My third month at work was my first time handling everything on my own, and while it was challenging, it was also really rewarding. I’ve realized that I feel the most accomplished when I’m given the independence to do my job. Another thing I’ve learned is that processing Japanese in my head can be tough. I understand what people are saying, but figuring out how to process and respond correctly takes extra effort. Since Japanese is my second language, I feel like I’m constantly thinking twice as much as everyone else. That said, my coworkers have recently started complimenting me on how much my comprehension and communication have improved, so I think we’re finally getting better at understanding each other.

Since my last post about working in a Japanese company was a bit of a downer, I thought I’d switch it up and share some of the fun things I’ve noticed over the past three months.

1. Radio Exercises

Almost every Japanese person knows about radio exercises, and after years of living in and traveling to Japan, I was familiar with them too. I knew that some companies still did them in the mornings, but I never expected to do them at my own workplace. At first, I had no idea what I was doing, but now it’s part of my daily routine. Every morning after settling at my desk, a bell rings—just like in school—and we all head up to the rooftop. Then, we do a quick three-minute set of simple exercises designed to wake us up and get us energized for the day. At first, I thought it was silly, and it was a little embarrassing to do in front of other companies at a trade show, but now I’ve grown fond of it. It’s just another part of my work routine. (Click HERE to try these radio exercises yourself!)

2. Snacks Everywhere!

The Japanese custom of omiyage (souvenirs) doesn’t stop with family and friends—it extends into the workplace too. Whenever someone goes on a business trip, they always bring back small snacks for their coworkers. Usually, this is just for their department, but since my company is small, everyone gets something. In Japan, omiyage often comes in the form of individually wrapped snacks bought in bulk, rather than trinkets or keychains like in other cultures. On top of that, people who visit our company also bring snacks as gifts. So, there’s never a shortage of treats if you need a little pick-me-up during the day!

3. Writing Everything Down

From my experience, this seems like a very Japanese habit. Of course, note-taking is important in many cultures, but in Japan, it’s practically a rule. I’ve never been the type to write things down—I have bad handwriting, and I always preferred relying on textbooks or my computer instead of taking notes in school. Even through graduate school, I barely took any. But working at a Japanese company, I quickly realized that writing things down is essential.

I still don’t love it, but with constant requests coming in from both inside and outside the company, it’s impossible to keep track of everything otherwise. Now, I always have a “master list” on my desk, where I jot down even the smallest tasks. It helps me stay organized and prioritize what needs to get done. I don’t know if it’s because of my job or just a natural change over time, but I’ve definitely become more organized since I started working. I can now take on way more tasks than before, simply because I can see everything laid out in front of me.

So, what do you think about this month’s observations? Would you try doing radio exercises at work? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Go to Part 2 | Go to Part 4

*This post was edited April 2025 to fix grammar and context