Nagori is a Japanese word for the nostalgia of something coming to an end, and the uncertainty of experiencing it again. A reflection on the end of summer, leaving people and places behind, and allowing ourselves to remain attached even as we move on.
I thought I understood influence.
That was before I moved to Japan and learned about Nemawashi.
Before Japan, I would ask: are we moving fast enough? After Japan, I ask something else first: are the right people already part of this — before we move at all?
Japan gave me that question. I haven’t stopped asking it.
This is about my observations about suits, ties, and Cool Biz in Japan. In many Western countries, the debate around workplace attire has largely disappeared. In Japan, however, the issue still becomes national news. If clothing is merely personal expression, changing it is easy. If clothing is part of the social fabric and a strong signal about professionalism, changing it becomes a cultural negotiation. A national debate on how to adapt to climate change.
