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This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. 80% of the Japanese population was born after the war, and the people who are old enough to remember it are all elderly. How will they pass on their stories? One man who is…
In 2020, when Tokyo hosts the Olympic Games, it will also host the Paralympic Games. Japan has traditionally lagged behind in the development of artificial limbs - one man trying to change that is prosthetic leg engineer Ken Endo. He has…
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During Japan's period of rapid growth that began in the mid-1950s, large housing developments known as danchi were built in cities across the nation. In March of this year, a project was launched to revitalize one of these now-aging…
Kundo Koyama was tasked with creating a mascot for Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. The resulting character, a bear named Kumamon, went on to generate 120 billion yen for Kumamoto in 2 years. Koyama's strategy is always to keep…
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TABLE FOR TWO aims to tackle the dichotomy of global obesity and hunger through a unique calorie transfer program in which healthy meals are served at the cafeterias of partner companies, with the excess calories -- 20 yen per meal --…
The latest edition of Kojien, the most authoritative of Japanese dictionaries, hit the stores in January 2018. A team of 220 wordsmiths spent 5 years tracking words in the media and on the Internet before deciding on the 10,000 or so new…
Kyoto celebrates spring with Miyako Odori, a 400-year-old dance festival featuring the geiko and maiko of Gion. The choreographer of this month-long event is Yachiyo Inoue, the 5th generation master of Kyomai, a school of dance…
With the Tsukiji Market slated for relocation in October 2018, a major concern is how to preserve its distinctive culture and traditions that date back over 400 years. Our guest this time is Kyoko Fukuchi, a writer and former intermediary…
Around 15,000 athletes are expected at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Serving them food while taking into account their individual needs and cultural background is no easy job. That's why Kiyomi Mikuni has been put in charge. One of…
The destruction of natural habitats in the name of economic growth has made a once common bird an endangered species. In June 2018, however, 19 "toki," or Japanese crested ibis were reintroduced into the wild, thanks to a breeding and…
Hansen's disease or leprosy has been treated effectively since the 1950's in most countries. It's not even that contagious. But in Japan, people affected by the disease were forcefully isolated until 1996. Today, most elderly patients,…
The 2018 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing, aka the Little Nobel Prize for Literature, went to Eiko Kadono (83), author of "Kiki's Delivery Service." She won acclaim for her inspirational portrayal of a girl who makes her own way…
Eiichi Saitoh is a pioneering figure in rehabilitation medicine and man behind the development of cutting-edge braces and robots. Stricken by polio as a child, his right leg is paralyzed. But he turns this into an advantage to develop and…
Takafumi Tsuruta is all about designing fashion that is stylish, functional and fun for everyone, transcending all boundaries. He made a splash in 2015 when he became the first designer in Japan to feature runway models with disabilities.…
In September 2018, Japan's space agency, JAXA, became the first to land a robotic explorer on an asteroid. The rovers were dispatched from the asteroid explorer Hayabusa2 and are now gathering samples that are expected to shed light on…
Chieko Kuribayashi is the director of a non-profit. 5 years ago, it opened a "children's cafeteria" to serve kids that, whether for financial reasons or because of their parents' busy work schedules, aren't getting enough to eat at home.…
Our guest is Yodogawa Technique, an artist who transforms trash and flotsam into stunning collages. He travels worldwide, interacting with local communities to create thought-provoking works. In the Maldives he formed a huge fish with the…
A declining birthrate and an exodus of young people to the cities has led to an increase in vacant homes, often abandoned in lieu of paying inheritance tax. Over 13% of the houses in Japan remain empty. In Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture,…
Miso and other fermented foods are key to Japanese cuisine, a favorite of health-conscious foodies the world over. But increasing food diversity has led to a 40% decline in miso consumption over the last 20 years. This has prompted Hiraku…
The 2018 US National Book Award for Translated Literature went to Yoko Tawada's "The Emissary," a phantasmagoric description of the dystopian world after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Based in Germany, Tawada has won numerous awards…
Our guest, Yusuke Murakami, is a field architect who studies extreme living environments. He's spent over 1,000 days in the field, including the Himalayas and Antarctica. In 2017, he led an international team as Executive Officer on a…
Kuniaki Kuroki is a world-renowned glassmaker with over 50 years of experience, whose works combine techniques from traditional Japanese ceramics and lacquering, and incorporate motifs from classic Japanese artists like Ogata Korin and…
Originally from Canada, Josh Grisdale has cerebral palsy, is quadriplegic and has used a wheelchair from a very early age. In 2015 he created an English website on accessible tourism in Japan, which receives over 50,000 hits a year.…
teamLab is a cutting-edge art collective led by Toshiyuki Inoko. One of its major exhibitions is set in a huge Japanese garden at the foot of Mt. Mifuneyama in Kyushu. Constantly changing seasonal images are projected onto huge rocks and…
