Real Gaijin

Home
Notes
Japanese Business
Japanese Culture
Japanese Technology
日本ビジネス
日本の文化
日本の技術
Archive
About
The Real Japan from the Eyes of a Transplanted American Living in Kyushu
The Japanese term "gaijin" ("guy jean") means foreigner, but it has many other connotations in a land in which almost everything is different from the…
 • 
Mark Kennedy
Japan Benefits from China Property Market Turmoil
Instability at home is driving Chinese high net worth individuals to diversify into the relatively stable real estate market in Japan.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
2
Japanese e-Commerce Platform Upstart Qoo10 Disrupts Market
Intense rivalry among Japan's e-commerce platform providers is causing the ground to shift beneath the feet of market leader Rakuten Ichiba.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
Most Popular
View all
Japanese Young Women Relying on “Papa-katsu” to Make Ends Meet
 • Mark Kennedy
4
ChatGPT Works in Japanese, Too!
 • Mark Kennedy
2
How Much Does an Emergency Room Visit Cost in Japan?
 • Mark Kennedy
4
How Much Do Japanese People Typically Earn, Save, and Borrow?
 • Mark Kennedy
4
Three Cringeworthy Phrases to Avoid When Speaking Japanese
 • Mark Kennedy
11
New
Top
Community
Three Cringeworthy Phrases to Avoid When Speaking Japanese
Unless you are willing to run the risk of being perceived as unintelligent, it would be wise to avoid these slang words.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
11
Pitched Battle in Japan’s Cell Phone Industry
In a battle worthy of David and Goliath, upstart MVNOs are taking market share from the big 3 MNOs, and consumers like me are reaping the rewards.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
9
Workers in Their “Nifty Fifties” Helping Japanese Companies to Achieve 10%+ ROE
How some Japanese firms are leaning into their perceived disadvantage of an aging workforce to leverage the experience of older workers to deliver…
 • 
Mark Kennedy
3
Get in a Short Workout Even While Wearing a Suit or High Heels
The budget 24/7 storefront gym chocoZAP is the latest brainchild of Japanese serial entrepreneur Takeshi Seto, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
6
Bulk Packaged “Label-less” Consumer Goods Catching on in Japan
It could signal a watershed moment in a land known for its excessive packaging and ensure that sometimes less can, in fact, be more.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
6
New Definitions of Crime and Punishment for Non-Consensual Photography in Japan
Beginning today both amateur and pro photographers need to be aware of new rules about whom can be photographed and under which circumstances.
 • 
Mark Kennedy
3
Mizuho Bank Reprioritizes Its Domestic Home Mortgage Business
As ultra-low interest rates in Japan pressure Japanese megabanks, all three are announcing bold new strategies to preserve profitability and pursue…
 • 
Mark Kennedy
4
Real Gaijin
Real Gaijin
Experience the real Japan from the eyes of a transplanted American "gaijin" (foreigner) who is now a "lifer" and lives deep in the Japanese countryside
Recommendations
View all 14
T
The Status Kuo
Jay Kuo
Fiction by Bill Adler
Fiction by Bill Adler
Bill Adler
Conbini Boys Newsletter
Conbini Boys Newsletter
Conbini Boys 🐣🍗
In Bed With Tech
In Bed With Tech
Marie Dollé
Japan Optimist
Japan Optimist
Jesper Koll
© 2023 Mark Kennedy
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing