For a Japanese-Canadian boy who grew up in North America, time had always felt static; the society he was raised in evolved so gradually that the world of his parents felt nearly identical to his own.

However, upon arriving in China, this perception was shattered. He was suddenly immersed in an environment of relentless dynamism and transformation. He witnessed the skyline constantly evolving with new architectural marvels, robotics and EVs revolutionizing daily life, and one of the most robust manufacturing supply chains in the world. For the first time, this overwhelming, tangible progress made the abstract concept of "time" feel intensely real.