T-Mobile allow me to test out their 5G home Wi-Fi network. When I got it, the speed was not really good. After two months, the speed has improved a little bit, but not as good as current cable Internet. They are letting me test for six months to see if it works. Currently, it's not working as well yet. But T-Mobile told me that they are bringing up another cell tower within my house range another month or two. I'm looking forward to test it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the past, advertising was dominated by newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. Through these media, companies conveyed their messages to consumers and built their brands. Television advertising, in particular, reigned for many years as a powerful way to reach a broad audience.

However, with the rapid rise of the internet, these traditional advertising platforms gradually began to lose their prominence. Today, online platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have become the central focus of advertising.

One key point to note is that advertising doesn't necessarily have to be paid. By posting on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, individuals and businesses can spread their messages for free. The internet has brought new possibilities to advertising, allowing anyone to easily promote their brand or products to the world.

Furthermore, with Google, it's possible to rank high in search results by properly optimizing your website through search engine optimization (SEO). This allows you to naturally reach your target audience and drive traffic to your business without spending on advertising. SEO is a crucial factor in enhancing a company's online presence.

YouTube advertising, in particular, is a powerful tool that engages both the visual and auditory senses through video. The platform’s user base is vast, and it allows you to efficiently reach specific target audiences. Moreover, by using viewer behavior data, YouTube enables highly accurate targeting to maximize the impact of your ads.

In modern advertising strategies, a large budget or reliance on traditional media are no longer always necessary. By leveraging the internet, you can reach a wide range of target audiences at a low cost. By creating your own content and taking SEO into consideration, you can effectively grow your business. The combination of creativity and the power of online platforms is directly linked to business success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onigiri at H-Mart costs around $2.99, which is 2-3 times higher than in Japan, despite rice and most ingredients being cheaper in the US. This price difference likely stems from higher labor costs, smaller demand, and specialized packaging. However, there’s a business opportunity here: if someone can mass-produce onigiri efficiently in the US, leveraging automation and local ingredients, it could be sold at a more competitive price. As Japanese food grows in popularity, affordable, ready-to-eat onigiri could thrive in the US market. I’ve also heard that onigiri is very popular in France, showing its global appeal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I brought back to my office from Japan.

 

 

 

I left my hotel just before noon and I took a bys from Tokyo station to Narita airport. From there on WestJet to Calgary. The flight was eight dollars. I am right now At the airport lounge at the Calgary airport. My transit to Seattle Wright was seven hours from my arrival to Calgary. It's a long wait about. It's almost over. I will have one last flight from Calgary to Seattle in about an hour. I would not recommend this except I paid only $2000 round-trip from Seattle to Narita on business class on WestJet. That is less than half of what I usually have to pay for the business class.

 

 

 

Today is my last day in Japan/Tokyo after spending two weeks here and meeting a few people. I’ll have some homework to do once I’m back in Seattle. I was hoping for cooler weather since it’s mid-September, but in reality, the average temperature has been over 35°C (90°F). I’ll be returning to Tokyo at the end of next month, and I’m sure the weather will be much more comfortable by then.

 

 

 

One of the most important ways to have customers recognize the value of your product is through differentiation. Differentiation is the process of clearly showing how your product is superior compared to similar products from competitors. There are several methods of differentiation, but the easiest approach is lowering the price. This strategy appeals to price-sensitive consumers by setting a lower selling price than competitors without making any changes to the product itself.

However, price differentiation can lead to price wars, creating a situation where it becomes difficult to maintain profitability. For this reason, it is preferable to differentiate through factors other than price, if possible.

Next is “differentiation through functionality,” which is a strategy that enhances competitiveness by offering unique features not found in competitors’ products. However, these features need to be perceived as valuable by consumers. No matter how many additional features you offer, they will not increase competitiveness if consumers don’t see them as valuable.

So far, we’ve discussed price and functionality as methods of differentiation, but these are only basic approaches. The most crucial differentiation is “marketing-based differentiation.” Beyond price and performance, the true differentiating factor is how well-known your product is. Products that sell well aren’t always superior in terms of features or price. Typically, high-selling products are those that are heavily advertised.

