Ultimately, I want to do business in Japan, maybe in Osaka, somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, Tokyo itself, and places here and there throughout the country.

Today, I’m learning the Japanese language: Nihongo, Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji. Nihongo (日本語) simply means the Japanese language itself. Hiragana (ひらがな) is a phonetic writing system used for native Japanese words and grammar. Katakana (カタカナ) is another phonetic writing system used primarily for foreign words, loanwords, scientific terms, and emphasis. Kanji (漢字) consists of Chinese characters adopted into Japanese writing, with each character carrying meaning as well as sound.

Some lesser-known facts I discovered are quite fascinating. Hiragana was once referred to as “women’s writing” because it was widely used by women in Japan’s Heian period. Katakana was originally developed by Buddhist monks as a shorthand annotation system. Many Kanji characters have multiple pronunciations depending on the context in which they are used. Interestingly, Japanese children learn over 1,000 Kanji before finishing elementary school. Also, although many people think Japanese originated from Chinese, Japanese and Chinese are completely different languages despite sharing some written characters.

Some common questions beginners ask include: Do I need Kanji to become fluent? How many Kanji should I learn? Is Hiragana easier than Katakana? Why does Japanese use three writing systems at once? Can I learn Japanese through immersion alone? These are questions I continue exploring as I deepen my studies.

I have also activated my Duolingo Ultra membership, and in addition to becoming more fluent in Japanese, I’m sincerely appreciative that I can certify my English proficiency through Duolingo as well. The Duolingo English Test is accepted by institutions such as the University of Toronto, Yale, the University of California system, and thousands of institutions worldwide.

I’m also broadening my horizons by advancing my math and music. I’m watching ten to fifteen YouTube videos per day downloaded to my Samsung Galaxy tablet (yay, South Korea), including videos from Japan such as documentaries about everyday inhabitants and companies like Sony and Seiko. Both companies have long been regarded as respected and dependable brands, particularly among Japanese families who grew up during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, when Japan became a global powerhouse in manufacturing, electronics, precision engineering, and innovation.

Someone on LinkedIn said he learned Spanish after immersing himself in Latin America for a month. Stories like that remind me of the power of immersion and consistent exposure when learning a language.

For my Everand books, I’m reading at least four books on Japan, including works by Haruki Murakami, the follow-up to Ikigai, A Brief History of Japan, and books about lesser-known places and gratifying destinations to visit throughout the country. I’m also reading a book about inexpensive things to do in Japan.

For recreation, I have installed the Lumosity app, which first began as a web application more than ten years ago. I’m glad they’re still around and that they now have an Android app. I’m also building my knowledge bank through IQ, logic, and general knowledge apps on Android.

For additional recreation, I browse design inspiration from places like Daily.dev and other excellent sources of design and development ideas. I’m very excited to grow my knowledge of geography, geopolitics, international relations, and world history as well.

Lately, I spend much of my time browsing articles, brochures, magazines, and reading materials from the 1940s through various online libraries. In other words, I’m a big fan of documentary media, archival materials, and ebooks, so much so that I’ve installed two dedicated apps specifically for that purpose.

Overall, I recently watched a YouTube video featuring a guy around my age who looked remarkably elegant in his bohemian outfit and attire, embodying a timeless 1970s appearance from head to toe. He works as a clerk in a store in Japan, and I found his style surprisingly inspiring because it demonstrates how certain fashions never truly go out of style.

I’m also taking handwritten notes and maintaining a growing vocabulary and idiomatic expression bank, both in notebooks and digitally. Last but not least, I keep myself sharp, informed, and up to date through various sources, including Bing.

Overall, this chapter of my life is centered on learning, curiosity, and continuous growth. Every day, I’m investing in language, culture, history, business, creativity, and knowledge, one small step at a time, with the long-term goal of eventually building meaningful connections and doing business in Japan.