Face To Face

Ichikawa Ebizo: Today's Innovation Is Tomorrow's Tradition

Chie Yamano: Saving Japanese Craftsmanship

Mika Omori: Making Women Cheer

Tomoko Takayanagi: Humanity's Best Friend

Yoshiharu Hoshino – Recharging Tourism

Fram Kitagawa: The Energy Art Gives

Minoru Nakamura: The Future of Tuna

Keiko Yoneyama: Uncovering Child Poverty

Hiroyuki Itsuki: Living Until the End

Koji Kinjo: A Champion of Coral

Toemon Sano: Sakura and the Japanese

Dai Tamesue: A Sporting Chance

Timothy Clark: Creating a Sea Change

Nobuhiko Kizu: Unlocking the Antarctic Time Capsule

Shoko Kanazawa: Nothing Can Hold Me Back

Chiaki Yoshida: On the Right Track

Masao Higashi: Kaidan, a Mirror on the Japanese Belief

Naohiro Kimura: Struggling to Surface

Shinichiro Maki: Boosting Conservation Awareness

Taiji Hasuda: Hatch the Future

Takeshi Hakamada: Moonshot

Teruo Yabe: The Seven-Minute Miracle

Yukio Wada: Living with Dementia

Masahisa Kogure: Serving Both Sides of the Table

TABLE FOR TWO aims to tackle the dichotomy of global obesity and hunger through a unique calorie transfer program in whi

Yasunari Hiraki: Word by Word

The latest edition of Kojien, the most authoritative of Japanese dictionaries, hit the stores in January 2018. A team of

Yachiyo Inoue: Tradition in Full Bloom

Kyoto celebrates spring with Miyako Odori, a 400-year-old dance festival featuring the geiko and maiko of Gion. The chor

Kyoko Fukuchi: The Tsukiji Legacy

With the Tsukiji Market slated for relocation in October 2018, a major concern is how to preserve its distinctive cultur

Kiyomi Mikuni: Japanese Cuisine at the Olympics

Around 15,000 athletes are expected at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Serving them food while taking into account their i

Yoshinori Kaneko: Bringing Back from Extinction

The destruction of natural habitats in the name of economic growth has made a once common bird an endangered species. In

Yasuji Hirasawa: The Unheard Voices of Leprosy

Hansen's disease or leprosy has been treated effectively since the 1950's in most countries. It's not even that contagio

Eiko Kadono: Weaving Magic with Words

The 2018 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing, aka the Little Nobel Prize for Literature, went to Eiko Kadono (83),

Eiichi Saitoh: Resilience and Recovery Come in Pairs

Eiichi Saitoh is a pioneering figure in rehabilitation medicine and man behind the development of cutting-edge braces an

Takafumi Tsuruta: Eliminating Borders through Fashion

Takafumi Tsuruta is all about designing fashion that is stylish, functional and fun for everyone, transcending all bound

Hitoshi Kuninaka: Never Say No to a Challenge

In September 2018, Japan's space agency, JAXA, became the first to land a robotic explorer on an asteroid. The rovers we

Chieko Kuribayashi: Saving Communities One Meal at a Time

Chieko Kuribayashi is the director of a non-profit. 5 years ago, it opened a "children's cafeteria" to serve kids that,

Yodogawa Technique: Infusing Life Into Trash

Our guest is Yodogawa Technique, an artist who transforms trash and flotsam into stunning collages. He travels worldwide

Masako Toyota: Turning Narrow Hilly Streets into an Asset

A declining birthrate and an exodus of young people to the cities has led to an increase in vacant homes, often abandone

Hiraku Ogura: Listening to the Voices of Microorganisms

Miso and other fermented foods are key to Japanese cuisine, a favorite of health-conscious foodies the world over. But i

Yoko Tawada: The Fascination of Exophonic Literature

The 2018 US National Book Award for Translated Literature went to Yoko Tawada's "The Emissary," a phantasmagoric descrip

Yusuke Murakami: The Key to Living Harmoniously in Extreme Environments

Our guest, Yusuke Murakami, is a field architect who studies extreme living environments. He's spent over 1,000 days in

Kuniaki Kuroki: A Glass Magician

Kuniaki Kuroki is a world-renowned glassmaker with over 50 years of experience, whose works combine techniques from trad

