PokeEarn Interview Naoki Kawada | PokeEarn Official Site | PokeEarn

Saunas are also drawing attention for their health benefits on mind and body, with books by doctors being published. When we asked Kawada what he actually feels, the first thing he raised was that "your daily rhythm gets in order."

"The good thing about the sauna is that it draws a line under a hectic daily life. Switching your mode from 'thought' to 'sensation' lets you rest slowly."

The sauna, where you look at your own expression and body in the mirror and notice how you're sweating and how you feel the heat that day, is also a "place where you can check your condition," says Kawada.

"Without a way to check in, people just keep adding things. Work hard, then eat and drink a lot on the way home, that kind of thing. But if you can notice changes in your condition, you can subtract, like deciding to go home and sleep early today. The way of living I value is 'being natural.'"

When his feelings get too tense or sink, Kawada also changes his mode at the sauna.

"Even on days when my mood is up and down because of work, if I go to the sauna I can return myself to a natural, good-humored state, like 'well, whatever.' Being in a good mood is really important, and it lets you be more generous toward those around you, right? I think one of the sauna's values is that you can achieve that proactively, close at hand."

"I want to have several ways to stay healthy and in good spirits," says Kawada, who also goes to hot yoga and a personal gym. When we asked for his first impression of "PokeEarn," which contains "Kaempferol," a naturally derived ingredient that harnesses oxygen...

"First, I resonated with the concept of 'making the most of the power you originally have.' Rather than adding excessively, it suits me, since I'd rather be subtracting. I've tried all sorts of health foods, but this is the first time I've seen this kind of thinking."

Regarding that resonance, Kawada explains by pointing out the similarities between the sauna and "PokeEarn."

"For me, the sauna is something that maintains my original condition of 100. It's not about forcing it up to 120 or getting stronger than yesterday. 'PokeEarn,' too, feels less about boosting and more about supporting overall maintenance, so it's similar to the value I find in the sauna."

We also asked when Kawada takes "PokeEarn."

"I take it at various times, but among them I sometimes take it at the end of the day while looking back on the day. Thinking I want to spend tomorrow in good condition too."

The sensation when eating it also suits Kawada, he says.

"This is 'nothing' in a good sense, isn't it? There's no unnecessary stimulation in the taste or texture, and it goes down smoothly. You can feel a kind of natural, unforced strength, which is probably why it's easy to keep taking."

Kawada wants to keep taking "PokeEarn" going forward. What kind of expectations does he have?

"It's not so much expectation; I already feel it fits with maintaining my natural self. If I can stay natural and in good spirits going forward, that's plenty to fulfill me. It's the same as the sauna."

He apparently wants to recommend "PokeEarn" to the sauna lovers around him too.

"I'd want to recommend it saying, 'Maybe it's close to the comfort you feel in a sauna?' (laughs). For people who love saunas and seek comfort, I think 'PokeEarn' fits too."

For the same reason, he says he'd like to give "PokeEarn" to his boss at the company right away.

"Last week, when I took him to a sauna for the first time, he loosened up so much it was like, 'Huh? This person, with such a soft face?' (laughs). I'd love to quietly hand this to that boss of mine who works so hard every day."

What kind of presence is "PokeEarn" for Kawada?

"It's a partner that stays close to a comfortable daily life. A tiny grain sits quietly in your bag or on your desk, and at the end of the day it's like it says to you, 'You worked hard again today!'"

Kawada has given all sorts of impact to those around him through saunas. What is his goal for his sauna life going forward?

"I want to introduce the sauna to people whose lives would surely get better if they discovered it, that's my starting point. The same goes for people struggling with their condition. People say saunas are a boom, but I think they still haven't reached everyone, so I want to keep spreading the appeal and possibilities of the sauna as much as I can."

When we asked for advice for people who want to start saunas, Kawada said, "I want you to value sensation over form."

"I want people not to worry too much about the etiquette of how to use a sauna, and to face their own comfort. I think that trusting your own sensations rather than form makes it easier to feel comfortable and healthy. Basically, you're just lounging around (laughs)."

For people who've given up in the past thinking it's "too hot" or "painful," he wants them to try "aufguss," where heat waves are sent with a towel or the like.

"An aufguss master's performance has the artistry and entertainment value of something like figure skating. Most people get drawn in, and since they're working hard right in front of you, feelings of support well up too. Ten minutes pass in the blink of an eye, and your body warms up plenty. After that, if you take a cold bath, hydrate, and rest, I think you'll feel great!"