Today's Close-Up - Season 11 / Year 2025

One year since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, over 270 people have died from disaster-related secondary causes. Poor conditions at emergency shelters and lack of healthcare are among the contributing factors. Experts say these reasons are the same ones that led to death in past disasters, and the country's failure to identify systemic issues means they will be repeated again in the future. We search for ways to improve Japan's natural disaster response system and look at how a lack of clear communication between the national and municipal governments is leading to problems.

Guest:
Akitomi Shinji (Visiting Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University)

2024, an election year in Japan, was a turning point in regard to the relation between elections and social media. NHK has conducted an online survey to find out how information voters obtained on social media affected their decisions. The results point to challenges for legacy media and the need for better media literacy. Together with experts, we discuss how to make better use of the new media when it comes to choosing our leaders.

Guests:
Makihara Izuru (Professor, The University of Tokyo)
Yoneshige Katsuhiro (President, JX PRESS)

We look at the world of counterfeit artworks and forged celebrity autographs, including that of baseball star Ohtani Shohei. While fake products are rampant in online trading, shockwaves have hit public museums in Japan over suspicious paintings purchased for as much as several hundred thousand dollars. We conducted an exclusive interview with a German art forger at the center of the controversy, and he revealed his ingenious methods. We also talked to experts and victims to hear their insights, revealing how technology like AI and forensic tools is being used to combat the rise of counterfeits.

Guest:
Okabe Masayuki (Professor Emeritus, Teikyo University)

"The images of the disaster are frightening." "I don't understand the lessons." These are the voices of young people living now in areas hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that devastated the Kobe area in 1995. A recent survey of over 2,000 residents in places that were affected 30 years ago found that while over 70% believe lessons should be passed down, many survivors struggle with how to convey them, and those who didn't experience the disaster are unsure how to absorb them. How can memories of the earthquake be transformed into meaningful lessons for disaster prevention? We explore this from the perspectives of schools, local governments, and a bereaved family member. 

Guests:
Suwa Seiji (President, Japanese Society for Disaster Education)
Kishida Nami (Writer and Essayist)

Japan has coughed and spluttered its way through winter this year, with average flu cases at a record high earlier in the season, and other infectious diseases spreading at the same time. In January, medical resources were stretched to the limit — at least one hospital was so overwhelmed with bedridden flu patients that it had to temporarily turn away all but critical cases. In this episode, we hear from an expert about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed seasonal patterns for infectious diseases. And we look at the looming threat posed by genetic mutations in another type of flu — avian influenza.

Guest:
Ishida Tadashi (Chair of the influenza committee, The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases)

Microplastics are no longer just a threat to the environment — they're invading our bodies, too. A study published in 2024 went one step further, showing that microplastics in the human body can also increase the risk of death. The mounting problem stems from humankind's excessive consumption of plastic products, which eventually break down into tiny particles in the environment before entering our bodies. Corporate, national and international efforts to rein in plastic use have failed to tackle the problem. NHK reports on the latest medical findings. We also ask an expert how regulations can help, and what consumers can do to make a difference.

Guests:
Takada Hideshige (Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
Misawa Yukihiro (Plastics Policy Manager, WWF Japan)

Ramen is one of Japan's most popular dishes, beloved by residents and foreign tourists alike. But rising ingredient and fuel costs are forcing many local shops to close. Other restaurants might hike their prices, but ramen businesses face a historic '1,000-yen barrier.' The dish has long been seen as an affordable comfort food and owners are reluctant to change that image. We look at how some shops are overcoming these difficulties and the innovative ways in which rural areas are preserving their local ramen culture.

Guests:
Hayashiya Kikuou (Rakugo storyteller)
Yamaji Rikiya (Food journalist)

Three years after launching its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is defying unprecedented sanctions and logging robust economic growth. The resilience has been driven by a major increase in military spending. The Kremlin's heavy investment in munitions production has not only bolstered the defense sector but also driven up earnings and consumption. In a manifestation of what one expert has dubbed "deathonomics," the government has also ramped up financial support for both soldiers and the families of those killed in battle. We consulted a Russia expert about the true impact of the sanctions, and asked what the world can expect next.

