When considering starting a business, many people face a variety of uncertainties. Questions like, “How do I set up a company?”, “How much will it cost?”, and “How do I handle accounting?” can often become obstacles to taking that first step. However, overcoming these challenges brings the unique joy and fulfillment of defining your own value.

 

My Experience Starting a Business
I established a company for the first time in 1985. At the time, I founded “Sangrade” as a subsidiary of a Japanese company in Seattle. With the help of a lawyer, I registered the company, opened a bank account, and signed contracts with an accounting firm. This process made me realize the importance of laying a solid foundation for a company.

 

Later, in 1987, when the Japanese parent company decided to withdraw, I purchased its assets and established Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. Once again, I worked with lawyers, banks, and other trusted professionals to get started. In the early stages of the business, I not only worked to generate income but also focused on building a foundation for future growth through active sales efforts.

 

Key Points to Keep in Mind When Starting a Business
Starting a business is about more than just selling a product. One area that requires particular attention is accounting. As a business owner, you will handle sums of money on a completely different scale compared to personal finances. It is essential to monitor and manage cash flow daily. Expenses will inevitably arise, and careful planning and control are necessary to account for them.

 

Additionally, I’ve managed to operate without external investments. For this reason, I treat company expenses with the same mindset as personal expenses. I believe it is crucial to manage a business within your capacity and operate at a scale that aligns with your resources.

 

To Those Aspiring to Start a Business
Starting a business comes with uncertainties and risks, but it is also a tremendous opportunity to carve your own path through your efforts. I especially encourage young people and retirees to consider starting a business. By keeping track of expenses and proceeding with a well-thought-out plan, you can take on new challenges without excessive risk.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be more than happy to share my experience and support your journey into entrepreneurship.

I had a kidney transplant on February 1st, and today is February 12th. It feels both fast and slow at the same time—11 days have passed. Naturally, I haven’t been able to go to the office, and it looks like it will still be a while before I can return. However, I have been staying in touch with my staff through daily Zoom meetings and other updates. Everyone is working really hard.

 

As for our customers, I don’t think there have been any major issues despite my absence. If anything comes up, please feel free to contact the staff. You can also email me directly—I am checking my emails. The team is doing their best to ensure that things run smoothly while I’m away, so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. In fact, it seems like my absence has motivated them even more. Maybe I get in the way sometimes when I’m around!

 

I’ve been able to get a little more sleep recently. My strength is still far from 100%—to be honest, it’s probably not even at 50% yet—but I’m slowly improving. I’m truly sorry for any worries I’ve caused, and I deeply appreciate all your support. Thank you so much!

It’s now 6 AM on Wednesday. I just woke up. I have a medical checkup at the hospital starting at 9 AM today, so I woke up a little earlier than usual. I still need to use the restroom frequently, but I’ve been able to sleep for nearly an hour at a time now. I feel like my condition is gradually returning to normal.

 

It’s amazing how much the body can change with just one kidney. I’m truly impressed by the power of medical science and the resilience of the human body.

 

Yesterday, our company held a workshop in collaboration with the Japan-America Society. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to participate, but I heard that all the staff worked really hard. I’m so grateful for their efforts.

 

If I could, I would love to treat them to something nice today, but I’m still unable to go out. That will have to wait for a little while. This workshop will continue for the next few months, so I encourage everyone to join. It’s free of charge!

After I got off the surgery I was served protain jelly. I found same gelatin-based protein jelly on Amazon and bought it. Each one contains 20 grams of protein. Protein helps regenerate the body's cells, which can speed up wound healing. Besides this, I also bought protein shakes and protein bars. Somehow, it feels like I'm just buying a bunch of snacks, which is kind of fun. Each jelly costs $2.00, and since I bought a pack of over 30, it ended up costing me nearly $75.oo.

 

My parents are in Japan, but lately, they've only been eating soft foods like rice porridge, so I feel like they’re not getting enough protein at all. Since they spend a lot of time lying down at home, I’m also worried that their muscles might be deteriorating. So, I sent them protein shakes and protein soup as well. I'm an Amazon Prime member in both Japan and the U.S., so I can ship items quickly and for free in both countries. It's a really convenient system.

The Trump administration and the way it operates, along with figures like Musk, who aim to reduce America's wasteful spending, are exhilarating to watch from the outside. It truly reveals just how much waste there has been until now. Even more satisfying is seeing the politicians, who squirm like maggots, screaming in response to these cost-cutting measures. It's amusing to see them desperately trying to use the judicial system to prevent cost reductions—how utterly ridiculous they look.

