About PSPINC and Japan

灯台下暗し

6月

20日

“It Is Darkest Under the Lamp” — A Japanese Proverb

Japan has a famous proverb: “Tōdai moto kurashi” (灯台下暗し), which literally means “It is dark beneath the lamp.”

Many people assume that the word tōdai means a lighthouse, but that is actually a misunderstanding based on modern Japanese. In this proverb, tōdai refers to an old-style lamp stand or candle holder used before electricity. While the lamp shines brightly and illuminates the surrounding area, the space directly beneath it remains in shadow.

The proverb teaches an important lesson: we often notice things that are far away but overlook what is closest to us. Sometimes we spend so much time studying our competitors that we fail to recognize problems within our own company. We may understand the world but fail to understand the people nearest to us.

Interestingly, despite being written with Chinese characters, this is not a Chinese proverb. It is considered a traditional Japanese saying.

There are similar expressions in English, such as “You can’t see what is right under your nose.” The message is universal: sometimes the things we are searching for are closer than we think.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560656/2026-06-19

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Goshuin (御朱印)?

6月

20日

Collecting Goshuin — A Journey Through Japan's Shrines and Temples
During my current trip to Japan, I have collected 13 Goshuin. For those who are not familiar with Japanese culture, you may wonder: What is a Goshuin (御朱印)?

A Goshuin is a traditional stamp and handwritten calligraphy given by a Japanese shrine or temple as proof of a visit and prayer. The characters are usually written with a brush by a priest or temple official, and each Goshuin includes the name of the shrine or temple, the date of the visit, and a unique red seal.

I actually started collecting Goshuin during my previous visit to Japan. My first Goshuin was from Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. What began as a simple souvenir quickly became much more than a collection. It changed the way I travel in Japan.

Now, I find myself looking at maps differently, searching for shrines and temples nearby and walking to them whenever I have the opportunity. Through this hobby, I have discovered places, histories, and traditions that I might otherwise have missed.

This trip started with a visit to Nishinomiya Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture, famous for Ebessan, the god of prosperity, business success, and good fortune. Since then, I have visited many shrines and temples and added a total of 13 Goshuin to my Goshuincho.

Many people collect Goshuin in a special book called a Goshuincho (御朱印帳). Each Goshuin is unique and reflects the history, season, and personality of the shrine or temple.

For me, collecting Goshuin is no longer about collecting stamps. It is a way of recording my journey, appreciating Japanese culture, and finding new destinations one shrine and temple at a time.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560639/goshuin

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

A Conversation Over Coffee at Hotel New Otani

6月

19日

A Conversation Over Coffee at Hotel New Otani

This morning, I had coffee with a representative from Hotel New Otani. He previously worked in New York, where he was responsible for sales and promoting the hotel to the American market.

During our conversation, I learned something interesting about Hotel New Otani. While the hotel itself is considered a four-star hotel, it has a special section called The Zen Floor, which offers a five-star level experience. The Zen Floor consists of only about 80 rooms, providing guests with a much more exclusive and personalized stay.

One thing that surprised me was the makeup of their guests. Currently, approximately 70% of the customers staying at the hotel are from outside Japan. This reflects the strong recovery of international tourism and the continued popularity of Japan as a travel destination.

It was an interesting conversation and gave me a deeper appreciation for how Japanese hospitality continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560597/a-conversation-over-coffee-at-hotel-new

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Kabukimono — The Rebels and Trendsetters of Early Japan

6月

19日

Kabukimono — The Rebels and Trendsetters of Early Japan

When people hear the word kabuki, they usually think of Japan’s famous traditional theater with elaborate makeup and dramatic performances. However, the origin of the word goes back to a group of eccentric warriors known as Kabukimono (歌舞伎者).

The word comes from the Japanese verb kabuku (傾く), meaning “to lean” or “to behave differently from the ordinary.” Kabukimono were warriors, often samurai or masterless samurai, who lived during the late Sengoku and early Edo periods. They rejected conventional behavior and expressed themselves through extravagant fashion, unusual hairstyles, oversized swords, and bold, sometimes shocking, manners.

Some kabukimono were admired for their courage, individuality, and loyalty, while others gained a reputation as violent troublemakers. One of the most famous figures associated with this culture was Maeda Keiji, a legendary samurai remembered for his flamboyant appearance and fearless personality.