Guest:
Hattori Michitaka (Professor, Hokkaido University)

As families of people with mental illnesses battle in silence to care for their loved ones due to prejudice and a lack of understanding, Japan's support system is under scrutiny. More than 6 million people nationwide have been diagnosed with a mental illness. That's one in 20 of the population, and it's a number that's rising. We look at the options available to ease the burden on family carers, including home visit nursing care and stronger community connections.

Guest:
Natsukari Ikuko (Psychiatrist)

Millions of Japanese people are using dedicated apps to find so-called spot work – short-term, one-off jobs that allow them to make extra income in their spare time. For some, it's a way to supplement earnings from their main employment. For others, such as homemakers and the elderly, it's a chance to earn some cash between other commitments. The growing market for spot work also benefits businesses that are finding themselves increasingly short-handed due to Japan's worsening labor crunch. But with benefits come risks. Workers complain the system is open to abuse and fails to offer sufficient protections. We spoke with a labor expert about the pitfalls in the spot work economy, and the ways people can use it to their advantage. 

Guest: 
Kawakami Keitaro (Research advisor, Shufu Job Soken)

It's been thirty years since the sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway by the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo in 1995. When police raided Aum's facilities, more than 100 children were found living in terrible conditions. Records obtained by NHK from a child consultation center revealed the psychological state of those children indoctrinated by Aum. However, there has been no long-term follow-up on their well-being. Overlooked by society, most of them have remained silent about their past. We interviewed former Aum children to look into what they've gone through over the past three decades, and what society should have done for them. 

Guest: 
Nishizawa Satoru (Professor, Graduate School, Yamanashi Prefectural University)

The Fuji Television scandal has revealed the extent to which workplace sexual harassment and assault remain major social issues in Japan. People are now speaking out about their experiences and the ways in which their employers failed to ensure safe working environments. This program examines what needs to be done to end workplace harassment and assault. Experts tell us about how the legal system is stopping companies from protecting their employees. We also learn about new ideas in harassment prevention training and the importance of the "active bystander."

Guest: Naito Shino (Vice Senior Researcher, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training)

As the popularity of e-scooters booms in Japan, so too have accidents, confusion over usage rules and public concern. A 2023 revision of the traffic laws aimed to strike a balance between safety and convenience, but the lack of understanding remains a problem. With examples from Belgium and elsewhere, we explore whether better education, regulation and urban planning can help Japan steer toward a safer e-mobility future. 

Guest: Suzuki Mio (Associate Professor, Tokai University)

Smartphones, portable chargers, wireless earphones: mobile electronic devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, and all of them contain lithium-ion batteries. But the number of accidents involving these batteries is on the rise. As batteries age and degrade over time, flammable gas can build up inside, creating a risk that they will suddenly ignite. We look at what to buy, how to use devices safely, and how to dispose of lithium-ion batteries correctly. 

Guest: Ikeya Tomohiko (Associate Vice President, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry)

New rules limiting the working hours of truck drivers have paralyzed Japan's logistics industry. Trucking firms say long wait times for cargo and low freight fares mean they lose money if they observe the regulations. Meanwhile, the shipping companies that use their services say they can't afford to pay the higher fares needed to make the cap effective. The government has launched a task force to address the issue, but one expert says the best solution might be for consumers to change their shopping habits.

Guest: Shuto Wakana (Professor, Rikkyo University)

In 2021, as the coronavirus pandemic was tightening its grip on Japan, the government started rolling out vaccines nationwide. Four years and 400 million doses later, the pandemic is fading, but for some the nightmare continues. So far, more than 13,000 people have sought government assistance for the health problems they still suffer as a result of their inoculations. Experts suspect these numbers are the tip of the iceberg. Huge amounts of paperwork and lengthy delays due to worker shortages deter many from applying for help and force others to endure drawn-out waits for financial help. In this episode we spoke with two experts about where the support system is falling short, and what Japan can do to prepare for the next pandemic. 

Guests:
Nakano Takashi (Professor, Kawasaki Medical School) 
Isobe Tetsu (Professor, Keio University Law School)

Home-visit care for the elderly in Japan is facing a crisis. More and more care service providers are going bankrupt or closing down. One out of every five municipalities nationwide is left with only one home care provider or none at all. Causes include labor shortages and aging caregivers, as well as a recent cut in the government payment standard that's making it hard for businesses to survive. This puts families under pressure, with some forced to quit their jobs to care for aging loved ones. New efforts to solve the issue are beginning to emerge, such as hiring more foreign caregivers and promoting regional cooperation. 

