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All Seasons

Season 2016

  • S2016E01 Takahiro Hachigo

    • April 4, 2016
    • NHK

    Takahiro Hachigo, who became Honda president in 2015, envisions a revival of "Honda-ism" with products that make people happy. He speaks about strategy evolution and quality management.

  • S2016E02 Kengo Kuma

    • April 5, 2016
    • NHK

    Kego is a acomplished Architect involved with Tokyo 2020: Designing the Olympic Stadium

  • S2016E03 Mahathir bin Mohamad - Part 1

    • April 6, 2016
    • NHK

    Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, led the country to become one of the richest ASEAN countries. This is the 1st part of an interview with Dr. Mahathir.

  • S2016E04 Mahathir bin Mohamad - Part 2

    • April 7, 2016
    • NHK

    Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former PM of Malaysia, is known for his bold ideas. In this 2nd part of an interview, we hear his views on stability and security both in Asia and the rest of the world.

  • S2016E05 Jeffrey Archer

    • April 8, 2016
    • NHK

    Having his books published in 97 countries, Jeffrey Archer is one the most reputed best-selling novelists. As a former politician, he retains a keen interest in Asia especially the Far East countries.

  • S2016E06 Yoshiharu Ueki

    • April 11, 2016
    • NHK

    Yoshiharu Ueki is the president of Japan Airlines, and the company’s first leader who started out as a pilot. In 2010, JAL filed for bankruptcy, and Ueki has been in charge of revitalizing the firm.

  • S2016E07 Terumasa Hino

    • April 12, 2016
    • NHK

    Living with Jazz tonight we look at the life of Jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino

  • S2016E08 Rajeev Suri

    • April 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Rajeev Suri , the first Indian to become CEO of Nokia, tells us what makes the company different under his management and his vision for how future technology will change the world.

  • S2016E09 Salil Shetty

    • April 14, 2016
    • NHK

    Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, grew up in India and is a long-term human rights activist. He worries that human rights around the world have been deteriorating recently.

  • S2016E10 Guo Pei

    • April 15, 2016
    • NHK

    Guo Pei, one of China's top designers, is fast becoming famous in the fashion world with her magnificent dresses worn by international pop stars. She talks about her passion for high fashion.

  • S2016E11 Kazuo Ushida

    • April 18, 2016
    • NHK

    Nikon’s president, Kazuo Ushida, is an engineer with a passion for optical technology. The rise of smartphones has hurt camera sales, but Ushida has a plan for the future of Nikon’s business.

  • S2016E12 Ichikawa Somegoro

    • April 19, 2016
    • NHK

    Creating New Kabuki in Las Vegas Ichikawa Somegoro

  • S2016E13 Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita

    • April 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, one of the first female professional mountaineers in Nepal,talks about her challenge to climbing and her active support for the survivors of the earthquake in 2015.

  • S2016E14 Soren Hermansen

    • April 21, 2016
    • NHK

    Soren Hermansen, a pioneer of green movement from Denmark came to Fukushima in March. He talks about the potential of community power which has been gaining attention in Japan recently.

  • S2016E15 Bob James

    • April 22, 2016
    • NHK

    Legendary jazz pianist and composer Bob James taps the power of music to help the people of Tohoku recover from the tragedy of 3.11. He reflects on a 40 year love affair with Japan.

  • S2016E16 Peter Sutherland

    • April 27, 2016
    • NHK

    Peter Sutherland, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General: International Migration, talks that governments must share responsibility for resettling people affected by crises.

  • S2016E17 Ko Ko Gyi

    • April 28, 2016
    • NHK

    Ko Ko Gyi, one of Myanmar’s leading pro-democracy activists for over 25 years, talks of the long road he has traveled along with Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and others in quest of full democracy.

  • S2016E18 Kishore Mahbubani

    • April 29, 2016
    • NHK

    As a Singaporean diplomat, scholar, and prolific author, Kishore Mahbubani suggests we can learn ways for people of diverse backgrounds to co-exist by adopting ASEAN approach.

  • S2016E19 Madoka Kitamura

    • May 2, 2016
    • NHK

    TOTO is Japan's largest maker of toilets. This 100-year-old company strives to develop unique products that help people and the environment. We spoke with Toto's president, Madoka Kitamura.

  • S2016E20 Ryu Goto

    • May 6, 2016
    • NHK

    Born and raised in New York, Ryu Goto is 27-year-old prominent violinist. He talks his belief in music, collaboration works with Asian artists, and his interests other than classical music.

  • S2016E21 Shigeru Ban

    • May 9, 2016
    • NHK

    Shigeru Ban, the 2014 Pritzker Prize winner, is an architect famous for works like the Pompidou-Metz. He also leads an effort to create emergency shelters out of paper in the world’s disaster areas.

  • S2016E22 Kunio Kobayashi

    • May 10, 2016
    • NHK

    Bonsai is an art form where the work is never finished, and it fascinates people around the world. Master bonsai artist Kunio Kobayashi speaks about how bonsai encapsulates life and death.

  • S2016E23 Wandee Khunchornyakong

    • May 11, 2016
    • NHK

    Thailand’s pioneer in mega solar farms, Wandee Khunchornyakong looks at Southeast Asia as a region with huge potential for growth in renewable energy which she believes can tackle climate change also.

  • S2016E24 Hans Blix

    • May 12, 2016
    • NHK

    Hans Blix led the search for weapons of mass destruction before the Iraq war. Join Direct Talk to hear the former head of IAEA discuss world security, disarmament, nuclear power and global warming.

  • S2016E25 Chade-Meng Tan

    • May 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Former Google engineer Chade-Meng Tan developed an influential meditation program for tech workers. He reveals how Silicon Alley has turned to Eastern philosophy to cut stress and boost creativity.

  • S2016E26 Hidenori Ikegami

    • May 16, 2016
    • NHK

    Kumon, a tutoring company that began in Japan in the 1950s, currently has over 4 million students in 49 countries and territories. We speak with its president, Hidenori Ikegami, about how it succeeds.

  • S2016E27 Toshio Tokura

    • May 17, 2016
    • NHK

    The advent of smartphones and smart watches makes life difficult for the timepiece business. Toshio Tokura of Citizen Holdings, a long-established watch firm, discusses this challenge and the future.

  • S2016E28 Mahabir Pun

    • May 18, 2016
    • NHK

    Mahabir Pun, Founder of Nepal Wireless Networking Project, is connecting remote villages in the Himalayan region to the internet. He talks of his hope to change rural people's lives with technology.

  • S2016E29 Robin Rowland

    • May 19, 2016
    • NHK

    Robin Rowland runs the Yo! Sushi restaurant chain and is one of Britain’s leading food entrepreneurs. Join Direct Talk to hear him talk about his plans to bring Japanese food to a global audience.

  • S2016E30 Toshiko Akiyoshi

    • May 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Toshiko Akiyoshi, Berklee-trained jazz pianist and composer, celebrated her 70-year career earlier this year. She talks the long path she had taken in American Jazz and her emotional ties to Asia.

  • S2016E31 Jared Diamond

    • May 25, 2016
    • NHK

    Working across academic disciplines, Jared Diamond has spent decades observing human societies with a broad perspective. He talks about one of the biggest issues facing the world today, polarization.

  • S2016E32 Jung Chang

    • June 3, 2016
    • NHK

    Jung Chang’s family story, immortalized in her book Wild Swans, brought 20th Century China alive for millions of readers around the world. In Direct Talk Chang discusses her books and China today.

  • S2016E33 Shinya Katanozaka

    • June 6, 2016
    • NHK

    ANA Holdings is the parent company of All Nippon Airways, now in its 30th year of international flights. We speak with ANA Holdings CEO Shinya Katanozaka about effective risk management.

  • S2016E34 Takuya Nakata

    • June 7, 2016
    • NHK

    Yamaha is one of the world's best known makers of musical instruments, including pianos and synthesizers. We speak with Yamaha’s president, Takuya Nakata, about how it creates innovative products.

  • S2016E35 Vikrom Kromadit

    • June 8, 2016
    • NHK

    Vikrom Kromadit is the founder of Thailand's largest industrial estate developer, recognized as a leader in his field. He talks of his experiences that lead to success and his visions for the future.

  • S2016E36 Lang Lang

    • June 10, 2016
    • NHK

    Lang Lang is a Chinese pianist who has performed with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States. He hopes to inspire kids to explore the piano and celebrate the wonderful world of music.

  • S2016E37 Tetsuji Ohashi

    • June 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Komatsu is the world's No. 2 manufacturer of construction equipment. Its president, Tetsuji Ohashi, talks about the company's groundbreaking technology, and the global challenges it works to solve.

  • S2016E38 Naoki Izumiya

    • June 14, 2016
    • NHK

    Asahi Group Holdings has the largest market share for beer in Japan. In March 2016, CEO Naoki Izumiya also became chairman. He wants to use Japanese strengths to be globally competitive.

  • S2016E39 Jay Rubin

    • June 17, 2016
    • NHK

    Jay Rubin has translated many novels by Japanese author Haruki Murakami. He shares his insights into the appeal of this bestselling writer and explains his own universal outlook.

  • S2016E40 Mitsuaki Iwago

    • June 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago has captured lions battling for supremacy…and his work has appeared on the cover of National Geographic twice. He tells us the secret to photographing animals.

  • S2016E41 Naomi Kawase

    • June 21, 2016
    • NHK

    The heavily autobiographical movies of Naomi Kawase have won many awards, including the Grand Prix at Cannes. Now she sits on film festival juries. We speak with this leading filmmaker.

  • S2016E42 Bill Gates

    • June 23, 2016
    • NHK

    Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is known as the wealthiest man on the planet. In recent years he’s focused on philanthropy, teaming up with his wife to launch the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

  • S2016E43 Pen-Ek Ratanaruang

    • June 24, 2016
    • NHK

    Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is an internationally acclaimed film director and screenwriter, a pioneer in Thai 'New Wave' cinema, credited with reviving the country's film industry and drawing in new audiences

  • S2016E44 Jose Ramos-Horta

    • June 29, 2016
    • NHK

    Jose Ramos Horta is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and key figure in the history of East Timor. He discusses the lessons of that history and his philosophy of conflict resolution through reconciliation.

  • S2016E45 Sayuri Yoshinaga

    • July 1, 2016
    • NHK

    Legendary Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga has made a life’s work of highlighting the suffering of Atomic Bomb survivors, and now the victims of the Fukushima Disaster, by reading their poetry.

  • S2016E46 Hiroshi Ishino

    • July 4, 2016
    • NHK

    The paints and coatings made by Kansai Paint are used in a quarter of the world’s vehicles. Its current president, Hiroshi Ishino, has been instrumental in the company’s bold global expansion.

  • S2016E47 Genshitsu Sen

    • July 5, 2016
    • NHK

    The Japanese “way of tea” dates back 500 years, and Genshitsu Sen is the previous head of the Urasenke tea tradition. He survived World War II, and believes tea can be a powerful force for peace.

  • S2016E48 Dave McClure

    • July 6, 2016
    • NHK

    Venture capitalist Dave McClure provides seed money and mentoring to startups in Silicon Valley and beyond. He talks about his passion for entrepreneurialism and assesses the East Asian market.

  • S2016E49 Ian Bremmer

    • July 7, 2016
    • NHK

    New York-based political scientist Ian Bremmer is the founder of Eurasia Group, a global political risk research firm. He gives us his analysis of geopolitics in a leaderless world.

  • S2016E50 Cai Guo-Qiang

    • July 8, 2016
    • NHK

    Cai Guo-Qiang is a Chinese artist who currently lives and works in New York City. While living in Japan, he explored the properties of gunpowder in his drawings. We ask his belief of art.

  • S2016E51 Tomotaka Takahashi

    • July 11, 2016
    • NHK

    Tomotaka Takahashi is a renowned creator of humanoid robots. He envisions a future where everyone will own a robot, and where these robots will be able to communicate effectively with humans.

  • S2016E52 Kiritake Kanjuro

    • July 12, 2016
    • NHK

    Bunraku is a traditional form of puppet theater with 300 years of history. One of its foremost practitioners today is Kiritake Kanjuro III. He tells us how he makes his beautiful puppets come alive.

  • S2016E53 David Howell

    • July 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Lord David Howell is a Conservative British politician. Having been Secretary of State for Energy, he talks about prospects regarding low oil prices and the global future of energy.

  • S2016E54 Kazuhisa Nishigai

    • July 19, 2016
    • NHK

    Bridgestone is the world’s No. 1 tire maker. How will it grow going forward? By focusing on creating tires that are good for the environment. We speak to Kazuhisa Nishigai, the company’s COO.

  • S2016E55 Masayoshi Son

    • July 20, 2016
    • NHK

    An interview with Masayoshi Son, Chairman&CEO of SoftBank Group, about his plan,”ASIA SUPER GRID.” He aims to create a renewable energy network to connect countries in Asia to supply cheaper, environmentally friendly electricity.

  • S2016E56 Venki Ramakrishnan

    • July 21, 2016
    • NHK

    With antibiotic resistance continuing to threaten world health, Direct Talk meets the Nobel Prize winning scientist Venki Ramakrishnan, whose discoveries provide the key to new drugs.

  • S2016E57 Mitsuaki Taguchi

    • July 25, 2016
    • NHK

    Bandai Namco creates over 200 character themed products annually. As anime’s popularity grows across Asia, Mitsuaki Taguchi shares his thoughts on the business of characters and plans for the future.

  • S2016E58 Daisaku Kimura

    • July 26, 2016
    • NHK

    Celebrated cinematographer and director Daisaku Kimura has worked on many classic Japanese films. Having honed his skills under Akira Kurosawa, he discusses what keeps him going now at the age of 77.

  • S2016E59 Babatunde Osotimehin

    • July 27, 2016
    • NHK

    Babatunde Osotimehin is executive director of United Nations Population Fund. Being a specialist in human health, he talks about how the global community should prevent epidemic of Ebola and Zika.

  • S2016E60 David Nussbaum

    • July 28, 2016
    • NHK

    David Nussbaum is the Chief Executive of WWF in the UK. He is passionate about the role of sustainable business as well as government leadership to solve the environmental issues facing the planet.

  • S2016E61 Midori

    • August 2, 2016
    • NHK

    Midori Goto, who made her debut at age 11, has been called the greatest violinist of her generation. She is also a UN Messenger of Peace. We speak to this virtuoso about a career of giving back.

  • S2016E62 Joanne Liu

    • August 3, 2016
    • NHK

    Joanne Liu, International President of the humanitarian organization, MSF – Medecins Sans Frontieres – discusses the challenges of providing emergency medical care in war zones and natural disasters.

  • S2016E63 Shyam Badan Shrestha

    • August 4, 2016
    • NHK

    Shyam Badan Shrestha is a pioneer in producing and marketing Nepalese handcrafts using natural fibers from plants native to Nepal. She has built on traditional skills of women, to empower women.

  • S2016E64 Paul Smith

    • August 5, 2016
    • NHK

    Sir Paul Smith is one of the most successful fashion designers across the world, and has been creating clothes for 40 years, with stores in 73 countries. Now 70, he is still working as hard as ever.

  • S2016E65 Benjamin Law

    • September 1, 2016
    • NHK

    Benjamin Law is a Sydney-based writer. The Family Law, the first Australian TV drama focusing on an Asian immigrant family, is based on his book. He talks of his insights as a minority writer.

  • S2016E66 Kartika Jahja

    • September 2, 2016
    • NHK

    Kartika Jahja is a singer songwriter - Indonesia's 'hottest diva' aiming to 'uncool patriarchy'. She's known for her originality in music as well as her eye-catching advocacy to bring gender equality.

  • S2016E67 Masaki Sakuyama

    • September 5, 2016
    • NHK

    After the 2008 financial crisis, many electronics companies fell into the red, but Mitsubishi Electric successfully stayed the course. CEO Masaki Sakuyama talks about strategy and technology.

  • S2016E68 Hideki Togi

    • September 6, 2016
    • NHK

    Gagaku is a type of traditional music that originated in the imperial court 1,300 years ago. For the past 20 years, Hideki Togi has been combining gagaku and modern music for a global audience.

  • S2016E69 Susi Pudjiastuti

    • September 7, 2016
    • NHK

    Susi Pudjiastuti is Indonesia's star Fisheries Minister known for sinking illegal fishing boats. Her tough policies have rocked the nation and its neighbors. She talks of her mission with a passion.

  • S2016E70 Shigetaka Komori

    • September 12, 2016
    • NHK

    The swift rise of digital imaging represented a crisis for Fujifilm. In response, the company underwent a “second founding,” and bounced back strongly. We speak with Shigetaka Komori, Fujifilm’s CEO.

  • S2016E71 Katsuhiko Wakabayashi

    • September 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Hardlock Industry is a firm of about 50 employees that makes a revolutionary kind of hardware nut. We speak with its president, Katsuhiko Wakabayashi, who has been called the “Edison of East Osaka.”

  • S2016E72 Peter Stutchburry

    • September 14, 2016
    • NHK

    Australian architect Peter Stutchbury is leading “sustainable architecture”. He designs houses based on respect for nature and the needs of residents. He tells us his philosophy of architecture.

  • S2016E73 Oh Jun-ho

    • September 15, 2016
    • NHK

    Oh Jun-ho is South Korea’s leading robot researcher. In 2015, he won an international contest in making disaster droids. He talks about the potential of robots and how they can co-exist with humans.

  • S2016E74 Shunji Iwai

    • September 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Shunji Iwai’s films are known for their unique beauty, and they have a passionate following across Asia. Iwai says the inspiration for his work comes largely from his childhood and adolescence.

  • S2016E75 Paul Keating

    • September 21, 2016
    • NHK

    Paul Keating, the former prime minister of Australia, tried to expand regional cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific. He talks about how the Asia-Pacific region will influence the globe.

  • S2016E76 Richard Dawkins

    • September 23, 2016
    • NHK

    Richard Dawkins is one of the most famous evolutionary biologists as author of ‘The Selfish Gene’. He is also controversial and has upset many people with his outspoken atheist views.

  • S2016E77 Noam Chomsky

    • August 28, 2016
    • NHK

    The father of modern linguistics, Professor Chomsky is renowned as a critic of US foreign policy. He talks about the decline of democracy and what linguistics can tell us about human society.

  • S2016E78 Shi Yihong

    • September 29, 2016
    • NHK

    Peking Opera actor Shi Yihong is known to be as good at performing action roles as she is at singing. She’s also bringing Peking Opera to a new generation of audiences.

  • S2016E79 Hirotaka Sugiyama

    • October 3, 2016
    • NHK

    Filled with Japan’s top firms, Marunouchi is the country’s economic heart. Facing competition throughout Asia, how does Mitsubishi Estate CEO Hirotaka Sugiyama keep the business district evolving?

  • S2016E80 Hiroshi Sugimoto

    • October 4, 2016
    • NHK

    Famous for his Seascapes series, Hiroshi Sugimoto has been pushing photography to the level of high art since his debut in the1970s. We ask Sugimoto about the message behind his newest work.

  • S2016E81 Tim Fung

    • October 5, 2016
    • NHK

    Being the creator of Airtasker, an online and mobile marketplace for task sharing, Mr. Fung talks about the future of community-based share economy which is significantly growing in Australia.

  • S2016E82 Tomoaki Kato

    • October 6, 2016
    • NHK

    New York-based multi-organ transplant surgeon Dr. Tomoaki Kato talks about saving lives on the operating table and his tireless advocacy for transplant surgery and organ donation worldwide.

  • S2016E83 Takayuki Ohira

    • October 11, 2016
    • NHK

    In 1998, Takayuki Ohira created a planetarium that displayed over 100 times more stars than other models, and he did it alone. We ask Ohira about his current projects, his passion and his vision.

  • S2016E84 Bill Granger

    • October 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Australian restaurateur Bill Granger is an all around food guru who owns 16 restaurants across the world. He tells us his philosophy regarding food and restaurants.

  • S2016E85 Yoshiyuki Sankai

    • October 17, 2016
    • NHK

    Yoshiyuki Sankai is the CEO of Cyberdyne, a firm that is developing robotics for use in the field of medicine. One of its inventions is HAL, a wearable robot for people with disabilities.

  • S2016E86 Naoyuki Kawahara

    • October 18, 2016
    • NHK

    Naoyuki Kawahara is a physician who was sent by Japan’s foreign ministry to Sudan. There, he was inspired to start his own NGO, which travels the country providing medical services to people in need.

  • S2016E87 Adnan Topan Husodo

    • October 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Adnan Topan Husodo leads efforts to bring transparency to public spending and accountability to those in power. He says active public participation is essential in fighting and exposing corruption.

  • S2016E88 David Bouley

    • October 21, 2016
    • NHK

    New York based celebrity chef David Bouley tells how his discovery of Japanese kaiseki fine dining has turned him into an advocate for making haute cuisine a healthy art form.

  • S2016E89 Mansai Nomura

    • October 24, 2016
    • NHK

    Kyogen is a Japanese form of comic theater with 650 years of history, and Mansai Nomura is one of its brightest stars. We speak to him about his efforts to bring Shakespeare into the world of kyogen.

  • S2016E90 Hiroshi Senju

    • October 25, 2016
    • NHK

    Hiroshi Senju is a Japanese artist based in New York who paints in the Nihonga tradition. In 2015, he was commissioned to create 42 sliding door paintings for one of Japan’s most historic temples.

  • S2016E91 Tri Mumpuni

    • October 26, 2016
    • NHK

    Tri Mumpuni has helped communities build micro-hydro power plants across Indonesia. She believes empowering local people to manage natural resources will lead to sustainable development for all.

  • S2016E92 Yoshihito Yamada

    • October 31, 2016
    • NHK

    Omron developed the world’s first automated ticket gate. Under CEO Yoshihito Yamada, the company is tackling many of today’s important issues, including how people and machines can live in harmony.

  • S2016E93 Banana Yoshimoto

    • November 1, 2016
    • NHK

    The novels and short stories of Banana Yoshimoto are available in over 30 countries, and she has “Banana fans” around the world. We speak with her about how her writing has transcended borders.

  • S2016E94 Christiana Figueres

    • November 2, 2016
    • NHK

    Christiana Figueres was playing key role in Paris agreement Dec.2015 for limiting the increase in global temperatures. Why were these talks successful after years of Controversy?

