This year, I had the privilege of returning to Chiba University to deliver a lecture on global careers and entrepreneurship, marking my fifth consecutive year teaching at the institution. Under the theme of how individuals who will shape Japan’s future should make decisions in an increasingly uncertain world, I engaged with more than 300 students. Rather than focusing solely on success stories, the lecture intentionally included candid reflections on my own failures, detours, misjudgments, and moments of frustration. By sharing these experiences honestly, I sought to convey the weight and responsibility of choosing one’s own path in a life that only comes once. Special attention was given to female students, addressing the complex relationship between marriage, childbirth, and career. In a world without simple answers, I emphasized the importance of making these decisions deliberately, while also speaking frankly about the very real challenges of returning to a career after stepping away from it. As Japan inevitably becomes more deeply connected to the global community, the ability to adapt to change will no longer be optional. Looking only inward and prioritizing short-term stability risks narrowing one’s future choices. I encouraged students to broaden their perspectives early, design their careers with the world in mind, and actively shape their own possibilities in a global context.