What’s rarely discussed is how much contemporary culture is shaped by maintenance—preserving systems rather than reinventing them. I love Japanese culture, but I don’t want to preserve its toxic patriarchal system. #society

What gets overlooked is how much sustainability depends on social trust—shared norms, invisible agreements, and collective patience. #society

Degrowth is often mistaken for austerity, but its core questions are about choosing what is truly valuable, not the value that is determined by the market. #misconceptions

Japanese culture is frequently described as uniform, yet its variations are regional, generational, and quietly negotiated. I think today’s youth has a lot more to say, wanting to change this unfair world of ultra liberalism. #misconceptions

Sustainability is often treated as a moral identity, but it behaves more like a set of ongoing negotiations than a fixed stance. Small wins matter. #misconceptions

Traveling through degrowth lenses often means noticing what isn’t built, rushed, or optimized—and finding value there. There is a beauty in not too convenient places. #slowtravel

Traveling through Japan, cultural understanding often arrives in gestures rather than landmarks—timing, tone, and spacing tell their own stories. I like feeling the atmosphere of a place, instead of visiting the famous sites. #travel

Traveling with sustainability in mind often changes less about where you go and more about how you notice, move, and linger once you’re there. #travel #slowtravel

All we talk about is how much we need to save or invest, so that we will have enough to live comfortably when we retire. As a society, we can do better than that. We can imagine a society where everyone’s basic needs are satisfied by sharing the resources intelligently. #degrowth

Japanese culture shows up less in spectacle and more in rhythm: how people move, wait, clean, and repeat small acts with care. #Japan

In daily life, sustainability rarely looks like radical change. It’s more often about subtle substitutions, slower rhythms, and slightly altered habits that accumulate quietly. I learned that I don’t need so many items to be happy. #quietlife #frugal

Degrowth sits at the edge where environmental concern meets economic discomfort. It takes a real courage to accept that our financial portfolio won’t grow in the future. But keep in mind: the nature will provide us plenty if we don’t use up all the resources. #sustainability

There’s a subtle sustainability logic embedded in many cultural practices. Like how we say “itadakimasu (thank you for food)” before eating, we say it automatically but it is important to keep doing it, so that we don’t forget its meaning. #sustainability

Sustainability sits in a strange space where ethical intention meets everyday compromise. There are actions that we are unable to take because of the system. It is time to change the system. #ethics #climate

In some cultural contexts, degrowth overlaps with older ideas of sufficiency rather than sacrifice. The framing matters as much as the outcome. Japan used to be an intelligent country that utilized its limited resources. Now, our politicians only see growth. #JapaneseCulture

What feels “Japanese” in global contexts often reflects selective meanings rather than the everyday social texture people live inside. As a Japanese citizen, I have a mixed feeling about my country, especially in the current political climate. #JapaneseCulture

In different cultures, sustainability doesn’t always mean “green” first—it can signal restraint, continuity, or care for what already exists. The word carries social meaning before technical meaning. #culture

Degrowth often gets reduced to “less,” but it reads more like a shift in priorities—away from volume, toward meaning, time, and care. I don’t feel like my life is lacking something. Quite the opposite. #degrowth

Japanese culture is often treated as a single aesthetic, but it’s more accurately a layered set of habits, values, and quiet negotiations with time #Japan

Sustainability often gets framed as a destination, but it reads more like a direction—something adjusted, revisited, and reinterpreted as contexts shift. That fluidity is part of its quiet complexity. #sustainability

As a species, women’s reproductive labor should matter more than economic productivity So why do mothers still face poverty and chronic exhaustion? #Feminism #CareWork #GenderEquality #SocialJustice #Motherhood #ecofeminism

I learned to spend less on buying new things. Since then, my life has felt more peaceful. I’ve developed a deeper, more intimate appreciation for the things I already have. #MindfulLiving #SustainableLife #SimpleLiving #SlowDown

We still wear masks in Japan sometimes, so I try to make it as sustainable as possible by choosing washable masks Masks are still mandatory in hospitals and clinics, FYI #Sustainability #JapanLife #EverydayEco #ConsciousLiving japanphilo.com/en/washable-...