  • S2016E95 Wang Zhenghua

    • November 3, 2016
    • NHK

    Spring Airlines is the first privately owned Chinese budget airline company. Chairman Wang Zhenghua’s concept of charging budget rates, have put him at odds with the aviation authorities.

  • S2016E96 Tim Blum

    • November 4, 2016
    • NHK

    Gallery owner Tim Blum put cutting-edge artists like Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami on the international art world map. He talks about his passion for contemporary art and Japanese culture.

  • S2016E97 Kunihiko Shimada

    • November 7, 2016
    • NHK

    Kunihiko Shimada is a professional negotiator. He has negotiated and mediated around the world, including in Kosovo and East Timor, and is currently involved in discussions related to Syria.

  • S2016E98 Sisyu

    • November 8, 2016
    • NHK

    Calligraphy has a long history in Japan, and Sisyu is currently one of the country’s most prominent calligraphers. She is taking calligraphy beyond the page to create modern art with global appeal.

  • S2016E99 Christopher Patten

    • November 9, 2016
    • NHK

    Christopher Patten is the last Governor of Hong Kong. He is a close China watcher. We asked Lord Patten what he thought of the recent Hong Kong elections and political situation.

  • S2016E100 Masahiro Nakajima

    • November 14, 2016
    • NHK

    Morita Holdings is a top maker of fire trucks. Masahiro Nakajima, its chairman & CEO, talks about how the company learns from major disasters, and the secrets of developing firefighting vehicles.

  • S2016E101 Ikuo Fujitaka

    • November 15, 2016
    • NHK

    Drum Tao, a group that puts an entertaining twist on taiko drumming, has performed in front of over 7 million people in 23 countries. Its director, Ikuo Fujitaka, talks about the group’s appeal.

  • S2016E102 Angel Gurria

    • November 16, 2016
    • NHK

    Angel Gurria is challenging to find an economic solution while some of the world's economies are slowing down with trade and investment. We hear how to stimulate the world's sluggish economy.

  • S2016E103 Ezra Vogel

    • November 17, 2016
    • NHK

    Harvard Professor (Emeritus) Ezra Vogel has authored numerous bestselling books analyzing Japan and China. He outlines the current challenges to cooperation between the two countries and the US.

  • S2016E104 Jia Zhangke

    • November 18, 2016
    • NHK

    Jia Zhangke is known as the “Sixth generation of Chinese filmmakers”. His films are shot in a documentary style to help illustrate the intense emotional changes faced by ordinary Chinese citizens.

  • S2016E105 Yoichi Takahashi

    • November 21, 2016
    • NHK

    Yoichi Takahashi created the world-famous soccer manga “Captain Tsubasa,” which started in 1981 and is still running today. His work has influenced many people, including famous soccer players.

  • S2016E106 Fu Yiyao

    • November 25, 2016
    • NHK

    Fu Yiyao, a Chinese artist who learned Buddhist art in Japan, is now well known for capturing the essence of traditional festivals by vividly drawing dancing and playing participants.

  • S2016E107 Mikiko

    • November 28, 2016
    • NHK

    The choreographer Mikiko was recently tapped to oversee the performance of the official handover of the Olympics from Rio to Tokyo. She talks about how she uses technology to make humans shine.

  • S2016E108 Yin Myo Su

    • December 1, 2016
    • NHK

    Yin Myo Su is a successful entrepreneur from the Inthar tribe of Inle Lake in Eastern Myanmar. She's a passionate advocate for ethical standards in business, and conservation of nature and culture.

  • S2016E109 Sputniko!

    • December 2, 2016
    • NHK

    With her hi-tech installations and videos, Japanese / British artist Sputniko! envisions the future of society and leads the next generation of feminists in challenging the gender gap.

  • S2016E110 Valery Gergiev

    • December 5, 2016
    • NHK

    World-renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev has long been passionate about music and bringing together young musicians from around the Asia-Pacific region. He hopes this passion will lead to closer ties between Russia and Japan.

  • S2016E111 Toshio Yanagisawa

    • December 6, 2016
    • NHK

    The conductor Toshio Yanagisawa helped found the Balkan Chamber Orchestra. It brings together musicians from different countries in the former Yugoslavia, a region that has faced ethnic conflict.

  • S2016E112 Eddie Jones

    • December 7, 2016
    • NHK

    Eddie Jones is the rugby coach who led the Japanese national team to historic victory over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup. Now he's pursuing a new challenge as England head coach.

  • S2016E113 Richard Rogers

    • December 9, 2016
    • NHK

    British architect Richard Rogers is behind many of iconic buildings of the last 45 years, including the Pompidou Centre in Paris. He has won countless awards and has campaigned for sustainable cities.

  • S2016E114 Yuichi Mori

    • December 12, 2016
    • NHK

    Yuichi Mori has been researching films and membranes for over 30 years. At age 53, he started Mebiol, a company that applies this technology to agriculture through what it calls “film farming.”

  • S2016E115 Kazuyuki Ishihara

    • December 13, 2016
    • NHK

    Kazuyuki Ishihara is a Japanese landscape artist who has been praised by Queen Elizabeth II as a gardening magician. This year, he won the President’s Award at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.

  • S2016E116 Mireya Solis

    • December 14, 2016
    • NHK

    Mireya Solis, Senior Research Fellow and Japan specialist at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, talks about the structure of Japan’s labor force, the role of women in the economy and the TPP.

  • S2016E117 Pichet Klunchun

    • December 16, 2016
    • NHK

    Pichet Klunchun has won international acclaim and domestic notoriety with his contemporary interpretations of Thai classical dance-drama, Khon. He talks of his passion to keep the art alive and free.

  • S2016E118 Eva Chen

    • December 19, 2016
    • NHK

    Trend Micro is a major computer security firm. How can we defend against the hackers attacking businesses, governments, and even home appliances? We asked Eva Chen, Trend Micro’s CEO and co-founder.

  • S2016E119 Katsuhisa Ezaki

    • December 20, 2016
    • NHK

    Ezaki Glico is one of Japan’s leading confectionery companies. Its hit products include Pocky, 10 billion boxes of which have been sold worldwide. We speak with the company’s CEO, Katsuhisa Ezaki.

  • S2016E120 Helena Norberg-Hodge

    • December 21, 2016
    • NHK

    Helena Norberg-Hodge is a Swedish author and environmentalist who has been advocating “localization.” She talks about protecting and developing local economy and culture versus globalization.

  • S2016E121 Kevin O’Hare

    • December 23, 2016
    • NHK

    Kevin O’Hare is Director of The Royal Ballet in London. He was a dancer for 20 years, performing all the leading roles. Now he's trying to find ways for ballet to be relevant to a new generation.

Season 2017

  • S2017E01 Daniel Barenboim

    • January 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Daniel Barenboim, pianist and conductor explains how music has a unique power both at a personal and a political level and discusses his controversial Arab Israeli West Eastern Divan Orchestra.

  • S2017E02 William J. Perry - Part 1

    • January 18, 2017
    • NHK

    Ex-Secretary of Defense, William Perry is known to have influenced President Obama and his goal of “Nuclear Disarmament.” Perry explains the idea of “World without nuclear weapons” and the threats of “New Cold War.”

  • S2017E03 William J. Perry - Part 2

    • January 19, 2017
    • NHK
  • S2017E04 Li Shuyun

    • January 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Li Shuyun is China’s famous tea master. With her beautiful tea table arrangements and a performance atmosphere, Li has done much to revive interest in the art of tea in modern China.

  • S2017E05 Ton Nu Thi Ninh

    • January 25, 2017
    • NHK

    Ton Nu Thi Ninh has dedicated her career to initiating communication and understanding between Vietnam and the world. She talks of the resilience of the Vietnamese people and the challenges they face.

  • S2017E06 Blaine Harden

    • January 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Blaine Harden, former Washington Post reporter and the author of a bestselling exposé of life in a North Korean political prison camp, talks about the continuity of the repressive Kim regime.

  • S2017E07 Oliver Stone

    • January 27, 2017
    • NHK

    For 30 years Oliver Stone has taken aim at government abuses in films from Platoon to JFK, and now, Snowden. The Oscar winning director discusses US foreign policy and his continuing anti-war stance.

  • S2017E08 Sanyutei Ryuraku

    • January 30, 2017
    • NHK

    Rakugo is a Japanese form of comedic performance with 400 years of history, and Sanyutei Ryuraku is a rakugo storyteller who has given 160 performances abroad, in seven different foreign languages.

  • S2017E09 Izumi Tateno

    • January 31, 2017
    • NHK

    Izumi Tateno is a pianist who, at age 65, had a stroke during a recital that paralyzed the right side of his body. Two years later, though, he was performing again, playing music for the left hand.

  • S2017E10 Ma Jun

    • February 1, 2017
    • NHK

    Ma Jun, China's foremost environmentalist, is at the leading edge of country's fight for clean air and water. His Internet monitoring system has changed the way China is tackling industrial pollution.

  • S2017E11 Masatoshi Kimata

    • February 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Rice has long been a staple crop of Japan, and Kubota is one of Japan’s leading makers of rice farming machinery. We speak to president Masatoshi Kimata about the company’s history and next steps.

  • S2017E12 Vo Trong Nghia

    • February 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Vo Trong Nghia is working to employ architecture to make cities more green and sustainable. He is concerned that rapid urbanization is putting too much stress on people and the environment.

  • S2017E13 Amon Miyamoto

    • February 7, 2017
    • NHK

    Amon Miyamoto was the first Asian director of a Broadway musical. He recently directed a performance about the life of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. His focus now is putting Japan on stage.

  • S2017E14 Wang Xudong

    • February 8, 2017
    • NHK

    Wang Xudong, President of the Dunhuang Academy, works against time and the elements to save the Mogao Caves, one of China’s most precious cultural heritage sites, from natural and man-made damage.

  • S2017E15 Indira Ranamagar

    • February 9, 2017
    • NHK

    Indira Ranamagar runs homes and schools for society's most vulnerable - the children of prisoners. She talks of the importance of ensuring every child quality care and education, for a better future.

  • S2017E16 Toshiyuki Kiyomiya

    • February 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Chikaranomoto is the parent company of Ippudo, a ramen chain that sells 70,000 bowls each day in 12 countries and territories. We speak with Chikaranomoto’s COO about how they’ve taken ramen global.

  • S2017E17 Shunmyo Masuno

    • February 14, 2017
    • NHK

    Shunmyo Masuno is a priest who has been designing Japanese gardens based on the principles of Zen Buddhism for over 30 years. His work is currently winning attention around the world.

  • S2017E18 Sopheap Pich

    • February 17, 2017
    • NHK

    Sopheap Pich is a contemporary artist from Cambodia recognized internationally for his organic sculptures created from natural materials. He talks of his appreciation of life and the power of art.

  • S2017E19 Hiroshi Sakata

    • February 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Sakata Seed, founded in 1913, cultivates seed varieties that are sold in 170 countries, and that account for 2/3 of the world’s broccoli. We ask the company’s president about its global success.

  • S2017E20 Joe Hisaishi

    • February 21, 2017
    • NHK

    Joe Hisaishi has composed the scores for almost all the films of legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki. Currently, Hisaishi is taking a minimalist approach to his music. We ask him about his work.

  • S2017E21 Cynthia Maung

    • February 22, 2017
    • NHK

    Cynthia Maung is a refugee physician from Myanmar who runs a free clinic for displaced people and migrant workers in Thailand. She believes ensuring healthcare for all will benefit society as a whole.

  • S2017E22 Mohsen Makhmalbaf

    • February 24, 2017
    • NHK

    Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a world-acclaimed Iranian film director. We ask him how we can possibly resolve the current problems created by rising tensions around the world.

  • S2017E23 Zhang Fan

    • March 1, 2017
    • NHK

    When it comes to automotive design, few people would immediately think of Chinese cars. But Zhang Fan, a talented young Chinese car designer, is working hard to change this situation.

  • S2017E24 Hideo Sawada

    • March 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park modeled on an old Dutch town, opened in Nagasaki in 1992. It eventually went bankrupt, but then visionary entrepreneur Hideo Sawada took it over and turned things around.

  • S2017E25 Koji Endo

    • March 7, 2017
    • NHK

    Kai Corporation makes a variety of premium bladed items, from kitchen knives to scalpels. President Koji Endo talks about how they’ve overcome competition to successfully sell their products globally.

  • S2017E26 Wang Jian

    • March 8, 2017
    • NHK

    From humble researcher to founder and president of BGI, a world-class genetic science organization… Chinese geneticist Wang Jian is dedicated to exploring the secrets of life.

  • S2017E27 Mark Fitzpatrick

    • March 23, 2017
    • NHK

    Mark Fitzpatrick is a non-proliferation expert and author of “Asia’s Latent Nuclear Powers: Japan, South Korea and Taiwan”. He discusses nuclear dangers in East Asia and what we must do to stop them.

  • S2017E28 Saleemul Huq

    • March 24, 2017
    • NHK

    The Bangladeshi scientist Dr Saleemul Huq is a key advisor to the countries which are most vulnerable to global warming. He is uniquely qualified to warn how climate change is transforming the planet.

  • S2017E29 Brunello Cucinelli

    • March 29, 2017
    • NHK

    Brunello Cucinelli, founder of an Italian luxury brand, places top priority on his craftspeople. Moreover, his company revitalized a small village. We focus on his philosophy, “Humanistic Capitalism”

  • S2017E30 Cai Yani

    • March 30, 2017
    • NHK

    The online show "Eat Solo" encourages Chinese urbanites to find happiness through cooking. Its creator, Cai Yani, must have touched a hungry nerve in China, because it rapidly became an Internet hit.

  • S2017E31 Tatsuo Kawada

    • April 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Tatsuo Kawada is the CEO of Seiren, a manufacturer of synthetic fibers that pioneered the use of IT within its industry in the 1980s. Their computerized color dyeing system is truly one of a kind.

  • S2017E32 Tokujin Yoshioka

    • April 4, 2017
    • NHK

    Designer/artist Tokujin Yoshioka’s creative identity is based on the themes of light and nature. What is the design philosophy behind his work, which is held in permanent museum collections worldwide?

  • S2017E33 Joseph Stiglitz

    • April 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz explains how globalization has led to the rise of nationalism and protectionism. He advocates global economic reform to bring benefit to all.

  • S2017E34 Dominique de Villepin

    • April 7, 2017
    • NHK

    Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin analyzes why a far right party is gathering support in France and emphasizes politicians' need to listen to citizens.

  • S2017E35 Masahiro Shima

    • April 10, 2017
    • NHK

    From super-famous global brands to fast fashion, everyone uses Shima Seiki knitting machines. Today the creations of founder and president Masahiro Shima have applications in medicine and industry.

  • S2017E36 Chikara Mizukami

    • April 11, 2017
    • NHK

    Wagashi is the art of Japanese confectionery. Chikara Mizukami is set on spreading wagashi worldwide, working with confectioners overseas and publishing a book of his creations in multiple languages.

  • S2017E37 Winnie Byanyima

    • April 12, 2017
    • NHK

    Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, one of the biggest and most influential aid agencies, discusses the challenges of fighting poverty in an era of growing inequality.

  • S2017E38 Victor Cha

    • April 13, 2017
    • NHK

    East Asian security expert Dr. Victor Cha has been a prominent voice on US policy at the White House and beyond. He discusses developments in North Korea and strategies to counter the nuclear threat.

  • S2017E39 Tadahiro Yoshida

    • April 17, 2017
    • NHK

    YKK is a global giant making nearly 9 billion zippers a year for top brands. Chairman and CEO Tadahiro Yoshida talks about how the firm is adapting to fast fashion and rising demand.

  • S2017E40 Yoshihiro Murata

    • April 18, 2017
    • NHK

    Yoshihiro Murata is the third-generation owner of a century-old restaurant in Kyoto. His time as a chef-in-training in France inspired him to make promoting Japanese cuisine worldwide his lifework.

  • S2017E41 Carlo Petrini

    • April 19, 2017
    • NHK

    Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food Movement, is a man who has changed the way people think about food. We asked him what he considers to be the future of food and how we should relate to it.

  • S2017E42 Jackie Ying

    • April 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Jackie Ying leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists, doctors and engineers to develop innovative technologies in healthcare and clean energy. She talks of the importance of keeping an open mind.

  • S2017E43 Cui Jian

    • April 21, 2017
    • NHK

    Legendary Chinese musician Cui Jian talks about life, rock ‘n’ roll, and how his audiences have changed over three decades of making music in China.

  • S2017E44 Hajime Yoneda

    • April 24, 2017
    • NHK

    Hajime Yoneda is a chef and former electronic engineer. His 2008 French restaurant won three stars in a record 17 months. He talks about looking outside the food world in his pursuit of originality.

  • S2017E45 Sebastian Masuda

    • April 25, 2017
    • NHK

    Japanese kawaii culture has been gaining popularity all over the world. The movement was masterminded by art director Sebastian Masuda, who spoke to us about its past, present, and future.

  • S2017E46 Chay Lo

    • April 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Chay Lo is a Cambodian social entrepreneur working to provide safe drinking water for rural communities to protect people from waterborne diseases. He believes access to clean water is a human right.

  • S2017E47 Amory Lovins

    • April 27, 2017
    • NHK

    Amory Lovins is a physicist and energy specialist who has been stressing the importance of renewable energy. He talks about the energy policies in US and Asia which have serious impact on the world.

  • S2017E48 Itsuo Hama

    • May 1, 2017
    • NHK

    Lion Corporation makes cleaners and oralcare items. It also looks at social issues such as environmental protection. CEO Hama talks strategy and explains that the root of all manufacturing is love.

  • S2017E49 Mika Ninagawa

    • May 2, 2017
    • NHK

    Through her pictures of flowers, portrait work, and more, Mika Ninagawa has built a following among young women throughout Japan and the world. Here, she speaks about her signature color aesthetic.

  • S2017E50 Amitav Ghosh

    • May 5, 2017
    • NHK

    Indian Novelist Amitav Ghosh imagines future generations will call us deranged, for our inaction on global warming, and calls on creators to address the climate crisis in art and literature.

  • S2017E51 Kikuko Iwai

    • May 22, 2017
    • NHK

    Kikuko Iwai is one of Japan's few art conservators, restoring masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. Iwai talks about her personal restoration techniques and passion for art conservation.

  • S2017E52 Hiroshi Sakurai

    • May 23, 2017
    • NHK

    Sake exports over the past decade have reached an all-time high of 138.4 million USD. One standout is Asahi Shuzo's “Dassai”, renowned for defying conventional industry wisdom. What sets Dassai apart?

  • S2017E53 Youk Chhang

    • May 24, 2017
    • NHK

    Youk Chhang has kept alive the memory of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia that killed millions of its own people. He talks of the need to learn from history so that history will not repeat itself.

  • S2017E54 Hong Ying

    • May 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Having lived through hard times herself, the controversial Chinese writer Hong Ying focuses on human stories related to contemporary Chinese society. Her stories truly represent her generation.

  • S2017E55 Motoko Ishii

    • May 30, 2017
    • NHK

    Lighting designer Motoko Ishii has lit up Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Gate Bridge, and many other projects throughout Japan and overseas. She explains her unique methods and passion for lighting design.

  • S2017E56 Inga Beale

    • June 1, 2017
    • NHK

    Insurance today must cover cyber threats, terrorism and climate change. Inga Beale, chief executive of Lloyds of London, tells us how the insurance giant is changing and why diversity is important.

  • S2017E57 Tadashi Hattori

    • June 5, 2017
    • NHK

    For 15 years ophthalmologist Tadashi Hattori has carried out free eye operations for poor Vietnamese patients. He's recovered the sight of 16,000 people. Hattori talks about what led to this decision.

  • S2017E58 Yoichi Nomura

    • June 6, 2017
    • NHK

    In 2016, fireworks artist Yoichi Nomura won the All Japan Fireworks Competition for an unprecedented 16th time. He talks about the secrets of making fireworks and the cutting-edge of his craft.

  • S2017E59 Mark Thompson

    • June 7, 2017
    • NHK

    The NY Times’ CEO Mark Thompson discusses strained relationships between the Trump administration and media and importance of truth in journalism as the rhetoric of “fake news” surges.

  • S2017E60 Cheong Koon Hean

    • June 8, 2017
    • NHK

    Dr Cheong Koon Hean is an architect and urban planner leading the transformation of Singapore into a smart, sustainable and liveable city, with an identity. She says planners must dream audaciously.

  • S2017E61 Boris Akunin

    • June 9, 2017
    • NHK

    Russia’s most popular novelist Boris Akunin talks about how he fell in love with Japan as a schoolboy, starting writing fiction at the age of 40 and becoming a leader of the opposition to Putin.

  • S2017E62 Kanze Kiyokazu

    • June 12, 2017
    • NHK

    Kanze Kiyokazu is the 26th Grand Master of the Kanze School of Noh a 700-year-old form of masked drama. He speaks on the beauty of Noh and his enthusiasm for his art.

  • S2017E63 Philippe Sands

    • June 14, 2017
    • NHK

    Leading international lawyer Philippe Sands describes how he took China to court in the South China Sea case and explores the state of international law in the age of Trump, Brexit and Xi Jinping.

  • S2017E64 Jiang Qiong Er

    • June 16, 2017
    • NHK

    Innovative designer Jiang Qiong Er blends the finest elements of traditional Chinese design with contemporary styles and techniques to create a new kind of luxury design brand.

  • S2017E65 Julie Nelson Davis

    • July 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Julie Nelson Davis, America's top ukiyo-e expert, has overseen an exhibition that reunites the works of artist Utamaro for the first time in 138 years. What drives her to share the beauty of ukiyo-e?

  • S2017E66 Hironobu Tsujiguchi

    • July 4, 2017
    • NHK

    Hironobu Tsujiguchi is a top Japanese patissier, winning the World Pastry Cup at 29, and more recently the Salon du Chocolat for four years running. He shares the story behind his delicious creations.

  • S2017E67 Mahar Lagmay

    • July 5, 2017
    • NHK

    Mahar Lagmay is a geologist working to increase people's preparedness for natural hazards. He talks of the critical value of open data, for disaster mitigation in the time of climate change.

  • S2017E68 Junichiro Ikeda

    • July 10, 2017
    • NHK

    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ships food, clothes, oil, coal, and everything in between. In April 2017 it launched the world's biggest container ship. CEO Ikeda talks about how the firm works behind the scenes.