Judo, karate, and kendo are representative of Japan's martial arts or budo that has its origins in the way of the samurai. Doshin Hiroki used to be one of Japan's foremost budo masters. But after his son was diagnosed with autism, he…
Miyako Ishiuchi is a world-famous photographer and laureate of the "Nobel Prize of photography," the Hasselblad Award. She chooses to focus on the personal effects of the deceased, including the victims of the Hiroshima A-bomb, to…
Nanami Shiono (82) is the best-selling author of historic novels set in the Mediterranean, which have been translated into English, Chinese and Korean. During her 50-year career, her work has covered a span of some 2,500 years, allowing…
Kodan is a traditional storytelling art that is enjoying a spectacular revival thanks to Kanda Hakuzan (36). Although he made his debut just 13 years ago, tickets to his performances sell out in no time. He manages to bring historic…
An illustrated book that explains the law in simple terms has sold over 500,000 copies in just over 6 months. Aimed at children, the author Soichiro Yamasaki hopes that understanding the law will help address the ongoing issue of…
Symbolic of Japanese tradition and culture and imbued with the spirit of the samurai, the Japanese sword is both a deadly weapon and a work of art. Yoshihara Yoshindo is considered to be the greatest swordsmith alive. His works are…
Flower artist Azuma Makoto continues to stun the world with mind-blowing ideas that include launching a bonsai into the stratosphere and floating a huge floral sculpture out at sea. Since his work requires removing flowers from their…
Hirofumi Seo is a medical doctor turned CG designer. He is making the most of his expertise to create 3D animations that are helping to break new ground in medicine. Doctors say his work allows them to feel as if they've been shrunk to…
Aoki Ryota is a young potter known for his distinct use of glazes. They not only decorate and make ceramic surfaces impermeable and waterproof, but allow him to produce innovative textures and shades. He develops his glazes through trial…
In 2017, concern over the depletion of Japan's fishery resources led French-cuisine chef Ishii Shinsuke to call on other like-minded chefs to launch a group to promote sustainable seafood in Japan. Making the most of their influence on…
In Japan, the number of Kodokushi, in which people die alone and remain undiscovered, is on the rise. The rooms where these people die tend to be filled with rubbish, representing the inner turmoil of those who have lost the will to live.…
Die-hard anime and manga fans are falling in love with 2.5D musicals. These are productions that exist somewhere between the 2D realm of anime and manga and the 3D realm of theater. Pioneering this new genre is theater producer Matsuda…
A Japanese aquarium that was once in dire straits has become the world's center for jellyfish research, thanks to its current director, Okuizumi Kazuya. He proposed setting up a jellyfish exhibit many years ago. At the time, he was a…
The skills of Japan's craftsmen are indispensable in restoring and preserving Japan's traditional wooden architecture. At the end of 2020, these skills were listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. David Atkinson, a former…
Photographer Asada Masashi, who inspired the award-winning film, "The Asada Family, " is famous for taking unconventional family photos. One photo featuring his own family shows them dressed up as firefighters. Rather than traditional…
Gomi's picture books are free of both moral stories and definite conclusions. He is content to leave the interpretation up to his readers. Rather than presenting a clear plot or conclusion, he wants his works to stir emotions. Therefore,…
Aoyagi Takashi makes the inkstones for grinding the sumi ink used in calligraphy, the art of writing with brush and ink. Aoyagi not only carves these inkstones, but goes deep into the mountains to look for stones that will become…
Manabe Daito is an artist whose work spans from media arts to stage productions. He leads a group of experts in both software and hardware development, encompassing every step in the creative process. Working closely with his team, he…
Chiba Tetsuya has led the world of Japanese manga for over 60 years. In 1967, he began a five-year series which became a monumental work. "Ashita no Joe" is the story of a young orphan who discovers boxing and overcomes hurdles to become…
Fashion designer Kawasaki Kazuya is attracting global attention for his work in sustainable fashion. He works with experts in diverse fields such as AI, architecture, biotechnology and traditional textiles. Through these collaborations,…
Tsujimoto Tomohiko is a dancer and choreographer known for his unique fusion of dance styles. He honed his technique in Tokyo and New York, and for much of his 30s toured internationally with Cirque du Soleil. As a choreographer, he's…
Born into a family of winemakers in Yamanashi Prefecture, Misawa Ayana is breathing new life into Japanese wines. Since 2014, her wines made from Koshu grapes, once thought to be unsuitable for wine, have won international acclaim. Behind…
A luxury restaurant in Tokyo has started to serve an unusual menu; it uses ingredients otherwise destined to be thrown away. It's one of many projects masterminded by food loss activist Yamada Sakiko, who connects producers with high-end…
Kuribayashi Takashi is known for his installation artwork centered on the theme of boundaries, borders and limits. His fascination with borders began during his time in Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His works encourage…
Japanese folklore is full of Yokai, legendary monsters and spirits known feared for their ability to cause inexplicable phenomena. Today, however, they've come to be seen in a different light, and are often featured in popular anime and…
