When Japanese companies talk about “going global,” the conversation usually centers on strategy, markets, and culture. For decades, the solution has been framed as cross-cultural communication training—teaching Japanese leaders how to adapt to Western business etiquette, and vice versa.

The Secret Life of Words: How Language is Invented, Corrupted, and Saved

🌏 Beyond Culture: Coaching at the Level of Values

The greatest obstacle to meaningful cross-cultural connection isn’t difference — it’s the invisible assumptions we carry about ourselves. True connection happens when we meet others as independent individuals, beyond national scripts or cultural labels.

My Japanese colleague raised an interesting question the other day" “if AI can perfect its language translation capability, what would be then the merits of learning a foreign language?”