In this episode, I explore why the phrase “communication skills” often makes me feel uncomfortable, even to the point of dislike. In Japan, from job interviews to workplace evaluations, communication ability is treated as a universal virtue. Yet much of what is praised as “skill” seems closer to pleasing others—pouring drinks at the right moment, reading the room—rather than true dialogue. I reflect on how this culture rewards surface-level gestures, stems from school hierarchies, and remains vague and subjective. Is “communication skill” really essential, or just a social illusion? I invite listeners to reconsider this assumption.