00:00
Welcome back everyone for another deep dive.
This time, we're headed to Japan.
Virtually, of course.
Oh yeah, virtually.
To take a look at their podcasting and entrepreneurial scene.
Exactly.
And to do that, we're going to be looking at this transcript
from a Japanese podcast.
It's called Abori Shimasaba Radio.
Okay, Abori Shimasaba Radio.
And it's hosted by Hideki and Mayumi.
Got it.
So, Hideki and Mayumi are our guides into this world.
Yes.
And we're looking specifically at their second episode.
Oh, their second episode.
So, they're still pretty new to this whole thing.
Yeah, still figuring things out.
Which is kind of exciting
because we get to be a fly on the wall for that process.
Exactly.
You can hear their excitement in the transcript.
So, they start off by chatting about listener feedback.
Oh, they're already getting some.
Yeah.
They mentioned getting a few emails,
which is pretty cool for only their second episode.
That's awesome.
And Mayumi mentions a recent trip to a hot spring.
Oh, nice. A little personal anecdote.
Yeah, classic podcast banter, right?
Totally.
But, you know, almost right away,
you start to get a sense of their different personalities
and approaches to the show.
Oh, really? How so?
Well, Mayumi actually describes their content as useless.
Useless? Wow, that's pretty funny.
It is, and it kind of hints at a potential tension
between their goals for the podcast.
You think so?
Well, I mean, Mayumi seems pretty relaxed about the whole thing.
Yeah, just having fun with it.
But then Hideki is already talking about, like,
stepping up their game.
Someone's got ambitions.
And he even brings up the idea of creating
a dedicated Aburi Shimizu Aba channel.
Oh, wow, a whole channel dedicated to just their podcast.
Yeah, he mentions how other podcasters
have dedicated channels,
and they discuss whether they could manage
something like that.
I guess it depends on how much time and effort
they're willing to put in.
Right, and it kind of speaks to the broader landscape
of content creation, you know?
Oh, so?
Well, just how competitive it is.
Yeah, for sure.
Everyone's trying to stand out in the crowded space.
Makes you wonder if a channel's the way to go.
It really does.
So are they thinking about going that route?
They're not sure yet.
They're still brainstorming.
Gotcha.
Anyway, speaking of standing out,
their conversation takes a turn toward sneakers.
Sneakers, how did they get on that topic?
They came across an article about affordable autumn footwear.
Oh, interesting.
And this is where we start to see
some consumer trends emerge.
Like what kind of trends?
Well, they mention specific brands,
like Adidas.
Okay.
Allbirds.
Interesting.
New Balance.
A classic.
Oh, Onet.
Stylish.
Onetsuka Tiger.
Cool.
I like those.
And, of course, Nike.
Oh, of course, the big one.
But it's more than just a list of brands.
Oh, what else is there?
Well, Miui talks about switching from New Balance to Puma,
specifically for walking.
For walking?
Yeah, because a stylish friend recommended them.
Oh, so it's a style thing.
It seems like it.
Yeah.
And it suggests that for Miui,
comfort and style are equally important.
Yeah, especially when it comes to footwear
for everyday activities.
Totally.
And it also shows how word-of-mouth recommendations
still hold a lot of sway.
03:01
Especially when it comes to fashion.
It makes you wonder what other subtle cultural influences
are shaping their preferences.
It really does.
Did they mention anything else?
Oh, yeah.
There's this funny moment where Hideki admits
he's always wanted a pair of Nikes
but has never actually bought any.
Really?
That's kind of surprising.
Nike's such a globally recognized brand,
you'd think he'd have at least one pair.
I know, me too.
But they both kind of puzzle over it in the transcript.
Maybe there's something about the Japanese market
that explains it.
It makes you think about brand perception
and aspiration.
And maybe there are specific factors within Japan
that might explain why they haven't embraced Nike
in the same way.
Yeah, it's interesting to think about
how global trends play out differently
in different cultures.
Exactly.
And it also highlights
how diverse consumer preferences can be
even within a relatively homogenous culture like Japan.
Makes sense.
It's not just about global trends, right?
No, there are always these localized nuances at play.
So what else did they talk about?
Well, then Mayumi shares this anecdote
about a friend who took an expensive course
on customizing sneakers with art.
Customizing sneakers?
Yeah, like painting and drawing on them.
Oh, wow, that sounds cool.
