A quiet train ride in the morning. A quick stop at the convenience store on the way home. A walk past a neighborhood park that somehow looks different depending on the season. Over time I started noticing that these small details, the routines and rhythms of everyday life, were often more interesting than the big moments.
This is where I write about those things.
Here you’ll find writing about daily life in Japan, observations from walking around the city, notes on books I’m reading, and occasional reflections on public life. Sometimes it will be thoughtful, sometimes casual, and sometimes just an attempt to capture something interesting that happened during the day.
Social media moves quickly, but a blog feels slower and more intentional. It’s a place where thoughts can develop over time rather than disappear into a feed.
Several sections make up the site:
Field Notes is where I write about life in Japan: neighborhoods, parks, cafés, small observations, and the kinds of details that make everyday life interesting.
Off the Record contains more reflective writing about public life and my work as an assemblyman.
Reading is where I keep notes and reviews of the books I’m currently working through.
You’ll also find links to my streams and other projects around the internet.
This site isn’t meant to be overly polished or formal. Think of it more like a notebook that happens to be public and a place to collect ideas, document ordinary moments, and occasionally share something worth thinking about.
If something here interests you, feel free to explore the posts, browse the reading list, or stop by one of the streams.
Thanks for visiting.