About PSPINC and Japan

The Man Behind Japan’s 10,000 Yen Bill — Who Is He?

If you visit Japan today, you may notice a new face on the 10,000 yen banknote. The man featured on the bill is Eiichi Shibusawa (渋沢栄一), often called the “father of Japanese capitalism.”

 

Born in 1840, Shibusawa played a major role in transforming Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrial nation during the Meiji era. He was involved in the founding of more than 500 companies and organizations, including Japan’s first modern bank, the predecessor of today’s Mizuho Bank.

 

What made Shibusawa unique was his belief that business should not focus only on profit. He argued that economic success should be balanced with morality and benefit society as a whole. His philosophy was often described as the unity of morality and economy (道徳経済合一).

 

For many years, the 10,000 yen bill featured Yukichi Fukuzawa, the great educator and founder of Keio University. In 2024, the design changed, and Shibusawa became the new face of Japan’s highest-value banknote.

 

So, the next time you hold a 10,000 yen bill, take a moment to look at the man on it. He helped build the foundation of modern Japan’s economy.

The Names of Yamato, Musashi, and Shinano — What Do They Mean?

 

The three great warships of the Yamato-class carried names that came from ancient provinces of Japan. In the Imperial Japanese Navy, battleships were traditionally named after old provinces, connecting these ships to Japan’s geography and history.

 

Yamato (大和)

 

Yamato was the ancient province centered around modern-day Nara Prefecture. It was the birthplace of the early Japanese Imperial Court and eventually became a poetic name for Japan itself. The word Yamato represents the Japanese nation, culture, and spirit, as seen in expressions such as Yamato-damashii (大和魂) — “the Japanese spirit.”

 

Musashi (武蔵)

 

Musashi was an ancient province covering most of present-day Tokyo, Saitama, and part of Kanagawa Prefecture. It was one of the largest and most important provinces in Japan. The famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi took his name from this region.

 

Shinano (信濃)

 

Shinano was the ancient province corresponding roughly to modern Nagano Prefecture. It was the largest province in historical Japan by land area and was known for its mountains and central location.

A Peaceful View of Tokyo: Sumida River and the Sky Tree

 

Yesterday, on my way to a business appointment in Tokyo, I came across this beautiful view and could not resist taking a picture. It is a scene that perfectly captures the unique character of this amazing city.

 

The photograph shows the Sumida River flowing peacefully through Tokyo, with a sightseeing boat moving along the calm water and leaving a gentle trail behind. For hundreds of years, the Sumida River has played an important role in Tokyo’s history. During the Edo period, it was a major route for transportation, trade, and daily life. Today, it has become a relaxing place where people can enjoy a different side of the city.

 

In the distance, the magnificent Tokyo Skytree rises above the skyline. At 634 meters (2,080 feet) tall, it represents modern Japan and is one of the tallest structures in the world. The blue bridge, the riverside buildings, and the Skytree together create a wonderful contrast between old Tokyo and new Tokyo.

 

Many visitors imagine Tokyo as a city of endless crowds, trains, and skyscrapers. But moments like this reveal another side of Tokyo — peaceful waterways, open skies, and a beautiful balance between history and modern life.

A Reminder That We Live in Earthquake Country

 

Around 7:50 this evening, an earthquake measuring around magnitude 5.9 was reported near Tokyo. I was staying in Tokyo and experienced the shaking firs

PM Takaichi’s Strengths and the Challenges Ahead

 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has shown strong leadership in building relationships with other world leaders and maintaining a firm posture against China. Her recent meetings with leaders such as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demonstrate Japan’s growing diplomatic presence. These efforts are viewed positively by many Japanese people and by those around the world who support a stronger and more independent Japan.

 

However, diplomacy is only one part of leadership. At home, many Japanese citizens are increasingly concerned about the burden of the consumption tax and the impact of rising immigration. There is growing pressure on the government to address these issues with clear policies and concrete action.

 

Many voters appreciate Prime Minister Takaichi’s international leadership and her commitment to national security. At the same time, they expect the same level of determination when dealing with domestic issues that directly affect their daily lives and the future of Japan.

Mogami-Class Frigates: Japan’s Toyota Strategy for Defense

 

Japan’s Mogami-class frigate export is more than an arms sale. It may become Japan’s first major defense export model: build a world-class product, export it, then create local production, maintenance, and support facilities in the customer’s country.

 

This is very similar to Toyota’s global strategy. Toyota did not just sell cars overseas. It built factories, trained local workers, created supplier networks, and became part of the local economy.