Nowadays, advertising methods aren’t limited to paid advertisements. Utilizing social media and video platforms to raise awareness of your product is also a form of differentiation. The ultimate goal of differentiation is to sell more products. While improving product quality is fundamental, what’s even more important is how many people know about your product. Spending money on advertising can easily increase brand awareness, but in today’s world, true differentiation lies in how you can use the internet to raise awareness among a large audience at a low cost.

 

I have a live early at the clients office so I decided to kill time and have breakfast at the Starbucks nearby. This is not the cheapest or the best breakfast you can have in Japan but it's click and convenient spending ¥1400 which is about a $10 is not but at all. 

 

 

 

Good morning from Tokyo! The sun rose over an hour ago, but I couldn't see it due to the tall building in front of my hotel. It's already 7 a.m., and the temperature has climbed to 28°C (82°F). It's September 18, and Tokyo, like much of Japan, has been experiencing extremely hot weather.

 

 

 

The Tokyo subway is one of the most efficient in the world, operated by Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway with 13 lines. It’s known for punctuality, frequent trains, cleanliness, and easy transfers. Though crowded during rush hours, it remains reliable and tourist-friendly with English signage and IC card payments (Suica/Pasmo). An essential part of Tokyo’s daily life!

 

 

 

I'm staying at remm Kyobashi, a new hotel near JR Tokyo Station. I’ve never stayed at this hotel before, but it’s very close to the station. The hotel looks very new and clean. I’ll be staying for two nights, and then I’ll be traveling to Narita. There are a few options to get to Narita Airport from Tokyo, mainly by bus or rail.

 

 

 

To spending a few days With my parents, I am now heading back to Tokyo the last few days of work before I head back to Seattle. I would avoid coming to Japan in the summer to avoid heat.

 

 

 

Those are the restaurants that you find at Ashiya Station building. What would you choose?

 

 

 

At my company, we base our services on a subscription model. In the software development industry, the common business model is based on contracts, where software is developed according to the customer's specific needs, and a set amount is paid. While contract-based businesses allow for highly detailed services that fully meet the customer’s requirements, it also means that the developed software belongs to the customer. Additionally, the software tends to have limited versatility, making development costs higher.

However, by developing software for subscription use, it can be utilized by multiple customers, which significantly reduces the unit cost. Another major advantage of the subscription model is the ability to secure a stable stream of revenue. In contract development, once a project is completed, the revenue stream stops. There are no earnings until the next project is secured, leading to a lack of stability. With the subscription model, revenue is generated regularly, usually monthly or annually, allowing for more long-term business planning.

Moreover, through a subscription service, we can continuously build relationships with customers, enhancing satisfaction through ongoing improvements and new features. This helps us continuously provide value to our customers, reducing churn rates.

Of course, to successfully offer services under a subscription model, efforts to maintain high service quality and strengthen support systems are necessary to ensure customer satisfaction. In return, it provides the potential to build a stable business foundation.

At PSPINC, we are focused on developing systems that can be offered as subscriptions in partnership with our customers. Rather than simply delivering software, we collaborate with our customers as partners in long-term business growth. Through this approach, we aim to build services and systems that customers can continuously utilize, contributing to their business development.

Specifically, by carefully understanding the customer’s workflow and needs, we build systems that improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. This allows customers to leverage the latest features and technologies while keeping initial investments low, and as their business grows, they can scale the system accordingly.

Furthermore, the subscription model includes regular software updates and maintenance, ensuring that the system remains optimized. Our support team also responds swiftly to any issues, allowing customers to use our services with peace of mind.

At PSPINC, we are fully committed to providing ongoing value through strong partnerships with our customers. By doing so, we strive to build long-term and stable business relationships, working together to achieve mutual success.

 

It's another whole day in Tokyo and I spend time at the coffee shop drinking ice coffee. Would you take iced coffee without cream with cream?

 

 

 

When you're riding the crowded train Japan, it is customary to wear your backpack in the front to avoid hitting people in the back. There are many customs like this to avoid possible conflict.