Josh Grisdale: A Wheelchair User's Insight into Japanese Hospitality

Originally from Canada, Josh Grisdale has cerebral palsy, is quadriplegic and has used a wheelchair from a very early ag

Toshiyuki Inoko: Changing Perspectives with Digital Art

teamLab is a cutting-edge art collective led by Toshiyuki Inoko. One of its major exhibitions is set in a huge Japanese

Doshin Hiroki: Martial Arts, a New Way of Therapy

Judo, karate, and kendo are representative of Japan's martial arts or budo that has its origins in the way of the samura

Miyako Ishiuchi: Documenting the Vestiges of Time

Miyako Ishiuchi is a world-famous photographer and laureate of the "Nobel Prize of photography," the Hasselblad Award. S

Nanami Shiono: Bringing History to Life

Nanami Shiono (82) is the best-selling author of historic novels set in the Mediterranean, which have been translated in

Kanda Hakuzan: Championing the Art of Kodan

Kodan is a traditional storytelling art that is enjoying a spectacular revival thanks to Kanda Hakuzan (36). Although he

Soichiro Yamasaki: Helping Kids Protect Themselves

An illustrated book that explains the law in simple terms has sold over 500,000 copies in just over 6 months. Aimed at c

Yoshihara Yoshindo: The Art of the Japanese Sword

Symbolic of Japanese tradition and culture and imbued with the spirit of the samurai, the Japanese sword is both a deadl

Azuma Makoto: Breathing New Life into Flowers

Flower artist Azuma Makoto continues to stun the world with mind-blowing ideas that include launching a bonsai into the

Bridging the Fields of Medicine and CG

Hirofumi Seo is a medical doctor turned CG designer. He is making the most of his expertise to create 3D animations that

A Modern-day Alchemist

Aoki Ryota is a young potter known for his distinct use of glazes. They not only decorate and make ceramic surfaces impe

Ishii Shinsuke: Sustainable Seafood from a Star Chef

In 2017, concern over the depletion of Japan's fishery resources led French-cuisine chef Ishii Shinsuke to call on other

Kojima Miyu: Bringing to Life the Final Days of the Forgotten

In Japan, the number of Kodokushi, in which people die alone and remain undiscovered, is on the rise. The rooms where th

Matsuda Makoto: The Pioneer of 2.5D Musicals

Die-hard anime and manga fans are falling in love with 2.5D musicals. These are productions that exist somewhere between

Okuizumi Kazuya: Lovestruck by Jellyfish

A Japanese aquarium that was once in dire straits has become the world's center for jellyfish research, thanks to its cu

David Atkinson: Preserving Craftsmanship for Posterity

The skills of Japan's craftsmen are indispensable in restoring and preserving Japan's traditional wooden architecture. A

Photographing Family Bonds

Photographer Asada Masashi, who inspired the award-winning film, "The Asada Family, " is famous for taking unconventiona

Picture Books Need No Conclusion

Gomi's picture books are free of both moral stories and definite conclusions. He is content to leave the interpretation

Inkstones in a Digital Age

Aoyagi Takashi makes the inkstones for grinding the sumi ink used in calligraphy, the art of writing with brush and ink.

Visualizing an Unseen World

Manabe Daito is an artist whose work spans from media arts to stage productions. He leads a group of experts in both sof

Living in the Moment Through Manga

Chiba Tetsuya has led the world of Japanese manga for over 60 years. In 1967, he began a five-year series which became a

Weaving a Sustainable Future

Fashion designer Kawasaki Kazuya is attracting global attention for his work in sustainable fashion. He works with exper

The Vitality of Dance

Tsujimoto Tomohiko is a dancer and choreographer known for his unique fusion of dance styles. He honed his technique in

Local Wine on the Global Map

Born into a family of winemakers in Yamanashi Prefecture, Misawa Ayana is breathing new life into Japanese wines. Since

Making Sustainability Sustainable

A luxury restaurant in Tokyo has started to serve an unusual menu; it uses ingredients otherwise destined to be thrown a

Exploring Boundaries Through Art

Kuribayashi Takashi is known for his installation artwork centered on the theme of boundaries, borders and limits. His f

Yokai, From Folklore to the Future

Japanese folklore is full of Yokai, legendary monsters and spirits known feared for their ability to cause inexplicable

Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

Millions of people in Ukraine have been displaced as a result of the military invasion by Russia. In the midst of this h

