Eiji Sakai
@elm200.bsky.social
A former software engineer. I'm from Japan. Interested in the intersection of technology and society. BEV and renewable energy evangelist.
What if cheap renewable energy could end agriculture as we know it? A new era of synthetic food, rewilded land, and ecological restoration may be closer than we think. elm200.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
June 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
What if cheap renewable energy could end agriculture as we know it? A new era of synthetic food, rewilded land, and ecological restoration may be closer than we think. elm200.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
Renewable energy isn’t just clean—it’s a lever to redesign civilization. From CO₂ removal to fossil-free chemistry, we’re entering a new era. elm200.substack.com/p/rethinking...
June 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Renewable energy isn’t just clean—it’s a lever to redesign civilization. From CO₂ removal to fossil-free chemistry, we’re entering a new era. elm200.substack.com/p/rethinking...
Just published a reflection on Amartya Sen’s theory of inequality—why "equality of what?" matters, and how capabilities may help us rethink freedom and justice in the age of AI. elm200.substack.com/p/inequality...
June 6, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Just published a reflection on Amartya Sen’s theory of inequality—why "equality of what?" matters, and how capabilities may help us rethink freedom and justice in the age of AI. elm200.substack.com/p/inequality...
As AI grows smarter, will we gradually surrender our freedom by outsourcing decisions to it? I reflected on this question in response to a brilliant blog by Dr. Shirokuma. Democracy, autonomy, and the rise of an AI-governed society—what might the future hold? elm200.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
June 1, 2025 at 8:40 AM
As AI grows smarter, will we gradually surrender our freedom by outsourcing decisions to it? I reflected on this question in response to a brilliant blog by Dr. Shirokuma. Democracy, autonomy, and the rise of an AI-governed society—what might the future hold? elm200.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
The English-speaking world feels politically overwhelming right now. Ukraine, Gaza—too grim. AI is thrilling, but its social impact is sobering. Cleantech(EV and renewable energy) brings hope, yet China’s lead sends geopolitical ripples. A complicated time.
May 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The English-speaking world feels politically overwhelming right now. Ukraine, Gaza—too grim. AI is thrilling, but its social impact is sobering. Cleantech(EV and renewable energy) brings hope, yet China’s lead sends geopolitical ripples. A complicated time.
We hope government will fix society, yet resist sharing the wealth data it needs to act. My latest piece explores this contradiction through the lens of Piketty’s work on capital and inequality. elm200.substack.com/p/living-in-...
May 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We hope government will fix society, yet resist sharing the wealth data it needs to act. My latest piece explores this contradiction through the lens of Piketty’s work on capital and inequality. elm200.substack.com/p/living-in-...
Reflections on inequality, AI, and global power shifts—from America’s unraveling to China’s rise. A personal journey through today’s complex world. elm200.substack.com/p/why-do-i-t...
May 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Reflections on inequality, AI, and global power shifts—from America’s unraveling to China’s rise. A personal journey through today’s complex world. elm200.substack.com/p/why-do-i-t...
Piketty’s r > g still matters—but can we really fix inequality with taxes alone? In this essay, I explore how AI might deepen the gap, and why we may need new systems, not just redistribution. elm200.substack.com/p/piketty-wa...
May 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Piketty’s r > g still matters—but can we really fix inequality with taxes alone? In this essay, I explore how AI might deepen the gap, and why we may need new systems, not just redistribution. elm200.substack.com/p/piketty-wa...
A new blog post exploring the shift in global economic power from the West to Asia, with insights from Piketty’s data on income distribution. The Global South is rising—are we ready? elm200.substack.com/p/the-declin...
May 23, 2025 at 6:20 AM
A new blog post exploring the shift in global economic power from the West to Asia, with insights from Piketty’s data on income distribution. The Global South is rising—are we ready? elm200.substack.com/p/the-declin...
What will shape the world by 2050? A deep dive into how population trends, industrial power, and geopolitical shifts are setting the stage for a new global order—led by China, India, and the U.S. elm200.substack.com/p/the-future...
May 19, 2025 at 1:22 AM
What will shape the world by 2050? A deep dive into how population trends, industrial power, and geopolitical shifts are setting the stage for a new global order—led by China, India, and the U.S. elm200.substack.com/p/the-future...
Trump's anti-EV stance risks crippling the U.S. auto industry and letting China’s EV lead grow even wider. A potentially fatal turn for the U.S. economy.
May 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Trump's anti-EV stance risks crippling the U.S. auto industry and letting China’s EV lead grow even wider. A potentially fatal turn for the U.S. economy.
Trump 2.0 isn't the real danger. It's the society that chose him—twice. This essay explores how post-truth culture is driving modern civilization toward collapse.
elm200.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
elm200.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
May 13, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Trump 2.0 isn't the real danger. It's the society that chose him—twice. This essay explores how post-truth culture is driving modern civilization toward collapse.
elm200.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
elm200.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
Why are Chinese state-owned EV makers more agile than Japan's giants? A look at how market pressure, not ownership structure, shapes innovation. elm200.substack.com/p/state-capi...
May 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Why are Chinese state-owned EV makers more agile than Japan's giants? A look at how market pressure, not ownership structure, shapes innovation. elm200.substack.com/p/state-capi...
