This is inspiring and interesting! I wish you the best!
However, I feel like it should also be taken into account that although the health rates are good, the happiness and reproduction rates in Japan are concerning (amongst the lowest of the world). This gets me thinking: why in a country, that is so progressive and preserving wellness traditions so well, do people not feel happy? Health and happiness aren’t separate, they are connected, because physical as well as mental health are connected.
I have ongoing discussions on this with my Japanese acupuncture master and people who live or lived there for a long time, and I’d like to read more on this from your perspective as well. It’s easy for us foreigners to be blindsided by the stunning geography and culture of Japan, but for the good of the people, this must be investigated from many perspectives in the future!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I completely agree—what you’ve brought up is so important, and I’m really glad you shared it. The low happiness and birth rates in Japan are definitely things that need more open conversation, especially when we talk about health from a holistic perspective.
You’re right that even though physical health metrics in Japan are strong, mental well-being and social fulfillment can tell a different story. I’ve actually added this topic to my writing list—it’s something I’ve been thinking about too, and I’d love to explore it more deeply in a future post.
Just to share a brief thought for now: one reason that comes to mind is how much comparison is embedded in our culture—especially from the education system. Growing up, we’re often evaluated purely by test scores, and that shapes how we see success and self-worth. When I applied to both Japanese and U.S. universities, the contrast really stood out to me. I feel like many people in Japan equate happiness with status or income, and with the rise of social media, that comparison only intensifies. This can create a sense of “not enough,” even when someone is doing just fine by objective standards.
Thank you again for your insights—I really appreciate the chance to reflect on this more, and I hope I can offer a fuller perspective soon!
The comparison through social media is definitely becoming a global impact on our confidence.
I look forward to reading more from your perspective on this, hope you get to celebrate your success in the meantime, congratulations again on passing the exam! You can be very proud of yourself!
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Social media’s impact on confidence is definitely a complex issue, and I’m glad to hear my perspective resonates with you. I look forward to sharing more thoughts on this topic soon. And yes, passing the exam was a big moment—I’m grateful for your congratulations! Hope you’re doing well too.
it looks you perform well, Miki. Small Business Plan at hand and learning daily,... from what is out there. This is now away from my spiritual path in the first place, however what I did as an entrepreneur in the past and will do with my newly built network here in Kosovo.
Discipline, Focus, Project Management and / back to spirituality... use five senses available always.
Meditate, build your awareness, mindfulness and your conscious being.
I will stay available for this plus check website of Thich Nath Hanh *Vietnamese Spiritual Master and Teacher...He passed away in 2022 / 94 years of age, after a stroke 7 years earlier.
Back to business... Focus is mandatory. Visualize what You as a being want to contribute.
Provided you stay with your Medical Performance and learning process. Filter, extract and build essence on knowledge. Ningen Dock is an ideal tool starting and staying on the Medical Path.
Yet, this will involve mastery on Travelling. This is, however, Outside Your Focus.
Next step,... team up with another Young chap (male/female) who is competent in this field of attraction. This aside your existing network will gradually grow your spanning the world...
Humans are made for social interaction. Mindful, aware and preferably listening, watching plus quiet perception will solidly thrive your activity.
Why I do this,...you are 24 years of age. My son is 25, he was working as an apprentice with Porsche Weissach. After graduation he moved on and out of P., ignoring his advantageous status (excellent paycheck). He studied Mechatronics. Graduation on Bachelor pending. All I do is watch and send impulses back to him in Germany. A relevant Bridge I tried to build was travelling beyond leisure....select a country of your personal grace and live there for a while...
A Bridge you already crossed, learnt a lot and now returned to the Lap of Descent.
I Love Juveniles being on their way.
Stay foscused, learn day by day and know that humans are faulty. Live is daily change. And do not allow to be distracted of what You really Love.
I’m so sorry I missed this kind and thoughtful message earlier—thank you so much, and apologies for the late reply.
