The A Week in Tokyo series started back in 2007 - the purpose was to help me keep a log of my life and to share what life is like in Japan with folks around the world.
2007 was when I started up my company Mirai Inc and if you read through the series, you will be able to observe how I built my business over the years in Japan and how the expansion of the company has changed my life.
Of late, my company has started to become busier as we gain more clients and TV work. Its only the beginning of April as I write this and so much change has already happened this year.
TV production makes up the bulk of our income and I currently have two TV shows - Culture Japan and Check Time (which I will write about soon!). I'm currently working with two Japanese electronics manufacturers to introduce another TV show which starts this Summer.
After spending much time of late with my comrade Aki Takanori (Good Smile Company CEO), I came to the conclusion that I'm not agressive enough in running my business. He is only a year older than me and has achieved so much. I feel that I started off late in life - I started to regain my life after I discovered Japanese culture but I wish I has done so at an earlier age.
As I get older, my goals become clear but I dont have much time left to complete them. This is why I continue to encourage young folks out there to seek and discover what their passion is and set goals in life before its too late - but thats a full subject that I need to write up about soon ^^;
Anyway, I've missed out on a few of these A Week in Tokyo posts but want to catch up as I dont want to leave anymore voids in my life.
The last time I made a post was beginning of October 2011 - this post continues and covers most of October and a wee bit of November. First photo - out n about on the Yamanote line heading to a meeting.
I've been living in my neck of the woods for about 6 years now and Its still a new discovery everyday - out n about exploring a new shotengai area nearby.
Regular trip to Lazona in Kawasaki to check out whats going on.
Broadcasting live from the iPhone - you can check this broadcast and my others over at Twitcast. Broadcasts are announced on my Twitter and Facebook.
The plastic device on the table is a beeper which you are given that lets you know when your food is ready.
Checking out some chairs at Muji and actually falling asleep. I can sleep just about anywhere at anytime ^^;
These boxes can be used to keep your cables tidy just like this. More cable management ideas here.
Our trusty Mirai Itasha.
Starting to talk with various printers about the Moekana project. Plastic packaging costs quite a bit so decided to go with coated cardboard instead.
Movie about the spacecraft Hayabusa.
Today we are off to Nagaoka in the Niigata Prefecture ] as I've been invited to give a lecture at the Nagaoka Institute of Design.
Arrival at Nagaoka station. The face you see on the scarecrow is called "Heno Heno Mo He Ji" because its made up of the hiragana .
I first learned of this when self studying Japanese from the manga Ranma.
Meeting with Vividblaze - we are about to produce our first collaboration CD which will be called "Mirai Music."
With our Mirai Suenaga voice actress UTACO after a session of voice dubbing for Culture Japan. Today we is being donning some animu glasses from JList.
These robot vacuum iRobot thingies became so popular in Japan that other Japanese manufacturers decided to make their own ones too!
Came down with a fever - time for some Shin Lulu A medicine.
Designing the Mirai Mousepad took months for many reasons. We were working with a factory in Taiwan who had to periodically send over samples - and it took ages to get the shape and print correct.
I wanted to make the softest ever health mousepad and after a few months we got it right. Folks who own the Mirai Mousepad should be able to tell you first hand how soft it is.
Working with the lads on the Yuzusoft website launch.
Some prezzies from voice actress Kitta Izumi - and its not even valentines day ^^;
Its TIFFCOM (Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market) time and many folks seeking Japanese contents are in town. I'm having some brekkie with folks from Hong Kong TV station TVB.
Me giving a talk at the Tokyo International Anime Festival. Its always an honor giving talks for the government and also a great opportunity to network with other folks in the industry.
Once you have discovered your passion and start to share it - good things will happen. I encourage you all to do the same!
Testing out a sample T-shirt and trying (and failing) to be one of those magazine model types. This Mirai Millennium illustration is by Kazunori Iwakura who is also responsible for titles like Railgun, Toradora, Sky Girls, Kimikiss, Daphne in the Brilliant Blue, Shakugan no Shana, Hidan no Aria and more.
We streamed most of the voice dubbing sessions live on Ustream.
My main work with the Japanese government is everything "Cool Japan" and I'm usually called to give a talk at conferences which cover this topic. Today I'm giving a talk with a few other folks who are also doing their part to share cool Japan with the world.
This reminds me that my online profile has not been properly updated for over a year ToT.
At the Italian family restaurant called Popolamama in Hatanodai.
The power drink S Cup teams up with Gundam for a collaboration. Collaborations are key to growing a business. Some folks may not like carrots but if carrots and apples team up then that collaboration may cultivate new consumers.
If you are starting a business but are not keen on working with others as you "want to maintain your share" then you are going to have to do double the work to make your brand succeed.
The Korean girl group Rainbow-A join their comrades to enter the Japanese market.