Japan as Only 1

 Some of you may already know this, but I make it a habit to read 10 to 15 books every month. It’s not so much a hobby—rather, I feel uneasy if I’m not constantly exposing myself to new ideas, disciplining my mind, and learning with hunger and intention. It might sound unpleasant to some, but in reality, having a strict boss or senior colleague who constantly tells you, “This is not good enough!” is a privilege. I don’t have that in my current position. No one tells me what’s right or wrong. And even if someone did, their “right” isn’t necessarily my right. So, I’m always on a journey to find my own answers—that’s what life is for me. In a book I read last week, there was a line that really struck me: “Success lies on the opposite side of fear.” It doesn’t just refer to financial success. True success—real achievement—exists only beyond what we fear the most. This reminds me of what we often say at Hattori Way: “Step outside your comfort zone!” But this quote is even sha...

 Most people know the fable The North Wind and the Sun . But I believe the story doesn’t end there. There may be a deeper message: The north wind and The Sun. If the sun were always shining, it might seem ideal—but over time, it could lead to laziness, comfort, and even complacency. It’s when the cold wind blows—when we feel stress or face challenges—that we begin to appreciate the warmth of the sun. The same goes for management. Respecting each person’s feelings and ideas is essential. But in order to achieve team results, there are moments when you need someone to take action—even if their opinion is different or if the task is tough. Having an ideal vision is important. Without it, people won’t feel the need to grow or change. But simply pushing that ideal onto others doesn’t work either—it won’t lead to real transformation. Many teams struggle because they rely only on ideals, without balancing them with reality. That’s why managers need to know when to be the sun an...