 

Japan appears to be using the same playbook with Australia. The first Mogami frigates are to be built in Japan, while later ships are expected to be built in Western Australia, creating jobs and long-term support capability there.

 

That is smart. Defense exports are not just about selling equipment. They are about trust, training, maintenance, upgrades, and decades of partnership.

 

Japan has always been good at building reliable products. If it can bring that same discipline to defense, the Mogami-class frigate may become Japan’s “Toyota moment” in the global defense market.

Suidobashi: Where Water Engineering Meets the Railway Age

 

Most visitors know Suidobashi as the station for Tokyo Dome, but its name and structure tell two different stories about Tokyo's development.

 

The name Suidobashi literally means "Water Bridge." During the Edo period, engineers built the Kanda Josui water system to bring clean drinking water to the growing city. To carry water across the Kanda River, a wooden aqueduct was constructed above the river. This bridge carried water—not people—and gave the area its name.

 

Fast forward to the Meiji era, and the same area became part of Japan's railway modernization. The JR station opened in 1906 and was built on an elevated viaduct, reflecting the influence of European railway engineering. Tokyo's growing rail network relied on steel, brick, and concrete structures that could carry heavier trains while keeping streets below open to traffic.

 

What makes Suidobashi special is that it represents two generations of infrastructure. First came the aqueduct that helped Edo become one of the world's largest cities. Then came the elevated railway that helped transform Tokyo into one of the world's greatest transportation hubs.

 

Standing on the platform today, you are literally above centuries of engineering history—from a 17th-century water system to a 20th-century steel railway structure. Few places in Tokyo tell the story of the city's growth so clearly in a single name: Suidobashi, the Bridge of Water.

Iki and Yabo: Two Opposite Ways of Living in Japan

 

When people think of traditional Japanese values, words like samurai, zen, or wa (harmony) often come to mind. But in old Edo (modern-day Tokyo), there was another important concept that shaped everyday life: iki (粋).

 

Iki is difficult to translate into English. It is often described as elegance, sophistication, or stylishness, but it means much more than simply dressing well. An iki person is someone who has confidence without arrogance, generosity without showing off, and refinement without being pretentious.

 

For example, a wealthy person who quietly helps others without seeking recognition would be considered iki. A person who wears simple clothing but pays attention to small details may also be seen as iki. The key is subtlety and self-control.

 

The opposite of iki is yabo (野暮). A yabo person boasts about money, talks too much, asks inappropriate questions, or tries too hard to impress others. In Edo culture, being called yabo was not a compliment.

 

What makes iki fascinating is that it is not about wealth or social status. It is about how you carry yourself and how you treat others. Even today, many Japanese people admire those who act with quiet confidence and consideration rather than drawing attention to themselves.

 

In a world where social media often rewards self-promotion, the Edo concept of iki reminds us that sometimes the most impressive people are the ones who do not need to tell everyone how impressive they are.

Even Japanese People Sometimes Can't Tell a Temple from a Shrine

Yesterday, I visited Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin, which is just a short walk from my hotel in Tokyo.

 

For years, I assumed Toyokawa Inari was a Shinto shrine—something like a Tokyo branch of the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. After all, it has torii gates, countless fox statues, and the word Inari in its name. What else could it be?

 

Well, I was wrong.

 

To my surprise, Toyokawa Inari is actually a Buddhist temple, not a Shinto shrine. Its official name is Myogonji Temple, a Soto Zen temple. The deity worshipped there is Toyokawa Dakini Shinten, a Buddhist guardian deity that became closely associated with Inari worship over the centuries.

 

No wonder I was confused.

 

In fact, I was so convinced it was a shrine that I performed the traditional Shinto prayer ritual: two bows, two claps, and one bow. Only later did I learn that Buddhist temples generally do not use clapping during prayer.

 

Oops.

 

Was that a problem? I hope not.

 

But honestly, if a place has torii gates and foxes everywhere, can you really blame me? Apparently, even Japanese people can have trouble telling the difference between a shrine and a temple when history, Buddhism, and Shinto traditions have blended together for centuries.

 

That's one of the fascinating things about Japan. The lines between Buddhism and Shintoism are sometimes much less clear than people imagine.

 

So yesterday I learned something new: Toyokawa Inari was not a shrine after all. And yes, I accidentally prayed the wrong way at a Buddhist temple. Fortunately, I think sincerity matters more than technique.