This year, I want to spend more time shopping at small local stores and less at big supermarkets I believe society is stronger when we support businesses that care about people, not just profit #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusinesses #SustainableLiving #EthicalConsumption

I stopped measuring my life by how much I earn each year Now I measure it by my well-being Life is too short to live by other people’s standards #Wellbeing #RedefiningSuccess #MindfulLiving #SustainableLife

I recently watched a video about an American choosing rural life in Japan Salaries may be lower, but universal healthcare and a lower cost of living can offer real peace of mind #JapanLife #HealthcareForAll #SustainableLiving #LifeChoices

I think we unconsciously know when our labor is being exploited. That’s when we dread going to work and count down to the weekend. If work weren’t exploitative, we might not love it—but it wouldn’t feel so heavy. Don’t you think? #LaborRights #WorkLife #Wellbeing #SocialJustice #Sustainability

Living in Tokyo, I’ve realized how few things you can do for free. Almost everything costs money. With inflation, I’ve lost the motivation to spend on things that don’t even bring joy. #TokyoLife #CostOfLiving #SimpleLiving #MindfulLiving #SlowLife

There’s a hotel in Tokushima where you can learn all about a zero-waste lifestyle. I’m really curious to visit. #ZeroWaste #SustainableTravel #Japan #EcoLiving japanphilo.com/en/hotel-why...

The capitalism is fueled by infinite growth. It helps improve people’s lives to a certain point Going past that point, it creates infinite insatisfaction and desire for more We realize that when our basic needs are met, the capitalism can’t bring us happiness #sustainability #degrowth

This year I aim to live minimally on material goods and spend more time on things that bring me joy #minimalism #ecofriendly japanphilo.com/en/minimalis...

I wish you a happy new year! According to Japanese tradition, the deity of new year arrives home and we have a series of rituals to welcome it Today, this tradition is fading away slowly, but I keep hoping for good health, happiness and abundance of nature japanphilo.com/en/sustainab...

This article shows my current activities in “Ecofeminism in Japan” I want to make it a place where we support both women and nature🌱 open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

There’s power in the woman who chooses not to explain herself. No more being apologetic. #QuietStrength #UnlearningObedience #FeminismInJapan

I hate how men silently expect us to smile and to please them. I am exhausted by this double standard, so I just keep my distance from men now. #SocialExpectations #WomenAndFreedom #GentleRebellion

I just want the country to be more inclusive. Is that too much to ask? open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

As a woman, we try to be tougher and stronger to survive in the patriarchal society. But I don’t want to lose my softness and gentleness. That’s what unite women. #QuietPower #FeministReflection #JapaneseFeminism

I realize that when I am speaking in Japanese, I have a weird smile on my face. It’s like I am conditioned to keep smiling when talking to people, without noticing it. Strangely it doesn’t happen when I speak in English

I refuse to pour drinks to men open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

Hearing a heated debate over whether politicians should overwork. There are still people in Japan who believe that working long hours can lead to the economic growth. Meanwhile I, among with other slightly lazy people, am looking for ways to eliminate working all together.

Open marriage is possible when there is true gender equality in the society open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

Our new prime minister says, “I will work and work and work.” It tells the story that women need to work extra to be a good leader. It also shows that people identify good work with the number of hours they sacrifice to their work. I don’t want to be part of this work culture.

I have been waiting for a first female political leader in Japan for a long time. This is not what I was hoping for.

Women have mixed feelings about not wanting to be harassed and wanting to be desirable enough that men want to grope them on trains open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

I recognize the power of women-only spaces now that I am older There is a special bond between women open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

Do you consider marrying your AI? open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

Japanese women who speak out about harassment often face online abuse. I wonder why the solidarity between women is so hard to find in Japan

Many Japanese women quit jobs after childbirth. Why is work-life balance still so hard? In some schools, kids need to bring their own lunch, which is an extra job for mothers to prepare well-balanced healthy bento open.substack.com/pub/japanese...

Marriage in Japan is still seen as a woman’s “duty.” I reject the idea that marriage provides safety and security for women. It isn’t always the case substack.com/@marikophilo...

Japan is still debating separate surnames for married couples I heard this old guy saying that, Japan’s beautiful marriage system will be extinct if we give options to couples to have separate surnames. Another reason why I will never get married in Japan