 

However, is this kind of waste limited to politics alone? It still exists within corporations as well. There are various laws in place to protect employees, but if a company can no longer sustain itself, such laws become meaningless. Yet, businesses are still bound by these regulations and must comply, making it difficult to implement such bold cost-cutting measures. In the U.S., layoffs for cost-saving purposes are still a possibility, but in Japan, reducing labor costs in this manner is far more difficult. If companies could implement these reductions more rationally and as a common practice, it would be incredibly beneficial. But then again, would that make one a dictator?

After undergoing surgeries for diabetes, anemia, kidney disease, and liver cancer, I spent nearly three years on dialysis. I received dialysis on Mondays and Fridays most weeks, allowing me to schedule domestic business trips within the U.S. from Tuesday to Thursday. When traveling to Japan, I relied on dialysis clinics there and never missed my twice-weekly sessions. However, my condition never seemed to improve significantly.

 

After more than two years, doctors determined that my liver cancer was unlikely to recur, and I gradually became a candidate for a transplant. In 2025, I finally received approval to undergo a transplant. While I was happy about this, I had no prior experience with such a procedure.

 

On January 27, 2025, I received a call from the hospital informing me that my transplant was approaching. Honestly, I didn’t take it seriously enough at first. I had planned business trips to Japan in both February and April. Then, on January 31, 2025, I was informed that I needed to be hospitalized for the transplant. From that moment, the surgery took place, and my recovery process began. Naturally, all my trips to Japan were canceled, and I won’t be able to travel internationally for at least a year.

 

This is the journey of my illness and the path that led to my transplant. Now, I feel that my health is gradually improving. However, since I haven’t been able to rest adequately, I often feel a bit sleepy. Still, I believe my surgical wounds are healing well.

 

Although I’ve only written about the most recent events, this has been a battle against chronic illness for nearly 20 years. I always say this, but I truly hope none of you have to go through the same experience. However, I know that many people are heading down a similar path.

 

I was fortunate enough to receive a new kidney. More than just sharing my story, I want to encourage everyone to take care of their health. We only have one life and one body. Receiving a second chance, like I did, is rare.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

 The Road to Kidney Transplant and an Unexpected Diagnosis  

 

In my previous accounts, I shared how I was diagnosed with diabetes, which later progressed to anemia and eventually led to declining kidney function. As my kidney function continued to deteriorate, I was finally placed on the kidney transplant list. Of course, before being listed, I had to go through numerous tests and procedures.  

 

During one of these pre-transplant evaluations, doctors discovered a shadow on my liver.  

 

This shadow had apparently been forming over many years and was about the size of a tennis ball. Additionally, my gallbladder was in poor condition, and I was advised to have it removed. Without giving it much thought, I asked, "Since I’m having surgery, can you also remove the shadow on my liver?" The doctors approved, and I was scheduled for liver and gallbladder surgery.  

 

 A Much Bigger Surgery Than Expected  

 

Honestly, I didn't think liver issues were closely related to chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney failure. On the day of the surgery, I was admitted to the hospital alone due to COVID-19 restrictions. I believed it would be a relatively simple procedure.  

 

However, when I woke up, I felt tubes coming out of my abdomen, pain all over my body, and heard a nurse say, "The big surgery is over."  

 

"Big surgery? How long did it take?" I asked.  
"A little over five hours," they replied.  

 

I was stunned.  

 

Aside from a tonsillectomy when I was 20, I had never been hospitalized before. This was an entirely new and overwhelming experience. Back in my hospital room, I had tubes connected to my body from multiple places, and I was even given a pain relief button. The pain in my abdomen was excruciating.  

 

 A Shocking Cancer Diagnosis  

 

The next day, the doctors shared the results of the liver biopsy.  
"It was cancer."  

 

I was told there had been a tennis ball-sized tumor in my liver. My first thought was,  
"How long do I have left to live...?"  

 

What kind of treatment would I need? Chemotherapy? Radiation therapy? My mind was filled with anxiety.  

 

But then, the doctor reassured me:  

 

"The cancer was completely isolated within your liver, and there was no metastasis. Therefore, no further treatment is necessary."  

 

Hearing that I didn't need treatment should have been a relief, yet I couldn't help but wonder, "Have they given up on me?" Still, I was grateful to be alive.  