The famous Japanese theater Kabuki (歌舞伎) inherited this spirit of being unconventional. Although the characters mean “song, dance, and skill,” they were chosen mainly for their sound and to express the dramatic nature of the art.

In many ways, the kabukimono were the “rebels” or “rock stars” of their time—people who challenged society’s expectations and created a style that became part of Japanese cultural history.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560580/kabukimono-the-rebels-and-trendsetters

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Kantō-daki and Oden — A Story of Japan’s Regional Taste

6月

19日

Kantō-daki and Oden — A Story of Japan’s Regional Taste

Last night, I went to dinner with a potential new business partner in Shinbashi, Tokyo, and we enjoyed Kantō-daki (関東炊き). What I ate last night was the original Kantō-style Kantō-daki—very dark in color, as you can see in the images. The dark appearance comes from a broth that uses a stronger soy sauce base.

Kantō-daki originated in the eastern part of Japan, the Kantō region around Tokyo. When this dish was introduced to the Kansai region, people adapted it to their own taste. Instead of a heavy soy sauce flavor, Kansai cooks created a lighter broth based on dashi, a traditional Japanese stock made from kombu seaweed and bonito flakes.

That lighter Kansai style is what many people today recognize as oden. It is the style commonly found at convenience stores throughout Japan—light in color but full of deep umami flavor.

I grew up in the Kansai region, so when I was a child, we called this dish Kantō-daki, even though the Kansai version had already evolved into a lighter, different style. It is fascinating how a dish that literally means “Kantō-style simmered food” became part of Kansai culture and changed into something uniquely Kansai.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560577/kantdaki-and-oden-a-story-of-japans

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

You Are Not Allowed to Charge Extra for Credit Card Use in Japan

6月

18日

You Are Not Allowed to Charge Extra for Credit Card Use in Japan

When traveling internationally, one of the interesting differences you notice is how countries handle credit card processing fees.

In the United States, it is common to see signs that say “Credit Card Fee 3%.” This means customers who choose to pay by credit card are charged an additional fee to cover the merchant’s credit card processing costs.

Japan is different. In general, merchants are not allowed under their credit card merchant agreements to charge customers a higher price simply because they use a credit card. Instead, the cost of accepting credit cards is usually treated as part of the overall cost of doing business and included in the price of products and services.

From a merchant’s point of view, credit cards offer convenience and can increase sales, but they also come with processing fees. The question is who should bear that cost—the individual customer who uses the card or all customers through the product price.

The answer reflects a difference in business culture. In the United States, the cost may be shown separately as a credit card surcharge. In Japan, the cost is generally built into the price that everyone pays.

The same 3% cost exists in both countries, but the way it is presented reveals a fascinating difference in business practices and customer expectations.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560490/you-are-not-allowed-to-charge-extra-for

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

The Origin of Japanese Figures: From Edo-Era Netsuke 根付 to Modern Collectibles

6月

18日

The Origin of Japanese Figures: From Edo-Era Netsuke 根付 to Modern Collectibles

Japan is famous around the world for its incredible figure culture. Today, characters from anime, manga, and video games are made into highly detailed collectible figures that are admired by millions of fans. But the Japanese tradition of creating small, detailed figures did not begin in modern times. Its roots can be traced back hundreds of years to the Edo period and the art of netsuke.

Netsuke were small carved sculptures originally used as practical accessories. Since traditional Japanese kimono had no pockets, people carried small items such as medicine cases, tobacco pouches, and inrō suspended from their belts. A netsuke served as a toggle to prevent these items from slipping through the obi sash.

Over time, netsuke evolved from simple tools into miniature works of art. Skilled craftsmen, called netsukeshi 根付師, carved animals, people, legendary creatures, and scenes from everyday life using materials such as wood, ivory, and antler. The level of detail achieved in objects only a few centimeters in size was extraordinary.

Although modern anime figures and Edo-period netsuke serve very different purposes, they share the same Japanese appreciation for creating an entire world within a small object. In many ways, the netsuke craftsmen of the Edo period can be considered the ancestors of today’s figure artists.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560483/the-origin-of-japanese-figures-from

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Ken Uchikura Newsletter Vol. 394 Never Forget What Made You Successful

6月

18日

Ken Uchikura Newsletter Vol. 394 Thumbnail

Never Forget What Made You Successful

As companies grow, priorities often change; that’s natural. However, when those priorities shift too far, organizations can lose the very strengths that made them successful in the first place.