Guest: Takano Tatsuaki (Professor, Toyo University)

Record sums were stolen in 2024 through what's known as "special fraud" in Japan. Many of the perpetrators were young people recruited online. Meanwhile, cases of school violence hit an all-time high during the 2023 academic year. Experts say both phenomena are linked to an inability to articulate emotions, which may be due to the rise of digital communication using a limited range of versatile, short words. We look at how juvenile correction facilities and one elementary school are training young people to expand their emotional vocabulary, to help prevent them from becoming involved in violence and crime.

Guest: Watanabe Yayoi (Professor, Hosei University)

Countries worldwide grapple with social media's impact on children, debating and introducing laws to ban or limit access by minors. Families, experts and governments confront serious issues of addiction, mental health and online safety as Japan faces up to the need to take action.

Guests: 
Tsuruno Takeshi (TV personality)
Uenuma Shino (Lawyer)
Suzuki Tomoko (IT journalist)

The role of the Japanese manager has become increasingly complex and time-consuming — so much so that many junior workers now say they would prefer to avoid promotion to these demanding positions, which they consider a form of punishment. But help is at hand. At some companies, managers deploy an "AI boss" that can scan daily records and evaluate worker performances for them. Others are appointing independent proxy bosses to mentor their younger workers and give career advice. Some companies are doing away with traditional hierarchical structures altogether in a bid to encourage greater self-management and sharing of duties. We take a look at some modern-day role models for managers.

Guest: Kobayashi Yuji (Chief Researcher, Persol Research and Consulting)

In April, the Japanese government released its first national estimate of "solitary deaths." In 2024, over 20,000 people died alone and remained undiscovered for at least eight days. The figure also includes people in their 20s and 30s. Behind this trend is a recent increase in young people experiencing difficulties opening up to others, which often results in feelings of loneliness and even self-neglect. We look at what can be done to tackle the issue. 

Guests:
Ishida Mitsunori (Chair, Government panel on solitary deaths)
Okumura Haruka (Representative, NPO Daisan no kazoku)

Cases are increasing in which victims of fraud pay large retainer fees to attorneys promising to recover money lost to scams, but in many instances, no money is returned and victims have lost even more. As we investigated the background, it became clear advertising agencies are instigating and even running these questionable practices. Their schemes are networked and the problem is spreading across the country. We take a look at what's going on and, together with an expert, discuss the best ways to avoid such double damage. 

Guest: Kobayakawa Masayuki (Attorney, Headquarters on Illegal Affiliation of Legal Practice, Tokyo Bar Association)

Password theft is on the rise in Japan, with online trading accounts particularly at risk. A lack of government security measures and a recent surge in inexperienced users starting accounts has made the country an attractive target. Cybercriminals are also armed with AI tools that make their scam emails and websites more convincing. What can the country do to improve online security?

Guests: 
Yuasa Harumichi (Professor Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University)
Shimada Takaaki (NHK reporter)

Non-alcoholic beverages are booming in Japan. The market has expanded six-fold over the past 15 years, and even medical professionals are starting to recognize their potential. One survey found they can cut alcohol intake by 30% among regular drinkers. Together with an expert and a booze-loving guest, we look at how non-alcoholic drinks are changing Japanese society, from a clinic that "prescribes" them to patients, to a major sportswear maker that has developed an alcohol-free beer for enjoying after exercise. 

Guests:
YOU (Media personality) 
Yoshimoto Hisashi (Director, Research and Development Center for Lifestyle Innovation, University of Tsukuba)

Residents of Japan's big cities are accustomed to a high standard of medical care. But many are now finding access to treatment more precarious as financial problems force a growing number of hospitals to suspend services. In some cases, operators can't afford to rebuild aging wards. In others, the cost of maintaining around-the-clock emergency services is making it almost impossible to run operations at a profit. Across the board, emergency care hospitals say the medical fees they get reimbursed by the government are no longer sufficient to compensate for increases in labor and living costs. We asked two experts what hospitals can do to survive the looming crisis.