  • S2017E69 Makoto Ozone

    • July 11, 2017
    • NHK

    Jazz pianist Makoto Ozone has made recent forays into classical music, playing with the New York Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony. He speaks on his genre-defying vision as an entertainer.

  • S2017E70 Conchita Carpio Morales

    • July 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales leads the fight against corruption and misuse of power in public offices. She talks of the need to apply the same law to everyone, no matter their status.

  • S2017E71 Philip Craven

    • July 19, 2017
    • NHK

    Sir Philip Craven is the President of the International Paralympic Committee. An accomplished paralympian himself he believes the Paralympic Games are more than just sport and can transform society.

  • S2017E72 Alejandra Ancheita

    • July 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Alejandra Ancheita, Martin Ennals Award winner and founder of ProDESC, fights for the rights of the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Despite the danger to her own life, she tells us why she carries on.

  • S2017E73 Andrew Bolton

    • July 21, 2017
    • NHK

    Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is changing the understanding of fashion by elevating it to art with his distinct vision.

  • S2017E74 Noriaki Horikiri

    • July 24, 2017
    • NHK

    The name Kikkoman is synonymous with soy sauce. Today its foreign sales have grown to about 60% of its total sales. CEO Horikiri explains how Kikkoman made soy sauce a global staple.

  • S2017E75 Yasuhiko Fujikawa

    • July 25, 2017
    • NHK

    Infiorata is the art of using flower petals to make flower carpets on the ground. Yasuhiko Fujikawa, who has won international acclaim for his Ukiyo-e inspired designs, explains the form’s allure.

  • S2017E76 Xavier Lopez Ancona

    • July 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Xavier Lopez Ancona is co-founder of Kidzania, an edutainment theme park where kids can play at work in model cities with 24 locations worldwide. He shares with us his philosophy to “learn by doing.”

  • S2017E77 Lionel Barber

    • July 27, 2017
    • NHK

    Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times, one of the world’s most influential newspapers, talks about the future of the press and how he has transformed his newspaper into a global digital brand.

  • S2017E78 Eriko Horiki

    • July 31, 2017
    • NHK

    Washi is traditional Japanese paper. Eriko Horiki takes it to new extremes, fusing architecture and interior design. Her work has been shown worldwide. She talks about washi's beauty and potential.

  • S2017E79 Toshio Suzuki

    • August 1, 2017
    • NHK

    Toshio Suzuki is producer and chairman at Hayao Miyazaki’s animation house Studio Ghibli. He offers insights into the creative process behind Miyazaki’s internationally beloved films.

  • S2017E80 Maritza Morales Casanova

    • August 2, 2017
    • NHK

    Maritza Morales Casanova started her own environmental organization at just 10 years old, and has since founded a new kind of theme park; a place to teach kids to truly value our “grandmother earth.”

  • S2017E81 Mechai Viravaidya

    • August 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Mechai Viravaidya saved millions of lives with his AIDS campaign in Thailand, promoting the use of condoms and sex education for all. He urges people to challenge taboos, and to take NO as a question.

  • S2017E82 Takeshi Niinami

    • August 7, 2017
    • NHK

    In 2014, Suntory Holdings bought U.S. whiskey producer Beam Inc., making it the No.3 spirits company in the world. President & CEO Takeshi Niinami talks strategy in the face of fierce competition.

  • S2017E83 Salman Khan

    • August 9, 2017
    • NHK

    Salman Khan is an American entrepreneur who founded Khan Academy, an online educator with a free learning platform and videos used by 50-million people. Khan discusses the future of education.

  • S2017E84 Yuichiro Miura

    • September 5, 2017
    • NHK

    In 2013, adventurer Yuichiro Miura successfully scaled Mt. Everest at the age of 80—a world record. He explains how he did it despite having cardiac arrhythmia, and what adventures he now dreams of.

  • S2017E85 Michel Poulain

    • September 6, 2017
    • NHK

    After studying populations with elevated levels of centenarians, the demographer Michel Poulain now investigates the determinants of healthy aging and society’s role in these so-called Blue Zones.

  • S2017E86 Fabrizio Parrulli

    • September 7, 2017
    • NHK

    Fabrizio Parrulli, military commander of the Italian special force, talks of the new and pressing challenges in combating illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts by terrorists in the Middle East.

  • S2017E87 Lin Chiling

    • September 8, 2017
    • NHK

    Actress Lin Chiling is familiar around the globe. But she is also a philanthropist, using personal funds to help underprivileged children. She talks about the importance of sharing wealth and love.

  • S2017E88 Tatsuo Yasunaga

    • September 11, 2017
    • NHK

    Mitsui is a prominent “sogo shosha,” literally “general trading company.” This uniquely Japanese type of conglomerate does all sorts of business all over the world. We speak with CEO Tatsuo Yasunaga.

  • S2017E89 Eitetsu Hayashi

    • September 12, 2017
    • NHK

    Eitetsu Hayashi has pioneered a distinctive sound as a traditional percussionist, expanding the taiko’s possibilities in music and on stage. What inspires his widely acclaimed performances?

  • S2017E90 Ikuko Ishikawa

    • September 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Some years ago, Japanese picture book producer Ikuko Ishikawa realized there was a shortage of colorful picture books in China. She decided to dedicate herself to providing them for Chinese children.

  • S2017E91 Lam Tai-Hing

    • September 14, 2017
    • NHK

    Hong Kong is now recognized as having the highest life expectancy of any major city or region in the world. Professor Lam Tai-Hing of Hong Kong University tells us why.

  • S2017E92 Carlo Doglioni

    • September 15, 2017
    • NHK

    The geologist Carlo Doglioni studies ways to limit seismic tragedies like the 2016 earthquake of central Italy. He talks of his recent discovery to predict the maximum magnitude of future earthquakes.

  • S2017E93 John Hunter

    • September 20, 2017
    • NHK

    For four decades, an American teacher John Hunter has been teaching children about world peace with his original game. He tells us how children have potential to solve global crises in their future.

  • S2017E94 Benita Chick

    • September 21, 2017
    • NHK

    Benita Chick is a Hong Kong-based LGBT advocate who holds unique tours to promote the understanding of sexual minorities. She discusses the significance of diversity in society.

  • S2017E95 Kanetoshi Oda

    • September 25, 2017
    • NHK

    Kanetoshi Oda invented a water-purifying powder that provides 3.4 million people with clean water in 40 countries. Local operations also create jobs. CEO Oda explains his approach to business.

  • S2017E96 Katsuyuki Takatsu

    • September 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Dashi is the soup stock that is the backbone of Japanese cooking. Katsuyuki Takatsu, president of specialty purveyor Ninben, speaks about his strategy to make dashi a worldwide favorite.

  • S2017E97 Yang Xiyu

    • September 27, 2017
    • NHK

    There is widespread concern about North Korea’s nuclear missile tests. Yang Xiyu, an expert on North Korean issues, gives us his opinions on how the international community should respond.

  • S2017E98 Chris Yeung

    • September 28, 2017
    • NHK

    Chris Yeung founded an online media to reclaim freedom of press amidst Beijing’s growing grip on major HK media. He speaks on the importance of free press.

  • S2017E99 Shinji Hattori

    • October 2, 2017
    • NHK

    Seiko Watch made history by inventing the world's first quartz wristwatch. Its luxury status fell due to mass production. CEO Shinji Hattori explains his strategy for reinventing the company's image.

  • S2017E100 Kazuo Iwamura

    • October 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Kazuo Iwamura is a creator of picture books such as The Family of Fourteen series. He was awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters in 2014. How does he create worlds that enchant so many children?

  • S2017E101 Kyaw Zwa Moe

    • October 4, 2017
    • NHK

    Kyaw Zwa Moe is a former political prisoner and a journalist in Myanmar. He talks of the continued struggle for truth in a country making a precarious transition from military rule to democracy.

  • S2017E102 Dominique Ansel

    • October 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Driven by his passion creativity, pastry chef, Dominique Ansel continues to shake up the world of confectionery with his innovative desserts, delighting customers daily with his unique sweet treats.

  • S2017E103 Dasho Kinley Dorji

    • October 11, 2017
    • NHK

    Bhutan has been said the world’s happiest country. Dasho Kinley Dorji, strong advocator of Gross National Happiness, a development index, talks about how to survive in this chaotic materialized world.

  • S2017E104 Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz

    • October 12, 2017
    • NHK

    Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz is a pioneering scientist researching the earliest stages of human life and transforming our understanding of the embryo. Her ground-breaking work has made global headlines.

  • S2017E105 Sarita Mishra

    • October 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Sarita Mishra is a Nepali musician who teaches music to children from difficult backgrounds, giving them confidence and self-esteem. She talks of the transformational power of music.

  • S2017E106 Yoshindo Yoshihara

    • October 17, 2017
    • NHK

    The traditional Japanese sword was a weapon of the samurai, but today it is an artifact prized by collectors worldwide. Swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara talks about the beauty of the swordmaking process.

  • S2017E107 Chi Chia-wei

    • October 19, 2017
    • NHK

    Chi Chia-wei has fought for gay rights for over 30 years, and is a key player in Taiwan’s move towards legalizing same-sex marriage – a first in Asia if realized. He speaks about his long crusade.

  • S2017E108 Motoi Oyama

    • October 23, 2017
    • NHK

    ASICS is one of Japan’s major sporting goods companies. They are well known for their high-tech running shoes, which are popular all over the world. We speak with the chairman of ASICS, Motoi Oyama.

  • S2017E109 Tadanori Yokoo

    • October 24, 2017
    • NHK

    Tadanori Yokoo has been a graphic designer since the 1960s, and his work is collected by museums worldwide. Currently in a painting phase, he spoke with us about the backbone of his creative process.

  • S2017E110 Tony Lo

    • October 25, 2017
    • NHK

    Tony Lo, former CEO and now advisor to bicycle behemoth Giant, grew a small Taiwanese OEM into a global business. We asked him for his idea of the best business model for our globalized world.

  • S2017E111 Tshering Tempa

    • October 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Advanced environmental country Bhutan is struggling to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Tshering Tempa, tiger biologist, talks about how to solve the challenges through promoting ecotourism.

  • S2017E112 Yoshiaki Ishizawa

    • October 30, 2017
    • NHK

    For nearly 50 years, historian Yoshiaki Ishizawa has worked tirelessly to restore historical sites at Angkor in Cambodia, as well as train native researchers. He explains his approach to preservation.

  • S2017E113 Lech Walesa - Part 1

    • November 1, 2017
    • NHK

    Well known labor rights advocate and promoter of peaceful political reform, Lech Walesa, discusses the early days of the “Solidarity” movement, and our modern society which he dubs the “Age of Words”.

  • S2017E114 Lech Walesa - Part 2

    • November 2, 2017
    • NHK

    As the leader of “Solidarity,” Lech Walesa helped to bring about the end of the Cold War. He now urges that – instead of turning to old ideas such as nationalism – we work to find global solidarity.

  • S2017E115 Maria Tri Sulistyani

    • November 3, 2017
    • NHK

    Maria Tri Sulistyani, founder of a unique Indonesian puppet theatre, talks of how making puppets and telling stories through puppets can create new space for imagination, communication and connection.

  • S2017E116 Yoshihide Otomo

    • November 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Musician Yoshihide Otomo has many sides, composing soundtracks for film and TV while also making experimental music unbound by conventional styles like jazz and pop. He explains his musical vision.

  • S2017E117 Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao

    • November 8, 2017
    • NHK

    Nguyen Thị Phuong Thao is the founder of a Vietnamese low-cost carrier recognized as one of the fastest growing airlines in Southeast Asia. She shares her business principles that lead to her success.

  • S2017E118 Wang Shu

    • November 10, 2017
    • NHK

    Modern Chinese cities love large-scale landmark buildings. But architect Wang Shu has a very different idea. He believes good buildings should preserve traditional culture and be easy to live in.

  • S2017E119 Yoshinori Kanehana

    • November 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Kawasaki Heavy Industries is famous for motorbikes but also makes plane, rail, and ship parts. Sharing technology has led to revolutionary new products. President Kanehana explains his strategy.

  • S2017E120 Ken Noguchi

    • November 14, 2017
    • NHK

    Since becoming the youngest person to scale the Seven Summits, alpinist Ken Noguchi has focused on mountain clean-up projects and disaster relief efforts. What drives his activism and volunteer work?

  • S2017E121 Rahimah Abdulrahim

    • November 15, 2017
    • NHK

    Rahimah Abudlrahim is a director of an Indonesian think tank working to strengthen democracy. She talks of the importance of fighting intolerance and embracing diversity to keep democracy functioning.

  • S2017E122 Kathy Willis

    • November 16, 2017
    • NHK

    Professor Kathy Willis, Director of Science at Kew Gardens, discusses the state of the world’s plants and her mission to track the threats to biodiversity from climate change and habitat loss.

  • S2017E123 Yuko Igarashi

    • November 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Coach Yuko Igarashi runs a cheerleader club at a Fukui high school. Just three years after forming they won a US championship with six more victories since. Igarashi discusses her work with students.

  • S2017E124 Toshihiro Nakamura

    • November 21, 2017
    • NHK

    There are over 700 million people worldwide currently living in extreme poverty—less than 1.90 USD a day. Kopernik CEO Toshihiro Nakamura speaks about their ambitious efforts to help those in need.

  • S2017E125 Izumi Nakamitsu

    • November 22, 2017
    • NHK

    United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, talks her efforts to ban nuclear weapons and her philosophy on making the world a better place.

  • S2017E126 Helle Thorning-Schmidt

    • November 23, 2017
    • NHK

    Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark, speaks about her new role as head of the global charity, Save the Children, where she has become a champion for children’s rights.

  • S2017E127 Andrea Hirata

    • November 24, 2017
    • NHK

    Andrea Hirata is a bestselling author whose coming-of-age tale has touched the hearts of millions. He talks of the crucial role of the teacher to make children believe in their infinite potential.

  • S2017E128 Hiroyuki Yanagi

    • November 27, 2017
    • NHK

    Yamaha Motor is a major maker of motorcycles and 90% of its sales come from abroad. It makes over five million vehicles a year from road bikes to scooters. CEO Yanagi discusses its latest product.

  • S2017E129 Sachio Yoshioka

    • November 28, 2017
    • NHK

    Kyoto-based textile dyer Sachio Yoshioka uses traditional natural dyes harvested from plants in order to recreate colors over 1,000 years old. How did he revive these long lost pigments of the past?

  • S2017E130 Chen Liangzhong

    • November 29, 2017
    • NHK

    The field research so essential for conservation scientists needs manpower and money, and it’s hard to get enough support. Cheng Liangzhong founded NGO Operation Earth to help deal with this issue.

  • S2017E131 Julia Gillard

    • November 30, 2017
    • NHK

    Julia Gillard, Chair of the Global Partnership for Education was Australia’s first woman Prime Minister. She discusses her goal to get all children into school for a quality education.

  • S2017E132 Satoru Matsuzaki

    • December 4, 2017
    • NHK

    Ryohin Keikaku, better known as Muji, has gained international recognition with its lineup of over 5,000 household goods. President Satoru Matsuzaki reveals the secrets to their success.

  • S2017E133 Toshiyuki Inoko

    • December 5, 2017
    • NHK

    Toshiyuki Inoko heads digital art collective teamLab, which uses the latest tech to create art not just to be appreciated, but experienced. How will digital change our understanding of the world?

  • S2017E134 Jan Woerner

    • December 6, 2017
    • NHK

    Professor Jan Woerner is Director General of the European Space Agency. In Direct Talk he discusses his experience fostering cooperation in space with the aim of building peace on earth.

  • S2017E135 Peter Piot

    • December 7, 2017
    • NHK

    Professor Peter Piot is one of the World’s leading microbiologists, a pioneer in the discovery and fight against Ebola and Aids. In Direct Talk he talks about these and how to combat today’s epidemics.

  • S2017E136 Theo Jansen

    • December 11, 2017
    • NHK

    Theo Jansen is best known for Strandbeest, sculptures that use the wind to walk independently. He has made a series, seeing his work as an evolving species. He explains his thoughts on creation.

  • S2017E137 Hidekichi Shigemoto

    • December 12, 2017
    • NHK

    Ink wash painter Hidekichi Shigemoto uses a unique style based on East Asian brush painting to depict the dynamic movement of athletes and more in grayscale. He speaks about his creative inspiration.

  • S2017E138 Eqbal Dauqan

    • December 13, 2017
    • NHK

    Eqbal Dauqan is a scientist from Yemen, a country torn by war. She talks of the need for support to refugee scientists, and of her belief that they can contribute to furthering science, for the world.

  • S2017E139 Harun Khan

    • December 14, 2017
    • NHK

    Harun Khan is the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain. As leader of the council Khan condemns terror attacks, challenges misplaced perceptions and spreads positive stories of Islam.

  • S2017E140 Seiji Yamamoto

    • December 18, 2017
    • NHK

    Seiji Yamamoto is the owner and chef of Ryugin in Tokyo. It's won three Michelin stars seven years in a row. Yamamoto talks about his unconventional techniques, his career, and his approach to food.

  • S2017E141 Tadao Kamei

    • December 19, 2017
    • NHK

    Nikken Sekkei, Japan’s largest architecture firm, built Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest freestanding broadcast tower. President Tadao Kamei explains the power and social importance of architecture.

  • S2017E142 Jeremy Farrar

    • December 20, 2017
    • NHK

    Jeremy Farrar is the director of the Wellcome Trust, one of world’s wealthiest medical research charities. Wellcome is committed to improving global health and funding biomedical research.

  • S2017E143 Eswar Prasad

    • December 21, 2017
    • NHK

    China policy expert, Eswar Prasad, senior fellow at the world renowned think tank Brookings Institution, explains China’s motivation and strategy behind its growing influence on the global stage.

  • S2017E144 Kazuo Ishiguro

    • December 22, 2017
    • NHK

    Kazuo Ishiguro, Nobel Laureate in Literature, talks about important roles literature plays in today’s divided world and shares his thoughts about the path we should follow in uncertainty we live in.

  • S2017E145 Rumiko Obata

    • December 26, 2017
    • NHK

    Obata Sake Brewery produces sake on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. Despite its size, it exports to fifteen countries and territories. Exec. Vice President Rumiko Obata talks vision and strategy.

  • S2017E146 Akihiko Reizei

    • December 27, 2017
    • NHK

    Journalist, writer and educator Akihiko Reizei shares his views on US and Japanese media in the internet age, his preferred information resources, and insight on entering prestigious US universities.

  • S2017E147 Ian Condry

    • December 28, 2017
    • NHK

    MIT professor and cultural anthropologist Ian Condry explores the development, evolution and global impact of Japanese subcultures rap, hip-hop, anime and manga.

  • S2017E148 Steve Aoki

    • December 29, 2017
    • NHK

    Grammy Award nominee and Electronic Dance Music supremo DJ, Steve Aoki tours the globe sharing his passion for music with his 8 million fans, in pursuit of happiness and new creative opportunities.

Season 2018

  • S2018E01 Osamu Suzuki

    • January 16, 2018
    • NHK

    Born in the 1930s, Osamu Suzuki still sees himself as a small-business owner. Taking personal interest in work efficiency, low-cost cars are his aim. He speaks on this, and the future of his industry.

  • S2018E02 Eiko Ikegami

    • January 17, 2018
    • NHK

    Dr. Eiko Ikegami, professor of sociology at The New School for Social Research in New York City studies people’s experiences in the Virtual World.

  • S2018E03 Julie Taymor

    • January 19, 2018
    • NHK

    Tony-winning director Julie Taymor talks about how her experiences in Asia have influenced her stage productions, including the hit musical The Lion King and her newest Broadway play M. Butterfly.

  • S2018E04 Alexandra Munroe

    • January 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Dr. Alexandra Munroe, the Samsung Senior Curator of Asian Art and Senior Advisor of Global Arts at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in New York City presents contemporary Asian Art on the global stage.

  • S2018E05 Daito Manabe

    • January 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Daito Manabe uses drones, VR, and the latest technology to create entertainment. He's worked with famous pop musicians and is now exploring classical music. He talks about the potential of media art.

  • S2018E06 Hiromichi Mizuno

    • January 30, 2018
    • NHK

    Hiromichi Mizuno is the CIO of Japan’s $1.4 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund. He talks about responsible investing that takes into account environmental, social, and governance factors.

  • S2018E07 Trung Dung

    • January 31, 2018
    • NHK

    Trung Dung is a Vietnamese American engineer who overcame hardships as a refugee to succeed as an IT entrepreneur. He talks of his ambition to improve access to finance for people with lower income.

  • S2018E08 Tony Wu

    • February 2, 2018
    • NHK

    Tony Wu is an award winning photographer known for rare images of life underwater. He talks of what nature can teach us and how we need to step out of our comfort zones to know the real planet earth.

  • S2018E09 Chieko Mizoue

    • February 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Chieko Mizoue is a professor whose research focuses on Japanese-Canadian internment experience. She teaches this lesser known history to students and hopes to create a future without discrimination.

  • S2018E10 Haruhiro Tsujimoto

    • February 6, 2018
    • NHK

    Video game developer Capcom is behind such renowned franchises as Monster Hunter and Resident Evil. President & COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto explains how it makes hit after hit that rises above the pack.

  • S2018E11 David Field

    • February 8, 2018
    • NHK

    David Field is the Zoological Director of the Zoological Society of London which oversees London Zoo. In Direct Talk he talks about the importance of conservation of animals and their habitats.

  • S2018E12 Jiang Kun

    • February 9, 2018
    • NHK

    Xiang Sheng, ‘Chinese cross talk’, is a traditional folk art. As one of its most famous performers, Jiang Kun hopes to bring joy to both China and the world with his unique style of humor.

  • S2018E13 Saburo Teshigawara

    • February 13, 2018
    • NHK

    Award-winning dancer and choreographer Saburo Teshigawara is known for innovative pieces that introduce new, inventive movements to the vocabulary of dance. We spoke to him about his creative origins.

  • S2018E14 Kommaly Chanthavong

    • February 14, 2018
    • NHK

    Kommaly Chanthavong is a Lao silk weaver recognized for reviving the traditional art in Laos. She talks of the spirit of silk weaving, and the beauty of what it can teach as well as create.

  • S2018E15 Jon Crowcroft

    • February 15, 2018
    • NHK

    Professor Jon Crowcroft of the Alan Turing Institute says data science and AI will revolutionise society but systems need to be made more secure to protect both privacy and public safety.

