Episode 75 - 改めて

In episode 75 of How to Japanese Podcast, host Daniel Morales reflects on returning to work after three months of paternity leave, during which he practiced speaking Japanese at home despite primarily using English. He shares insights on the nuanced Japanese phrase 'aratamete' (again, formally), discussing its proper usage in business contexts and the importance of pairing it with specific conditions to avoid vagueness. He critiques his own past use of the phrase, noting its frequent pairing with the polite 'go' prefix and recommending more precise alternatives inspired by corporate language coach Ono Moiko. Morales also explores the psychological impact of language, highlighting how phrases like 'futsu' and 'demo' can unintentionally negate others' contributions. He recommends Ono Moiko’s book 'いつも感じのいい人はこんな風に話している' (Nice people always talk like this) for its practical workplace communication advice. A personal highlight is his discovery of ready-to-eat fresh udon noodles in Japanese grocery stores, which he now enjoys as a year-round breakfast. He shares a simple recipe for Asian-style peanut noodles and discusses the cultural significance of hyper-detailed food blog posts in Japan. Finally, he previews Haruki Murakami’s upcoming novel 'Kaho', the culmination of a four-novella series published in Shincho magazine since 2024, expressing cautious optimism about its final form despite concerns over declining writing quality in the earlier installments.