Meshida, a former Japanese salaryman turned English language standup comedian, has spent the last ten years crafting his unique brand of comedy, delighting audiences in both Japan and the UK. Alongside his successful career as a standup, he's made a name for himself on YouTube, particularly for his humorous take on Japan's "pink" culture, while also exploring many other "wholesome" cultural topics. In our conversation, we delve into his journey to becoming a full-time comedian, the nuances between Japanese and Western humor, memorable moments from his time on stage, his earnings from viral YouTube videos, the sources of his joke-writing inspiration, and the reactions of his parents and Japanese audiences to his career and content. We also discuss other topics, including:

• First open mic experience at 21
• Why physical humor is popular in Japan
• Turning his insecurities into self deprecating humor
• His 1st successful joke which got a huge laugh
• Is "Manzai" the Japanese equivalent of Western standup?
• Once losing his confidence for 6 months after bombing on stage
• The one question he would ask his favorite comic
• Why its difficult to monetize YouTube even with millions of views and 60k subscribers
• His YouTube strategy to gain more fans and followers
• Meeting other international Japanese standup comedians

Funny Japan Project: https://funnyjapanproject.com/
Standup Comedian Meshida: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/

Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

Have you ever fantasized about the ultimate luxury vacation in Japan? If so, Alex Debs is your go-to guy. As the founder of Hitotoki, the Luxury Travel Designer, Alex specializes in crafting luxurious travel experiences in Japan. In this episode, you'll get an inside look into the world of luxury travel planning, including the most challenging requests his team has faced. We'll discuss how he navigated the pandemic restrictions, the unique challenges of being a small, specialized agency, and his interactions with Japan's large travel associations. Plus, Alex shares exclusive itinerary suggestions for a 2-3 day trip out of Tokyo and insights into booking a seat at the world-famous Jiro Sushi restaurant.

We'll also explore a range of other fascinating topics, including:

• The role of a "Luxury Travel Designer" and defining "luxury" in travel
• Tips for selecting the best travel guides
• How to handle illegal requests in the luxury travel industry
• Differences in itinerary preferences among nationalities
• Challenges faced by hotels in accommodating foreign luxury guests
• Stories from the "Go-To-Travel" program and insights into Japan's travel associations
• The untapped luxury market potential of Okinawa
• The business opportunity that inspired the creation of HITOTOKI
• A "Free Unsolicited Business Idea" from our conversation

Connect with Alex Debs on LinkedIn and learn more about Hitotoki at hitotoki-travel.com. For more episodes of Now and Zen Japan, visit nowandzen.jp.

It's a truly inspiring chat with the incredibly positive and humble entrepreneur, Anthony Griffin. He's the brains behind Saga Consulting, a company dedicated to helping organizations and individuals share their stories with the world. They specialize in global communications, offering top-notch copywriting, digital marketing, and cross-cultural coaching. Anthony also pens insightful articles for Kokoro Media on LinkedIn, where he shares his passion for Japanese language learning and provides tips for taking your skills to the next level.

In our conversation, Anthony and I both share three essential yet culturally impactful Japanese words that every beginner should learn. We also delve into a variety of topics, including:

• Techniques for acquiring new clients as an entrepreneur
• How Saga Consulting supports Japanese companies in expanding internationally
• Common hurdles Japanese companies face when going global
• Balancing Japanese cultural norms with personal style
• Anthony's expertise in working with "Foreign Curious" companies
• Lessons learned from working for a Japanese company
• Early cultural missteps in Japanese corporate life
• Recommended Japanese language apps for rapid learning
• Simple language tips for fostering better community relations
• Favorite untranslatable Japanese word
• Unique Japanese words beginners should master

You can connect with Anthony Griffin on LinkedIn, learn more about Saga Consulting at consultsaga.com, and read his articles on Kokoro Media. For more episodes of Now and Zen Japan, visit nowandzen.jp. And if you're looking for Japan adventures in a camper van, discover Dream Drive.