Yeah, and this friend was hoping to capitalize
on what they thought was a hot trend.
Oh, I see, so like turn it into a business.
Exactly, but then they start questioning
whether this whole sneaker customization thing
is actually profitable.
Oh, so they're getting a little skeptical.
Yeah, they wonder if it's just a clever marketing ploy
by those selling the courses.
Hmm, that's a good point.
You know, there are a lot of those
get-rich-quick schemes out there.
And I appreciate that
they're not just blindly accepting
what they read or hear.
They're applying a healthy dose of skepticism.
Yeah, that's so important in today's world,
wouldn't you say?
Absolutely, it shows they're thinking critically
about these things and trying to understand
the real motivations behind them.
So what did they decide?
They don't really come to a conclusion,
but they connect this skepticism
to Robert Kiyosaki's rich dad, poor dad.
Okay, how so?
Well, they argue that his success
stemmed more from selling seminars
than the book itself.
Oh, interesting, so the book
was kind of like a front product.
Exactly.
Huh, that's a brilliant insight.
It really is, because it makes you think
about the business model behind the product, you know?
You're not just buying a book,
you're buying into a whole system.
Exactly, and that's a valuable lesson
for anyone interested in entrepreneurship
no matter where you are in the world.
Totally, it's about understanding the bigger picture
and not getting swept up in the hype.
Okay, so then we get this fascinating glimpse
into Hideki's daily routine.
Oh, really, what's he like?
Well, he starts by describing
his elaborate mouthwash routine.
Mouthwash routine?
Like, what's so elaborate about it?
Well, he does all these different things
with different kinds of mouthwash,
and he says it's inspired by an article about gut health.
Wow, he's serious about his gut health.
Yeah, it's impressive, and it makes you wonder
if this focus on preventative health measures
06:03
is particularly pronounced in Japan
or if it's simply a reflection
of Hideki's personality.
Yeah, that's a good question.
It would be interesting to see
if this is a wider trend.
It would, and it also speaks
to the influence of media
and how people are constantly incorporating
new information and practices into their lives.
So what else does he do?
Well, after his mouthwash routine,
he goes on to describe his 30-minute morning walk.
Okay.
And he emphasizes the importance
of starting the day with movement for better focus.
So he's one of those morning workout people.
It seems like he seems very routine-oriented.
And, you know, there is a growing body of research
on the benefits of morning exercise
for both physical and cognitive health.
Exactly.
So it's not just a personal preference.
It's actually backed by science.
So he's a gut health enthusiast
and a morning workout guy.
What about Mayumi?
Well, just to contrast
with Hideki's very structured morning,
they touch upon Mayumi's later start to the day.
Ah, so she's not a morning person.
Not really.
She blames it on the colder weather.
Makes sense.
It's harder to get out of bed when it's cold.
And it's interesting to see
how even within this seemingly similar podcast
and duo, there's room for individual preferences
and lifestyle choices.
Yeah, it's a good reminder
that there's no one-size-fits-all approach
to productivity or well-being.
Exactly.
Does she do any exercise at all?
She does mention that she's committed
to morning walks and exercise
when she can get herself out of bed.
So she's not completely averse to it.
Right, but she definitely seems
more flexible with her routine.
Good for her.
I wish I could be more flexible with mine.
And you know what?
Sometimes the most unexpected moments
can be the most revealing.
Oh, what do you mean?
Well, the episode suddenly ends
with a technical glitch.
A technical glitch? What happened?
It's not clear from the transcript,
but some unexpected music starts playing
and they both burst out laughing.
Oh, wow, that must have been funny.
It is, and I love that they just roll with it, you know?
It shows they have a good sense of humor.
Exactly, and it reminds us that they're human,
just figuring things out as they go,
just like all of us.
Yeah, it's refreshing to see that kind of authenticity.
And I think that's what makes this episode so insightful.
You're getting this genuine, unfiltered glimpse
behind the scenes.
It's like we're eavesdropping on their creative process
and getting a sneak peek
into their personalities and values.
And speaking of values,
there's one small detail that might have slipped past you.
Really? What is it?
Of what is it?
Remember when Mayumi mentioned
that recent trip to a hot spring?
Yeah, what about it?
Well, she also mentions that she kind of missed out
on seeing the fall foliage this year.
Really? Why?
She blames it on the weird weather patterns
they've been having.
