[Introduction] If you only learn one word before visiting Japan, make it "Sumimasen." It translates to "I'm sorry," but Japanese people use it to order food, ask for help, and even to say "Thank you." Why do Japanese people apologize when receiving a gift? In this episode, Dr. Fujita decodes this "Master Password" to Japanese society. Discover why this single word acts as a "Swiss Army Knife" for communication and how it functions as a social lubricant to prevent friction in a high-context culture.

[What You'll Learn]

• The Swiss Army Knife: How "Sumimasen" functions as Apology, Attention, and Gratitude simultaneously.
• The Logic of Debt: Why Japanese people focus on the "cost" you incurred for them rather than the benefit they received.
• Etymology Revealed: The literal meaning of "It is not finished" and how it expresses deep respect.
• The "Ping" Command: Using "Sumimasen" to signal non-aggression and avoid "Meiwaku" (nuisance).
• A Critical Warning: Why saying "Sumimasen" during an accident is a social ritual, not an admission of legal liability.

[About the Podcast] Dr. Fujita, an AI Consultant based in Tokyo, analyzes the logic behind Japanese business and culture. This isn't a sightseeing guide—it's an intellectual journey to decode the "True Japan."

[Topics] Sumimasen, Japanese Language, Japan Travel, Etiquette, Apology, Gratitude, Meiwaku, Japanese Culture, Communication, Linguistics, Social Psychology