan entertainment industry
• Advice on how to be funny in Japanese
• Favorite untranslatable Japanese word

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

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In this episode, we take a deep dive into the often-mystifying Japanese business practices that foreigners in Japan struggle to navigate. Intercultural facilitator Masafumi Otsuka sheds light on puzzling practices like "Why Japanese managers change jobs every three years" and "Why they always see the glass as half empty." Masa offers a logical breakdown of the periodic job rotation system and Japan’s risk-averse decision-making process.

We also explore key cultural concepts that are often misunderstood by Westerners—such as Nemawashi, Genten Shugi, and Kyochosei—all explained by Masa in a fun and enlightening way.

Masa shares personal stories about his own struggles, including returning to Japan as a student, the politics behind leaving a high-profile job, and what it's like to feel "1/3 Japanese, 1/3 American, and 1/3 confused." This episode is packed with insights and humor, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of Japanese business culture.

Other highlights from our conversation:

• Why there is no Japanese word for "procrastinate"
• The unspoken rule for Japanese overseas returnee students
• The priority in Japan is harmonize
• What does an Intercultural Facilitator do?
• Best ever explanation of Nemawashi & Genten Shugi
• The subtle art of not having to tell everything
• Expertise in Japan is 10ft. wide and 1inch deep while in the US its 1inch wide and 10ft. deep
• Strategies for getting a positive outcome from Japanese meetings
• The reason Japanese prefer the process vs the outcome

Masafumi Otsuka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masafumiotsuka/
More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

In this episode, I’m joined by Yuko Tamura, an award-winning writer on the Medium platform and editor of Japonica—the go-to publication for everything Japan. Yuko’s writing is a blend of "Fun Facts about Japan" and what she calls "a little rebellious essays" from Tokyo.

We discuss some of her standout articles, including "The 3 Facts You Should Know Before Marketing to Japan." Yuko has a passion for cross-cultural topics and offers valuable advice for both Japanese and English speakers on how to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

We also talk about her experiences writing for Medium, the opportunities for writers, and why Japonica is a must-join community for anyone covering Japan-related topics.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into themes such as gender inequality in Japan, dealing with internet trolls, and how Yuko became bi-cultural despite never living outside of Japan. We also touch on her experiences working for both Japanese and foreign companies, as well as other fascinating stories from her career. Other topics we discuss:

• Discuss her "3 Facts to know before Marketing to Japan" article
• "Hone" and "Tatemae" explained from a Japanese perspective
• Breaks down the anatomy of internal business meetings at Japanese companies
• Why decisions take longer in corporate Japan
• Writing and speaking in English being a "liberating" exercise
• Only writing in English about gender inequality to avoid internet trolls
• The Motivation Behind Her Articles on Gender Inequality and Sexism in Japan
• Together we coin a new Japanese word for "Empowerment"
• Favorite Japanese word without an exact English translation

Yuko Tamura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-tamura-041b96ab/
Japonica: https://medium.com/japonica-publication

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life