You’re absolutely right. While I’m learning more and more about medicine every day, I know that tourism and business are outside of my professional field—though I really do love them! It brings me so much joy to see people visiting Japan and enjoying what the country has to offer. That’s why I’m currently getting support from several mentors with expertise in business and tourism, just as you suggested.
Also, I really appreciated your reminder about mindfulness and action. You’re right—my writing tends to focus on what people can do once they come to Japan, but I hadn't thought deeply about encouraging something they can do right now, like meditation or self-reflection. I’ll definitely keep that in mind and try to include more elements like that in future posts.
Thank you again for your heartfelt support and for sharing your wisdom—it means a lot to me.
I cannot believe you’re only 24 years old - Happiest birthday to you. You’re so accomplished and focused. I not only wish you all the success but hope to work with you soon.
Growing up in “the west”, I’ve experienced the limits of our healthcare. It’s excellent at treating acute problems and disease, and terrible at supporting prevention and general health. I’m so excited to move to Japan and absorb the local cultural approach to health and longevity.
Thank you so much for your kind message! As a Japanese person, I was really surprised when I first learned about the healthcare system outside Japan. I hope that when you travel here, you get to experience all the amazing approaches to health and longevity—and I’d love to help you with that too!
🤩 wow! Thank you for sharing your personal journey and your goals. I am really grateful that I have found your content on Substack!
Not sure when I will next be able to travel to Japan but very interested in Ningen Dock, as well as including recommended nature and wellness destinations.
ありがとうございます！Thank you very much for your comment, it means a lot to me! And yes, please contact me anytime if you’re ever coming to Japan—I have so many places to share beyond the usual spots. I hope you get to visit Japan soon!
I just finished writing a post. It’s about debating whether or not to leave the USA for a healthier quality of life in Japan. Thank you for your post and your work. Happy Birthday! 🎂
I was surprised when I first learned about the US healthcare system too. I truly believe wellness shouldn’t be limited by where you live. By making Japan’s best health experiences more accessible to people from abroad, I hope to help more people live long and healthy lives! I am looking forward to your post!
First, Happy Birthday! You have certainly accomplished a lot over the past 24 years. I am sure you will continue to advance your own career while serving thousands of patients.
Second, I hope you have found a way to manage your migraine headaches.
First, thank you so much for your kind comment! It really means a lot to me.
Second, yes, I’ve found a way to manage my migraines much better now. I’ve noticed that weather changes, hormone levels, and certain foods (like chocolate and processed meats) can trigger headaches. So I either try to avoid them or make sure I carry my medication with me just in case.
Third, this article is absolutely amazing, especially that it is from a non-Japanese perspective. I totally agree that the 胃カメラ (stomach camera) should be done with full anesthesia...!
Lastly, 27 years in the healthcare industry is incredible! I’m still relatively new to the business side of things, so your support means a lot! I’m now focusing on my USMLE (US Medical License Exam) which is this month, but once that’s behind me, I plan to dive deeper into the Ningen Dock and wellness idea. I’ll definitely reach out, probably by the end of this month! Thanks so much for your support!
I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with so much pain. Taking a break from your studies sounds like a big decision, but I hope it gives you the time you need to focus on your health.
For Ningen Dock, there’s a basic version, but you can also add extra tests depending on what you’re concerned about. So definitely reach out whenever you’re planning your trip to Japan! I’d be happy to help.
This is inspiring and interesting! I wish you the best!
However, I feel like it should also be taken into account that although the health rates are good, the happiness and reproduction rates in Japan are concerning (amongst the lowest of the world). This gets me thinking: why in a country, that is so progressive and preserving wellness traditions so well, do people not feel happy? Health and happiness aren’t separate, they are connected, because physical as well as mental health are connected.
