ICD Japan Newsletter No. 10

Hello. This is Kazuko Yokoyama, President of International Career Development Inc. (ICD Japan).

This is the 10th issue of the ICD Japan Newsletter.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and interest in our activities.

At ICD Japan, we are committed to supporting individuals who seek to develop their careers internationally, work in Japan/outside Japan, or explore opportunities in the global labour market. Through our activities, we aim to connect people, ideas, and opportunities across borders.

In this issue, I would like to share some recent updates and reflections on my journey to France.

“The Power of a Smile and Gratitude in a Global World” 

The key message of this　month’s Newsletter is: “A smile is the best strategy that costs nothing.”

I first came across this idea in 18 Golden Rules of the Hakka Rich by Tadashi Amakasu (Kodansha, Japan), where it is introduced as the 16th golden rule. During my return flight from my pilgrimage in France, this phrase came back to my mind.

For this journey, I traveled with Turkish Airlines. Since my seat was located at the very back of the economy class cabin, I had a good view of the work of the flight attendants (FAs).

I felt that the FAs on Turkish Airlines were responsible for a larger number of passengers compared with airlines such as Japan Airlines (JAL) and Air France. They communicated with passengers in English and Japanese, while speaking their own native languages among themselves. Watching them work, I realized how demanding their job was. They had to respond to many requests while maintaining safety and providing good service.

One young FA, in particular, appeared to be working very hard just to keep up with their responsibilities. Nevertheless, she continued to serve passengers professionally and patiently.

Sitting by the window one seat away from me was a young Japanese man, probably in his late twenties to mid-thirties. When he wanted something, he spoke loudly to the FA using only single words such as “Water” or “Coffee.” Although his requests were handled politely, I found myself wondering whether he was unaware of basic manners when communicating with others.

When I returned my meal tray, I smiled and said, “Thank you” to the FA. At that moment, she smiled back naturally.

It was only one simple phrase — “Thank you.” However, that small expression of gratitude seemed to make her feel that her hard work was appreciated and valued.

This was only a small example, but it made me think about the importance of expressing gratitude. I sometimes feel that Japanese people do not say “thank you” as often as they could.

A simple word of appreciation can increase someone’s motivation and create a positive connection between people. The beautiful thing is that saying “Thank you” costs nothing.

We should use the words “Arigato” and“Thank you” more often. These small expressions of gratitude can improve our relationships with the people around us.

A smile and a word of thanks are powerful tools for creating better human connections.

That is why I believe: a smile is the best strategy that costs nothing.

Throughout my international experiences, I have learned that kindness, respect, and gratitude are essential elements in building meaningful relationships across cultures.

Recent Activities and Future Directions

We continue to promote research, education, and career development related to global entrepreneurship and international human mobility. Our focus remains on creating opportunities for people to learn from each other and build bridges between Japan and the world.

I am especially grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences, knowledge, and encouragement with us. Your support inspires us to continue our mission.

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