  • S2018E16 Tomoyoshi Noda

    • February 19, 2018
    • NHK

    Tomoyoshi Noda founded ISL (Institute for Strategic Leadership) to nurture world-class business leaders and is now opening a graduate school. Noda explains his aims and thoughts on developing leaders.

  • S2018E17 Masaru Kamachi

    • February 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Arita porcelain has long been used to compliment Japanese cuisine, but Kamachi-toho has reinterpreted the style for Western dining. President Masaru Kamachi speaks about its beauty and potential.

  • S2018E18 Wu Yushao

    • February 21, 2018
    • NHK

    40 years since its One-child Policy was implemented, China faces the situation of one adult having to take care of several old people. Wu Yushao is working on ways to deal with China’s aging issues.

  • S2018E19 David Vaughan

    • February 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Professor David Vaughan, Director of Science at the British Antarctic Survey, says the Antarctic is the key to understanding the planet and warns about the dangers of rising sea levels in the future.

  • S2018E20 Zhou Jian

    • February 28, 2018
    • NHK

    Robots will one day become a part of our everyday lives. Zhou Jian believes that letting children learn about robots and get used to the idea of living with them is an important part of education.

  • S2018E21 Enrico Letta

    • March 1, 2018
    • NHK

    Enrico Letta, a Former Prime Minister of Italy, analyzes why the notion of separatism from EU has occurred. However, he believes that the unity of Europe is the only way to overcome its crisis.

  • S2018E22 Onn Sokny

    • March 2, 2018
    • NHK

    Onn Sokny leads an inclusive arts organization working to bring down the barriers between people with and without disabilities. She believes everyone being different is what makes the world beautiful.

  • S2018E23 Takahisa Takahara

    • March 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Unicharm sells diapers and personal hygiene products in over 80 countries. Industry leader and CEO Takahara pioneered the ‘pant-style’ diaper. He discusses product development and business strategy.

  • S2018E24 Minami Tsubouchi

    • March 6, 2018
    • NHK

    BEYOND Tomorrow provides educational assistance to young survivors affected by the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. Minami Tsubouchi talks about her work to cultivate future global leaders.

  • S2018E25 Carolyn Porco

    • March 7, 2018
    • NHK

    An advocate for the exploration of space, planetary scientist Carolyn Porco leads scientists who have been analyzing images of Saturn and the outer solar system captured by the Cassini spacecraft.

  • S2018E26 Chen Jie

    • March 8, 2018
    • NHK

    Through his photos and stories, China’s well-known Investigative journalist Chen Jie has aroused both popular and official support for campaigns to deal with pollution and poverty issues.

  • S2018E27 Mark Z. Jacobson

    • March 9, 2018
    • NHK

    Climate change crusader Mark Jacobson proposes an innovative plan to completely replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. He discusses the realities and issues we'll face when realizing this idea.

  • S2018E28 Tatsuo Miyajima

    • March 12, 2018
    • NHK

    Tatsuo Miyajima is an artist known for frequently employing digital LED counters. He has exhibited his work in over 30 countries worldwide to much acclaim. What is the message behind his art?

  • S2018E29 Edmund Yeo

    • March 14, 2018
    • NHK

    Shocked by the discovery of refugee graves in his own country’s jungle, Malaysian film director Edmund Yeo made the award-winning feature film Aqérat to open discussion on the Rohingya refugee issue.

  • S2018E30 Helene Carrere d'Encausse

    • March 15, 2018
    • NHK

    Authority on Russia and the Soviet Union, Hélène Carrère d'Encausse sits down with NHK General Bureau Chief for Europe to discuss the future of the “strong Russia” envisioned by President Putin.

  • S2018E31 Dale Dougherty

    • March 16, 2018
    • NHK

    Dale Dougherty founded Make magazine and Maker Faire to counter consumer culture and revive the DIY spirit among generations of tech-savvy enthusiasts. He talks about the importance of being a maker.

  • S2018E32 Yutaka Sado

    • March 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Conductor Yutaka Sado studied under the great composer Leonard Bernstein for three years up until Bernstein’s death in 1990. Sado talks lessons learned and what he hopes to pass on to the future.

  • S2018E33 Mazlan Othman

    • March 21, 2018
    • NHK

    Mazlan Othman is an astrophysicist who pioneered Malaysia's space program and education in astronomy. She says we need to know the Universe around us to understand who we are and where we are going.

  • S2018E34 Jeffrey Shaw

    • March 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Media artist Jeffrey Shaw creatively employs the latest technology to conserve, document and display precious elements of cultural heritage, dramatically making the past meaningful to the present.

  • S2018E35 Ivana Chubbuck

    • March 23, 2018
    • NHK

    Ivana Chubbuck is a celebrated acting coach, best known for coaching award-winning Hollywood stars. We ask her what it takes to create a great actor.

  • S2018E36 Wu Bin

    • March 28, 2018
    • NHK

    Leading figure in modern wushu, and instructor of Jet Li, Wu Bin is a global promoter of Chinese martial arts. Now in his 80s, he remains actively involved. He spoke with us on his lifelong passion.

  • S2018E37 Patama Roonrakwit

    • March 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Patama Roonrakwit is a Thai architect who works with people in poor neighborhoods to improve their housings and environments. She believes in building people's confidence to transform their community.

  • S2018E38 Charina Widjaja

    • March 30, 2018
    • NHK

    Charina Widjaja founded Digital Fashion Week to help independent Asian designers display their talents to the world as they struggle to survive between the high fashion labels and mass brands.

  • S2018E39 Yoichi Ochiai: The Digital-Age Wizard

    • April 2, 2018
    • NHK

    Yoichi Ochiai uses tech to conjure visual wizardry unlike any seen before. He is interested in the relationship between human society and computers. He talks about his concept of “digital nature.”

  • S2018E40 Tomoyuki Kobayashi: Cutting No Corners

    • April 3, 2018
    • NHK

    The Suwada Blacksmith Works makes sharp, high-quality nail clippers that are used everywhere from salons to medical clinics. The firm was heavily in debt, but Tomoyuki Kobayashi turned things around.

  • S2018E41 Chang Sea-jin: Samsung, Chaebol, and Economy Reformation in South Korea

    • April 4, 2018
    • NHK

    Chaebol Company like Samsung brought rapid economic growth, but also disparities and its dependency in Korea. Prof. Chang, a Chaebol specialist, thinks structural reform is required for true growth.

  • S2018E42 Yoshio Yanagiya: Machines That Make Delicious Crab Sticks

    • April 9, 2018
    • NHK

    Yanagiya has a 70% global share of the machines that produce “surimi” crab sticks. We talk with company president Yoshio Yanagiya about making imitation crab that tastes just like the real thing.

  • S2018E43 Gen Terao: Appliances That Make Life Fun

    • April 10, 2018
    • NHK

    Balmuda’s hit appliances include a fan that generates a natural breeze and a toaster that makes perfect toast. Founder Gen Terao talks about the company’s nonconventional product development process.

  • S2018E44 Nick Bostrom

    • April 11, 2018
    • NHK

    Nick Bostrom is director of the Future of Humanity Institute, and is considered one of the most important thinkers of our age. His work on artificial intelligence has influenced technological leaders.

  • S2018E45 Patricia Rodriguez

    • April 12, 2018
    • NHK

    Patricia Rodriguez is executive managing director of Spanish football club, SD Eibar. As the only female managing director in La Liga, she is trying to increase the number of women in football.

  • S2018E46 Nicolai Bergmann: East Meets West Through Flowers

    • April 17, 2018
    • NHK

    Nicolai Bergmann creates flower arrangements that combine elements of Denmark, where he was born, and Japan, where he is based. He recently held exhibitions at a series of shrines. What drives him?

  • S2018E47 Marina Kaljurand

    • April 18, 2018
    • NHK

    Marina Kaljurand chairs the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace. With experts from government, hackers and the tech giants, it is pushing for a new code of conduct on cyber security.

  • S2018E48 Setsuko Ono: Anger Can Be Beautiful

    • April 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Setsuko Ono became an artist after working for the World Bank for 27 years. Like her sister Yoko Ono and her brother-in-law John Lennon, she uses art to express her fierce desire for justice.

  • S2018E49 Tetsuhiro Shikiyama: Aquarium Innovation

    • April 23, 2018
    • NHK

    The large-scale water tanks made by Nippura can be found at aquariums in over 60 countries. We speak with president Tetsuhiro Shikiyama about his company’s world-beating craftsmanship.

  • S2018E50 Masaki Sato: Yarn Unlike Any Other

    • April 24, 2018
    • NHK

    Masaki Sato is the president of spinning company Sato Seni, which produces exquisite knitting yarn coveted by some of the world’s most famous fashion brands. What makes its trademark yarn so unique?

  • S2018E51 Ha Sang-hun: Hopes For South Korea, The Suicide Nation

    • April 25, 2018
    • NHK

    South Korea’s suicide rate has long been the highest amongst the developed nations. Ha Sang-hun talks about the social disparities caused by rapid economic growth and his hopes for the future.

  • S2018E52 Hartwig Fischer: Bridges Between Cultures

    • April 27, 2018
    • NHK

    Hartwig Fischer is the Director of the British Museum. He believes that museums play a central role in showing the interconnectedness between different cultures and has radical plans for the Museum.

  • S2018E53 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Vaccinating the World

    • May 16, 2018
    • NHK

    In less than a decade, the Vaccine Alliance GAVI has saved nine million lives in the developing world. Direct Talk meets the Chair of GAVI, former Nigeria Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

  • S2018E54 Anyango: Captivated by the Sound of Joy

    • May 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Japan-born Anyango is the first woman in the world to play the nyatiti, a traditional stringed instrument played by the Luo people of Kenya. What drives her to spread its sound around the world?

  • S2018E55 Yoshiharu Hoshino: Showcasing Local Charms

    • May 28, 2018
    • NHK

    Yoshiharu Hoshino is the CEO of Hoshino Resorts. He began his career by turning around his family’s hot spring ryokan (Japanese-style inn). Now his company manages over 30 properties worldwide.

  • S2018E56 Gen Bando: The Mission of Zoos

    • May 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Asahiyama Zoo is known for unique exhibits that are designed to encourage animals to behave as they would in the wild. Director Gen Bando talks about his exhibits and the role of zoos in the future.

  • S2018E57 Satoshi Miyagi: The Power of Theater

    • June 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Satoshi Miyagi is artistic director of the public theater company SPAC. He is internationally renowned for interpreting classic western plays through a traditional Japanese aesthetic. What drives him

  • S2018E58 Yan Lianke: The Explosive Writer's Spirit

    • June 8, 2018
    • NHK

    Yan Lianke boldly reveals contradictions in China, repeatedly facing domestic publishing bans. This episode shows why he continues creative activities where freedom of expression is limited.

  • S2018E59 Masahiro Kato: The Beauty of Furniture

    • May 8, 2018
    • NHK

    Masahiro Kato is president of Tendo Mokko, a furniture maker that creates wooden chairs and tables characterized by distinct curves. What inspires the brand’s inventive designs and honed aesthetic?

  • S2018E60 Hidefumi Kimura: Adding Bubbles, Adding Fun

    • June 4, 2018
    • NHK

    For 70 years, Kimura Drink has made ramune, a fizzy riff on lemonade. They also make drinks with surprising ingredients like curry and shrimp. Why? We asked the company’s president, Hidefumi Kimura.

  • S2018E61 Reiko Sudo: Dressing the World in Innovative Textiles

    • June 18, 2018
    • NHK

    Textile designer Reiko Sudo brings together Japanese tradition and craftsmanship to design fabrics that are recognized as art by world-class museums. What drives her creativity and passion?

  • S2018E62 Kentaro Ohyama: Problems into Products

    • June 19, 2018
    • NHK

    The Iris Group makes everything from appliances to gardening tools and food and releases 1,000 new products a year. We asked chairman Kentaro Ohyama about the secret of this amazing productivity.

  • S2018E63 Tatsuo Nomura: The Joy of Connecting Through Technology

    • June 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Tatsuo Nomura is the creator of Pokémon GO. Following his passions took him from a modest childhood in China to Silicon Valley, where he’s a leading augmented reality game director.

  • S2018E64 Takaaki Nishii: A World of Flavor

    • June 25, 2018
    • NHK

    Ajinomoto intends to be one of the world’s top ten food companies by 2020. Created 109 years ago, it started out making seasonings. We spoke to CEO Takaaki Nishii about the company’s past and future.

  • S2018E65 Senko Ikenobo: Even Withered Flowers Can Bloom

    • June 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Its origins lie in the 550-year-old Ikenobo school. Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo speaks about what she aspires to through her art.

  • S2018E66 Cherrie Atilano: Farming is the Future

    • June 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Cherrie Atilano is a Filipino farmer and social entrepreneur. She’s working to make farming attractive, sustainable and profitable, to alleviate poverty, ensure food security and enrich people's lives.

  • S2018E67 Ayato Takada: The Battle Against Ebola

    • July 2, 2018
    • NHK

    Ayato Takada is a virologist who tracks down new and mysterious strains of disease. He recently discovered an antibody that can fight Ebola. We asked him about studying viruses on the front lines.

  • S2018E68 Tohru Yamai: Camping Gear with a Unique Philosophy

    • July 3, 2018
    • NHK

    Representatives from companies worldwide visit camping gear maker Snow Peak to catch a glimpse of President and CEO Tohru Yamai’s manufacturing philosophy at work. Yamai himself offers some insights.

  • S2018E69 Margrethe Vestager: Playing by the Rules

    • July 4, 2018
    • NHK

    Margrethe Vestager is the European Union’s commissioner for competition. A former Danish politician and Economics Minister, she has a reputation as the rich world's most powerful trust-buster.

  • S2018E70 Tilo Kunath: A Future without Parkinson's

    • July 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Dr Tilo Kunath, one of the world’s leading stem cell researchers, talks about his pioneering work and contribution to finding a cure for Parkinson’s, a disease that’s increasingly common in Asia.

  • S2018E71 Hiroyuki Sasa: The Road to Recovery

    • July 9, 2018
    • NHK

    Olympus has a 70% share of the global gastrointestinal endoscope market. But, in 2011, it was revealed that the company had been hiding massive losses. Sasa steered Olympus through this turbulent era.

  • S2018E72 Sayuri Kinoshita: Into the Deep Blue

    • July 10, 2018
    • NHK

    Sayuri Kinoshita is the first Japanese woman to set a freediving world record in a competitive discipline where divers use no fins—and of course, no scuba gear. What drives her to seek the depths?

  • S2018E73 Willis Wee: The Future of Southeast Asian Startups

    • July 11, 2018
    • NHK

    Willis Wee is the founder of one of the biggest tech startup events in Southeast Asia. He says the region's diversity presents unique challenges and opportunities for startup founders and investors.

  • S2018E74 Liu Hongjun: Reconstructing Ancient Musical Instruments

    • July 13, 2018
    • NHK

    Liu Hongjun is a Chinese musician active around Asia. Over 35 years, he has reconstructed more than 50 ancient musical instruments preserved in China and Japan to revive the music of 1,000 years ago.

  • S2018E75 Dhammananda: The Power of Equality and Inclusive Thinking

    • July 18, 2018
    • NHK

    Dhammananda is a Thai Buddhist monk working to achieve gender equality in religion. She talks about how exclusion of others impacts society and how inclusive thinking could change the world.

  • S2018E76 Pashon Murray: Compost for a Zero Waste Future

    • July 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Compost entrepreneur and “zero waste” educator Pashon Murray has made sustainability profitable by turning food waste from corporations into healthy soil for Detroit’s urban farmers.

  • S2018E77 Yuuki Watanabe: The Power of Biologging

    • July 23, 2018
    • NHK

    Yuuki Watanabe is a marine biologist who specializes in biologging—the tracking of individual wild animals—particularly the biologging of penguins. He tells us about the surprising habits of animals.

  • S2018E78 Shuhei Hasado: Walls That Coexist with Nature

    • July 24, 2018
    • NHK

    Shuhei Hasado is a plasterer—“sakan” in Japanese. He uses traditional techniques and natural materials to design innovative plasterwork. What is his approach to the craft of making things?

  • S2018E79 Emma Lawton: Living Life to the Fullest with Parkinson's

    • July 25, 2018
    • NHK

    Emma Lawton, a graphic designer living in London, was diagnosed 5 years ago with Parkinson's disease. She was only 29. In spite of her condition, she has become an award winning campaigner.

  • S2018E80 Kinohachi: Building on Tradition with New Music

    • July 27, 2018
    • NHK

    Kinohachi plays the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. He joined a rock band in his 20s and continues to compose unique music, gaining fans worldwide. What is it that pushes him forward?

  • S2018E81 Yoshinori Isozaki: Bringing Beer Back

    • July 30, 2018
    • NHK

    As its name suggests, Kirin Holdings is the holding company of Kirin, a large beer and soft drink maker. As Japan’s beer market shrinks, CEO Yoshinori Isozaki tells us how his company is responding.

  • S2018E82 Tokiko Kato: Song Transcends National Borders

    • July 31, 2018
    • NHK

    In June 2018, Japanese singer Tokiko Kato held a concert in Sakhalin, in the Russian Far East, as part of a cultural exchange between the two countries. What was the message she wanted to convey?

  • S2018E83 Luciano Benetton: New Challenges for a Fashion Giant

    • August 1, 2018
    • NHK

    The Benetton Group is globally known for fashion. Its co-founder Luciano Benetton, now in his 80s, has returned to lead the company’s apparel division. He speaks on his bold vison for the brand.

  • S2018E84 Beatrice Fihn: The People’s Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons

    • August 2, 2018
    • NHK

    ICAN’s Beatrice Fihn earned the Nobel Peace Prize by introducing a treaty to the UN to abolish nuclear weapons. She continues to mobilize people worldwide by making nuclear arms a human rights issue.

  • S2018E85 Francisco J. Núñez: Together with Music

    • August 3, 2018
    • NHK

    Francisco J. Núñez is the founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC). Through music, he teaches a diverse group of children about the joy of life and the value of cooperation.

  • S2018E86 Kotaro Nishibori: The Beauty of Wagasa

    • August 6, 2018
    • NHK

    Kotaro Nishibori is the fifth-generation head of a time-honored company making wagasa—traditional Japanese umbrellas. What draws him to his craft, and what is the new direction he envisions for it?

  • S2018E87 Alexander Sokurov: Portrayals of Power

    • August 10, 2018
    • NHK

    World-renowned Russian film director Alexander Sokurov tells us why he constantly portrays power in his movies and presents his thoughts on the effects of war on humanity and culture.

  • S2018E88 Meik Wiking: The Danish Recipe for Happiness

    • August 15, 2018
    • NHK

    What makes Denmark the happiest country in the world? According to Meik Wiking, the secret lies in a lifestyle that includes social welfare and the uniquely Danish concept of “hygge.”

  • S2018E89 Elena Shifrina: Future Food Now

    • August 16, 2018
    • NHK

    The outstanding Russian entrepreneur Elena Shifrina talks about the very first all-natural healthy snack bars she launched in Russia and shares her views on the future of global food culture.

  • S2018E90 Craig Hatkoff: NY to Hiroshima, Beyond Ground Zero

    • August 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Journeying from New York to Hiroshima, Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Craig Hatkoff looks for ways to share stories to come to terms with 9.11, overcome hatred, and never cause another Ground Zero.

  • S2018E91 Toshio Hosokawa: Music to Portray the Pain of the Times

    • August 24, 2018
    • NHK

    A main motif of Japanese composer Toshio Hosokawa is the relationship between Nature and humans. He talks about composing to reflect social strains and the importance of facing pain through music.

  • S2018E92 Thomas Bach: The Power of Sports

    • September 5, 2018
    • NHK

  • S2018E93 Dmitri Trenin: Russia’s Future in Asia

    • September 7, 2018
    • NHK

    Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, tells us why he believes Russia needs to consolidate its diplomatic strategy regarding Asian countries.

  • S2018E94 Hiroshi Saito: Tasty, Affordable Cakes for Everyone

    • September 10, 2018
    • NHK

    Chateraise is Japan’s largest Western-style confectioner in terms of number of locations, with shops throughout Japan. Chairman & CEO Hiroshi Saito talks about his company’s unique business model.

  • S2018E95 Raymond Moriyama: Transforming Society Through Architecture

    • September 14, 2018
    • NHK

  • S2018E96 Nobuo Sugino: A Message of Botanical Beauty

    • September 18, 2018
    • NHK

    Pressed Flower Artist Nobuo Sugino forgoes tradition to create vivid, unconventional works of stunning beauty. What is the allure of pressed flowers, and what does he strive for through his art?

  • S2018E97 Kazuhiro Tsuji: Following Your Life’s True Passion

    • September 21, 2018
    • NHK

    Contemporary artist and Academy Award winner for Best Makeup and Hairstyling Kazuhiro Tsuji, discussed his journey from a self-taught special-effects makeup artist to a hyperrealist portrait sculptor.

  • S2018E98 Tetsuji Honna: Cultivating Harmonies with the Vietnamese

    • September 25, 2018
    • NHK

    Tetsuji Honna has been serving as Music Director of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra for 17 years, overcoming cultural barriers in his quest to create a world-class orchestra. What drives him?

  • S2018E99 Noriko Hayashi: Every Little Voice

    • October 1, 2018
    • NHK

    Documentary photographer Noriko Hayashi has captured images in dozens of countries, in some of the most far-flung regions on earth. We spoke to her about her work process and about what drives her.

  • S2018E100 Toshiyuki Otsuki: A Chair That Soothes the Soul

    • October 2, 2018
    • NHK

    Fuji Medical Instruments was the first in the world to mass-produce massage chairs, and today its popularity is growing in East Asia. CEO Toshiyuki Otsuki reflects on the past and looks to the future.

  • S2018E101 Hisataka Kobayashi: Changing the Future of Cancer Treatment

    • October 3, 2018
    • NHK

    Dr. Hisataka Kobayashi gained attention by successfully killing cancer cells without side effects using near-infrared light. He talks about future cancer treatment and advanced medical care research.

  • S2018E102 Tristram Hunt: Showcasing Human Ingenuity

    • October 4, 2018
    • NHK

    Tristram Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, explains his vision for the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design.

  • S2018E103 Megumi Sasaki: A Whale of a Tale

    • October 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Megumi Sasaki says her film “A Whale of a Tale” is not all about the whaling debate; it’s about how to co-exist in a divided world. She hopes her work will expand viewers’ knowledge.

