Japan as Only 1

  Rugby is currently my favorite sport, but it's not something I've always loved. I became a fan after the World Cup held in Japan four years ago, and I'm mostly interested in international events. In this year's World Cup in France, South Africa secured their record fourth victory, and I couldn't help but wake up at 4 in the morning on a Sunday to watch the final match against New Zealand. It was an amazing game with both teams pouring their hearts into it, even playing through injuries. While I do enjoy baseball, it often comes down to individual versus individual battles, and soccer has its periods of stagnation. Rugby, on the other hand, demands constant teamwork, both in offense and defense. It's a sport where individual superstars can't single-handedly make a difference; players always need to move in coordination with their teammates. It's a sport that involves dialogues with referees, and unlike other sports, not every foul results in a free kick...

  I make it my duty to talk about "having dreams and goals" as much as possible in various settings. The effects of this are numerous. Firstly, it provides the strength to continue efforts. Secondly, it helps clarify what risks are worth taking and what's not. Thirdly, it aids in understanding what to say "no" to. Lastly, it shifts your perspective from the present to the future, making immediate failures less frightening. But there's another effect: it makes "invisible opportunities" visible. What I mean is, if you don't have dreams or goals, you might overlook countless opportunities and encounters that could have led to something significant. There are so many things passing us by unnoticed. However, if you have even a vague image of what you want to be in the future or what you want to do, it can help you spot opportunities that might bring you closer to that vision. But life is not a walk in the park. If you wait without taking action, opp...

Even back when humans were hunter-gatherers, and even just a century ago, the act of obtaining food was far from simple. Finding a safe and abundant area was just the beginning. Once that area's resources were exhausted, it was time to move on. The next area might have had natural predators like bears or tigers, and the new food sources might have been poisonous or upset one's stomach. Yet, there was no choice but to try. Even in Japan, just a few decades ago, there were times when food was scarce, and life was a struggle. Nowadays, Japan is undoubtedly in an age of plenty. You can find something to eat at convenience stores, frozen food is readily available, and supermarkets are always open. Perhaps because of this, we may have forgotten the hunger for food and the hunger for survival that have been intrinsic to humans throughout history. In any era, true human nature dictates that we cannot obtain the fruits of our desires or achievements without taking some risks. While the ...