About PSPINC and Japan

PM Takaichi’s Strengths and the Challenges Ahead

 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has shown strong leadership in building relationships with other world leaders and maintaining a firm posture against China. Her recent meetings with leaders such as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demonstrate Japan’s growing diplomatic presence. These efforts are viewed positively by many Japanese people and by those around the world who support a stronger and more independent Japan.

 

However, diplomacy is only one part of leadership. At home, many Japanese citizens are increasingly concerned about the burden of the consumption tax and the impact of rising immigration. There is growing pressure on the government to address these issues with clear policies and concrete action.

 

Many voters appreciate Prime Minister Takaichi’s international leadership and her commitment to national security. At the same time, they expect the same level of determination when dealing with domestic issues that directly affect their daily lives and the future of Japan.

Mogami-Class Frigates: Japan’s Toyota Strategy for Defense

 

Japan’s Mogami-class frigate export is more than an arms sale. It may become Japan’s first major defense export model: build a world-class product, export it, then create local production, maintenance, and support facilities in the customer’s country.

 

This is very similar to Toyota’s global strategy. Toyota did not just sell cars overseas. It built factories, trained local workers, created supplier networks, and became part of the local economy.

 

Japan appears to be using the same playbook with Australia. The first Mogami frigates are to be built in Japan, while later ships are expected to be built in Western Australia, creating jobs and long-term support capability there.

 

That is smart. Defense exports are not just about selling equipment. They are about trust, training, maintenance, upgrades, and decades of partnership.

 

Japan has always been good at building reliable products. If it can bring that same discipline to defense, the Mogami-class frigate may become Japan’s “Toyota moment” in the global defense market.

Suidobashi: Where Water Engineering Meets the Railway Age

 

Most visitors know Suidobashi as the station for Tokyo Dome, but its name and structure tell two different stories about Tokyo's development.

 

The name Suidobashi literally means "Water Bridge." During the Edo period, engineers built the Kanda Josui water system to bring clean drinking water to the growing city. To carry water across the Kanda River, a wooden aqueduct was constructed above the river. This bridge carried water—not people—and gave the area its name.

 

Fast forward to the Meiji era, and the same area became part of Japan's railway modernization. The JR station opened in 1906 and was built on an elevated viaduct, reflecting the influence of European railway engineering. Tokyo's growing rail network relied on steel, brick, and concrete structures that could carry heavier trains while keeping streets below open to traffic.

 

What makes Suidobashi special is that it represents two generations of infrastructure. First came the aqueduct that helped Edo become one of the world's largest cities. Then came the elevated railway that helped transform Tokyo into one of the world's greatest transportation hubs.

 

Standing on the platform today, you are literally above centuries of engineering history—from a 17th-century water system to a 20th-century steel railway structure. Few places in Tokyo tell the story of the city's growth so clearly in a single name: Suidobashi, the Bridge of Water.

Iki and Yabo: Two Opposite Ways of Living in Japan

 

When people think of traditional Japanese values, words like samurai, zen, or wa (harmony) often come to mind. But in old Edo (modern-day Tokyo), there was another important concept that shaped everyday life: iki (粋).

 

Iki is difficult to translate into English. It is often described as elegance, sophistication, or stylishness, but it means much more than simply dressing well. An iki person is someone who has confidence without arrogance, generosity without showing off, and refinement without being pretentious.

 

For example, a wealthy person who quietly helps others without seeking recognition would be considered iki. A person who wears simple clothing but pays attention to small details may also be seen as iki. The key is subtlety and self-control.

 

The opposite of iki is yabo (野暮). A yabo person boasts about money, talks too much, asks inappropriate questions, or tries too hard to impress others. In Edo culture, being called yabo was not a compliment.

 

What makes iki fascinating is that it is not about wealth or social status. It is about how you carry yourself and how you treat others. Even today, many Japanese people admire those who act with quiet confidence and consideration rather than drawing attention to themselves.

 

In a world where social media often rewards self-promotion, the Edo concept of iki reminds us that sometimes the most impressive people are the ones who do not need to tell everyone how impressive they are.

Even Japanese People Sometimes Can't Tell a Temple from a Shrine

Yesterday, I visited Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin, which is just a short walk from my hotel in Tokyo.

 

For years, I assumed Toyokawa Inari was a Shinto shrine—something like a Tokyo branch of the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. After all, it has torii gates, countless fox statues, and the word Inari in its name. What else could it be?

 

Well, I was wrong.

 

To my surprise, Toyokawa Inari is actually a Buddhist temple, not a Shinto shrine. Its official name is Myogonji Temple, a Soto Zen temple. The deity worshipped there is Toyokawa Dakini Shinten, a Buddhist guardian deity that became closely associated with Inari worship over the centuries.

 

No wonder I was confused.

 

In fact, I was so convinced it was a shrine that I performed the traditional Shinto prayer ritual: two bows, two claps, and one bow. Only later did I learn that Buddhist temples generally do not use clapping during prayer.

 

Oops.

 

Was that a problem? I hope not.

 

But honestly, if a place has torii gates and foxes everywhere, can you really blame me? Apparently, even Japanese people can have trouble telling the difference between a shrine and a temple when history, Buddhism, and Shinto traditions have blended together for centuries.

 

That's one of the fascinating things about Japan. The lines between Buddhism and Shintoism are sometimes much less clear than people imagine.

 

So yesterday I learned something new: Toyokawa Inari was not a shrine after all. And yes, I accidentally prayed the wrong way at a Buddhist temple. Fortunately, I think sincerity matters more than technique.