  • S2018E104 Eriko Yamaguchi: Quality Products from Developing Countries

    • October 9, 2018
    • NHK

    For Eriko Yamaguchi, who started a fashion brand in Bangladesh, it’s not about making things cheaply and quickly, but making the most of a developing country’s resources. What is her brand vision?

  • S2018E105 Song Zhenghuan: In Pursuit of an Ideal Stroller

    • October 10, 2018
    • NHK

    In 1990, Song Zhenghuan, president of Goodbaby, a top global parenting product company in China, designed a stroller that became a huge hit. He talks about product development and company management.

  • S2018E106 Elif Shafak: Our Common Humanity

    • October 11, 2018
    • NHK

    Elif Shafak is Turkey’s most widely read female author. Her books explore identity, language and gender and she believes that literature reminds us of our common humanity.

  • S2018E107 Yuko Shimizu: Finding Her Artistic Voice

    • October 12, 2018
    • NHK

    New York-based illustrator Yuko Shimizu followed her dreams to a successful career, creating images for America’s leading publications, in a style playing on traditional Japanese techniques.

  • S2018E108 Eri Machii: Bringing Medicine to the African Backcountry

    • October 15, 2018
    • NHK

    Eri Machii, chairperson of the NPO AfriMedico, uses a uniquely Japanese method of marketing medicine to bring the miracle of medicine to the furthest reaches of rural Africa. What drives her efforts?

  • S2018E109 Wendy Young: Creating the Future for Immigrant Children

    • October 17, 2018
    • NHK

    KIND President Wendy Young talks about protection and relief work for unaccompanied undocumented children and creation of a society that prevents children from becoming refugees in the first place.

  • S2018E110 Tero Vauraste: Connecting the Arctic

    • October 18, 2018
    • NHK

    Tero Vauraste, chair of the Arctic Economic Council and CEO of Finland’s Arctia, explains how melting sea ice is transforming the Arctic and why the region needs sustainable development.

  • S2018E111 Hitoshi Kaneyuki: The Unique Business of Transport Vehicles

    • October 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Canycom is Japan’s market leader for transport vehicles used in agriculture. We speak with Hitoshi Kaneyuki, Canycom’s chairman, about the company’s manufacturing philosophy.

  • S2018E112 Charles E. McJilton: Don’t Feel Responsible, Respond

    • October 23, 2018
    • NHK

    Charles E. McJilton runs a food bank in Japan, collecting food from manufacturers and retailers that is for various reasons safe but unsellable, and provides them to those in need. What drives him?

  • S2018E113 Chris Redlitz: Programming a Brighter Future After Prison

    • October 24, 2018
    • NHK

    Chris Redlitz, an IT venture capitalist, set up programming classes in US prisons to prepare inmates for work outside. He explains this project is a good investment for both the inmates and society.

  • S2018E114 Tong Zhilei: Digital Reading Within Reach

    • October 25, 2018
    • NHK

    Tong Zhilei, President of ChineseAll, started up in 2000 as the pioneer of digital publishing in China. He tells us the necessity of books and the social contribution.

  • S2018E115 Robert Wilson: Art Can Unite Us

    • October 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Robert Wilson, iconic experimental theatre director and founder of The Watermill Center in NY, reveals his early influences, how his minimalistic style developed, and why he continues to create.

  • S2018E116 Hidetaka Yoshikawa: Chairs for the World’s Beauty Salons

    • October 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Takara Belmont is the world’s biggest maker of chairs for barbershops and salons. We asked CEO Hidetaka Yoshikawa about how the company has driven innovation in the hair & beauty industry.

  • S2018E117 Yoshiharu Kaihara: Superior Denim from Rural Japan

    • October 30, 2018
    • NHK

    Yoshiharu Kaihara is CEO of Kaihara Corp., a denim manufacturer supplying fabrics to global apparel brands like Levi’s and Uniqlo. How does the 100-plus-year-old company make its world-class denim?

  • S2018E118 Tetsuya Kumakawa: Ballet for the Soul

    • November 5, 2018
    • NHK

    Former principal dancer of the Royal Ballet Tetsuya Kumakawa serves as artistic director of his own company, which performs many classics as well as original works. What goes into world-class ballet?

  • S2018E119 Rick Stanton: The Most Ambitious Rescue Ever

    • November 7, 2018
    • NHK

    Rick Stanton from England is one of the most experienced cave divers in Europe, and led the diving team that rescued the twelve children and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand.

  • S2018E120 William Trubridge: Diving with Respect for the Ocean

    • November 8, 2018
    • NHK

    William Trubridge holds the world record for freediving to a depth of 102 meters. His deep respect for the ocean is rooted in his early years, spent traveling the world by boat with his family.

  • S2018E121 Margaret Cho: Comedy Gives Voice to Diversity

    • November 9, 2018
    • NHK

    Known for her candid and uncensored content, bisexual Korean-American comedienne Margaret Cho uses the power of comedy to give voice to diversity and enhance communication in a divided world.

  • S2018E122 Keishi Ikeuchi: Creating a Sustainable World

    • November 12, 2018
    • NHK

    Ikeuchi Organic is a firm that makes towels using organic cotton. We spoke to president Keishi Ikeuchi about how his company prioritizes safety and quality in its production methods.

  • S2018E123 Kosuke Kuji: Raising a Sake Glass

    • November 13, 2018
    • NHK

    Kosuke Kuji is president of Nanbu Bijin Sake Brewery, an international award-winning sake producer based in northeastern Japan. What drives his efforts to bring sake to a wider global audience?

  • S2018E124 Haiyan Zhang: Expanding Your Mind

    • November 14, 2018
    • NHK

    Haiyan Zhang, Innovation Director at Microsoft Research, Cambridge, has made a name for herself as an inventor, specializing in technologies to help those living with disabilities and illness.

  • S2018E125 Katsuji Nousaku: Flexible Tableware

    • November 19, 2018
    • NHK

    Nousaku Corporation developed the world’s first 100% tin tableware. We asked president Katsuji Nousaku about his hopes of revitalizing the traditional metalworking area where his company is based.

  • S2018E126 Toyo Ito: Building Architecture for Life

    • November 20, 2018
    • NHK

    Internationally renowned architect Toyo Ito seeks not only to refine design and function, but also build architecture that understands how people actually live. What is his vision for architecture?

  • S2018E127 Akiko Horiba: Keeping Hope Alive

    • November 22, 2018
    • NHK

    Akiko Horiba works in conflict zones across Asia to end violence by laying groundwork for peace. We spoke to her about how she supports the peace mediation process, and her passion for peacebuilding.

  • S2018E128 Shigeaki Nomizu: Creating with the Customer

    • November 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Twinbird is an electric appliance maker based in a Niigata city known for craftsmanship. We speak with CEO Shiegaki Nomizu about listening to every comment from the customer, no matter how small.

  • S2018E129 Kaiji Moriyama: The Joy of Embodiment

    • November 27, 2018
    • NHK

    Internationally renowned dancer Kaiji Moriyama is known for out-of-the-box dances where he uses his body to express abstract concepts like “katana” and “human viscera.” What does dance mean to him?

  • S2018E130 Vinesh Sinha: Turning Waste into Wealth

    • November 29, 2018
    • NHK

    Vinesh Sinha is a young Malaysian entrepreneur who created an environmentally friendly business that makes biodiesel from waste oil. His work has sparked environmental awareness in Malaysia.

  • S2018E131 Pete Teo: Changing Malaysia Through the Arts

    • November 30, 2018
    • NHK

    Malaysian musician, filmmaker, and actor Pete Teo highlights social issues through his work and has had a big impact on society. What does he consider the key to coexisting in a multiethnic world?

  • S2018E132 Carl Pope: Working Together on Climate Change

    • December 3, 2018
    • NHK

    Carl Pope, a former executive director of the Sierra Club has been working for environmental issues for more than forty years. Through his experience, Pope tells us how we can overcome climate change.

  • S2018E133 Riusuke Fukahori: Goldfish Art

    • December 11, 2018
    • NHK

    Artist Riusuke Fukahori uses a self-developed process to paint lifelike three-dimensional goldfish. His work has garnered him fans around the world. How does he breathe life into his creations?

  • S2018E134 Riccarda Zezza: Nurturing Experience as Power

    • December 13, 2018
    • NHK

    An Italian social entrepreneur Riccarda Zezza has come up with the idea that nurturing experience learned during maternity leave can be useful at work.

  • S2018E135 Yang Liping: The Peacock Princess

    • December 14, 2018
    • NHK

    Yang Liping is a popular Chinese dancer and choreographer. Her ‘Peacock Dance’, based on the folk dances of her hometown in Yunnan Province, has been highly praised all over the world.

  • S2018E136 Akiko Yazawa: Backgammon Taught Me Everything

    • December 17, 2018
    • NHK

    Akiko Yazawa won the backgammon world championships for the second time in 2018—the culmination of a long road to recovery after being diagnosed with cancer in 2012. How did she gain the advantage?

  • S2018E137 Brillante Mendoza: Shedding Light on the Dark

    • December 21, 2018
    • NHK

    The works of award-winning Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza depict social issues in the Philippines. By shedding light on the dark side of society, he hopes to inspire discussion and change.

  • S2018E138 Shinichi Inoue: The Wings of Innovation

    • December 24, 2018
    • NHK

    Peach Aviation began operations in 2012 as Japan’s first low-cost carrier. Shinichi Inoue, Peach’s CEO, tells us about the unique strategies that have led to success in a competitive industry.

  • S2018E139 Michihiko Yanai: Promoting Fukushima

    • December 25, 2018
    • NHK

    Fukushima Prefecture has produced “MIRAI2061,” a musical film set 50 years after the Tohoku Earthquake. Fukushima-born creative director Michihiko Yanai speaks about the region’s present and future.

  • S2018E140 Steven Johnson: A New Era of the Internet

    • December 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Science writer Steven Johnson analyses the problems of social media, personal data and the Internet and explains how blockchain technology can solve the issue by using an open, decentralized system.

  • S2018E141 Mao Danqing: Stepping Forward with Mutual Respect

    • December 27, 2018
    • NHK

    Author and professor Mao Danqing explains Japanese culture to readers in his native China. He encourages youth in the two countries to deepen understanding of each other through cultural exchange.

  • S2018E142 Makhar Vaziev: The Innovator of Tradition

    • December 28, 2018
    • NHK

    The Bolshoi is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned ballet companies. Makhar Vaziev, its artistic director since 2016, talks about creating a new ballet company that doesn’t rest on its laurels.

  • S2018E143 George Takei: Advocating for Equality

    • May 11, 2018
    • NHK

    Japanese-American actor George Takei spent his childhood in internment camps during WWII. He talks about racial injustice, his advocacy, and the musical “Allegiance” that was inspired by his story.

  • S2018E144 Noriko Arai: Living in the AI Era

    • June 7, 2018
    • NHK

    Mathematician Noriko Arai, a top Japanese AI expert, warns that artificial intelligences will likely take jobs from humans in the near future. She discusses the keys to surviving in the coming AI era.

  • S2018E145 Chung To: Saving Children Affected by AIDS

    • May 9, 2018
    • NHK

    For 20 years, Chung To has been helping children affected by AIDS in China by assisting with their tuition and job-hunting. He seeks a society where the children can thrive despite bias against AIDS.

  • S2018E146 Paavo Järvi: The Joy of Classical Music

    • June 15, 2018
    • NHK

    Paavo Järvi is one of the most gifted conductors of his generation. How does he draw out the best possible sound from an orchestra? We speak with Järvi about the present and future of classical music.

  • S2018E147 Tamako Mitarai: Knitting the Future by Hand

    • May 1, 2018
    • NHK

    Kesennuma Knitting was created to help recovery efforts in an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Its high-end cardigans and sweaters are best sellers. CEO Tamako Mitarai talks strategy.

  • S2018E148 Maria Isabel Legarda: Theater for Social Change

    • June 13, 2018
    • NHK

    Maria Isabel Legarda is the Artistic Director of Philippine Educational Theater Association. She says theater can help people learn to have a voice, and contribute to social change and development.

  • S2018E149 Hiroshi Ogasawara: World-first Industrial Robots

    • May 21, 2018
    • NHK

    Yaskawa Electric is one of the world’s four big manufacturers of industrial robots. We speak with company president Hiroshi Ogasawara about the Chinese market and the future of industrial robotics.

  • S2018E150 Robert Reich: Resurrecting the Common Good

    • June 27, 2018
    • NHK

    Former US Labor Secretary and USC Professor of Public Policy Robert Reich analyses the ramifications of widening income inequality, money in politics, and the urgent need to revive the Common Good.

  • S2018E151 Sophiline Cheam Shapiro: Art Will Give You Strength

    • NHK

    Sophiline Cheam Shapiro is a Cambodian classical dance artist working to keep the tradition alive. She says art can be a source of strength and inspiration and should be part of everyone's life.

  • S2018E152 Manuel Barange: Protecting Our Oceans

    • July 26, 2018
    • NHK

    Manuel Barange is Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the FAO. He believes that protecting our marine life and oceans for future generations must be a priority.

Season 2019

  • S2019E01 Patrick Brown: Creating Sustainable Meat Alternatives

    • January 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Impossible Foods CEO Dr. Patrick Brown discusses his mission to counter the environmental threat caused by animal agriculture and his creation of sustainable meat substitutes using biotechnology.

  • S2019E02 Kostas Kostarelos: The Medical Revolution

    • January 17, 2019
    • NHK

    Kostas Kostarelos, a world expert in nanotechnology talks about how it will revolutionize medicine with tissue regeneration, new drug delivery methods, and neural interface and bio sensing devices.

  • S2019E03 Joe Smith: Mapping the Future

    • January 24, 2019
    • NHK

    As its newly appointed director, Professor Joe Smith wants to take the Royal Geographic Society forward to embrace the crucial issues of our time - including climate change and the environment.

  • S2019E04 Margaret Martin: Saving Children in Poverty Through Music

    • January 25, 2019
    • NHK

    The Harmony Project provides free music lessons to children of low-income families. Dr. Margaret Martin, the project’s founder, talks about how the project has used the power of music to mentor them.

  • S2019E05 Satoshi Fukushima: A Society Where All Can Live Happily

    • January 28, 2019
    • NHK

    Satoshi Fukushima lost his eyesight at 9, and hearing at 18. He is a professor of disability studies at the University of Tokyo. What is his vision for a society where everyone can live happily?

  • S2019E06 Mahzarin Banaji: Uncovering Our Hidden Biases

    • January 30, 2019
    • NHK

    Harvard psychologist Mahzarin Banaji devised a test to measure our hidden biases towards others, according to race, gender, or social class. She discusses the origins of bias and its cost to society.

  • S2019E07 Ivan Penn: Giving Voice to the Voiceless

    • January 31, 2019
    • NHK

    Ivan Penn is an African American NY Times reporter leading a NPO “The Power of Song” performing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He’s traveled globally promoting social justice through music.

  • S2019E08 RongRong&inri: Protecting the Essence of Art in China

    • February 1, 2019
    • NHK

    Along with the development of Chinese modern art, renowned photographers RongRong from China and Inri from Japan create works together. They defy commercialization to protect the essence of art.

  • S2019E09 Koji Muraoka: Pancakes That Represent a Region

    • February 4, 2019
    • NHK

    Koji Muraoka is CEO of a company known for a pancake mix made with grains produced on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu. He hopes to make the hotcakes a key part of the region’s brand.

  • S2019E10 Yuko Shirakawa: Medicine on the Battlefield

    • February 5, 2019
    • NHK

    Doctors Without Borders brings medical care to places that lack it. We speak with Yuko Shirakawa, a nurse who has worked for the NGO in conflict zones including Syria and South Sudan.

  • S2019E11 Ayyam Sureau: French Refugee Integration

    • February 6, 2019
    • NHK

    Ayyam Sureau founded a school to help refugees in Paris smoothly integrate into French society. Her successful methods offer hints for accepting diverse people and cultures.

  • S2019E12 James Heckman: Fighting Poverty With Early Childhood Education

    • February 7, 2019
    • NHK

    Nobel laureate James Heckman demonstrated a connection between developing non-cognitive skills in early childhood and success in life. He advocates supporting parents, to lift children from poverty.

  • S2019E13 Margarita Mamun: Obsession With Beauty

    • February 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Margarita Mamun, the 2016 Olympic All-around Champion in rhythmic gymnastics, talks about her life since retirement and Russia’s emphasis on achieving the ultimate aesthetic in her sport.

  • S2019E14 Toru Oki: The Healing Power of Dogs

    • February 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Toru Oki is a pioneer in the effort to increase the adoption of therapy dogs in Japan. He rescues dogs that would otherwise be put down, and trains them to provide comfort and love to people.

  • S2019E15 Morinari Watanabe: Sports Innovation for Athletes and Spectators

    • February 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, is committed to sports innovation for athletes and spectators alike. He talks about his career, his vision, and his approach.

  • S2019E16 Lee So-hyun: Co-Existing With Autism in Society

    • February 13, 2019
    • NHK

    Lee So-hyun, the founder of a company supporting people with autism, looks forward to a time when individuals with autism are accepted, feel comfortable, and can fully play their part in society.

  • S2019E17 Grigory Sergeev: Nothing Is Impossible!

    • February 14, 2019
    • NHK

    Grigory Sergeev set up a non-profit search-and-rescue organization in Russia, where a person goes missing every 30 minutes. He talks about the reasons behind its founding.

  • S2019E18 Charles Pépin: Philosophy for Daily Life

    • February 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Charles Pépin teaches popular philosophy classes at a Paris movie theater to make the topic more accessible. He hopes to enrich modern people’s lives using philosophy.

  • S2019E19 Takahiro Yagi: The Beauty of Tea Caddies

    • February 18, 2019
    • NHK

    Takahiro Yagi is the sixth-generation head of Kaikado, a long-established Kyoto manufacturer of traditional tea caddies. How does he balance tradition with the drive to create something new?

  • S2019E20 Merrill J. Fernando: Business as a Human Service

    • February 20, 2019
    • NHK

    Merrill J. Fernando, is CEO of Dilmah, the first ‘producer owned’ tea brand in the world. He says the business profits should be shared towards the dignified empowerment of underprivileged people.

  • S2019E21 Raghuram Rajan: Regenerating Community for a Better World

    • February 21, 2019
    • NHK

    University of Chicago economist Raghuram Rajan calls for the regeneration of local community to balance markets, as globalization leaves large pockets of society feeling powerless and left behind.

  • S2019E22 Kenichi Yoshida: Soul-stirring Strings

    • February 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Kenichi Yoshida is a musician who plays the tsugaru-jamisen, a stringed instrument from Japan’s Tohoku region. We speak with him about his efforts to share tsugaru-jamisen music with the world.

  • S2019E23 Rino Nakasone: A Love for Dance and Entertaining

    • February 26, 2019
    • NHK

    Rino Nakasone is an LA-based dancer/choreographer who has worked with Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, and has choreographed many routines for K-pop stars. She talks about the thrill of entertaining.

  • S2019E24 Lin Nien-tzu: Raising Awareness of Menstrual Sanitation

    • February 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Taiwanese activist Lin Nien-tzu founded a workshop to spread important knowledge on menstruation to Nepalese women. She helps them produce eco-friendly sanitary products.

  • S2019E25 Ni Sat Tin Htoo: Hope Beyond the Conflict

    • February 28, 2019
    • NHK

    Ni Sat Tin Htoo, a social worker in Myanmar, cares for ethnic-minority children affected by decades of conflict, helping them rebuild their lives so they can contribute to a more peaceful future.

  • S2019E26 Ichiro Akuto: A Small Distillery’s Big Dreams

    • March 4, 2019
    • NHK

    Venture Whisky in Chichibu, Japan has won top prize two years running at an international whisky competition. President Ichiro Akuto talks about his quaint Japanese distillery’s coveted spirits.

  • S2019E27 Frances Corner: Why Fashion Matters

    • March 6, 2019
    • NHK

    Frances Corner, Head of the influential London College of Fashion, speaks out on why fashion should matter to all of us, and how the global fashion industry can be a force for good.

  • S2019E28 Kim Gee-yang: Shattering Beauty Stereotypes

    • March 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Kim Gee-yang, South Korea’s first plus-size model, dreams of a society that will accept diversity and individuality. She talks of the challenges she faces in changing social perceptions.

  • S2019E29 Noriyuki Sawa: The Potential of Puppet Theater

    • March 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Noriyuki Sawa is known for bringing a Japanese sensibility to the Czech puppet theater tradition. He currently performs around the world while continuing to explore the possibilities of his art.

  • S2019E30 Pierre Kompany: From Refugee to Mayor

    • March 14, 2019
    • NHK

    In 2018 Pierre Kompany became mayor of Ganshoren, Belgium; having started his life there as a refugee from DR Congo (fmr. Zaire). He speaks on current immigration issues and his personal journey.

  • S2019E31 Andrey Kurkov: Ukraine - a Borderline Case

    • March 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Andrey Kurkov, Ukraine’s foremost writer witnessed the tumultuous events that shaped independent Ukraine. He explores post-Soviet identity and nationhood in a country where Russia still looms large.

  • S2019E32 David Hu: Nature’s Lessons in Engineering

    • March 20, 2019
    • NHK

    David Hu reproduces the ingenious anatomical functions of animals, using mathematical modeling. Born out of sheer curiosity, his bio-inspired engineering has won acclaim in the science community.

  • S2019E33 Anneli Rautiainen: Educating Children Shapes Our Future

    • March 21, 2019
    • NHK

    Finnish education got top marks in the OECD’s student assessment in 2003. But in these changing times, how can educators best adapt; Finnish education official Anneli Rautiainen shares her views.

  • S2019E34 Mo Ibrahim: Africa Is Rising

    • March 22, 2019
    • NHK

    One of Africa's most successful entrepreneurs, Mo Ibrahim, discusses the continent's future and how the image many have of Africa is fundamentally wrong.

  • S2019E35 Dishani Jayaweera: Peacebuilding Through Dialogue

    • March 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Dishani Jayaweera is a co-founder of a non-profit organization promoting peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Sri Lanka. She says divided communities need dialogue to build peace.

  • S2019E36 Yojiro Ichikawa: Musical Fusion

    • March 28, 2019
    • NHK

    London based theatre director Yojiro Ichikawa discusses his love of musicals and his ambition of merging Japanese and western theatrical traditions.

