“May Sickness” — From Personal Experience to Management Strategy
Contents Tourism: The “Anime & Movie Pilgrimage”
1. “May Sickness” — From Personal Experience to Management Strategy
In Japan, “May Sickness” (Gogatsu-byo) traditionally refers to the lethargy and depression people feel after the long Golden Week holiday.
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The Reality Check: In your opinion, is “May Sickness” a genuine psychological condition, or just an excuse for lack of discipline?
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Have you ever experienced this “post-holiday slump” yourself, or noticed it in your colleagues? How did it affect the work atmosphere?
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The Scenario: One of your subordinates (or a new recruit) has become noticeably less productive and less communicative since Golden Week. They seem “burned out.” What would you do in this situation?
The CEO Perspective:
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As the CEO, you want to build a company that is immune to “May Sickness” to maintain a high retention rate and productivity. What structural changes or “company-wide initiatives” would you implement?
2. From “Cool Biz” to “Super Casual”
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is now encouraging shorts and T-shirts to save energy. Honestly, do you think this is a “progressive step” or does it look “unprofessional” for government officials?
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Current Policy: Does your company have a “summer casual” dress code? If so, what is generally considered “acceptable” in your office?
Management Challenge: You have an important meeting with a traditional, conservative client. Your team member shows up in smart shorts and a T-shirt, claiming it’s for “environmental reasons.” In this situation, what would you do?
3. Contents Tourism: The “Anime & Movie Pilgrimage”
“Anime & Movie Pilgrimage” (known as Seichi-junrei in Japan) is a form of “Contents Tourism” where fans visit the real-life locations featured in their favorite stories. Driven by social media and streaming platforms, even remote countryside bus stops or ordinary train crossings can suddenly become international tourist hotspots.
Personal Experience: Have you ever visited a specific place just because you saw it in a movie, drama, or anime? If so, what was the location, and did it live up to your expectations?
Marketing Challenge: If you had to promote your hometown (or a place you know well) using just one movie, anime, or story, what would it be?