ラジオビジネス英語 Interview (3-2)
8月7日(金)
According Mr. Kelt, what is Astro Boy confused about?
- He's confused about his identity.
8:31
I think that the United States also has many globally popular comic series. Compared to Japanese manga and anime, what kind of differences do you think there are?
When I was first writing, I went to speak to people at Tezuka Productions. And I asked, what is the difference between Mickey Mouse and Tetsuwan Atom, or Astro Boy?
It’s an interesting question.
Yeah. A man answered immediately. He said, well, that's simple. Mickey is really happy-go-lucky, and it's always trying to pick up your spirits.
That's true.
And he said that Tetsuwan Atom worries a lot. He said Tetsuwan Atom, Astro Boy, does not know whether he's a robot or human. He's part robot, he's part boy. So he's confused about his identity. And he's trying to spread peace, not justice. So he's not like an American superhero. His point was that Astro Boy has taken this burden of trying to spread peace around the world. And therefore, he's very troubled by the contradictions. For example, there are certain episodes in which Atom has to fight in order to achieve peace, which is a dilemma that is international and universal. So that, to me, was very striking. And of course, it made me think about the difference between Japanese stories in popular culture and a lot of American stories in popular culture. One of the most famous and extraordinary manga in the post-war era was Ashita no Joe, or Tomorrow Joe. And if you compare that story with the famous boxing story in American Hollywood films, the Rocky story, Joe trains and works so hard and gets bashed around the ring. And in his final fight, he loses. So he ends his story being number two, the second best. And there's enormous pathos in that. But the Hollywood story, especially, the pop culture story, is very often about the hero becoming number one, overcoming all the difficulties and becoming the winner. But Japanese story very often features the great, aspiring, struggling, noble loser.
It’s human, isn't it?
It feels very human, and I think to a lot of audiences around the world, that may be something that feels truer now than the constant winner.
Take the burden of
To take the burden of means to take on responsibility for a challenging or difficult task. Mr. Kelt says that Tetsuwan Atom has taken the burden of bringing peace to the world.
Contradiction
Contradiction. A contradiction is when a fact or statement is completely the opposite of another fact or statement, creating disagreement or tension. For Tetsuwan Atom, there's a contradiction between his desire for peace and the fact that he needs to fight sometimes to make peace.
Striking.
When something is striking, it attracts attention because of an unusual or unique quality. You can also use the verb to describe a person, as in, my grandmother always got attention by wearing a striking hat.
Get bashed.
To get bashed means to be physically attacked, usually with a heavy, blunt, and crushing blow. Mr. Kelt refers to the character Joe, a boxer, who gets bashed by his opponent's punches.
Pathos is a quality in stories, whether true or fictional, that creates feelings of sadness or sympathy, but with a sense of beauty. You could say, I prefer to watch movies with pathos, because I like to cry at stories.
4:30
Gripping
It's a gripping story that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Gripping novel
Other examples are a gripping drama, a gripping thriller, and a gripping documentary.
Stay with
What stayed with me was how the characters supported each other and kept a positive attitude.
Be torn between
The main character is torn between two choices, which makes the story more compelling.
Be torn between describes a situation where it's difficult to choose between two options.
The film explored the joy of discovering new places and meeting new people.
Explore: Yeah. It carries a nuance of examining or considering a theme or possibility in depth. And it can be used to describe what a film is trying to convey.
The Japanese story very often featured the great aspiring, struggling, noble loser.
The idea of the noble loser is so interesting. In most Western stories, the point of working hard is to win. But here, the journey feels just as important.
Yes, and maybe in life too. You might even learn more from that process.
I think so.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (72)
8月6日(木)
Subject: Notes from Paris. Early observations.
Hi Jack.
It's my third day in Paris. Here are a few things that have stood out to me. The space and atmosphere feel like part of the product's value. People take their time, searching for something that matches their own sense of aesthetics. They don't immediately jump at limited editions or new releases. I'm starting to see the outline of a new PR strategy taking shape. Let's catch up soon.
Chiaki.
I hope the rest of your days there continue to be rewarding.
I hope the rest of your stay there is just as inspiring.
Hi Chiaki,
Thanks for sharing your update. I can easily picture you moving energetically from place to place. It really does sound like a culture where people enjoy the process of choosing itself, quite different from Japan, where decisions tend to be more comparative and rational. I hope the rest of your days there continue to be rewarding.
From Kuala Lumpur, Jack.
The event finished successfully. Many people attended. Thank you very much for your support. Let's follow up while the experience is still fresh.
The event wrapped up successfully, with more participants than we expected. It might be a good opportunity to build a small follow-up group while interest is still high. I appreciate your continued support.
Hannah, which email addresses the next steps more specifically?
I do think the second email better communicates what could be done next. If I received this, I would know how to move forward.
Right, it's much clearer in terms of next steps.
Reading today's email, it's clear that Chiaki had a new observation. Have you ever had a moment when your perspective changed or you discovered something new?
Oh, of course. For instance, when I was first studying acting as a teenager, I thought being a good actress meant being able to cry or yell or express big emotions.
So what changed?
Oh, well, I learned that it's not about the emotion I feel. It's about how well I tell the story so that the audience can experience it. It's about their emotions, not mine.
Their emotions. That makes sense. In business, speed and results are everything. So I used to focus a lot on my own performance. Maybe a bit too much.
Well, I think a lot of people can relate to that.
Yes. But over time, I realized things work better when you think beyond yourself. So I guess we both learned to think beyond ourselves.
Exactly. Whether it's business or acting, it's really about the people on the other side.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (71)
8月5日(水)
While touring Paris, Chiaki and Louise take a short break at a cafe. Louise’s words seem to have stayed with Chiaki.