  • S2019E37 Andre Chiang: Redefining Asian Cuisine

    • March 29, 2019
    • NHK

    In 2018, the famous chef and restaurateur Andre Chiang returned to his hometown in Taiwan. His latest mission is to help Asian cuisine evolve and become known to people around the world.

  • S2019E38 Florian Wiltschko: The Shinto Way of Life

    • April 1, 2019
    • NHK

    Florian Wiltschko from Austria is the first foreigner to become an officially recognized priest of Shinto, the ancient Japanese religion. We speak with Wiltschko about the meaning of Shinto.

  • S2019E39 Reiko Takahashi: Conveying the Beauty Beneath

    • April 2, 2019
    • NHK

    Reiko Takahashi is a photographer who mostly shoots underwater. In 2018, she won first prize in the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest. What draws her to the sea?

  • S2019E40 Duan Yuezhong: Communication Beyond Nations

    • April 3, 2019
    • NHK

    Duan Yuezhong launched a publishing firm specializing in Sino-Japanese relations. With a journalist's eye, he gives voice to the people and promotes mutual understanding through grass-roots efforts.

  • S2019E41 Jon Jandai: Simplicity Is the Key to Happiness

    • April 4, 2019
    • NHK

    Jon Jandai is a Thai organic farmer whose self-reliant way of living attracts people from around the world. He simplifies life with the question: "Life is easy, why make it difficult?"

  • S2019E42 Kentaro Hayashi: Peace and Health in Myanmar

    • April 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Kentaro Hayashi is a doctor who's worked all over the world. For over a decade now, he's been traveling to Myanmar, providing healthcare and creating a social business focused on plant cultivation.

  • S2019E43 Masao Hosoo: Weaving the Future of Nishijin Textiles

    • April 9, 2019
    • NHK

    Masao Hosoo combines traditional craft and the latest tech to create interior decorations and other innovative items made with fine Nishijin textiles. What is his vision for this luxury silk fabric?

  • S2019E44 Thai Huong: Promoting Food Safety

    • April 10, 2019
    • NHK

    Entrepreneur Thai Huong revolutionized Vietnam's dairy industry by producing safe, fresh milk. Her products have restored consumer confidence and created a milk drinking culture in the country.

  • S2019E45 Viola Cheng: Helping the Socially Vulnerable

    • April 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Taiwanese chain restaurant manager Viola Cheng's dedication to helping the disadvantaged has drawn global attention. She explains the importance of companies fulfilling their social responsibility.

  • S2019E46 Masako Wakamiya: Endlessly Creative

    • April 15, 2019
    • NHK

    In 2017, Masako Wakamiya developed her first smartphone app. She was 81 years old at the time. We speak with her about how the digital world can change the lives and lifestyles of seniors.

  • S2019E47 Masanao Kurata: Beech Woodware Goes Global

    • April 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Bunaco is a woodworking company specializing in beech. It has been attracting international attention for its craftsmanship and creative designs. President Masanao Kurata talks about his vision.

  • S2019E48 Ryo Takeuchi: Reducing Bias Through Video

    • April 19, 2019
    • NHK

    Ryo Takeuchi is a popular online content director in China. The Japanese man introduces lifestyles and work of Chinese people living outside of China, hoping to reduce prejudice on both sides.

  • S2019E49 Takeo Sugita: The Matcha Business

    • April 22, 2019
    • NHK

    Aiya is a time-honored matcha green tea producer offering a diverse range of matcha products. It has worked to spread matcha culture worldwide. 5th generation president Takeo Sugita talks strategy.

  • S2019E50 Jose Antonio Vargas: A Voice for Migrants

    • April 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Philippine-born Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist in the U.S. He draws on his own life without papers, to bring attention to the plight of millions of undocumented immigrants.

  • S2019E51 Svetlana Alexievich: Immortalizing Unspoken Truths

    • April 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Nobel laureate and author Svetlana Alexievich of Belarus has unblinkingly covered historical events like WWII and the Chernobyl disaster. She speaks on her work to tell truths behind the facts.

  • S2019E52 Thitinan Pongsudhirak: Democracy Is Taking a Beating

    • April 26, 2019
    • NHK

  • S2019E53 Tadashige Shiga: A Blossom of Hope

    • April 29, 2019
    • NHK

    Tadashige Shiga is from Iwaki, a city in Fukushima Prefecture that was affected by the nuclear accident after the 3/11 disaster. He now leads a project to plant 100,000 cherry trees in his hometown.

  • S2019E54 Hiroshi Nakaso: Battling Financial Crises

    • April 30, 2019
    • NHK

    For 40 years, Hiroshi Nakaso worked at the Bank of Japan, eventually becoming its Deputy Governor. Given his experience with financial crises, what does he see as the keys to Japanese economic growth?

  • S2019E55 Jalal Ahmed: Architecture for Humanity

    • May 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Jalal Ahmed is a Bangladeshi architect. His work goes beyond just creating beautiful buildings. He designs comfortable houses and villages for the poor, as he believes helping them is helping society.

  • S2019E56 Kiko Matthews: Breaking a World Record

    • May 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Kiko Matthews broke a world record when she rowed solo and unsupported across the Atlantic. It was just 6 months after having brain surgery for a rare illness. She raised thousands of pounds for the hospital that had saved her life.

  • S2019E57 Nobu Okada: Cleaning up Space

    • May 17, 2019
    • NHK

    Space debris is an increasing problem. Nobu Okada's company is the first to tackle the garbage. In 2020 a test satellite is planned. Okada shares his passion for this mission.

  • S2019E58 Hironao Hamada: The Potential of Washi

    • May 21, 2019
    • NHK

    Hironao Hamada makes the world's thinnest handmade traditional Japanese paper, used to repair cultural properties such as paintings and other invaluable artwork. How does he approach papermaking?

  • S2019E59 Andria Zafirakou: Changing Lives

    • May 23, 2019
    • NHK

    Andria Zafirakou, an art teacher, won the Global Teacher Prize 2018 and is using the prize money of $ 1 million to create a foundation to help provide arts in schools with disadvantaged children.

  • S2019E60 Adam Hickey: Combatting Cyberattacks

    • May 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Adam Hickey is fighting against cyberattacks that threaten the US government and private sector. As the number of cyberattacks is increasing, Mr. Hickey explains what is behind this growing threat.

  • S2019E61 Takuji Matsuhashi: Sensing Production

    • May 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Metrol is a firm that creates precision sensors used in 70+ countries to create machine tools, robots, and so on. We speak to boss Takuji Matsuhashi about his company's unique business strategies.

  • S2019E62 Chihiro Nakata: Promoting a Traditional Talisman Overseas

    • May 28, 2019
    • NHK

    Daruma dolls are a type of traditional Japanese lucky charm with growing popularity around the world. Rising craftswoman Chihiro Nakata talks about her efforts to promote her craft overseas.

  • S2019E63 Melissa McCormick: The Tale of Genji Exhibition in the U.S.

    • May 31, 2019
    • NHK

    Harvard's McCormick organizes the world's oldest novel, "The Tale of Genji" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. We ask her about the beauty and importance of the Japanese novel.

  • S2019E64 Ryojun Shionuma: What Nature Teaches Us

    • June 3, 2019
    • NHK

    Ryojun Shionuma is a Buddhist priest who completed an intense ascetic ritual: hiking a steep 48-kilometer mountain trail 1,000 times. We ask him about the lessons he learned on this journey.

  • S2019E65 Tatsuya Tanaka: Depicting Daily Life in Miniature

    • June 4, 2019
    • NHK

    Tatsuya Tanaka photographs dioramas made with 2cm tall figures and everyday objects and food. Over 1.9 million people follow his work on a photo-sharing site. He explains the magic of miniatures.

  • S2019E66 Ezra Vogel: Japan-China Relations, an Outsider's Perspective

    • June 5, 2019
    • NHK

    Acclaimed Japan-China expert and Harvard Professor Emeritus Ezra Vogel discusses the history, cultural connection, and relationship between the 2 nations, and suggests how they can forge closer ties.

  • S2019E67 James Minor: Supporting Unique and Emerging Artists

    • June 7, 2019
    • NHK

    In the era of digital streaming music, head of South by Southwest Festivals' music's division, James Minor shares his passion for live performance, supporting unique artists from around the world.

  • S2019E68 Kenyu Chinen: The Soul of Okinawan Karate

    • June 10, 2019
    • NHK

    Karate will be an Olympic sport at 2020 in Tokyo; the origins of this martial art lie in Okinawan karate. Kenyu Chinen is an Okinawan karate master who has trained 6,000 students from 30 countries.

  • S2019E69 Hiroyuki Takahashi: A Magazine That Fosters Community

    • June 11, 2019
    • NHK

    "Taberu Tsushin" is a magazine that comes with samples of locally produced food. It was founded in the Tohoku region in 2013, and has counterparts throughout Japan and now Asia. What is its mission?

  • S2019E70 Lauren Compere: Socially Responsible Investing

    • June 12, 2019
    • NHK

    By examining a company's environmental, social, and governance when analyzing potential stocks, financial advisor Lauren Compere is helping investors make socially responsible investing decisions.

  • S2019E71 Tang Shuai: Defending With Sign Language

    • June 13, 2019
    • NHK

    Chinese lawyer Tang Shuai uses sign language to protect the legal rights of his clients who have hearing difficulties. He hopes for a law-abiding society that is more considerate to their needs.

  • S2019E72 Munroe Bergdorf - Transgender Model and Activist - Being Who You Are

    • June 14, 2019
    • NHK

    Munroe Bergdorf is a successful transgender model. She also campaigns for LGBT rights and better understanding of the community, which faces discrimination and prejudice.

  • S2019E73 Masahiro Kikuno - Watchmaker - The Craft of Time

    • June 17, 2019
    • NHK

    Masahiro Kikuno is a watchmaker who does it all himself, from design to manufacturing and assembly. One of his best known works is a wristwatch model based on a famous 19th century Japanese clock.

  • S2019E74 Toshihiko Hosaka - Sand Artist - The Sand Wizard

    • June 18, 2019
    • NHK

    International award-winning artist Toshihiko Hosaka talks about the beauty of sand art and the artistic vision he brings to life through his sculptures, which are made using only sand and water.

  • S2019E75 Bill Nye - CEO of the Planetary Society - Space Exploration - Can Private Citizens Play a Role

    • June 19, 2019
    • NHK

    Bill Nye leads the international non-profit Planetary Society and talks about the vital role that private groups can play in the advancement of space exploration and planetary science.

  • S2019E76 Helen Zia - Author - American Chinese Immigrants Facing Crossroads

    • June 21, 2019
    • NHK

    Helen Zia's "Last Boat Out of Shanghai" talks about Chinese immigrants, escaping the cultural revolution 70 years ago. She describes what immigrants face during times of tight immigration control.

  • S2019E77 Yasushi Ohara: The Potential of Industrial Chain

    • June 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Tsubakimoto Chain has the world's No. 1 market share in industrial roller chains, used for transmitting power and conveying materials. President Yasushi Ohara talks about its lineup of 20,000 chains.

  • S2019E78 Alaa Murabit: Raising the Voice of Women

    • June 26, 2019
    • NHK

    Since founding The Voice of Libyan Women in 2011, doctor and women's rights advocate Alaa Murabit has challenged the global status quo with initiatives to put women in positions of leadership.

  • S2019E79 Zeba Islam Seraj: Science for Sustainable Earth

    • June 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Zeba Islam Seraj is a Bangladeshi molecular biologist. She aims to secure the food security of her populous nation by creating rice that will flourish in the country's salty rice fields.

  • S2019E80 Shinji Kazama: Ride Forever

    • July 2, 2019
    • NHK

    Shinji Kazama is an adventurer who has accomplished many feats on a motorcycle, like climbing Everest and reaching the North Pole. What drives his unquenchable thirst for adventure and motorcycles?

  • S2019E81 Todd Rose: The Myth of Average

    • July 5, 2019
    • NHK

    Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education Todd Rose demystifies the century-old average-based systems in society and proposes design paradigms to embrace individuality and unique talents.

  • S2019E82 Yoshiaki Kawashima: Keeping Coffee Sustainable

    • July 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Yoshiaki Kawashima is a coffee agronomist. From rescuing endangered varieties of bean, to utilizing unsung local production methods, his quest is to grow top-quality coffee in sustainable ways.

  • S2019E83 Muneyuki Nakazawa: Strings That Bind

    • July 9, 2019
    • NHK

    Muneyuki Nakazawa crafts violins out of materials salvaged from the wreckage of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Those violins are now captivating audiences worldwide. What is his vision?

  • S2019E84 Nadiem Makarim: Ride-Hailing Innovation

    • July 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Providing work for over 1 million drivers with a smartphone app that is changing how people live in Indonesia, CEO Nadiem Makarim tells us how technology can shape a society.

  • S2019E85 Chris Bonington: How to Live Dangerously

    • July 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Sir Chris Bonington has spent a lifetime scaling the world's most difficult mountains. Here the mountaineer, author, and photographer shares his tips on how to manage risk.

  • S2019E86 Rumiko Seya: Preventing Conflict

    • July 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Rumiko Seya is committed to improving public safety and training personnel in places like South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. What does it take to foster a peaceful society without conflict?

  • S2019E87 Nick Romaniuk: Saving Lives at Sea

    • July 18, 2019
    • NHK

    Nick Romaniuk is rescue coordinator for the French charity SOS Méditerranée, leading the team that picks up African migrants who are trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.

  • S2019E88 Laurie Santos: What Makes Us Happy

    • July 19, 2019
    • NHK

    Yale Psychology Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and research that can help us change.

  • S2019E89 Jay Keasling: Looking at the Future of Synthetic Biology

    • July 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Dr. Jay Keasling is a pioneer of the practical application of synthetic biology. He talks about what impact the study can make on our lives and the concerns regarding the safety of this technology.

  • S2019E90 Jim Rogers: Find Change to Find Success

    • July 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Prominent American investor Jim Rogers uses his knowledge of history and world travel experiences as a bellwether for economic change and predicts that the 21st century will be the Asian era.

  • S2019E91 Yeo Bee Yin: Facing Plastic Waste Issues

    • July 31, 2019
    • NHK

    Yeo Bee Yin became part of Mahathir's cabinet in 2018. She rejects illegal plastic waste coming from other nations and has been getting attention as a young leader tackling environmental issues.

  • S2019E92 Yasunori Tashiro: A Filling Meal

    • August 5, 2019
    • NHK

    Rheon Automatic Machinery makes machines that automate the process of wrapping dough around filling for foods like steamed buns, stuffed pastries, and filled gnocchi. The company head talks food tech.

  • S2019E93 Madeline & Rosanne Stuart: Living Without Boundaries

    • August 7, 2019
    • NHK

    Madeline Stuart is a fashion model and entrepreneur with Down syndrome, traveling around the world with the support of her mother Rosanne. She breaks from conventional ways to open people's minds.

  • S2019E94 Mechtild Rössler: Saving Our Heritage

    • August 9, 2019
    • NHK

    World heritage is under threat. At UNESCO in Paris Mechtild Rössler leads the fight to save over a thousand sites of natural beauty and historic importance all over the world.

  • S2019E95 Mitsuhiro Iwamoto: Upon the Shining Sea

    • August 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Mitsuhiro Iwamoto lost his sight at the age of 16. In April 2019, he became the first blind person to sail nonstop across the Pacific Ocean. How did he achieve this incredible feat?

  • S2019E96 Shigeharu Senoo: Changing Asian Kitchens with Aquaculture

    • August 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Fisheries scientist Shigeharu Senoo was the first to successfully cultivate Tiger GG. The fish is savored throughout Asia and is now more affordable than ever. Senoo explains the role of fish farming.

  • S2019E97 Sun Xiaolong: Towards a Zero-Waste Future

    • August 14, 2019
    • NHK

    Singaporean scientist Sun Xiaolong researches safe treatment of incineration bottom ash and industrial wastewater. Application of his research is helping to protect the environment.

  • S2019E98 Stephen Linton: Fighting TB in North Korea

    • August 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Despite the political tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Stephen Linton has been providing medical assistance to North Korea for over 2 decades, focusing on the treatment of tuberculosis.

  • S2019E99 Clement Liang: Protecting the Local Heritage

    • August 28, 2019
    • NHK

    Malaysian historian Clement Liang was born and raised in Penang's George Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage in 2008. What positive and negative effects has this accolade had on his hometown?

  • S2019E100 Steven Gan: Reporting the News for Change

    • August 30, 2019
    • NHK

    Steven Gan, editor-in-chief of the Malaysian news portal Malaysiakini, has dedicated his career to promoting freedom of the press in a country where independent journalists are often silenced.

  • S2019E101 Fumio Usui: Prosthetics You Want to Wear

    • September 9, 2019
    • NHK

    Fumio Usui is a pioneering prosthetist and orthotist in Japan. He designs prosthetic limbs that fulfill the needs of a wide range of different people, from athletes to expectant mothers.

  • S2019E102 Atsuko Muraki: Saving Women in Need

    • September 10, 2019
    • NHK

    While imprisoned under fabricated corruption charges, former senior bureaucrat Atsuko Muraki met female victims of abuse. Now, she works to save women who are slipping through the cracks of society.

  • S2019E103 Franchesca Cubillo: The Power of Aboriginal Art

    • September 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Franchesca Cubillo is an Aboriginal curator, creating a large fair for Australia's indigenous art. In the event's 13th year, she empowers those facing struggles and brings a future to them through art.

  • S2019E104 Sen Nathan: Protecting the Forest

    • September 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Sen Nathan of Malaysia's Sabah Wildlife Department is devoted to protecting orangutans, elephants, and other native animals. Is there a way the lucrative palm oil business can coexist with wildlife?

  • S2019E105 Jan Ohrstrom: Wrestling to Overcome PTSD

    • September 13, 2019
    • NHK

    American pro wrestler Jan Ohrstrom is an Iraq War veteran. Through wrestling, he overcame PTSD, and regained his will to live. He now gives other veterans hope and courage through the sport.

  • S2019E106 Kazuko Kumon: Love, Freely Given

    • September 16, 2019
    • NHK

    In 2015, pediatrician Kazuko Kumon opened a facility in Kenya that offers individualized care and attention to children with disabilities. We talk to Dr. Kumon about what drives her work.

  • S2019E107 Masashi Hirao: Bonsai Art Performance

    • September 17, 2019
    • NHK

    Masashi Hirao is a craftsman who cultivates bonsai -- ornamental trees and shrubs grown in pots. He talks about his bonsai art demonstrations set to music, which he performs around Japan and overseas.

  • S2019E108 Luis Bononato: Striving for Freedom From Addiction

    • September 19, 2019
    • NHK

    We speak with the director of Proyecto Hombre - an NGO providing addiction treatment, mainly for drugs, to 17,000 people per year in Spain - on the true causes and solutions for this modern disease.

  • S2019E109 Kazunori Kumagai: Soulful Steps

    • September 23, 2019
    • NHK

    Kazunori Kumagai is the first person from Asia to win a prestigious NY Dance and Performance Award -- aka "Bessie" -- in the Outstanding Performer category. He speaks about his passion for tap dancing.

  • S2019E110 Louise Richardson: Oxford - 900 Years of Education

    • September 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Professor Louise Richardson is the first woman appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in its 900-year history. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives.

  • S2019E111 Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Playing With Passion

    • September 26, 2019
    • NHK

    Sheku Kanneh-Mason is an award-winning cellist. In 2018, he performed at the royal wedding in Britain and became an international star. He is a role model for a new generation of classical musicians.

  • S2019E112 Antonio Pappano: The Joy of Opera

    • September 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Sir Antonio Pappano recently became the longest-serving music director of the Royal Opera House in London. He is passionate about sharing the joy of opera and finding new ways to attract a wider audience.

  • S2019E113 Trinh Khanh Ha: Seize the Future With Robotic Prosthetic Arms

    • October 3, 2019
    • NHK

    Trinh Khanh Ha works on developing robotic prosthetic arms in Vietnam. With groundbreaking prosthetic arms, she gives hope to disabled people who gave up their work.

  • S2019E114 Dong Lina: Opening Up the Future for the Visually Impaired

    • October 4, 2019
    • NHK

    In China, most visually impaired people become masseuses or masseurs, but the blind Dong Lina became a verbal artist. She presents her thoughts on the determination needed to overcome many obstacles.

  • S2019E115 Yoshino Oishi: The Scars of War

    • October 7, 2019
    • NHK

    Yoshino Oishi is a photographer who has documented brutal conflicts around the globe, including in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Kosovo. We speak to her about what message she hopes to express to the world.

  • S2019E116 Leslie Kee: Life-Changing Portraiture

    • October 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Leslie Kee has overcome numerous challenges to become one of the top photographers in Asia. As part of the social minority, he seeks to dispel prejudices against minorities through his portraiture.

  • S2019E117 Hiroto Kawasaki: Promoting Organic Farming in China

    • October 9, 2019
    • NHK

    Hiroto Kawasaki moved to China at age 66 and succeeded in organic farming using cattle dung. Supported by young Chinese, he is working to change local customs long dependent on chemical fertilizer.

  • S2019E118 Ben Nelson: Reforming Higher Education

    • October 10, 2019
    • NHK

    Minerva School founder Ben Nelson's innovation approach to learning is fundamentally changing the way we educate college students with a combination of technology and life experience.

  • S2019E119 Tetsu Nakamura: A Fertile Desert

    • October 14, 2019
    • NHK

    Since 2003, Dr. Tetsu Nakamura has built irrigation canals in a drought-plagued region of Afghanistan where people were starving. We hear how his project has succeeded in the face of huge challenges.

  • S2019E120 Kazuhide Sekiyama: Weaving World Peace

    • October 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Japanese startup Spiber has pioneered tech for mass-producing synthetic spider silk. Kazuhide Sekiyama talks about the next-generation materials that will replace petroleum-based fabrics.

  • S2019E121 Bea Johnson: Zero Waste Living

    • October 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Mother of the Zero Waste Lifestyle movement Bea Johnson inspires people around the globe to simplify their lives while helping the environment with her 5 rules for zero waste.

  • S2019E122 Toshihide Takai: Medical Equipment Strategy

    • October 21, 2019
    • NHK

    Mani is a medical equipment maker with a large global market share in products such as surgical needles, ophthalmic knives, and dental drills. Company head Toshihide Takai talks business strategy.

