How Working in Japan is Different from the World

Shizuoka Police Mascot.

I've recently learned about how Japanese companies operate. My business class students are only too happy to explain how different Japanese companies are from the rest of the world. Aside from asking employees to work overtime, everyday, Japanese companies also have unusual practices in hiring employees,in negotiating with clients, in how long they stay their companies, in how employees get paid and in how companies regulate overtime.

How to Cure Falling Hair in the Fall

Covered Garden at Fruit Park in Hamamatsu

Did you know that not only leaves fall during autumn? Hair, do too! Women's hair, especially. Even animals shed their hair during this season. There are two explanations for this occurrence. First, the hair has a growth cycle. It's during the months of fall that new hair starts to grow so the older are shedded off. It's like how snakes lose their old skin. The second explanation is that the air is dryer. This makes the scalp lose some moisture causing hair fall.

So how to deal with falling hair in this season? Here are simple and inexpensive things you can do:

Equality in Japan, Equality in the Philippines

Statue in a fertility cave in Chi Ki Iwa, Shinshiro City

I sat in front of my laptop with the full intention of writing about gender equality in Japan. I wanted to integrate Emma Watson's speech at the UN that has gone viral on the internet. Plus, I also wanted to feature the cheer leading routine of the University of the Philippines in last week's competition. It used equality as a theme. To emphasize the point, the ladies carried the guys while doing the pyramids. This is the PLAN. But I guess my brain cells are still half asleep. (At least you know that I had grand plans in writing this piece).

I'll just be direct on this gender equality issue and write this: There's gender inequality in Japan especially in the areas of business and politics. In fact, Japan and Korea are the only OECD countries that are in the lower ranks when it comes to gender equality. Bangladesh, a developing country, ranks higher than Japan. Interestingly, even with these findings, gender inequality doesn't seem to be a major issue in Japan.