KEN'sJapanese BusinessMaster the Unspoken Rules of Japanese Business & Culture.
A content platform that explains what textbooks leave out: honne and tatemae, the dynamics of ringi and nemawashi, and how to read context — from the perspective of a native Japanese speaker and former corporate executive.
- 本音・建前
- honne / tatemae
- What is meant versus what is said.
- 稟議
- ringi
- How a proposal earns its circulated approvals.
- 根回し
- nemawashi
- The consensus built before the meeting.
- 空気を読む
- kuuki wo yomu
- Reading the room when nothing is said.
Catalogue · Planned topics
What we are preparing.
ARTHUR LAB plans to focus on Japanese language content distribution and digital content sales for English speakers. The themes below are planned topic areas, not finished products — none are available for purchase yet.
We are not currently offering online Japanese lessons.
- 01
Honne & Tatemae
Understanding how private intent and public expression differ, and when a polite response calls for a more careful reading.
In preparation - 02
Ringi & Nemawashi
How decisions are really made in Japanese organisations — who must be consulted, in what order, and why meetings often only confirm.
In preparation - 03
Reading Context
Silence, hierarchy, seating, timing and phrasing: the signals Japanese colleagues expect you to notice.
In preparation
About the Founder · Mission
Knowledge Japan never writes down.
Our founder is a native Japanese speaker and a graduate of the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Economics, with practical company management experience as a former corporate executive and a background in teaching Japanese online.
Japanese business depends not only on words, but also on context, relationships and unwritten expectations. These can be hard to understand from outside Japan, and are rarely made explicit in introductory language materials.
Management experience informs our explanation of workplace decisions and communication. Past experience teaching Japanese online helps us explain that context clearly to readers. Together, these experiences shape our approach to developing practical, accessible content.
Our mission is to bring the lived realities and tacit knowledge of Japanese society and business to English speakers. Our focus is not anime or beginner grammar, but the context behind decisions and communication — so professionals working with Japan can understand what is happening and respond with confidence.
Founder background
Language
Native Japanese speaker
Education
Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo
Practice
Practical business management experience as a corporate executive
Teaching background
Past experience teaching Japanese online
Educational background is stated as a personal fact and does not imply endorsement by The University of Tokyo.
Company
Company profile
- Company name
- ARTHUR LAB Inc. (アーサーラボ株式会社)
- Founded
- July 24, 2017
- Capital
- 10,000,000 JPY
- Head office
- YUI NOS, Urbannet Sendai Chuo Building 2F, 4-4-19 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
- Website
- https://arthurlab.org
Inquiries
Contact
Please use the English contact form below for inquiries, including questions about our planned Japanese language content. We do not accept inquiries by email.