  • S2019E123 Richard Yim: Developing Safer Demining Robots

    • October 23, 2019
    • NHK

    A young engineer tackling the serious issue of landmine clearance in Cambodia has developed an unattended robot to replace dangerous manual demining.

  • S2019E124 Guy Parker: Advertising in a Connected World

    • October 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Britain's Advertising Standards Authority has introduced new rules on gender stereotyping. Guy Parker, its chief executive, discusses why 2 TV adverts broke the rules and other issues.

  • S2019E125 Karl Bengs: Restoring Old Houses and Communities

    • October 28, 2019
    • NHK

    For more than 20 years, architectural designer Karl Bengs has been restoring old folk houses in depopulated areas of Japan as part of an effort to revitalize communities. What drives him?

  • S2019E126 Delia Ferreira Rubio: Fight Against Corruption

    • October 30, 2019
    • NHK

    Delia Ferreira Rubio represents an international NGO that aims to eliminate crimes such as bribery and embezzlement worldwide. How can we prevent corruption, which she says undermines our daily lives?

  • S2019E127 Kees Veldboer: Final Wishes Before Dying

    • October 31, 2019
    • NHK

    Kees Veldboer, the Ambulance Wish Foundation founder, has fulfilled over 13,000 final wishes of terminally ill patients. He reveals his thoughts about his contacts with dying people.

  • S2019E128 Robert Riener: Robotics for a Diverse Society

    • November 1, 2019
    • NHK

    Robert Riener founded the Cybathlon, a global contest spurring the development of robotic assistive devices for people with disabilities. What role can robotics play in creating a diverse society?

  • S2019E129 Antonio López Gutiérrez: Free Medical Education in Cuba

    • November 6, 2019
    • NHK

    The Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba educates youths from poor areas to become doctors. In 20 years, 30,000 graduates are active in 105 countries. President Antonio López Gutiérrez explains.

  • S2019E130 Svetlana Alexievich: Freedom in a Post-Soviet World

    • November 7, 2019
    • NHK

    Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Svetlana Alexievich, expressed the hardships endured in the Soviet era through eyewitness testimonials. She shares stories of life in a post-Soviet world.

  • S2019E131 Yaroslav Zhilkin: Hoping to Bring Peace to My Homeland

    • November 8, 2019
    • NHK

    Since 2014, the conflict in eastern Ukraine has left many soldiers MIA. Yaroslav Zhilkin, the founder of Black Tulip, tells us why he collects bodies in the troubled area.

  • S2019E132 Ory Yoshifuji: A Second Self

    • November 11, 2019
    • NHK

    Ory Yoshifuji creates communication robots that help people who, for whatever reason, have difficulty leaving the house. We speak with Yoshifuji about his determined quest to "end loneliness."

  • S2019E133 MIHARU: Muscles Don't Lie

    • November 12, 2019
    • NHK

    The bikini category of bodybuilding is all about a foundation of muscle that accentuates the feminine shape. MIHARU, Japan's only pro bikini athlete, talks about what building muscle means to her.

  • S2019E134 Sadan Kaptanoglu: Shipping Needs Stability

    • November 13, 2019
    • NHK

    Sadan Kaptanoglu, President of BIMCO, the world's largest association of ship owners, talks about the threat to global shipping from tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf.

  • S2019E135 Patrick Ky: Keeping the Skies Safe

    • November 14, 2019
    • NHK

    Patrick Ky of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency discusses the decision to ground the Boeing 737 MAX after 2 fatal crashes, why the plane is still grounded and the future of aviation safety.

  • S2019E136 Bart Roetert: Restaurant Fighting Food Waste

    • November 15, 2019
    • NHK

    Bart Roetert, co-founder of Instock, a restaurant in the Netherlands, has rescued 800,000 kilograms of food waste. He tells how to address food waste issues in an efficient and positive manner.

  • S2019E137 NORA: No Salsa, No Life

    • November 19, 2019
    • NHK

    NORA is the lead vocalist of Orquesta de la Luz, a world-famous salsa band from Japan. She speaks about her passion for music, and what she hopes to accomplish through her work with the group.

  • S2019E138 Katherine Maher: Building the Sum of All Knowledge

    • November 20, 2019
    • NHK

    Open source technology advocate, Wikimedia Foundation CEO Katherine Maher encourages everyone to contribute and share knowledge and information on the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

  • S2019E139 Zacharias Kunuk: Protecting Inuit Heritage Through Film

    • November 21, 2019
    • NHK

    Filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk's works focus on the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic, and underscore the importance of protecting their heritage. He shared his thoughts on the hopes and struggles of his people.

  • S2019E140 Sho Kitagawa: A Three Generation Dream

    • November 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Sho Kitagawa plays the balalaika, a traditional Russian stringed musical instrument. He was the first person from outside Russia to win a prestigious Russian music competition.

  • S2019E141 Noriaki Imai: Giving Young People Hope

    • November 26, 2019
    • NHK

    Noriaki Imai returned to Japan after a hostage ordeal in Iraq only to face harsh criticism, which made him a social recluse. Today, he supports young people who have similarly withdrawn from society.

  • S2019E142 Solomia Melnyk: Turning Music to Power

    • November 27, 2019
    • NHK

    Famous for its "Freak Cabaret" performances, the Ukrainian music and theater band Dakh Daughters sings about the harsh situation in Ukraine. Its vocalist explains the thoughts behind the lyrics.

  • S2019E143 Mitsuhiro Takasaki: Removing Troublesome Screws

    • December 3, 2019
    • NHK

    Mitsuhiro Takasaki, President of Engineer Inc., developed innovative heavy-duty pliers that can remove stripped or rusted screws with ease. What is his manufacturing philosophy and business strategy?

  • S2019E144 Giles Martin: Producing Music in a Digital World

    • December 4, 2019
    • NHK

    Giles Martin is an award-winning music producer at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. He has remixed 3 of The Beatles' albums and is at the forefront of changes in the music industry.

  • S2019E145 Yoshua Bengio: Possibilities, Risks, and Coexistence with AI

    • December 5, 2019
    • NHK

    Yoshua Bengio, a frontrunner in AI research and a recipient of the Turing Award in 2019, discusses AI's potential and its inherent risks. What is the best way forward for humans to coexist with AI?

  • S2019E146 Jihan Kaisi: Employment Lifeline for Syrian Refugee Women

    • December 6, 2019
    • NHK

    The key to helping Syrian refugees is to enable refugee widows to earn their own living and raise their children. Jihan Kaisi, the executive director of an NGO, is generating employment for them.

  • S2019E147 Jane Goodall: Vision for a Shared World

    • December 12, 2019
    • NHK

    Jane Goodall, known as the greatest field scientist of our time, showed how closely humans are related to chimpanzees. She now campaigns to protect animal habitats and fight climate change.

  • S2019E148 Mai Nagamatsu: You Can't Beat Katsuobushi

    • December 16, 2019
    • NHK

    Katsuobushi is a traditional Japanese foodstuff. It is dried bonito, typically shaved into umami-rich flakes. Mai Nagamatsu is the owner of a restaurant that specializes in recipes using katsuobushi.

  • S2019E149 Tomosuke Noda: Raising River Kids

    • December 17, 2019
    • NHK

    Tomosuke Noda is the principal of the River School, a camp designed to teach kids how much fun rivers can be. He talks about the many outdoor activities the kids enjoy and his vision for the program.

  • S2019E150 Ayad Nasser: Painting Away Poverty

    • December 18, 2019
    • NHK

    Entrepreneur and social activist Ayad Nasser launched a project using art to rejuvenate the slum of Lebanon, and he helped to transform the community from a place of poverty to one of hope.

  • S2019E151 Yoshihiko Akimoto: The Potential of Canned Bread

    • December 23, 2019
    • NHK

    Yoshihiko Akimoto developed canned bread that can be stockpiled for as long as 3 years. It is used as an emergency food and distributed as relief supplies to areas suffering from food shortages.

  • S2019E152 Lech Walesa: Don't Get Fooled by Populists

    • December 24, 2019
    • NHK

    Lech Walesa is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who stood up against USSR and accomplished free election of Poland 30 years ago. His struggle never ends, protecting liberal democracy from rise of populism.

  • S2019E153 Ziauddin Yousafzai: Fighting for Equality

    • December 25, 2019
    • NHK

    Ziauddin Yousafzai is a teacher and activist who stood up to the Taliban in Pakistan. With his daughter Malala, he campaigns for girl's education and equality around the world.

  • S2019E154 Oyungerel Tsedevdamba: The Toilet Revolution

    • December 26, 2019
    • NHK

    Oyungerel Tsedevdamba is the leader behind the "Let's Change Our Toilets" campaign in Mongolia who says that changing toilets can change lives. She speaks on the problems her country faces.

Season 2020

  • S2020E01 Bertrand Piccard: The Search for Clean Technologies

    • January 2, 2020
    • NHK

    Bertrand Piccard was the first man to fly around the world in a solar powered plane. He explains what that achievement means for the future of clean energy.

  • S2020E02 Thomas Heatherwick: A World of Form

    • January 15, 2020
    • NHK

    Heatherwick Studio is known for ingenious installations and extraordinary buildings. Its founder, designer Thomas Heatherwick shares his secrets and talks about its plans for Tokyo's Minato Ward.

  • S2020E03 Oyun Sanjaasuren: Tackling Air Pollution in Mongolia

    • January 16, 2020
    • NHK

    Air pollution is causing health problems in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. We speak with former Mongolian Minister of the Environment, Oyun Sanjaasuren, on its causes and solutions.

  • S2020E04 Apichatpong Weerasethakul: An Artist and a Quiet Rebel

    • January 22, 2020
    • NHK

    Apichatpong Weerasethakul directed "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives," winning at Cannes in 2010. He connects memories of oneself with society and politics, and is now focusing on Colombia.

  • S2020E05 Muhammad Yunus: Redesigning Capitalism

    • January 23, 2020
    • NHK

    Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus won a Nobel Prize for creating a microcredit system for the poor. We speak to him about his new endeavor, "social business," that has him traveling the world.

  • S2020E06 Jokha Alharthi: The Power of a Story

    • January 24, 2020
    • NHK

    Jokha Alharthi, the first Man Booker International Prize winner writing in Arabic, is also the first female Omani novelist translated into English. What message does her work have for today's world?

  • S2020E07 Takenosuke Yasufuku: Sake Goes Global

    • January 27, 2020
    • NHK

    The Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Breweries have been producing sake for over 260 years. We speak with president Takenosuke Yasufuku about how his firm makes sake with huge appeal both in Japan and worldwide.

  • S2020E08 Tomohiko Izutsu: Space-Themed Community Revitalization

    • January 28, 2020
    • NHK

    Tomohiko Izutsu was on a path to work in space science research, but he changed course, and is now dedicated to revitalizing rural communities through space-themed events. What drives his mission?

  • S2020E09 Sueko Nakamura: People Change, So Can Society

    • February 3, 2020
    • NHK

    In 2019, Sueko Nakamura directed a documentary about young women in Japan who've been in trouble with the law. She herself had a troubled adolescence that included time in a juvenile detention center.

  • S2020E10 Mariko Takekawa: Supporting Foreign Residents

    • February 4, 2020
    • NHK

    Shin-ai-Juku is a Japanese NPO that's been providing support for foreigners living in Japan for over 40 years. Chief Director Mariko Takekawa talks about what's happening on the ground.

  • S2020E11 Kenichi Noguchi: Luxury Lotus Root

    • February 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Kenichi Noguchi is a farmer who grows lotus plants. His lotus roots sell for $50 each, and are served in fancy restaurants the world over. We ask Noguchi what makes his lotus root so amazing.

  • S2020E12 Koji Masutani: A Cutting-Edge Steak Knife

    • February 11, 2020
    • NHK

    Ryusen Hamono has developed a steak knife with excellent sharpness that has been carefully designed to be safe to use. President Koji Masutani talks about the work that went into crafting the blade.

  • S2020E13 Chi-chi Nwanoku: Music Does Not Discriminate

    • February 19, 2020
    • NHK

    Chi-chi Nwanoku is a world-famous double bassist from London and is founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, the first classical orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority black and minority ethnic musicians.

  • S2020E14 Sampo Hietanen: The Mobility Revolution Using MaaS

    • February 20, 2020
    • NHK

    The next-generation transportation service called MaaS, is rapidly expanding worldwide. How will it change our lifestyle? Its founder, Sampo Hietanen, talks about the mobility future he envisages.

  • S2020E15 António Guterres: Building the Future Through Global Harmony

    • February 21, 2020
    • NHK

    António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, faces a new phase for the UN at its 75th anniversary in 2020. In the exclusive interview, he discusses the challenges and vision into the future.

  • S2020E16 Gohei Nishikawa: The Sound of Resilience

    • February 24, 2020
    • NHK

    Pianist Gohei Nishikawa was diagnosed with focal dystonia as an adult. Unable to use 3 fingers on his left hand, he performs using his other 7. How did he find his way back to the piano?

  • S2020E17 Levison Wood: Changing Stereotypes in the Middle East

    • February 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Levison Wood is a British explorer who traveled through 13 countries in the Middle East. He wants to challenge stereotypes about a region which is often presented negatively in the news.

  • S2020E18 Keiko Itabashi: Survival Cooking Consciousness

    • March 2, 2020
    • NHK

    For years, Keiko Itabashi has hosted a radio show about disaster preparedness in Miyagi Prefecture, an area that suffered grave damage in Japan's 3.11 disaster. What lessons does she have for her audience?

  • S2020E19 Hiroki Iwasa:; High-tech Strawberry Farming

    • March 3, 2020
    • NHK

    Hiroki Iwasa grows high-end strawberries in Miyagi Prefecture -- a region that was hit hard by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. How is he revitalizing the local economy and agricultural industry?

  • S2020E20 Lekima Hung: Photographing Marine Plastic Waste

    • March 4, 2020
    • NHK

    We talk with photographer Lekima Hung about his history and passion capturing and exhibiting photographs of marine plastic waste pollution in Vietnam to raise awareness about the issue.

  • S2020E21 Eko Supriyanto: Dancing Through the Borders

    • March 5, 2020
    • NHK

    Eko Supriyanto is Indonesia's leading choreographer and dancer. In February 2020, he received praise on a piece including female dancers from a divided Timor. Performances are planned around the world.

  • S2020E22 Riken Komatsu:; Saving the Fukushima Seas

    • March 9, 2020
    • NHK

    The seas of Fukushima Prefecture were gravely harmed by the 2011 nuclear disaster and its aftermath. For the past 9 years, Riken Komatsu has worked tirelessly to restore them and related industries.

  • S2020E23 Kanji Kikuchi: Limitless Fabrics

    • March 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Nihon Homespun blends silk, cotton, synthetic fibers and traditional washi paper into their sought-after wool fabrics. President Kanji Kikuchi talks about the homespun textile tradition.

  • S2020E24 Yi Seung-Jun: Beyond the Boundaries

    • March 11, 2020
    • NHK

    Yi Seung-Jun is a South Korean documentary filmmaker. He talks about his motivations and the feedback for his recent short film about the ferry disaster which was nominated for the Academy Award.

  • S2020E25 Dalounny Douangpaseuth: A New Agritourism Farm

    • March 12, 2020
    • NHK

    Tourism is a vital source of income for Laos in Southeast Asia. A woman is now producing an entirely new form of tourism, agritourism, while keeping in mind how to improve the livelihood of farmers.

  • S2020E26 Anna Fasano: Ethical Finance Changes the World

    • March 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Anna Fasano is the president of Banca Etica in Italy. It finances projects meeting a strict ethical standard for the environment, human rights and social principles as it aims to change the world.

  • S2020E27 Twyla Tharp: A New Approach to Aging

    • March 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp discusses her new book, which delves into her philosophy of aging and highlights the importance of moving our bodies to maximize our potential, whatever our age.

  • S2020E28 Yoshihiko Ishikawa: Unlocking Your True Potential

    • March 16, 2020
    • NHK

    Yoshihiko Ishikawa has ascended to the elite ranks of the world's ultramarathon runners. He tells us how he got involved in this intense sport, and how he managed to rise to the top.

  • S2020E29 Hisafumi Shogi: Water for Life

    • March 17, 2020
    • NHK

    Myanmar in southeast Asia suffers from a lack of safe drinking water. Hisafumi Shogi works with locals to develop the water supply infrastructure. He talks about the road so far, and what lies ahead.

  • S2020E30 Hoang Yen Vo: Making Inclusive Society for All

    • March 18, 2020
    • NHK

    Hoang Yen Vo is a Vietnamese rights advocate. The center she runs helps people with disability, not for their physical needs, but their well-being. Her goal is to see them thrive however they live.

  • S2020E31 Nigel Shadbolt: Ethics in the Age of AI

    • March 19, 2020
    • NHK

    As Artificial Intelligence becomes part of our daily life, have we considered the ethical pitfalls? Computer scientist Sir Nigel Shadbolt on the new Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University.

  • S2020E32 Alan Dangour: Feeding the 10 Billion

    • March 20, 2020
    • NHK

    Professor Alan Dangour is pioneering a new approach at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to examine the impact of our changing diet on population health and on the planet itself.

  • S2020E33 Sean Sherman: Finding Power in Indigenous Food

    • March 20, 2020
    • NHK

    Chef Sean Sherman revives the wisdom of his ancestors by applying Native American ingredients to modern cuisine. As an educator he uses food to bring indigenous culture closer to the next generation.

  • S2020E34 Koichiro Kobayashi: Climbing for Diversity

    • March 23, 2020
    • NHK

    Koichiro Kobayashi has won gold at the Paraclimbing World Championships 4 times in a row. He works to help people who are visually impaired take up climbing. What does the sport mean to him?

  • S2020E35 Assumpta Uwamariya: Turning Beetroot Into Wine

    • March 31, 2020
    • NHK

    A young Rwandan female entrepreneur has had success producing and marketing beetroot wine and providing stable employment for local women. The program follows her battle to succeed in business.

  • S2020E36 Houriya Taheri: Muslim Women Athletes Take on the World

    • March 31, 2020
    • NHK

    Houriya Taheri, the Middle East's first FIFA A-licensed women's soccer coach, speaks on what women athletes in the region, whose participation has been limited, need to help them spread their wings.

  • S2020E37 Albert Lin: A New Age of Exploration

    • March 31, 2020
    • NHK

    Albert Lin is an award-winning explorer and scientist from California who is innovating technology to uncover hidden stories of history from lost civilizations and ancient ruins all over the world.

  • S2020E38 Sato Shinjiro: Putting Patients First

    • April 7, 2020
    • NHK

    Terumo is a Japanese manufacturer of medical devices such as catheter-based solutions for the treatment of coronary arteries. Company CEO Sato Shinjiro talks about reducing the burden on patients.

  • S2020E39 Andreas Tölke: Supporting Refugees is a Global Matter

    • April 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Popular among the Berliners, "Kreuzberger Himmel" serves dishes from Syria and Afghanistan. Tölke opened this restaurant to provide occupations for refugees. We asked his principle in helping them.

  • S2020E40 Takeuchi Masahiko: Hope for the Blind

    • April 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Takeuchi Masahiko runs and funds a nonprofit that builds schools for the blind around the world. Takeuchi himself is visually impaired. We speak with him about his life's work.

  • S2020E41 Gokan Shingo: The Great Cocktail Quest

    • April 14, 2020
    • NHK

    Bartender Gokan Shingo was named 2017 International Bartender of the Year. He talks about the secrets behind his signature cocktails and what he loves about bar culture.

  • S2020E42 Beatrice Vio: Life is Awesome

    • April 16, 2020
    • NHK

  • S2020E43 Choi Sungja: Culture Comms

    • April 20, 2020
    • NHK

    For many foreigners living in Japan, the language barrier is hard to overcome. Choi Sungja is an advisor at a cafe where foreigners become chefs, communicating with Japan through their native cuisine.

  • S2020E44 Iwaisawa Kenji: The Future of Animation

    • April 21, 2020
    • NHK

    Director Iwaisawa Kenji won the top prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival for his 2019 feature film. He talks about his hand-drawn approach and what he hopes to convey through his work.

  • S2020E45 John Hardy: Empowering Children to Be Changemakers

    • April 22, 2020
    • NHK

    The unique Green School in Indonesia founded by John Hardy and his wife Cynthia aims for a sustainable future. Favoring a progressive education, children and parents gather from all over the world.

  • S2020E46 Kawaoka Yoshihiro: The Battle Against the Invisible Enemy

    • April 24, 2020
    • NHK

    COVID-19 is taking the world by storm and the struggle with the invisible enemy continues around the world. We sat down with Kawaoka Yoshihiro, Japan's leading virologist for his insight on the issue.

  • S2020E47 Yoshitake Shinsuke: Inspiration from Everyday Life

    • April 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Yoshitake Shinsuke is one of Japan's best known children's book authors, the winner of multiple international prizes. He finds inspiration in aspects of kids' lives that grown-ups tend to ignore.

  • S2020E48 Kuwata Takuro: Ceramic Marvels

    • April 28, 2020
    • NHK

    Ceramic artist Kuwata Takuro is known for using experimental procedures to produce startling, one-of-a-kind work. He has exhibited all over the world. He talks about his creative process.

  • S2020E49 John Edmunds: A Once in a Century Pandemic

    • April 30, 2020
    • NHK

    Professor John Edmunds has dedicated his career to studying the spread of infectious diseases, and is one of the scientists advising the UK government on how to control the pandemic of coronavirus.

  • S2020E50 Mary Balikungeri: Changemaking by Women

    • May 1, 2020
    • NHK

    With UN work experience, Mary Balikungeri returned to Rwanda after the 1994 genocide to support women who had suffered greatly. She believes women have a new role to play in her country's development.

  • S2020E51 Hagiuda Megumi: Roses That Empower

    • May 4, 2020
    • NHK

    Hagiuda Megumi imports and sells African roses from Kenya as part of an effort to contribute to women's employment in the region. She talks about what roses mean to her, and what drives her.

  • S2020E52 Sergio Harari: Defeating the Coronavirus

    • May 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Italy, pulmonologist Sergio Harari is on the frontline when it comes to treating coronavirus patients in Milan, even since it was declared a red zone and its population placed in isolation.

  • S2020E53 Warwick McKibbin: Fighting COVID-19 in the Global Economy

    • May 14, 2020
    • NHK

    Professor Warwick McKibbin warned in late February, how human and economic losses would soar if governments didn't react to COVID-19. He addresses cooperation measures to overcome the global crisis.

