Ep. 20: Career Lessons that Inspired the Humorous Manga, “The Salaryman” with Michael Howard
Featuring guest
Michael Howard
We explored the fascinating journey of Mike Howard, an American journalist-turned-businessman who became a Tokyo salaryman for nearly a decade. Through his humorous memoir and manga adaptation, we discussed the challenges of navigating traditional Japanese corporate culture as a foreigner, including the brutal reality of train-cramming commutes and late-night overtime. We delved into his transformation from blogger to published author, the complexities of working in Japan's rigid business ecosystem, and the art of negotiating in contract-fluid environments. A particularly compelling part of our conversation focused on reverse culture shock when Mike returned to America as an expat from Japan, revealing how 'home' can feel foreign after years abroad. We also covered his unexpected partnership with a manga artist and strategies for connecting with mentors who value your unique perspective in foreign work environments.
Themes of Inquiry
- Cross-cultural workplace adaptation
- Immigrant entrepreneurship
- Japanese business culture
- Reverse culture shock
- International career transitions
We explored the fascinating journey of Mike Howard, an American journalist-turned-businessman who became a Tokyo salaryman for nearly a decade.
Episode Summary
We explored the fascinating journey of Mike Howard, an American journalist-turned-businessman who became a Tokyo salaryman for nearly a decade. Through his humorous memoir and manga adaptation, we discussed the challenges of navigating traditional Japanese corporate culture as a foreigner, including the brutal reality of train-cramming commutes and late-night overtime. We delved into his transformation from blogger to published author, the complexities of working in Japan's rigid business ecosystem, and the art of negotiating in contract-fluid environments. A particularly compelling part of our conversation focused on reverse culture shock when Mike returned to America as an expat from Japan, revealing how 'home' can feel foreign after years abroad. We also covered his unexpected partnership with a manga artist and strategies for connecting with mentors who value your unique perspective in foreign work environments.
The Guest Biography
Michael Howard
Michael Howard is an American journalist-turned-businessman who became a Tokyo salaryman in 2008, where he currently works as a product manager at an American technology company. Based in Los Angeles before his move to Japan, Howard spent nearly a decade navigating the rigid hierarchies and demanding culture of Japanese corporate life, experiences he chronicled in his humorous memoir 'The Salaryman.' His book, which has been adapted into a manga, offers an immigrant's perspective from a country with few foreign residents willing to fully integrate into the traditional salaryman lifestyle of train-cramming commutes, extensive overtime, and after-work drinking culture. Howard's work serves as both entertainment and guidance for professionals seeking to build meaningful careers in foreign business environments.
Continue the Dialogue
Ep. 21: Leveraging Design & Public Policy to Create Innovative Cities with Matthew Scott Waldman
We had an incredible conversation with Matthew Scott Waldman that left us with more questions than answers and a renewed motivation to help build Japan's innovation ecosystem. We explored the fascinating cyclic relationship between design and language - how our words shape design and design shapes our language in return. Our discussion ranged from techno-progressivism and storytelling through design to cultural barriers that impact innovation in Japan, including policies around LGBT rights, parental leave, and foreign talent attraction. We also touched on finding your voice in innovation and why storytelling is equally important to technical advancement. Somehow we even managed to discuss psychedelics along the way. This conversation exemplified what great innovation discussions should be - thought-provoking, wide-ranging, and inspiring us to take action in creating positive change.
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