I have ongoing discussions on this with my Japanese acupuncture master and people who live or lived there for a long time, and I’d like to read more on this from your perspective as well. It’s easy for us foreigners to be blindsided by the stunning geography and culture of Japan, but for the good of the people, this must be investigated from many perspectives in the future!
I hope to learn more.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I completely agree—what you’ve brought up is so important, and I’m really glad you shared it. The low happiness and birth rates in Japan are definitely things that need more open conversation, especially when we talk about health from a holistic perspective.
You’re right that even though physical health metrics in Japan are strong, mental well-being and social fulfillment can tell a different story. I’ve actually added this topic to my writing list—it’s something I’ve been thinking about too, and I’d love to explore it more deeply in a future post.
Just to share a brief thought for now: one reason that comes to mind is how much comparison is embedded in our culture—especially from the education system. Growing up, we’re often evaluated purely by test scores, and that shapes how we see success and self-worth. When I applied to both Japanese and U.S. universities, the contrast really stood out to me. I feel like many people in Japan equate happiness with status or income, and with the rise of social media, that comparison only intensifies. This can create a sense of “not enough,” even when someone is doing just fine by objective standards.
Thank you again for your insights—I really appreciate the chance to reflect on this more, and I hope I can offer a fuller perspective soon!
Thanks for your engagement!
That makes sense.
The comparison through social media is definitely becoming a global impact on our confidence.
I look forward to reading more from your perspective on this, hope you get to celebrate your success in the meantime, congratulations again on passing the exam! You can be very proud of yourself!
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Social media’s impact on confidence is definitely a complex issue, and I’m glad to hear my perspective resonates with you. I look forward to sharing more thoughts on this topic soon. And yes, passing the exam was a big moment—I’m grateful for your congratulations! Hope you’re doing well too.
Meditation has been quite positive for promoting my own psychological health; this is a vast but very interesting topic. 🙏⛩️☸️⛩️🙏
Thank you for your comment! I am glad you find this interesting!
Amazing mission. Looking forward to learning more.
Thank you so much for you kind message! It means a lot to me!
Miki/Xhoni,
it looks you perform well, Miki. Small Business Plan at hand and learning daily,... from what is out there. This is now away from my spiritual path in the first place, however what I did as an entrepreneur in the past and will do with my newly built network here in Kosovo.
Discipline, Focus, Project Management and / back to spirituality... use five senses available always.
Meditate, build your awareness, mindfulness and your conscious being.
I will stay available for this plus check website of Thich Nath Hanh *Vietnamese Spiritual Master and Teacher...He passed away in 2022 / 94 years of age, after a stroke 7 years earlier.
Back to business... Focus is mandatory. Visualize what You as a being want to contribute.
Provided you stay with your Medical Performance and learning process. Filter, extract and build essence on knowledge. Ningen Dock is an ideal tool starting and staying on the Medical Path.
Yet, this will involve mastery on Travelling. This is, however, Outside Your Focus.
Next step,... team up with another Young chap (male/female) who is competent in this field of attraction. This aside your existing network will gradually grow your spanning the world...
Humans are made for social interaction. Mindful, aware and preferably listening, watching plus quiet perception will solidly thrive your activity.
Why I do this,...you are 24 years of age. My son is 25, he was working as an apprentice with Porsche Weissach. After graduation he moved on and out of P., ignoring his advantageous status (excellent paycheck). He studied Mechatronics. Graduation on Bachelor pending. All I do is watch and send impulses back to him in Germany. A relevant Bridge I tried to build was travelling beyond leisure....select a country of your personal grace and live there for a while...
A Bridge you already crossed, learnt a lot and now returned to the Lap of Descent.
I Love Juveniles being on their way.
Stay foscused, learn day by day and know that humans are faulty. Live is daily change. And do not allow to be distracted of what You really Love.
Namaste, Xhoni
I’m so sorry I missed this kind and thoughtful message earlier—thank you so much, and apologies for the late reply.