  • S2020E54 Bernd Gaiser: Taking Action Makes a Difference

    • June 5, 2020
    • NHK

    Bernd Gaiser, a co-founder of Berlin CSD, talks about why he encourages coming out of the closet and how he came to set up a multi-generational housing project for those of any sexual orientation.

  • S2020E55 Alexis Mena: Growing Resilient Community

    • June 12, 2020
    • NHK

    Alexis Mena, an urban farmer in Brooklyn organized a food bank to address the food crisis in his community with a "bottom-up" strategy. He is creating a resilient community with innovative food system.

  • S2020E56 Ishii Mieko: Preventing Disaster-related Deaths

    • June 15, 2020
    • NHK

    Extreme weather around the world is causing an increase in major natural disasters. We ask Ishii Mieko, a nurse who has worked in several disaster zones, about how to save lives.

  • S2020E57 Richard H. Kaszynski: International Cooperation in Clinical Studies

    • June 16, 2020
    • NHK

    Richard H. Kaszynski formed a global network to rapidly conduct clinical drug trials in order to fight against infectious disease pandemics. He talks about a promising drug candidate for COVID-19.

  • S2020E58 Rashvin Singh: Making a Difference

    • June 19, 2020
    • NHK

    When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Malaysia, Rashvin Singh and his team at his social enterprise wanted to make a difference and began producing face shields to help frontliners.

  • S2020E59 Greg Bowman: Fighting COVID-19 by Connecting PCs

    • June 24, 2020
    • NHK

    Folding@home led by Dr. Greg Bowman seeks a cure for COVID-19 with distributed computing. The American molecular biologist talks about the prospects connecting millions of participants and their PCs.

  • S2020E60 Susan Michie: Changing Behavior in a Pandemic

    • June 25, 2020
    • NHK

    Health psychologist, Professor Susan Michie is advising the British government on how to help people change their behavior in a pandemic so as to control the spread of coronavirus.

  • S2020E61 Keith Cressman: Contain Outbreak of Locusts

    • July 1, 2020
    • NHK

    In 2020, the huge swarms of desert locusts have invaded to the countries in East Africa. Mr. Cressman continues to warn about outbreak and talks about the way we should deal with what the nature makes.

  • S2020E62 Rob Gore: A Healer and the Invisible Foes

    • July 2, 2020
    • NHK

    Dr. Rob Gore is fighting the pandemic and healing the community in NY. He founded KAVI, an NPO to end violence and urban trauma and to make a better future for his unborn son.

  • S2020E63 Morinaga Kunihiko: Trailblazing Fashion Design

    • July 6, 2020
    • NHK

    Fashion designer Morinaga Kunihiko creates technologically innovative styles that no one has ever seen before. He tells us what motivates his work, and discusses the untapped potential of clothing.

  • S2020E64 Nakamoto Chizu: Empowering Ugandan Women

    • July 7, 2020
    • NHK

    Social entrepreneur Nakamoto Chizu started up a brand that makes colorful bags out of African fabrics. She talks about her vision of providing stable employment to Uganda's single mothers.

  • S2020E65 Ki Moran: The Story Behind COVID-19 Measures

    • July 8, 2020
    • NHK

    As the coronavirus strikes the world, South Korea's corona prevention measures are recognized as a success. Professor Moran Ki, the chief of COVID-19 task force is leading the success with the government.

  • S2020E66 Lena Yokoyama: A Violin Flies Over Cremona

    • July 9, 2020
    • NHK

    Japanese violinist Lena Yokoyama performed on the rooftop of Cremona's hospital, as a tribute to healthcare workers and patients struggling through the coronavirus emergency.

  • S2020E67 Taavi Kotka: Engineering Future Society

    • July 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Taavi Kotka of Estonia, an IT powerhouse with 99% of its government services available online, speaks on how engineering will shape our technological future.

  • S2020E68 Khaled Reshad: Healing with Healthcare and Education

    • July 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Khaled Reshad's day job is running a local medical clinic in Japan, but he also works to build hospitals and schools in his home country of Afghanistan. We speak with Dr. Reshad about his work.

  • S2020E69 Yamami Koji: The Mirror Magician

    • July 14, 2020
    • NHK

    Yamami Koji creates award-winning kaleidoscopes that rise to the level of art. What sort of wizardry goes into crafting optical instruments that surprise and delight the eyes?

  • S2020E70 Audrey Tang: Boosting Social Innovation With IT

    • July 15, 2020
    • NHK

    Minister Audrey Tang's IT measures against COVID-19 greatly contributed to Taiwan's successful containment of the virus. She is also a leading force behind Taiwan's digital democracy.

  • S2020E71 Vedaste Ndahindwa: Overcome the Past, Fight as a Team

    • July 17, 2020
    • NHK

    With a long experience of tackling viruses, Rwanda is striving to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Africa. Dr. Vedaste Ndahindwa tells us about the efforts and background of its infection control team.

  • S2020E72 Yamasaki Nobuyoshi: A New Material Born from Stone

    • July 20, 2020
    • NHK

    Yamasaki Nobuyoshi's company produces items like food trays and garbage bags using a sustainable limestone-based material. He talks about its potential as an alternative to paper or plastic.

  • S2020E73 Okuda Tomoshi: Leaving No One Alone

    • July 21, 2020
    • NHK

    Pastor Okuda Tomoshi has been working with homeless people for over 30 years, helping 3,500 get back on their feet. He talks about what is necessary to create a society where no one is left ignored.

  • S2020E74 Guillaume Gomez: Support COVID-19 Fighters With Gastronomy

    • July 24, 2020
    • NHK

    Guillaume Gomez, Head Chef at the Elysée Palace, French presidential residence delivered meals to medical staff together with other chefs who had to close their restaurants during lockdown.

  • S2020E75 Ishii Katsuyuki: Cutting-Edge Wheelchairs

    • July 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Ishii Katsuyuki heads a manufacturer of custom sports wheelchairs used by top athletes competing in the Paralympic Games. He talks about design, craftsmanship and the secret to the company's success.

  • S2020E76 Eiko Ojala: Quiet Art Speaks Strongly

    • July 31, 2020
    • NHK

    Illustrations by Estonian artist Eiko Ojala have appeared in newspapers and magazines worldwide. His gorgeous paper-like graphic designs shine a penetrating light on modern society.

  • S2020E77 George Magnus: Globalization at a Crossroads

    • August 5, 2020
    • NHK

    George Magnus is an economist, author and Associate at the China Centre, Oxford University. He believes that globalization is at a crossroads.

  • S2020E78 Nakajima Satoshi: Saving Restaurants With the Power of IT

    • August 7, 2020
    • NHK

    Nakajima Satoshi is a software engineer developing a free app for takeout orders that he designed to help businesses pushed to the verge of bankruptcy by the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • S2020E79 Nishimoto Yu-ki: Innovation in Ink Wash Painting

    • August 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Nishimoto Yu-ki is an innovative practitioner of sumi-e (ink wash painting). His art -- which has incorporated video, CG and more -- is exceptionally dynamic, and he is always pushing himself further.

  • S2020E80 Gushiken Takamatsu: Bones That Speak of War

    • August 11, 2020
    • NHK

    For 40 years, Gushiken Takamatsu has been excavating the remains of those who died in the Battle of Okinawa at the end of the Pacific War. He talks about lingering scars and the value of peace.

  • S2020E81 James Brining: Connecting the Community Through Theater

    • August 14, 2020
    • NHK

    James Brining is the Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse, north England. He endeavors to connect the community through theater.

  • S2020E82 Mitch Albom: A Story Bringing Hope During a Pandemic

    • August 20, 2020
    • NHK

    Mitch Albom started his serial, "Human Touch," on April 2020. Proceeds from his e-book and audio that describe survivors in Detroit, funds his charity. He tells us more about hope for the future.

  • S2020E83 Siti Rahayu: Hope Through Education

    • August 21, 2020
    • NHK

    Buku Jalanan Chow Kit is a school co-founded by Siti Rahayu who aims to provide education for poor and stateless children who live in the red light district of Malaysia.

  • S2020E84 Dominique Chen: Pursuing the Future for Digital Technology and Humans

    • August 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Dominique Chen, known for his outstanding research in the field of information studies, talks about ways to achieve well-being through digital communications.

  • S2020E85 Teshima Daisuke: Oral Hygiene That's Safe to Swallow

    • September 7, 2020
    • NHK

    In 2013, Teshima Daisuke developed oral hygiene products that don't harm the body if swallowed. His innovative business model supports people with disabilities. We asked Teshima about his motivation.

  • S2020E86 Okahara Kosuke: Shining a Light on Humanity

    • September 8, 2020
    • NHK

    Okahara Kosuke is known for award-winning photojournalism documenting the human condition in places like South America, Africa and China. He reflects on his humanistic approach.

  • S2020E87 Paula Ingabire: The ICT Minister Taking the Lead in Rwanda

    • September 9, 2020
    • NHK

    With amazing economic growth in recent years, Rwanda has been pursuing a progressive ICT policy. The woman appointed Minister of ICT and Innovation at merely 35 talks about the future ICT offers.

  • S2020E88 Paolo Giordano: United for Change

    • September 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Author of How Contagion Works, an essay on the science of infectious disease, physics PhD Paolo Giordano clarifies the issues we face and speaks on how to live in a post-pandemic world.

  • S2020E89 Saengduean Chailert: All Life on Earth Is Equal

    • September 11, 2020
    • NHK

    Saengduean Chailert, the founder of Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, has devoted her life to caring for Asian elephants that were wounded while made to work as performance animals or in logging.

  • S2020E90 Wada Atsushi: Delighting in the Unknown

    • September 14, 2020
    • NHK

    Wada Atsushi is an award-winning animator who plays with the concept of "ma," or "the space in between," building tension through contrasting movement and the absence of movement. What inspires him?

  • S2020E91 Fukunaga Takeshi: Giving a Voice to Minorities

    • September 21, 2020
    • NHK

    Fukunaga Takeshi's latest film, which is about the indigenous Ainu of Japan, received Special Jury Mention at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. What inspires him to tell stories of minority communities?

  • S2020E92 Anoushka Shankar: Healing With Music

    • September 23, 2020
    • NHK

    Anoushka Shankar is a sitarist, composer and producer who has won many awards in the world music scene. She is the daughter of Indian musician Ravi Shankar. She is also a social activist and feminist.

  • S2020E93 Robin Hanbury-Tenison: Lessons From Tribal People

    • September 25, 2020
    • NHK

    Robin Hanbury-Tenison is one of the greatest explorers of his era, and has traveled to remote areas of the world, where he has witnessed huge changes to the environment in the last 60 years.

  • S2020E94 Osawa Shuichi: The Feelings Baked into Bread

    • September 28, 2020
    • NHK

    Osawa Shuichi is a baker who won the 2019 Mondial du Pain, arguably the world's most prestigious breadmaking competition. He tells us how he crafts his top-class bread.

  • S2020E95 Ogawa Yoko: What It Means to Remember

    • September 29, 2020
    • NHK

    Ogawa Yoko's novel "The Memory Police" was shortlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize in 2020. What are the major themes and motifs that characterize her work?

  • S2020E96 Perrine and Charles Hervé-Gruyer: Heal the Earth Through Agriculture

    • September 30, 2020
    • NHK

    Perrine and Charles Hervé-Gruyer, farmers in France, have quested for tomorrow's agriculture that reconstructs ecosystems, inspired by methods of ancient civilizations and latest scientific studies.

  • S2020E97 Sasibai Kimis: Changing Perceptions

    • October 1, 2020
    • NHK

    Earth Heir, a social enterprise in Malaysia is founded by Sasibai Kimis to empower the lives of marginalized communities, emphasizing on combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

  • S2020E98 Larry Littlebird: Gift of Indigenous Wisdom

    • October 2, 2020
    • NHK

    Larry Littlebird, a Native American elder/storyteller, founded Hamaatsa, a place to reconnect with nature with indigenous wisdom, by listening to nature and to each other in this challenging time.

  • S2020E99 Vosot Ikeida: Supporting Social Recluses

    • October 5, 2020
    • NHK

    For 3 long decades, Vosot Ikeida has been a hikikomori, locking himself in his room and avoiding human contact. Now, he wants to do something about it. His answer? Communication and connection.

  • S2020E100 Yamada Mio: Helping Rwandan Women Rise

    • October 6, 2020
    • NHK

    Yamada Mio empowers Rwandan women to rise up from poverty. She talks about opening a Japanese restaurant in the Rwandan capital and ongoing efforts to support the women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • S2020E101 Martin Aufmuth: A Sustainable System for Basic Eyecare

    • October 8, 2020
    • NHK

    A former German teacher who created a revolutionary system to provide people in developing countries with one-dollar glasses shares his thoughts on the meaning of sustainable social business.

  • S2020E102 Paolo Di Croce: Happiness Is Local Community

    • October 9, 2020
    • NHK

    A leader in the slow food movement, Paolo Di Croce speaks on how the current pandemic is changing the way we eat.

  • S2020E103 Jordi Faulí: Road to Completion - Sagrada Familia

    • October 16, 2020
    • NHK

    Jordi Faulí is the 9th head architect of the Sagrada Familia. He attempts to complete the building by 2026, 100 years after Gaudi's death. We look at the outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • S2020E104 Samejima Hiroko: A Gift from Ethiopia

    • October 19, 2020
    • NHK

    In Ethiopia, one of the world's poorest countries, Samejima Hiroko founded a company that ethically produces high-quality leather handbags. She tells us the story of her unique products and business.

  • S2020E105 Akimoto Rina: Supporting Japan's Farmers

    • October 20, 2020
    • NHK

    Akimoto Rina runs an online food market that directly connects farmers and fishers with consumers. She talks about her website and what she's doing to help food producers in the time of COVID-19.

  • S2020E106 Nancy Gianni: Expanding Support for Down Syndrome

    • October 21, 2020
    • NHK

    GiGi's Playhouse supports people with Down Syndrome. 49 are in the U.S. and Mexico. 30,000 people use their program. We speak to founder Nancy Gianni as she continues her mission during COVID-19.

  • S2020E107 Fujiyama Taijyu: The Appeal of Japan's Traditional Magic

    • October 26, 2020
    • NHK

    Fujiyama Taijyu is a practitioner of Tezuma, a uniquely Japanese art of illusion. He placed in the top 5 at the World Championships of Magic. We ask him about Tezuma's enduring appeal.

  • S2020E108 Hayashi Kaname: A Soothing, Lovable Robot

    • October 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Hayashi Kaname has built Lovot, a companion robot whose main purpose is to encourage people to love -- just by being there. He explains how his pet-like creation can soothe us in these trying times.

  • S2020E109 Boyan Slat: Rid the Ocean of Plastics

    • October 30, 2020
    • NHK

    Mr. Boyan Slat and his foundation's goal are getting rid of plastic waste from the oceans all over the world. They focus on developing technologies to achieve it. He adds support from people is key.

  • S2020E110 Anthony Back: Fighting COVID-19 With Medicine and Emotion

    • November 6, 2020
    • NHK

    Dr. Anthony Back created a medical communication guide called Vital Talk. It helps practitioners better understand the emotions of patients and family, a matter of great importance in the COVID-19 era.

  • S2020E111 Saraya Yusuke: Sustainable Sanitation

    • November 9, 2020
    • NHK

    Saraya, a maker of health and hygiene products, has undertaken a massive "handwashing project" in Uganda that has helped to stop the spread of disease. We speak with company president Saraya Yusuke.

  • S2020E112 Hiraide Kazuya: Stepping into the Unknown

    • November 10, 2020
    • NHK

    In 2020, Hiraide Kazuya received the prestigious Piolet d'Or mountaineering award for the third time -- the first such feat by a Japanese climber. What fuels his passion for ascending unclimbed routes?

  • S2020E113 Emmai Alaquiva: Black Lives Matter to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    • November 11, 2020
    • NHK

    Emmai Alaquiva discovers BLM also to the deaf and hard of hearing. He shows us this through his 59-second video "Unspeakable." He also talks about discrimination and the challenges ahead.

  • S2020E114 Blanche Wiesen Cook: Dignity for All, Now

    • November 13, 2020
    • NHK

    Dr. Blanche Wiesen Cook is a historian and an author of bestselling biography on Eleanor Roosevelt. In a time of global movements for human rights, we ask Dr. Cook how to achieve dignity for all.

  • S2020E115 Endo Ken: Giving the Joy of Running

    • November 16, 2020
    • NHK

    Endo Ken is developing next-generation artificial limbs, including the world's best sports prosthetic and a robotic leg that reduces strain for those with disabilities. What is his vision for society?

  • S2020E116 Ladj Ly: The Real "Les Misérables" of Today

    • November 19, 2020
    • NHK

    Director Ladj Ly's film "Les Misérables" was a Jury Prize winner in Cannes Film Festival 2019. He tells us how we can overcome racism and poverty as BLM expands in France.

  • S2020E117 Josie Naughton: The Forgotten Refugees

    • November 25, 2020
    • NHK

    Londoner, Josie Naughton co-founded Help Refugees, a charity devoted to raising funds to help refugees and displaced people who are escaping war, persecution and poverty.

  • S2020E118 Lilian Thuram: Freeing the World of Racism

    • November 26, 2020
    • NHK

    Lilian Thuram, a former football star who contributed to the victory of France in FIFA World Cup 1998, has fought with his foundation against racism through books, exhibitions and workshops since 2008.

  • S2020E119 Lee Ayu Chuepa: Enriching People's Lives With Coffee

    • November 27, 2020
    • NHK

    Lee Ayu Chuepa, founder of Akha Ama Coffee and a member of Thailand's Akha ethnic minority, provides high-quality coffee to global consumers while protecting the livelihood of his community's farmers.

  • S2020E120 HARA: Original Magic That Captivates the World

    • November 30, 2020
    • NHK

    HARA is an illusionist who has performed live and on television in over 30 countries, winning numerous awards. We speak with him about how he strives to conjure up "magic that only I can do."

  • S2020E121 Shimada Tamotsu: Behind the Logo

    • December 1, 2020
    • NHK

    Graphic designer Shimada Tamotsu was chosen to design the official logo for the 2025 World Exposition to be held in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. What is the concept behind the eye-catching design?

  • S2020E122 Yasuhiro Kawana: Bringing the Lights Back to Broadway

    • December 2, 2020
    • NHK

    Producer of hit musicals discusses how Broadway theaters should reopen safely and profitably in the COVID-19 era and respond to the Black Lives Matter movement by appealing to a more diverse audience.

  • S2020E123 Konno Shinichi: Ideal Framing

    • December 7, 2020
    • NHK

    The bicycles painstakingly crafted by Konno Shinichi offer superior technology and design. Japanese cyclists love them, and they've won multiple awards at international trade shows.

  • S2020E124 Purintei Merin: A New Style of Sit-Down Comedy

    • December 8, 2020
    • NHK

    Purintei Merin performs Rakugo, a type of storytelling that has a more than 400-year history. She writes and delivers original pieces in both Japanese and English. Hear her story.

  • S2020E125 Chris Hadfield: Command Your Spaceship in Isolation

    • December 9, 2020
    • NHK

    For former astronaut Chris Hadfield, life in self-isolation amid the pandemic is similar to that of an astronaut in space. He shares his tips on how to survive and thrive in the long-running pandemic.

  • S2020E126 Stella Jean: Building Bridges to Diversity

    • December 10, 2020
    • NHK

    Stella Jean has submitted action plans to the council to eliminate discrimination in the Italian fashion industry. In particular, she is struggling to give non-white youth a chance to get jobs.

  • S2020E127 Max Richter: Communicating With Music

    • December 11, 2020
    • NHK

    Max Richter is one of the most successful composers in the contemporary music world. He has produced critically acclaimed albums of his own compositions, and also writes for films, ballet and opera.

  • S2020E128 Fujiki Daichi: Reaching Operatic Heights

    • December 14, 2020
    • NHK

    In 2017, Fujiki Daichi became the first Asian countertenor to debut at the Vienna State Opera. What does he wish to convey to audiences through his dazzling performances?

  • S2020E129 James Nolan: Technology's Power to Shape Us

    • December 18, 2020
    • NHK

    Sociology professor James Nolan warns of the danger to society of an unchecked technological mindset. His new book explores the complicity of doctors in covering up the dangers of the atom bomb.

  • S2020E130 Kogenji Ryota: A Perch to Be Myself

    • December 21, 2020
    • NHK

    Kogenji Ryota is a world champion pole dancer who was named Mr. Pole Dance 2020. How does he come up with his routines, for which audiences have described him as being like a floating white fairy?

  • S2020E131 Claire Wardle: The Fight Against Misinformation

    • December 23, 2020
    • NHK

    Dr. Claire Wardle is on a mission to help the global public understand the dangers of disinformation and misinformation, which have proliferated with the rise of social media and now the coronavirus.

  • S2020E132 Mounir Biba: Breaking Makes Everything Possible

    • December 24, 2020
    • NHK

    Mounir Biba, multiple world champion of Breaking, runs the project about breaking and coaching to support young people. He also contributed to the promotion of Breaking for Olympic sports inclusion.

  • S2020E133 Yukari Tangena Suzuki: Bridging the Division

    • December 25, 2020
    • NHK

    Yukari Suzuki has been working for reconciliation between the Dutch, Japanese and Indonesian. How can people transcend division through dialogue?

  • S2020E134 Nodoka Okisawa: Musical Direction

    • December 28, 2020
    • NHK

    Nodoka Okisawa is one of the world's most buzzed-about young conductors. In 2019 she won the prestigious International Besançon Competition. We speak to her about her musical passions.

  • S2020E135 Nishimura Satoshi: Making Things That Enrich Lives

    • December 29, 2020
    • NHK

    Nishimura Satoshi is developing an original electric car concept, as well as a microscope that can perform high-res imaging of living organisms. He talks about the philosophy of making things.

  • S2020E136 Wendy Kopp: Quality Education Around the World

    • December 30, 2020
    • NHK

    Wendy Kopp heads "Teach For All." Its network independent partners recruit recent graduates to teach for a 2-year mission. These NGOs operate in 59 countries providing quality education in challenging places and even during COVID-19.

  • S2020E137 Agnès b: Embracing a Passion for Art and Beauty

    • December 31, 2020
    • NHK

    Fashion designer Agnès b., who has long supported artists and continued various social activities, recently opened new art gallery in Paris. She talks about the power of art in society.

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