 

 

 

I recently met with a company that produces secure private offices for home use. These offices offer features such as entry and exit monitoring, along with noise isolation. The startup is looking to expand its market into the United States and has asked us to evaluate the potential. I believe with a few minor adjustments, there could be a strong market for this product in the U.S. Without knowing too much about it, what are your thoughts on this idea? If we were to promote it in the U.S., do you think it would have market potential?

 

Here is wha I think.

 

 

 

 

I had Paella at the restaurant near business meeting this afternoon. It was a complete lunch with salada and a roll, plus Paella and iced tea. All this for 1,480yen that is less than US$10. There is tipping either. Nice!

 

 

A little and small iced coffee at Starbucks inear Shonbashi staton. This little salad sandwich and small coffee cost little under ¥1000. That's about seven dollars but the increase sales tax and there's no tip in Japan. Not tipping in Japan is the greatest thing compared to the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning and got to the airport just before 5 AM. I checked in with WestJet and took my flight from Seattle to Calgary. This is my first time flying with WestJet. The flight from Seattle to Calgary was only about an hour and 15 minutes. I am currently at the Calgary International Airport, waiting in the international departure lounge. I have about five hours before my flight to Tokyo Narita. So far, everything has gone very smoothly, and I am relaxing at the lounge. I am looking forward to seeing what the WestJet business class is like. Compared to other business classes, this is unbelievably inexpensive. I paid just over $2,000 for a round-trip from Seattle to Narita via Calgary. If I can get this kind of pricing, I will probably use this route more often.

 

 

Digital marketing is essential for accelerating business growth. At PSPINC, we provide effective digital marketing strategies to help elevate our clients' businesses to the next level. Here’s how we support our clients in their digital marketing efforts:

Business Analysis and Keyword Research
The first step is to analyze the business goals and the competitive landscape. This helps in selecting the most relevant keywords for the target audience, thereby increasing visibility in search engines.

Website Optimization and SEO
By implementing SEO strategies, we ensure that the website ranks higher in search engine results. This includes improving site speed, adopting mobile-friendly designs, and optimizing meta tags.

Google Business Profile Setup
To enhance local SEO, we set up Google Business Profiles to appeal to local customers. This boosts the business's credibility in search result pages.

Social Media Posting and Tracking, and Google Analytics Setup
Effective social media posts and engagement tracking increase brand awareness. Additionally, we utilize Google Analytics to analyze website performance, maximizing the impact of marketing strategies.

Professional Ad Design
We create visually appealing ads that capture the target audience’s attention, leading to higher click-through rates and stronger brand image.

Placement of Google and Social Media Ads
We place ads on Google and social media platforms to effectively reach the target audience.

Conversion Tracking
Conversion tracking is implemented to measure the effectiveness of ads. This allows us to monitor user actions after they click on the ads and evaluate the strategy’s success.

Ad and Social Media Optimization
Regular reviews and optimizations of ad campaigns ensure the best possible results.

Through these steps, PSPINC supports the success of our clients' digital marketing efforts.

I am traveling to Japan starting tomorrow. While checking in for my flight, I realized that my GLOBAL ENTRY expired on August 30, just 5 days ago. I went to the government website and renewed it, but the status is currently under REVIEW. I hope I can use it for this trip. If not, I won't be able to use TSA PRE and expedited immigration when I return.

 

 

 

The hydrangeas blooming in my garden are probably the last flowers of the season. It's gradually getting cooler in Seattle, but there's a forecast that the temperature will rise again to nearly 30 degrees Celsius in a couple of days. Tomorrow, I’m departing for Japan on a 7 a.m. flight. This journey will take a route I’ve never taken before—flying from Seattle to Calgary in Canada and then from Calgary to Narita. It’s going to be a very long journey. The flight time itself isn’t too bad, but there’s nearly a 5-hour layover in Calgary after the early morning flight. I’m curious to see how it goes, and I’ll report back on the experience!

 

 

 

 
I recently looked at the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times and was surprised by two things: the price has increased to $4.00, and the size has significantly decreased. I remember when it was $1.99 and much thicker. This change reflects broader trends in the newspaper industry, where declining subscriptions and advertising revenue, along with the rise of digital media, have led to smaller print editions and higher costs. Newspapers are now facing the challenge of adapting to a digital-first world to remain relevant and sustainable. I kind of miss the old days.