 

 Sudden Knee Pain… and a Gout Diagnosis  

 

Three days after the surgery, I began experiencing excruciating pain in my left knee. It was so severe that I couldn’t move at all.  

 

I had undergone a ligament surgery on my left knee in the past, so I initially thought it might be related. However, the pain was unbearable. After being discharged from the hospital, I was rushed to the emergency room due to severe pain, where I was diagnosed with gout.  

 

"Why am I getting gout now? I’ve never even thought about it before!"  

 

It turned out that after the surgery, my failing kidneys were unable to properly remove toxins like uric acid from my body. These toxins accumulated in my knees and elbows, leading to gout.  

 

 The Beginning of Dialysis  

 

After receiving treatment for gout, I underwent dialysis for the first time.  

 

My kidneys were already in poor condition, but I never imagined I would have to start dialysis while still hospitalized. Even after my gout treatment ended, I was informed that I would need regular dialysis sessions. I was scheduled to undergo dialysis twice a week at the Northwest Kidney Center.  

 

And just like that, my dialysis life began.  

 

 A Downward Spiral of Chronic Illnesses  

 

At this point, I had gone through diabetes, anemia, kidney failure, cancer, and dialysis—my health was steadily declining in the worst possible direction. And yet, I had no idea what I could do about it.  

 

On top of that, because of my cancer diagnosis, I was informed that I would be removed from the kidney transplant list for at least two years.  

 

From now on, I would have to continue my life on dialysis while undergoing liver cancer screenings every three months.  

 

This routine is expected to continue until January 2025.

Kidney Transplant Record: Summary of the Past 10 Days

 

Starting from January 19, I underwent a kidney transplant. I want to reflect on these past 10 days for myself.

 

January 19: The Transplant Call and Hospital Admission
In the morning, I received a call from the hospital: “We have found a compatible kidney for you. Please come in for admission immediately.” I quickly canceled my scheduled business trip to Japan, including flights and hotel reservations, which was set for two days later. After completing my final 2.5-hour dialysis session, I arrived at Virginia Mason Hospital (Seattle) at 4:00 PM and began the admission process.

 

February 1: Surgery
The surgery was originally scheduled for 8:00 AM, but due to unstable blood levels, I had to undergo one last dialysis session. Around 3:00 PM, I was informed that the surgery would begin.

 

I remember lying on the operating table and receiving oxygen, but after that, I lost all memory. The next thing I knew, I woke up at 9:00 PM. A nurse greeted me with the words, “The surgery went well. Congratulations.”

 

February 2: From a Smooth Start to a Sudden Concern
When I woke up in the morning, I noticed that urine was continuously flowing through the catheter. I had no sensation of urinating on my own, but urine kept coming out of my body. I was also receiving IV fluids, and I was encouraged to drink plenty of water—2.5 to 3 liters per day. I was surprised, thinking, “Can I really drink that much?”

 

However, around 3:00 PM, urine suddenly stopped accumulating in the catheter. It completely stopped coming out. I became anxious, wondering if the kidney had stopped functioning. The nurses provided me with painkillers, and I waited to see how things would develop.

 

February 3: Identifying the Cause and Taking Action
Even in the morning, there was no urine output, and my abdomen felt extremely bloated. After conducting tests, the doctors confirmed that blood was flowing to the new kidney, but urine was not passing from the kidney to the bladder.

 

In the afternoon, they decided to examine the catheter inside my body using a camera. I underwent another procedure, and once again, I was unconscious on the operating table. When I woke up, urine had started flowing again. The kidney was alive.

 

February 4: Steady Recovery
The urine continued to flow, though it had a reddish tint, appearing mixed with blood. Despite this, I felt relieved knowing that urine was coming out. In the evening, the doctors decided to remove the catheter. After its removal, I had to use a urinal for the first time.

 

However, this resulted in an issue—I couldn't stop urinating. I had to use the urinal every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the night.

 

February 5: Discharge
By morning, everything seemed stable, though the frequent urination continued. Before discharge, I met with a pharmacist and a nutritionist who explained how to take my medications and manage my diet. I was shocked by the number of medications I had to take, but I understood that this was necessary for post-transplant life.

 

By around 7:30 PM, I left the hospital. However, I was constantly worried: "Will I make it home without needing to urinate?"

