The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Living in Japan quickly teaches you that recognizing an English word doesn't always mean you'll understand what someone means. Over time, many borrowed English words have developed meanings that are unique to Japanese, while others have been shortened or used in ways that surprise native English speakers. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I shared some of the Japanese-English expressions that confused us the most after moving to Japan, along with the stories that helped us understand what people were actually trying to say. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube When English Words Develop New Meanings One of the first examples we discussed was the Japanese use of the word tension . For many native English speakers, "tension" suggests stress or nervousness. In...

Mental health is shaped by more than individual circumstances. The culture we grow up in, the expectations placed on us, and the way society responds to stress all influence how people experience and talk about mental health. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I discussed some of the cultural differences we've noticed while living in Japan, from workplace pressure and social expectations to the challenges surrounding mental healthcare and asking for help. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Social Expectations and Everyday Pressure One of the first topics we explored was the difference between tatemae and honne —the distinction between the public face people present and their true feelings. While these concepts exist everywhere to some degree, they can play a particul...

Choosing self-employment in Japan comes with a different set of challenges than working for a company. Beyond building a business, you're also learning how to navigate a different language, a different culture, and a different way of doing business. In this episode, I was joined by guest co-host Keito Suzuki to compare our experiences running our own businesses in Japan, from building professional relationships to adapting during the pandemic and finding opportunities along the way. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Building Trust in Japan One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that introductions matter. Trying to establish new business relationships on your own can be difficult, but being introduced by someone who already has the trust of the other person often changes the...

Raising children in Japan has given me a completely different perspective on the country. Things that seemed ordinary before becoming a parent suddenly became much more important, from school traditions and neighborhood safety to the support systems available for families. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I shared our experiences raising mixed-race children in Japan and discussed some of the everyday differences we've noticed compared with growing up in the United States. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Why Japan Feels So Safe for Families One of the biggest advantages of raising a family in Japan is the sense of safety many parents experience. Children are often given responsibilities at an earlier age than many foreigners expect, including walking to school on thei...

Moving to Japan is one challenge. Building a career in an industry where you don't speak the language fluently is another. In this episode, I sat down with my longtime friend Scoey to talk about his experience working in Japanese construction and what he learned after more than a decade of living in Japan. Along the way, we also discussed life in Japan more broadly, from streaming services and visas to the events that shaped both of our experiences here. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Working Construction in Japan Construction is one of the more demanding industries to enter as a foreigner, especially if your Japanese isn't yet at a professional level. Scoey shared what it was like learning on the job, dealing with language barriers, and gradually earning the trust of t...