Everything is laid out in the order it should be done. If you have completed any of these steps, move on to the next step.
Prerequisite
- Practicing 2SL for 6 months.
- Daily 3S-ing.
- Daily morning meeting.
- Improvement video with a WhatsApp team chat sharing the improvement video (or any communication app you prefer, such as Signal, WeChat, Telegram, etc.).
Team Communication
1. Download WhatsApp. We use it to communicate as a team before, during, and after our trip to Japan. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997
2. Add me (Paul Akers) to your contacts on your phone, and you will easily find me on WhatsApp. My number is +1-360-941-3748.
Application Video
3. Send me a 1-2 minute video, holding your phone horizontally in landscape mode—no vertical videos. Please do the following:
- Tell me about yourself: your lean journey and any hobbies.
- Why do you want to go to Japan?
- Send the video on WhatsApp.
- Wait for my approval.
4. If your video is approved, apply on this page. Here is the application page, details, and videos to watch: https://paulakers.net/japan
2SL Japan Experience Overview Video. All the specific details are changing constantly, and we are always improving it.
5. After I receive your application, I will add you to the team chat on WhatsApp.
6. Do not worry about sending money or a deposit. We will notify you 2-3 months prior to the trip for payment.
7. After you contact me and I add you to the chat, I will give you the links to the reading list and a detailed Google checklist that you should start working on—just five minutes a day. This is a PhD-level course; you need to be prepared when you arrive in Japan.
Important Communication Details:
- Make sure your notifications are on for WhatsApp.
- I will send you a test Fire message with five of these emojis
. Anytime you see these emojis on a message from me or Mami-san, my co-team leader in Japan, it means we need your immediate attention and response. Hard press on the message and give us a thumbs up 
. We are looking for 16 thumbs up so we know everyone is on the same page regarding this important information. - It is extremely important that you reply to messages in the team chat within 24 hours or sooner.
- Every year, we manage as many as 19 teams. We are all busy, and we don’t have time to chase anyone for answers or confirmation that you have received critical information.
- The 2SL Japan Experience is managed by Mami-san, team leader in Japan, and myself. We have no assistants. Can you imagine? We are dealing with leaders from 40 countries, and no one is helping us. How can we do this? We have clearly defined processes, continuous improvement, nearly perfect communication, and everyone works like a team.
The study mission starts now. We will begin to familiarize you with Japanese excellence.
We are not perfect, but we are very demanding with extremely high expectations. We have removed people from the program before and even during the program if you do not respond or pay attention appropriately.
We are constantly improving every detail. If there is anything we can improve, we want to hear about it immediately.
Team Introduction Video
If your application video is accepted, we will also use it as your introduction video for the rest of the team members. We will take the video, upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video, and create a team playlist so you can click on it and learn all about your fellow team members.
We want everyone to know each other so we can function as a team. These are not strangers you’re going to Japan with—they will become lifelong friends. Do not delay on this step. Do it immediately and send it to the team chat. The link to this playlist is in the description of the chat at the top. It’s very convenient and efficient.
It will be an amazing trip, and I promise you’ll never be the same. Be prepared to think differently.