NLS 182: The Secret Japanese Art of Attracting Money with Ken Honda

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Ken Honda is Japan’s most recognizable and influential money teacher. Fondly known as the ‘Zen Millionaire’ in his home country, Ken has penned 58 books (including the New York Times bestseller Happy Money), been translated into 15 languages, and sold over 8 million copies and counting.As a young boy, Ken discovered – the hard way – just how much of an impact money can have on our lives. After learning of a family friend who took both his own life and the lives of his family due to a run-in with loan sharks, Ken became determined to understand why something as ubiquitous as money could deeply influence our behavior.And in some cases, with very tragic outcomes. Ken would go on to build multiple successful businesses and achieve ultimate financial freedom at just 29. But his fascination with our relationship with money persisted. After surveying over 12,000 self-made millionaires in Japan while being mentored by the late Wahei Takeda (the ‘Warren Buffett of Japan’), he began noticing a common pattern among the richest, happiest, and most fulfilled people.Building sustainable wealth was less about Money IQ (business and investment strategies) and more about Money EQ (our emotional intelligence surrounding money). Ken’s financial expertise comes from owning and managing several businesses, including an accounting company, a management consulting firm, and a venture capital corporation. His writings bridge the topics of finance and self-help, focusing on creating and generating personal wealth and happiness through deeper self-honesty. Ken provides ongoing support through mentoring programs, business seminars, therapeutic workshops, and correspondence courses.Ken is the first person from Japan to be voted into the Transformational Leadership Council, a group of personal and professional development leaders. He is fluent in Japanese and English; he lived in Boston, Massachusetts, for two years; and currently resides in Tokyo, Japan. Please enjoy my conversation with Ken Honda.