A Small Touch of Japanese Hospitality

 

Tonight, when I returned to my room at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, I found that it had been turned down for the evening. Waiting on the table was a small note from the housekeeping staff along with a delicate origami paper crane.

 

The note included tomorrow's weather forecast for June 15: a low of 17°C, a high of 20°C, and a 60% chance of rain. At the end, it simply said:

 

"Welcome home. Please enjoy the night."

 

The message itself was printed on a prepared form rather than handwritten, but it was still a very thoughtful gesture.

 

Over the past several years, I have stayed in many business hotels in Japan and abroad. Most are efficient, clean, and comfortable. However, little touches like this have become increasingly rare. Taking the time to prepare a weather forecast, fold an origami crane, and leave a welcoming message adds a personal touch that technology cannot replace.

 

This is the kind of hospitality Japan is known for—attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and genuine care for the guest experience. It is not about luxury; it is about making someone feel welcome.

 

Many modern hotels focus on efficiency, but small gestures like this remind guests that hospitality is still about people.

A $6 Tempura Lunch in the Heart of Tokyo

Today I stopped by Tenya at Akasaka Mitsuke for lunch. My meal was a tempura set that cost just 930 yen—about $6 USD at current exchange rates. The price included tax, and of course, there was no tipping.

 

As someone who spends much of the year in the United States, I still find it amazing that you can sit down in central Tokyo and enjoy a freshly prepared meal for this price. The tempura was hot, crispy, and served within minutes. Nothing fancy, just good food done well.

 

Akasaka Mitsuke is one of Tokyo's busy business districts, surrounded by office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and government offices. Yet even in such a prime location, a satisfying lunch can cost less than many fast-food meals in America.

 

Of course, a lot of this has to do with the current exchange rate. The Japanese yen remains relatively weak against the U.S. dollar, making Japan feel even more affordable for visitors. However, even if the exchange rate were 100 yen to the dollar, this same lunch would still cost only $9.30. Finding a freshly prepared tempura meal in the middle of a major business district for under ten dollars would be difficult in many American cities.

 

People often ask why visitors love Japan so much. One reason is simple: quality, convenience, cleanliness, and value still exist here. A clean restaurant, polite service, and a filling tempura lunch for 930 yen remind me that Japan continues to offer some of the best everyday dining experiences in the world.

Japan's Simple Fitness Secret

Sunday, June 14, 2026, started early for me. I left my parents' house in Ashiya and took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. One of the great things about Japan is how easy it is to travel between cities. In just a few hours, I went from the relaxed atmosphere of Kansai to the energy of Tokyo.

 

I arrived early, so before checking into my hotel, I spent some time sightseeing. Tokyo is a city I've visited many times, but there is always something new to discover. By the time I checked into my hotel around 3:00 p.m., I was ready for a short rest.

 

Then I looked at my Apple Watch and noticed I had already walked more than 10,000 steps.

 

Yoshiwara Shrine – A Shrine for One of Japan’s Oldest Businesses

Near Tokyo's famous Otori Shrine stands Yoshiwara Shrine, a shrine with a unique history.

 

During the Edo period, Yoshiwara was Japan's most famous licensed pleasure district. Like merchants, fishermen, and craftsmen who had their own guardian deities, the people of Yoshiwara also established shrines and prayed for prosperity, safety, health, and good fortune.

 

Over time, several small shrines within the district were merged into today's Yoshiwara Shrine.

 

It is a reminder that even one of the world's oldest professions had its own shrine, faith, traditions, and community. Today, the shrine quietly preserves a fascinating chapter of Tokyo's history.

Two of Kobe’s Great Shrines: Minatogawa Shrine and Ikuta Shrine

 

During my visit to Kobe, I had the opportunity to stop by two of the city’s most important Shinto shrines: Minatogawa Shrine and Ikuta Shrine. While both are deeply respected, they represent very different parts of Japanese history and culture.

 

Minatogawa Shrine (湊川神社), affectionately known as Nanko-san, is dedicated to Kusunoki Masashige, one of Japan’s most admired samurai. The shrine was established in 1872 near the site of the Battle of Minatogawa, where Kusunoki gave his life in service to Emperor Go-Daigo. For many Japanese, he symbolizes loyalty, courage, and self-sacrifice.

 

Ikuta Shrine (生田神社) is much older. With a history of approximately 1,800 years, it is considered one of Japan’s oldest shrines. Located in the heart of Sannomiya, it is dedicated to Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with relationships, connections, prosperity, and renewal. In fact, the name "Kobe" itself is said to be derived from the ancient families who served and protected this shrine.

 

What struck me most was how these two shrines reflect different sides of Japan. Minatogawa Shrine honors duty and sacrifice, while Ikuta Shrine celebrates life, relationships, and community. One looks back to a heroic moment in history; the other has quietly watched over Kobe for nearly two millennia.

 

One thing many visitors from the West find surprising is that Japanese people are generally not religious in the Western sense. Regular attendance at religious services is uncommon, and many people do not identify strongly with a particular religion. Yet at the same time, the idea that spiritual beings, or kami (gods), exist throughout nature and daily life remains deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

 

These gods are not limited to shrines. They can be found in mountains, rivers, ancient trees, rocks, homes, businesses, and even in the tools people use. Shrines simply provide places where people can pay their respects, express gratitude, and seek blessings. This unique view of spirituality helps explain why Japan can be both highly modern and deeply connected to traditions that stretch back thousands of years.

 

If you ever visit Kobe, I highly recommend seeing both shrines. Together, they tell a fascinating story about Japan’s values, history, and spiritual traditions.