★ A brand-new masterpiece by philosopher and bestselling author Hitoshi Ogawa!
★ From “a blank mind” to “clear, well-defined perspectives”: in just five steps, this book teaches you how to use questioning to kickstart independent thinking.
★ The key skill for navigating the age of information overload: stop blindly following social media and AI, and learn to think for yourself to make informed judgments.
★ Perfect for workplace meetings, creative brainstorming, and everyday decision-making—this book enhances your ability to articulate ideas, fosters original thinking, and turns philosophy into a practical tool for real-world problem-solving.

True thinking begins with asking questions. This book is designed to help readers seize opportunities for reflection and develop the ability to think independently, using their own minds. Have you ever found it hard to express your views in meetings, lacked inspiration when planning, or been easily swayed by others’ opinions? These challenges often stem not from a lack of talent or “natural flair,” but from a failure to activate the key trigger of thinking: “questions.” Questions are the gateway to thought; they are the switch that powers our mental engines. Once you learn how to ask the right questions, thinking kicks into gear naturally, and creative ideas begin to flow.

Starting from the common state of feeling “completely stuck” with no ideas, this book systematically outlines five clear and highly practical steps that guide readers step by step through the process of formulating questions, deepening their thinking, and ultimately forming their own well-reasoned perspectives. The book also presents a variety of thinking techniques that are especially useful when your mind feels blocked, helping you effectively break free from the frustrating “mental blank” state.

By reading this book, you will gain the confidence to articulate your insights in meetings and presentations, consistently generate your own unique ideas and plans, and avoid being easily swayed by the information streams on social media or by artificial intelligence. In this age of information overload, the ability to resist going with the crowd and to think for yourself is a rare and powerful skill. Even more importantly, independent thinking is a journey in itself—one that can be deeply rewarding and enjoyable. Let’s learn to ask questions together and, in our own words, reimagine this fascinating world.

Hitoji Ogawa

Born in 1970 in Kyoto, Japan, Hitoji Ogawa graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University and earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the Graduate School of Nagoya City University. He has held positions as a professor at the Faculty of International and Comprehensive Sciences at Yamaguchi University, a professor at Tokuyama National College of Technology, and a visiting researcher at Princeton University in the United States. He also served as a mentor on NHK Educational TV’s program “Consulting World Philosophers About Life.” For many years, he has been dedicated to making philosophy accessible to the general public, earning him the popular nickname “Uncle Philosophy Ogawa” in Japan. He is the author of numerous books, including “Hayao Miyazaki’s Philosophical Enlightenment for Children,” “Please, Philosophy Isn’t That Difficult!,” and “The Psychology of the Unusual.”

Part One: The Moment You Ask a Good Question, the Answer Emerges
Part Two: Five Steps to Formulate Questions and Deepen Your Thinking
Chapter 1: Observe—Identify Opportunities to Ask Questions
Chapter 2: Imagine—Expand the Boundaries of Your Questions
Chapter 3: Reflect—Design Precise and Targeted Questions
Chapter 4: Articulate—Give Your Questions a Concrete Form
Chapter 5: Summon Courage—Breathe Life into Your Questions