Face to Face - Season 4 / Year 2017

At the recent Paralympic Games in Rio, Japanese athletes did not capture a single gold medal. Japan hopes to do better next time. In December 2016, Japan's first stadium with practice facilities meant for athletes with disabilities was opened. Its director is former track star Dai Tamesue. He hopes to create a society that is considerate to the elderly and those with disabilities, and bring all athletes together, whether they have a disability or not. We talk to him about the power of sport.

The British Museum's grand exhibition showcasing the final decades of the life and art of Katsushika Hokusai is making a buzz in the art scene. Its curator, Timothy Clark, known for his work in ukiyo-e woodblock prints says that Hokusai believed that the older he got the greater his art would become. To this end, he began assimilating Western techniques, a practice that lives on in Japan. Clark shares his fascination with Hokusai and Japanese aesthetics.

In 1957, Japan sent its first expedition team to the Antarctic. Since then Japanese discoveries such as the ozone hole and 700,000-year-old ice cores have contributed greatly to science. For Nobuhiko Kizu, it'll be his 3rd expedition, but this time as a team leader. In temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius, a wrong decision on his part may lead to fatalities. It's a heavy responsibility. He'll be talking about the significance, the appeal and the hardships of Antarctic research.

Summer in Japan is the season for kaidan, often translated as ghost stories. But kaidan are not just scary. They aim to chill by focusing more on the mystery and fear of the supernatural and surreal, with grudge and resentment being a common theme. Masao Higashi, an anthologist who has just come out with a collection of famous stories, explains that kaidan frequently draw on Japanese folklore and beliefs, providing an insight into Japanese culture and mentality.

Aging animals, fewer species and declining visitors are among the problems facing Japanese zoos today. But Osaka's Tennoji Zoo has attracted 570,000 more visitors over the last 3 years with its animal-friendly exhibits, conservation and breeding programs in line with CITES. These innovations are brought about by Shinichiro Maki, whose love for animals led him to quit his office job 3 years ago and become its director. He shares his thoughts on the significance and future of zoos today.