Consider an automaker. Its fundamental purpose is to build great cars—vehicles defined by superior engineering, reliability, safety, and the sheer joy of driving. That is why customers buy them. Yet when a manufacturer prioritizes financial metrics, stock prices, and short-term profits over the craft of filmmaking and engineering, product quality inevitably suffers.

The same applies to the software industry. Many successful technology firms were built on outstanding products and innovation. But when a company begins investing more energy in marketing and promotion than in development and innovation, the product itself may gradually lose its appeal. When the promotion is spectacular, but the actual product falls flat, you lose user trust.

Of course, financial management and marketing are essential to running a business. But they’re meant to support the core product or service, not replace it. The supporting cast must never become the main act. To sustain long-term success, a business must never forget what brought them to the top in the first place.

When I look at many Japanese companies today, sometimes I feel some have stopped growing. While there are certainly exceptions, too many organizations appear complacent with their current size and status, lacking a clear vision—or even the desire—for their next chapter.

In these environments, you often hear a common refrain:

"That’s how we used to do things."

Honoring history is valuable, but if you use that phrase to justify staying comfortable rather than building a future, it can become dangerous. It may indicate that the company has forgotten the challenges, risks, and innovations that originally brought it success.

Another concerning trend consists of struggling companies appointing financial or investment experts as their new CEOs, rather than leaders who truly understand the industry. Financial literacy is crucial. However, without a genuine passion for and deep understanding of the company's actual products or services, a true turnaround is nearly impossible.

Numbers alone don’t build a company. Profit exists because a business creates value for its customers. Strengthening the products, services, and systems that generate value should come first. When profit itself becomes the primary objective, the company may actually weaken the very foundation that produces it.

Money is an outcome, not a purpose. It’s a tool, but it should never be the heart of management.

Success is not a destination. It’s the starting point for the next challenge.
Never lose focus on what brought you there.
That may be one of the most important lessons—for organizations and individuals alike.

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Visited Yasukuni Shrine

6月

17日

Visited Yasukuni Shrine

Today, I visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Located near the Imperial Palace, Yasukuni Shrine was established in 1869 and enshrines those who died in service to Japan from the Meiji Restoration through World War II.

The shrine is one of Japan’s most historically significant sites and remains a place visited by many Japanese and international visitors interested in Japan’s history and culture.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to see its impressive architecture and peaceful grounds.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560466/visited-yasukuni-shrine

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Business #CrossCultural #Entrepreneurship #History #Innovation #Japan #JapanInsights #JapaneseCulture #Kaizen #Leadership #Management #Networking #PSPINC #Seattle #Technology #USJapan

Why Is 大和 Read as “Yamato”?

6月

17日

Why Is 大和 Read as “Yamato”?

I was recently asked why the Japanese characters 大和 are read as Yamato. At first glance, it seems strange. The character 大 is usually read as dai or ō, meaning “great,” and 和 is often read as wa, meaning “harmony” or “peace.” So how did the pronunciation “Yamato” come about?

The answer lies in Japan’s ancient history. Long before Chinese characters were introduced to Japan, the region around present-day Nara was already known by the spoken name Yamato. As that region became the political center of the early Japanese state, the name Yamato came to represent not only a place but also the Japanese people and the nation itself.

When Chinese writing was introduced, the Japanese needed a way to represent the existing word “Yamato” in written form. Over time, several characters were used, including 倭, which was the name Chinese records used for Japan. However, because the character 倭 carried meanings that could be interpreted as “small” or “submissive,” the Japanese court later chose the more favorable characters 大和, meaning “great harmony,” to write the ancient name.

This is a wonderful example of how Japan adopted Chinese culture and writing but transformed them to fit its own identity. The spoken word Yamato was preserved, while the written characters evolved to express how the Japanese wished to describe their country.

Even today, the word Yamato remains deeply connected to Japanese identity, appearing in terms such as Yamato-damashii (大和魂), or the “Japanese spirit.”

A single word can carry more than a thousand years of Japanese history.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/560464/why-is-read-as-yamato

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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