You’re absolutely right. While I’m learning more and more about medicine every day, I know that tourism and business are outside of my professional field—though I really do love them! It brings me so much joy to see people visiting Japan and enjoying what the country has to offer. That’s why I’m currently getting support from several mentors with expertise in business and tourism, just as you suggested.
Also, I really appreciated your reminder about mindfulness and action. You’re right—my writing tends to focus on what people can do once they come to Japan, but I hadn't thought deeply about encouraging something they can do right now, like meditation or self-reflection. I’ll definitely keep that in mind and try to include more elements like that in future posts.
Thank you again for your heartfelt support and for sharing your wisdom—it means a lot to me.
I cannot believe you’re only 24 years old - Happiest birthday to you. You’re so accomplished and focused. I not only wish you all the success but hope to work with you soon.
Growing up in “the west”, I’ve experienced the limits of our healthcare. It’s excellent at treating acute problems and disease, and terrible at supporting prevention and general health. I’m so excited to move to Japan and absorb the local cultural approach to health and longevity.
Thank you so much for your kind message! As a Japanese person, I was really surprised when I first learned about the healthcare system outside Japan. I hope that when you travel here, you get to experience all the amazing approaches to health and longevity—and I’d love to help you with that too!
お誕生日おめでとう！
🤩 wow! Thank you for sharing your personal journey and your goals. I am really grateful that I have found your content on Substack!
Not sure when I will next be able to travel to Japan but very interested in Ningen Dock, as well as including recommended nature and wellness destinations.
ありがとうございます！Thank you very much for your comment, it means a lot to me! And yes, please contact me anytime if you’re ever coming to Japan—I have so many places to share beyond the usual spots. I hope you get to visit Japan soon!
I just finished writing a post. It’s about debating whether or not to leave the USA for a healthier quality of life in Japan. Thank you for your post and your work. Happy Birthday! 🎂
I was surprised when I first learned about the US healthcare system too. I truly believe wellness shouldn’t be limited by where you live. By making Japan’s best health experiences more accessible to people from abroad, I hope to help more people live long and healthy lives! I am looking forward to your post!
Thank you for taking the time to read it. Also, do you have a post on how to navigate the healthcare system in Japan as a foreigner?
First, Happy Birthday! You have certainly accomplished a lot over the past 24 years. I am sure you will continue to advance your own career while serving thousands of patients.
Second, I hope you have found a way to manage your migraine headaches.
Third, you may be interested in the following article about ningen dokku, which is an effective tool for preventive medicine: https://realgaijin.substack.com/p/what-to-expect-at-ningen-dokku-an
Finally, I have spent 27 years in the healthcare industry. Please feel free to reach out if you ever want the perspective of someone like me.
First, thank you so much for your kind comment! It really means a lot to me.
Second, yes, I’ve found a way to manage my migraines much better now. I’ve noticed that weather changes, hormone levels, and certain foods (like chocolate and processed meats) can trigger headaches. So I either try to avoid them or make sure I carry my medication with me just in case.
Third, this article is absolutely amazing, especially that it is from a non-Japanese perspective. I totally agree that the 胃カメラ (stomach camera) should be done with full anesthesia...!
Lastly, 27 years in the healthcare industry is incredible! I’m still relatively new to the business side of things, so your support means a lot! I’m now focusing on my USMLE (US Medical License Exam) which is this month, but once that’s behind me, I plan to dive deeper into the Ningen Dock and wellness idea. I’ll definitely reach out, probably by the end of this month! Thanks so much for your support!
Happy birthday! And congratulations on your studies. Your goals are inspiring.
Thank you so much! That really means a lot to me. I appreciate your kind words!
I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with so much pain. Taking a break from your studies sounds like a big decision, but I hope it gives you the time you need to focus on your health.
For Ningen Dock, there’s a basic version, but you can also add extra tests depending on what you’re concerned about. So definitely reach out whenever you’re planning your trip to Japan! I’d be happy to help.