Millions of people in Ukraine have been displaced as a result of the military invasion by Russia. In the midst of this humanitarian crisis, international NGO Médecins Sans Frontières, known as Doctors Without Borders in English, has been…
Kyohei Sorita is creating a new wave in Japan's classical music scene. Winning second prize in the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition catapulted him to fame as a world-class pianist. Much like his piano playing, he has been bold,…
A mysterious forest garden, dotted with dozens of small ponds. A plaza covered by a massive steel plate perforated with countless small openings. The man behind these works is architect Junya Ishigami, who explores the relationship…
Kusumi Masayuki is the author of the best-selling manga "Kodoku no Gurume," or "The Solitary Gourmet." The story follows a traveling salesman who searches for good restaurants in locations across Japan. He prefers to eat alone in…
For over a thousand years, textiles have been produced in Nishijin, Kyoto Prefecture. In a process that involves over 20 steps, more than 2,000 silk threads are dyed before being woven into complex designs and 3D textures. Hosoo Masataka…
Shigemoto Hidekichi brings innovation to the traditional world of sumi-e art. From musicians and athletes to sword-wielding samurai, his paintings capture the speed, dynamism and emotion of the moments they portray. His work has garnered…
Murata Sayaka is a novelist who has gained a cult following worldwide. She soared to fame with "Convenience Store Woman," a novel that explores the challenges and consequences of nonconformity. The work asks readers to consider what it…
In 2022, Takasago Junji won a prize in one of the world's top wildlife photography competitions with an ethereal picture that conveys his trademark love and respect for nature. As a child, living near the ocean brought him close with…
Hasegawa Zaiyu is a chef of Japanese cuisine who's been gaining attention from diners and critics around the world for his culinary innovation. His restaurant Den has frequently appeared on the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants. His…
In 1985, a fifteen-year-old boy from Mongolia arrived in Japan. That young boy, weighing just 62 kilograms, would go on to become Hakuho, Japan's most decorated sumo wrestler. He won an astonishing 45 championships and 1,186 bouts before…
Former soccer player Nakata Hidetoshi played on Japan's national team in 3 FIFA World Cups. Having spent much of his career overseas, after retiring in 2006 he embarked on a journey across Japan to learn more about his own culture. His…
Tsuji Hitonari is an author, poet, musician, director, performer, chef and more. In the 1980s, he led Japan's rock scene while writing novels. 20 years ago, he moved to Paris, where he has been pursuing various interests, including…
Designer Junko Koshino has astonished Japan's fashion scene for over 60 years with her out-of-the-box creations. We learn what continues to spur Koshino's passion for design.
Namae Shinobu, a chef of French cuisine, works to promote sustainability in gastronomy and more. We accompany him to Amami Oshima to learn more about his passion for food and the environment.
Our guest is MIKIKO, a choreographer and director who works with popular groups like Perfume and BABYMETAL. She combines dance with futuristic technology to create soul-stirring performances.
In 2010, Daisuke Takahashi became the first Japanese male figure skater to win an Olympic medal. After retiring at age 37, he's now in the midst of producing a one-of-a-kind ice show from scratch.
Sato Yusuke leads a sake brewery in Akita Prefecture. By focusing on traditional brewing methods, he's sparked a new era in sake brewing and revitalized the local area. He talks about the industry's future.
The bustling district of Shibuya in Tokyo is undergoing a transformation as part of a massive redevelopment project led by architect Hiroshi Naito. He shares a glimpse into the area's future.
Kawashima Toru is a chef of Japanese cuisine based in Noto. Through the power of food and human connection, he's been working to help the region recover from the New Year's Day 2024 earthquake.
Photographer and film director Ninagawa Mika is known for her vibrantly colorful works. She shares insight into her latest exhibition, as well as her thoughts on life and peace.
Imamura Shogo is a writer of historical fiction who showcases unlikely protagonists to explore modern social issues. He talks about his methodology and his efforts to keep paper books alive.
Legendary jockey Take Yutaka won his first G1 race at 19 years old, and has remained at the top for nearly 40 years. How does he draw out the full potential of his horses? And what lies ahead for him?
World-renowned gallerist Tomio Koyama helped launch the careers of artists Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara. He shares his unique approach and his vision for the future of Japan's art scene.
Actor Okada Junichi is the producer and action choreographer for a samurai series set for global release. He shares his passion for the genre, which draws heavily on Japanese physical techniques.
Captivating audiences around the world, Hiromi is one of Japan's leading pianists. Exclusive backstage footage and a special performance reveal her musical world and the challenges behind it.
Yoshioka Sarasa revives ancient plant-based colors in Kyoto. As natural dyes grow scarce, she preserves their legacy while creating layered works that reveal new dimensions of nature's hues.
Iwaoka Yoji brought together Japan's diverse ramen traditions by creating the world's first ramen-themed amusement park.He explores how this dish became one of Japan's most enduring cultural icons.
