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What's the real nature of the 'coldness' felt on Japan's crowded trains? This article shares my initial failures after arriving in Japan and how carrying my backpack in front helped me discover Japan's unique form of 'kindness.' Why does following rules actually set you free? A professional Japanese language teacher explains hints for comfortable coexistence that you can start practicing today, with 10 concrete examples.

When I first came to Japan, I stayed 'quiet' to listen seriously, but why did my Japanese colleagues anxiously ask me 'Are you listening?' Through my failures, I learned about Japan's unique 'way of listening with sound'—the technique of aizuchi and the sense of security it creates, explained through my 10 years of experience as a Japanese language teacher.

When I first came to Japan, I cheerfully declined my boss's invitation with a simple 'No,' instantly freezing the office atmosphere. What was that awkwardness all about? Through my failures, I learned the 'Japanese way of declining' that conveys feelings without relying on words. Let me break down this art from a Japanese language teacher's perspective.