 

When I lay down in my bed at home, I realized that, unlike the hospital bed, my home bed was flat, which made my surgical wounds hurt more. The battle with frequent urination continued, requiring me to use the urinal every 15 minutes throughout the night.

 

February 6: First Full Day at Home
This was my first full day at home. The urination issue persisted, making it impossible to sleep properly. Still, I kept myself occupied by writing blog posts and updating my social media.

 

I didn’t have much appetite, likely because I was drinking so much water. I didn’t feel as hungry as before.

 

February 7: First Outpatient Visit
I went to the hospital for blood and urine tests, followed by a consultation with my doctor. The medications I was taking required adjustments to manage my blood pressure and blood sugar levels. However, the doctor who was supposed to prescribe new medications was out sick, so the next appointment was scheduled for February 10.

 

February 8: Some Progress
Despite ongoing sleep deprivation, I finally managed to sleep for about an hour in the morning. However, when I woke up, urinating was not as smooth, and I felt some discomfort in my abdomen. I noticed that my urine output in the morning was lower than usual, which made me anxious. All I could do was hope that my kidney continued to function properly.

 

Final Thoughts
These past 10 days have been all about dealing with urination. Time has felt both fast and slow at the same time. I feel the lack of exercise, but because of my frequent urination, I can’t go far from home. This morning, I walked about 800 steps around the house, pacing like an animal in a zoo.

 

I don’t know what will happen next, but I plan to take care of myself and not push too hard. I hope everyone reading this also takes care of their health and avoids going through something like this.

 What is USAID.GOV?  

 

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) was a U.S. government agency that provided aid to developing countries. Its main roles included:

 

- Humanitarian Assistance - Emergency aid for regions affected by disasters and conflicts  
- Economic Development - Support for poverty reduction and job creation  
- Healthcare & Education - Improvements in public health and education support  
- Promotion of Democracy - Assistance in political stability and human rights protection  

 

Through these activities, USAID aimed to promote global stability and development.

 

 Annual Budget and Abolition  

 

USAID's annual budget for the 2023 fiscal year was approximately $40 billion (about ¥6.6 trillion). This massive budget was fully funded by taxpayer money, yet there were frequent concerns about unclear expenditures and misalignments with U.S. national interests. As a result, the agency was effectively abolished on February 7, 2025.

 

Following this decision, nearly all of the more than 10,000 employees were laid off, leaving only about 300 staff members to handle remaining administrative tasks. Additionally, the official USAID website (USAID.GOV) was shut down and is no longer accessible.

 

 Do Similar Tax-Funded Agencies Exist in Japan?  

 

Could there be similar tax-dependent organizations in Japan? If vast amounts of taxpayer money are being allocated to unnecessary agencies, a reform similar to that of USAID may also be needed in Japan. Wouldn’t cutting such wasteful expenditures be a welcome change for the public?

Here is the English translation of your blog entry:

 

 
Yesterday, I shared my story about being diagnosed with diabetes. Today, I’d like to talk about what happened next.

 

It had been quite some time since I was diagnosed with diabetes, and I believed I was managing it fairly well. However, one day while playing golf, I suddenly became short of breath. I felt dizzy and unsteady. At first, I thought maybe I hadn't eaten enough, but in reality, I was experiencing anemia.

 

Diabetes causing anemia? I had never heard of such a thing. I went to the hospital, but they couldn’t determine the cause. Eventually, they referred me to a nephrologist. That’s how I ended up visiting the BelleVue Kidney Center in Bellevue, where I met Dr. Phil King. He diagnosed my symptoms as early-stage anemia caused by kidney disease.

 

To manage the anemia, I started receiving injections of medication, similar to how I had been managing my diabetes. However, it was also at this point that I was told my kidney function was declining. From then on, I had to undergo monthly blood tests and kidney function assessments. By that time, my kidneys were probably functioning at less than 35% of their full capacity.

 

At one of my checkups, the doctor told me, “If this continues, you will eventually need dialysis.”

 

Seriously? That had never even crossed my mind. At that point, I didn’t fully understand what dialysis entailed. But one thing was clear—I didn’t want it. The idea of spending hours at the hospital for treatment was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.

 

So, I continued managing my condition by “tricking” my kidneys while relying on anemia medication. However, it goes without saying that I could no longer live as energetically as before. My kidney function gradually declined to the point where dialysis became inevitable.

 

Now, I’m beginning to accept the reality that I will eventually need dialysis.