Oh, that's right, it's like a tiny detail,
but it actually says a lot about the impact
of climate change on everyday life, you know?
Exactly.
Even something as simple as enjoying the autumn leaves
can be disrupted.
It really highlights how these global trends
are playing out in very personal ways.
09:00
So stepping back for a moment,
what are some of the key takeaways
you're seeing emerge from this episode?
Well, for starters, it's clear that both Hideki and Mayumi,
despite their different styles,
are passionate about their podcast.
Yeah, you can definitely hear that.
They're engaging with listeners,
experimenting with new ideas,
and thinking about how to grow their audience.
That entrepreneurial spirit really comes through,
and it seems like something you see a lot of
in the Japanese creative scene.
Totally.
They're not afraid to start small and learn as they go.
We also see how consumer trends are evolving in Japan,
with a focus on both style and comfort,
particularly when it comes to sneakers.
Yeah, those Pumas.
Word-of-mouth recommendations still matter,
but there's also this savvy awareness of marketing tactics
and the need to be a bit skeptical
of those get-rich-quick schemes.
Remember their analysis of rich dad, poor dad?
Of course.
They're not just accepting success stories at face value.
They're digging deeper to understand
the business models and strategies behind them.
It's like they're saying,
OK, we see this successful book,
but let's look beyond the surface.
How did this person actually achieve that success?
What can we learn from their approach?
That kind of critical thinking is essential
no matter what field you're in.
It's about understanding the underlying mechanisms
and not getting seduced
by the superficial aspects of success.
So what does all of this mean for you?
Well, if you're looking to tap into the Japanese market
or just understand what's driving consumer behavior there,
this episode provides some valuable clues.
Definitely.
It's a reminder that authenticity,
a willingness to experiment,
and a healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way.
And let's not forget the importance of staying informed.
Oh, right.
Like with Hideki's mouthwash routine.
Exactly.
While it might seem a bit extreme,
it highlights the Japanese consumer's focus
on health and wellness.
And it shows how they're constantly seeking out
new information and products
that align with their values and priorities.
It's fascinating to see how trends like gut health,
which are popular in many parts of the world,
are being interpreted and integrated
into daily routines in Japan.
It makes you wonder what other unique wellness practices
or cultural nuances we might uncover
if we delve deeper into the Japanese lifestyle.
It really does.
And I think that's part of what makes
this exploration so exciting.
There's always something new to discover
some unexpected connection to be made.
Okay.
So as we wrap up our deep dive
into this episode of Abori Shimasaba Radio,
what are some of the lingering questions or thoughts
that are bouncing around in your head?
Well, I keep thinking about that technical glitch at the end.
Yeah.
It was almost like a metaphor
for the whole entrepreneurial journey, you know?
Oh, I like that.
You can plan and strategize all you want.
Right.
But there are always going to be unexpected challenges.
Yeah, for sure.
And it's how you respond to those challenges
that really matters.
And they responded with laughter.
That's the best way to respond.
They didn't let it get them down.
They found the humor in it.
Good for them.
That kind of resilience is so important.
Yeah.
You know?
Especially when you're putting yourself
out there creatively.
I think it's important in any field.
Okay.
So here's a thought-provoking question
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for you to ponder.
Do you think Hideki and Mayumi
will succeed in growing their podcast?
Hmm.
It's hard to say for sure.
But they definitely have the passion and the drive.
I agree.
And they're not afraid to be themselves,
which is so refreshing.
It really is.
Makes you want to root for them.
Who knows?
Maybe that technical glitch
will even turn into a viral moment
that helps them gain more listeners.
Oh, yeah.
You never know.
Sometimes those unexpected twists
can actually work in your favor.
For sure.
What other insights did you get from this episode
about Japanese culture or entrepreneurial trends?
You know what really resonated with me
was that sense of community.
Oh, yeah.
And the importance of personal connections.
Interesting.
From Mayumi's friend recommending Puma sneakers
to Hideki relying on those newspaper articles
for his health tips,
it's clear they're influenced by the people
and the media around them.
It's a good reminder
that even in a highly digital, globalized world,
those human connections still matter.
So if this deep dive piqued your interest
in the Japanese podcasting scene,
I encourage you to keep exploring.
Yeah, there's so much out there.
You might be surprised by what you discover.
And who knows?
Maybe we'll even do another deep dive
into a Japanese podcast sometime soon.
Sounds good to me.
Until then, happy listening, everyone.
