Why a British guy in finance chose a Japanese name
When I first launched this project, a few friends asked me: “Oliver, you’re in Leeds, you’re studying British economics… so what’s with the name?”
It’s a fair question. Why y-minshu.org?
1. The Meaning of Minshu (民衆)
In Japanese, Minshu translates to “the people,” “the public,” or “the masses.”
In the world of finance, knowledge is often treated like an elite club. It’s wrapped in jargon, hidden behind expensive paywalls, and delivered by “gurus” who want to keep the secrets to themselves. I’ve always hated that.
I believe that financial literacy belongs to the minshu — the everyday people. Whether you’re a student in Manchester or a worker in London, understanding money shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be accessible to everyone. The “y” stands for “yield” or “yearly,” but for me, it’s also just the bridge to that public knowledge.
2. The Philosophy of Kaizen (Continuous Improvement)
My obsession with Japanese culture isn’t just about the language; it’s about the mindset. There’s a concept called Kaizen — the idea of small, continuous improvements every single day.
That is exactly how I approach financial literacy. You don’t get rich or smart overnight. You read one good book, you fix one bad spending habit, and you improve by 1% every day. This shop is a collection of resources that help you practice your own financial Kaizen.
3. The Aesthetic of Clarity
If you’ve spent any time on this site, you’ll notice it doesn’t look like a typical “Finance Bro” website. There are no flashy cars, no “get rich quick” banners, and no clutter.
I’ve always been inspired by Japanese minimalism (Ma — the use of negative space). I wanted Oliver Books to feel calm, organized, and focused. By removing the “noise” (the guru nonsense), we can finally focus on the “signal” (real knowledge).
A Personal Note
At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who loves two things: deep economic theory and Japanese culture. Combining them into y-minshu felt like the only honest way to build this project. It’s a reminder that while the markets might be global, the goal of financial freedom is universal.