A Pianist's Vision for the Future

Kyohei Sorita is creating a new wave in Japan's classical music scene. Winning second prize in the 2021 International Ch

The Intersection of Nature and Architecture

A mysterious forest garden, dotted with dozens of small ponds. A plaza covered by a massive steel plate perforated with

Lessons from a Solo Diner

Kusumi Masayuki is the author of the best-selling manga "Kodoku no Gurume," or "The Solitary Gourmet." The story follows

Weaving the Future with Tradition

For over a thousand years, textiles have been produced in Nishijin, Kyoto Prefecture. In a process that involves over 20

Shigemoto Hidekichi: Dynamism in Black

Shigemoto Hidekichi brings innovation to the traditional world of sumi-e art. From musicians and athletes to sword-wield

Murata Sayaka: Revealing Truth Through Fantasy

Murata Sayaka is a novelist who has gained a cult following worldwide. She soared to fame with "Convenience Store Woman,

Takasago Junji: Life Revealed Through the Lens

In 2022, Takasago Junji won a prize in one of the world's top wildlife photography competitions with an ethereal picture

Hasegawa Zaiyu: Conveying Culinary Passion

Hasegawa Zaiyu is a chef of Japanese cuisine who's been gaining attention from diners and critics around the world for h

Miyagino Sho: Hakuho's Next Chapter

In 1985, a fifteen-year-old boy from Mongolia arrived in Japan. That young boy, weighing just 62 kilograms, would go on

Nakata Hidetoshi: Chasing New Goals

Former soccer player Nakata Hidetoshi played on Japan's national team in 3 FIFA World Cups. Having spent much of his car

Tsuji Hitonari: A Life Devoted to Exploring Art

Tsuji Hitonari is an author, poet, musician, director, performer, chef and more. In the 1980s, he led Japan's rock scene

Junko Koshino: Encounters Inspire Creativity

Designer Junko Koshino has astonished Japan's fashion scene for over 60 years with her out-of-the-box creations. We lear

Namae Shinobu: People, Nature, and Gastronomy

Namae Shinobu, a chef of French cuisine, works to promote sustainability in gastronomy and more. We accompany him to Ama

MIKIKO: Creating Magic with Dance

Our guest is MIKIKO, a choreographer and director who works with popular groups like Perfume and BABYMETAL. She combines

Daisuke Takahashi: Trailblazing an Icy Horizon

In 2010, Daisuke Takahashi became the first Japanese male figure skater to win an Olympic medal. After retiring at age 3

Sato Yusuke: Reviving Brewing Methods, Reviving Communities

Sato Yusuke leads a sake brewery in Akita Prefecture. By focusing on traditional brewing methods, he's sparked a new era

Hiroshi Naito: Transforming Shibuya for the Future

The bustling district of Shibuya in Tokyo is undergoing a transformation as part of a massive redevelopment project led

Kawashima Toru: Connection and Tradition in Recovering Noto

Kawashima Toru is a chef of Japanese cuisine based in Noto. Through the power of food and human connection, he's been wo

Ninagawa Mika: Where Fantasy Meets Reality

Photographer and film director Ninagawa Mika is known for her vibrantly colorful works. She shares insight into her late

Imamura Shogo: Illuminating the Present with Historical Fiction

Imamura Shogo is a writer of historical fiction who showcases unlikely protagonists to explore modern social issues. He

Take Yutaka: Riding Towards Greatness

Legendary jockey Take Yutaka won his first G1 race at 19 years old, and has remained at the top for nearly 40 years. How

Tomio Koyama: Curating Creativity

World-renowned gallerist Tomio Koyama helped launch the careers of artists Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara. He share

Okada Junichi : Reviving Samurai Action

Actor Okada Junichi is the producer and action choreographer for a samurai series set for global release. He shares his

Hiromi: Sailing the Sea of Music

Captivating audiences around the world, Hiromi is one of Japan's leading pianists. Exclusive backstage footage and a spe

Yoshioka Sarasa: Preserving Japan's Ancient Colors

Yoshioka Sarasa revives ancient plant-based colors in Kyoto. As natural dyes grow scarce, she preserves their legacy whi

Iwaoka Yoji: Preserving Ramen Culture

Iwaoka Yoji brought together Japan's diverse ramen traditions by creating the world's first ramen-themed amusement park.