"Even if Your First Wish Doesn't Come True, Life's Possibilities are Limitless" Emi Nekozawa's New Book 'Life is Made of Choices' to be Released on Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Emi Nekozawa's new essay collection 'Life is Made of Choices,' which explores how life's possibilities are endless through choices even if initial aspirations aren't met, will be released by KADOKAWA on April 1, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 09:04
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 03:50 (498h 45m after Collected)
KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President, CEO: Takeshi Natsuno) released 'Life is Made of Choices' (authored by Emi Nekozawa) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
## Debuted as a musician at 26, studied abroad in Paris at 32, sold her Tokyo home in her 50s and moved back to Paris to cohabit.
Emi Nekozawa, a musician, writer, and founder of a French language school, who continues multi-faceted activities, has released her first completely new essay in five years. This book details her eventful life and philosophy of "choice."
Born into a long-established kimono fabric store in Fukushima Prefecture, she aimed to become a percussionist, receiving classical music education during her student days. However, her path was never smooth, marked by the decline of her family business, repeated economic crises, and going independent after debuting as a singer-songwriter in her 20s but not fitting in with record labels or agencies.
While her career may seem glamorous at first glance, the surprising truth hidden behind the scenes was that "her first wishes never came true."
## "Not achieving your first wish" is not a failure
Nekozawa consistently missed her first choices at various turning points in her life, such as university entrance exams and job hunting. Even after achieving her long-cherished debut, she had to leave her agency amid changes in the music industry and explore paths other than being a musician.
However, she does not perceive these as "failures." Instead, she reflects that they were "stepping stones" intentionally placed to help her find her true aspirations.
She writes that by being freed from the spell of the "first wish," her life options expanded infinitely, opening new paths that led to her current happy life in Paris.
## The essence of living, found at rock bottom
One event that particularly formed the author's strong foundation was the period in her late 30s when illness and economic collapse coincided, leaving her "penniless." At this time, she deliberately chose a part-time job unrelated to her main profession: working at a bento shop.
She writes that through working diligently and physically, her former pride and vanity were washed away with her sweat, and she developed deep respect for jobs that support the foundation of society.
## For everyone hesitant to "choose"
This book offers hope to those who feel "afraid of failure" or "stifled by their current life," conveying that "even if you stumble, life will work out if you bravely choose a different path true to yourself."
Nekozawa, who moved back to Paris with her beloved cat after turning 50 and lives by fully embracing her imperfect self, offers readers a more diverse perspective on choices.
## Debuted as a musician at 26, studied abroad in Paris at 32, sold her Tokyo home in her 50s and moved back to Paris to cohabit.
Emi Nekozawa, a musician, writer, and founder of a French language school, who continues multi-faceted activities, has released her first completely new essay in five years. This book details her eventful life and philosophy of "choice."
Born into a long-established kimono fabric store in Fukushima Prefecture, she aimed to become a percussionist, receiving classical music education during her student days. However, her path was never smooth, marked by the decline of her family business, repeated economic crises, and going independent after debuting as a singer-songwriter in her 20s but not fitting in with record labels or agencies.
While her career may seem glamorous at first glance, the surprising truth hidden behind the scenes was that "her first wishes never came true."
## "Not achieving your first wish" is not a failure
Nekozawa consistently missed her first choices at various turning points in her life, such as university entrance exams and job hunting. Even after achieving her long-cherished debut, she had to leave her agency amid changes in the music industry and explore paths other than being a musician.
However, she does not perceive these as "failures." Instead, she reflects that they were "stepping stones" intentionally placed to help her find her true aspirations.
She writes that by being freed from the spell of the "first wish," her life options expanded infinitely, opening new paths that led to her current happy life in Paris.
## The essence of living, found at rock bottom
One event that particularly formed the author's strong foundation was the period in her late 30s when illness and economic collapse coincided, leaving her "penniless." At this time, she deliberately chose a part-time job unrelated to her main profession: working at a bento shop.
She writes that through working diligently and physically, her former pride and vanity were washed away with her sweat, and she developed deep respect for jobs that support the foundation of society.
## For everyone hesitant to "choose"
This book offers hope to those who feel "afraid of failure" or "stifled by their current life," conveying that "even if you stumble, life will work out if you bravely choose a different path true to yourself."
Nekozawa, who moved back to Paris with her beloved cat after turning 50 and lives by fully embracing her imperfect self, offers readers a more diverse perspective on choices.