How does Louise describe the restraint of the Paris-Brest?
- He described it as very French. Pleasure without excess.
It's nice to slow down like this, sitting at a glass-front café, and simply watching people pass by. And I notice that even people sitting alone aren’t glued to their phones.
That's intentional. People here use these small breaks to rebalance. By the way, you should try this exquisite dessert, the Paris Brest. I usually have it when I need to slow my thinking down.
Thank you, Louis. It's rich and sweet, but elegantly restrained.
That restraint is very French. Pleasure without excess.
Indeed. It reminds me of branding here. Nothing insists, everything invites.
Yes, it's about trusting that if you show up thoughtfully, the right people will notice.
Then our challenge isn't to impress Europe.
Absolutely. That realization alone makes this trip worthwhile.
Pass by
Be glued to
Intentional
Exquisite
Restrained
Excess
That realization alone makes this trip worthwhile.
Meeting the team in person made the long trip worthwhile.
Seeing the customer's reaction made the effort worthwhile.
That realization alone really makes this trip worth it.
That realization alone makes this trip truly meaningful.
I'm involved in too many projects right now, and I'm starting to lose focus. Everything feels equally urgent right now.
That sounds overwhelming. Which project gives you the most energy right now?
That sounds like a lot to handle. If you had to pick just one thing to move forward first, what would it be?
Hannah, what did you notice about today's practice?
Well, I noticed how we combined empathy with a question.
Right. Do you think it works well?
Yes. A thoughtful question invites the other person to reflect. And it often helped them discover their own priorities.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (70)
8月4日(火)
Guided by Louis, Chiaki observes the cosmetics floor at one of Paris's landmark department stores, and quickly becomes aware of the differences from Japan.
What do store staff often try to do in Japan?
-They often try to explain everything carefully.
This is one of Paris' landmark department stores. Many global beauty brands see this floor as a goal. But few understand the rules once they arrive.
I can sense that immediately. The atmosphere feels very calm and refined.
Exactly. Before anything else, staff and customers exchange a simple bonjour, almost instinctively. It's mutual and it sets the tone.
That small exchange already feels respectful. It gives customers room to engage, rather than pushing them. In Japan, store staff often try to explain everything carefully. Here, an explanation almost feels optional.
Right, when they say, "Let me know if you have any questions," it's not necessarily a sign of poor service. You are free to look or to walk away. That reframes how I see this market and our role in it.
Great. I believe good PR is not about forcing attention. It's about making an impression through quiet presence.
• instinctively /ɪnˈstɪŋktɪvli/ 本能的に、直感的に、無意識に
• set the tone /set ðə toʊn/ 雰囲気・方向性・基調を決める
• reframe /riːˈfreɪm/ 捉え直す、別の視点から見直す、枠組みを変える
- It gives customers room to engage rather than pushing them.
- Why don't we give the client room to decide on this particular item?
- Our manager gives us room to take initiative.
- It leaves space for customers to engage, instead of pressuring them.
- It gives customers the freedom to engage at their own pace.
I feel like I'm the least experienced person in this meeting. I'm eager to contribute more.
That’s understandable. Wanting to contribute already shows a strong mindset
I can see why you'd feel that way. Being new sometimes helps you notice things others might miss.
Hannah, any thought?
One thing I like is that they acknowledge the person's intention first. Their eagerness to contribute. That creates a safer space for the conversation.
I see. Once that trust is there, even small ideas like asking questions in meetings can feel more natural. Exactly.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (69)
8月3日(月)
Responding to Louis's invitation, Chiaki has come to Paris. She spends her time walking slowly through the city, focusing on observing the people around her.
What does Louis mean by brands age like people?
- He means brands earn familiarity first, admiration later, like people.
Try not to size up brands as competitors. Look at them as neighbors. Each one has learned how to exist here without demanding attention.
That's difficult for someone in my position. I'm used to scanning for benchmarks. Who's winning? Who's louder? Who's faster? But here, speed feels almost irrelevant.
Exactly. In Paris, brands age like people. They earn familiarity first, admiration later.
I've visited Paris many times, but usually just hotel lobbies and meeting rooms. This pace forces me to notice things I normally overlook.
That's the point of immersion. Before you decide how you speak, you need to understand how this city listens.
Then today isn't about strategy yet. It's about recalibrating my instincts.
• irrelevant /ɪˈreləvənt/ 関係のない、重要でない、的外れな
• admiration /ˌædməˈreɪʃən/ 感嘆、賞賛、敬意
• overlook /ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/ 見落とす、見逃す
• immersion /ɪˈmɜːrʒən/ 没入、浸ること
• recalibrate /ˌriːˈkælɪbreɪt/ 再調整する、再設定する
Immersion means being deeply involved in an environment or experience, so that you fully absorb its atmosphere, culture, or way of thinking. It's not just exposure. You are surrounded by it and influenced by it.
Try not to size up brands as competitors.
During the first meeting, I tried to size up my counterpart.
Let's size up the situation and adjust our approach.
Don't immediately judge brands as competitors.
Avoid making a quick assessment of each brand as a rival.
I know the team wants to move quickly, but I think we are rushing this decision. I'm worried we might overlook something important.
That’s a fair concern. Maybe we can maintain momentum while we monitor the risks.
I can see your point. Taking a pause can protect the outcome.
Empathy doesn't mean agreement. It simply means trying to understand where the other person is coming from.
Right. And here, we are not only showing understanding. We’re also suggesting a way to ease their concerns.
Exactly. By acknowledging the other person's perspective, you can gently move the conversation forward.