I reflect on Japan’s long stagnation, the rise of China’s EV industry, and what it means for Japan’s future. elm200.substack.com/p/the-future...
May 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I reflect on Japan’s long stagnation, the rise of China’s EV industry, and what it means for Japan’s future. elm200.substack.com/p/the-future...
Writing a long piece feels somewhat like running a marathon.
I think I’m beginning to understand why Haruki Murakami runs every day and disciplines himself to focus on writing for a set period of time. That mindset is starting to make more sense to me.
I think I’m beginning to understand why Haruki Murakami runs every day and disciplines himself to focus on writing for a set period of time. That mindset is starting to make more sense to me.
May 5, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Writing a long piece feels somewhat like running a marathon.
I think I’m beginning to understand why Haruki Murakami runs every day and disciplines himself to focus on writing for a set period of time. That mindset is starting to make more sense to me.
I think I’m beginning to understand why Haruki Murakami runs every day and disciplines himself to focus on writing for a set period of time. That mindset is starting to make more sense to me.
Some thoughts on expressing myself in English. A personal essay. elm200.substack.com/p/struggling...
Struggling with English
(I wrote the initial draft of this article myself, and ChatGPT helped revise it.)
elm200.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Some thoughts on expressing myself in English. A personal essay. elm200.substack.com/p/struggling...
I like his take. Indeed, the U.S. containment policies against China have facilitated Chinese technological development and independence rather than suppressed it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX9N...
Fareed’s Take: US jumped into a huge trade war without planning ahead
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
May 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I like his take. Indeed, the U.S. containment policies against China have facilitated Chinese technological development and independence rather than suppressed it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX9N...
Toyota built an empire on its Japan-centered supply chain. But in the EV era, it's losing control—over parts, profits, and power. This essay explores how quietly, the empire may now be fading.
elm200.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...
elm200.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...
The Quiet Collapse of Toyota’s Industrial Empire
How Japan’s Automotive Titan Risks Losing Its Core in the Age of EVs
elm200.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Toyota built an empire on its Japan-centered supply chain. But in the EV era, it's losing control—over parts, profits, and power. This essay explores how quietly, the empire may now be fading.
elm200.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...
elm200.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...
Trump unilaterally raised tariffs, breaking international commitments. It is comparable to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which violated international law. Offenders should not be rewarded, otherwise global law and order will be undermined.
May 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Trump unilaterally raised tariffs, breaking international commitments. It is comparable to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which violated international law. Offenders should not be rewarded, otherwise global law and order will be undermined.
China is right to demand sincerity from the U.S. before entering tariff negotiations. The U.S. has broken its international commitments and should not expect trust without accountability. Washington should abandon its “reciprocal” tariffs or face consequences. Bullies should not be rewarded.
May 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
China is right to demand sincerity from the U.S. before entering tariff negotiations. The U.S. has broken its international commitments and should not expect trust without accountability. Washington should abandon its “reciprocal” tariffs or face consequences. Bullies should not be rewarded.
Why do tyrants rise again and again? I explore how wounded leaders and wounded societies create each other, and why ultimately mature, democratic souls prevail. A reflection on history’s hidden cycles. elm200.substack.com/p/the-cycle-...
The Cycle of Wounded Souls and the Rise and Fall of Tyrants
Wounded Leaders, Wounded Societies
elm200.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Why do tyrants rise again and again? I explore how wounded leaders and wounded societies create each other, and why ultimately mature, democratic souls prevail. A reflection on history’s hidden cycles. elm200.substack.com/p/the-cycle-...
This video is really interesting. It shows a Trump voter who regrets her choice after losing her job because of him. I feel sorry for her. She's a real human being, too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-FE...
MAGA voter sends message to Trump in CNN interview
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This video is really interesting. It shows a Trump voter who regrets her choice after losing her job because of him. I feel sorry for her. She's a real human being, too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-FE...
The video does a great job explaining how U.S. presidents hold so much power in the government. I think Americans need to address this, as it undermines the system of checks and balances. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtr9...
Fareed analyzes Trump’s pattern of declaring national emergencies
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The video does a great job explaining how U.S. presidents hold so much power in the government. I think Americans need to address this, as it undermines the system of checks and balances. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtr9...
The astonishing speed of China's EV development is not just the result of one outstanding manufacturer; it reflects the sophistication of China's entire supply chain. It may have reached a level that is no longer easily replicable by other advanced economies.
April 27, 2025 at 10:22 AM
The astonishing speed of China's EV development is not just the result of one outstanding manufacturer; it reflects the sophistication of China's entire supply chain. It may have reached a level that is no longer easily replicable by other advanced economies.
In human society, power is never just raw force. It is always clothed in ideals — necessary fictions that justify its existence. This essay explores how all political systems, from democracies to authoritarian regimes, rely on a hidden lie to sustain legitimacy. elm200.substack.com/p/power-forc...
Power, Force, and the Necessary Fiction
Human beings cannot directly face naked power.
elm200.substack.com
April 27, 2025 at 2:48 AM
In human society, power is never just raw force. It is always clothed in ideals — necessary fictions that justify its existence. This essay explores how all political systems, from democracies to authoritarian regimes, rely on a hidden lie to sustain legitimacy. elm200.substack.com/p/power-forc...