Guests: Ota Yoshihiro, M.D. (Vice chair, Association of Japanese Healthcare Corporations)
Yoshimura Kensuke, M.D. (Director, Center for Next Generation of Community Health, Chiba University Hospital)

As Japan sees living to 100 years old gradually becoming the norm, an increasing number of middle-agers look for new partners with whom to spend the rest of their lives. The popularity of matchmaking apps exclusive to people aged 40 or older has been skyrocketing, and the waiting lists continue to stretch for matchmaking bus tours catering to that age group. However, these mature singles face unique challenges including health, finances and understanding from family members. We take a close look at those who seek that special someone to grow old with. 

Guests: 
Mari Natsuki
Yamada Masahiro (Professor, Chuo University)

Early this year, San-ikukai Hospital in Tokyo, started a "baby hatch" to anonymously accept newborns whose parents cannot raise them, and a confidential birth service where babies can be delivered without their identities being revealed to anyone other than a few of the staff. The hospital granted NHK full access to cover its work. Two months after the service began, several women had already come in, wanting to leave their children with the hospital. We listen to their stories and explore the issues in depth.

Guests:
Yamagata Fumiharu (Specially Appointed Professor, Osaka University of Comprehensive Children Education) 
Kuwahara Aki (NHK reporter)

As Japan's population declines, domestic industries are increasingly reliant on foreign labor to stay afloat. Local governments across the country have introduced programs to make their communities appealing to workers. But some people are unhappy, saying the priority should be Japanese residents. Meanwhile, other countries have joined the race for foreign workers. We look at how regional and local authorities in Japan are trying to stay competitive on the global stage. We also examine local efforts to integrate foreign workers into the community.

Guest: Manjome Masao (Professor, Tokai University)

One out of every two Japanese is said to develop cancer. While the introduction of new drugs has helped increase survival rates, treatments have become more prolonged and expensive, giving birth to the issue of "economic toxicity." Many patients are driven into a corner, both financially and emotionally, by the burden of medical costs in addition to other life expenses. Meanwhile, public insurance, which is intended to support treatment, is becoming increasingly difficult to provide due to the higher costs of treatment. Eighty percent of all health insurance societies are in the red. We look into what is needed to ease the financial burden on cancer patients and their families.

Guests:
Sakurai Naomi (Director, Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups)
Takaku Reo (Professor, Hitotsubashi University)

What would you say to your family and friends in a letter to be delivered after your death? "Last letters" are becoming increasingly common, with the practice even spreading among young people. Some say writing them encourages self-reflection and helps them live with a sense of purpose. Others say the letters have helped them understand who is truly important in their lives. We look at the many last letter services that have risen to popularity in the past few years, including those that use new technology, and speak to an expert about how their emergence could reflect changing views about death in Japanese society.

Guests:
Sakakibara Ikue (Actor and TV personality) 
Furuta Yusuke (Non-fiction writer)

A Japanese venture firm's recent moon landing attempt ended in failure, but the mission is continuing undaunted. Behind the scenes, preparations for further launches are already in motion. Now, momentum is building across Japan, as major corporations and small businesses alike rush to enter the space sector. With the government committing 7 billion dollars over 10 years, space is shaping up to be a national priority. As global competition intensifies, what will be Japan's winning strategy?

Guest: Uchida Atsushi (Research Director, Mitsubishi Research Institute)

Japan is facing a car theft crisis, with more than 6,000 vehicles getting stolen in a recent year. Organized crime groups use sophisticated technology to make off with popular models. They employ several people to carry out separate roles. Often the cars end up at junkyards that strip them for their parts, and in many cases, cars and parts are shipped out of the country. Once the goods enter legal distribution channels, there's little Japanese police can do to recover them. We asked an expert what measures people can take to better secure their vehicles and keep the thieves at bay. 

Guest: Mori Masato (Representative, Keijiken)

Doi Yoshiharu promotes simple home cooking rooted in the idea of one soup and one dish in a quiet rebellion against the chaos of modern life. We step into his kitchen to be guided by some unconventional wisdom: "You don't need recipes" and "find what's just right for you." These aren't words you'd expect from a culinary expert, but they might just change the way you see your kitchen. We explore the world of home cooking that nourishes more than just the body.

Guest: Doi Yoshiharu (Culinary researcher)

Increasingly hot summers are taking a heavy toll on agriculture across Japan and posing a serious threat to food production. At pig farms, workers say the extreme heat is sickening their animals and affecting their growth. It's a similar story at dairy farms, where the heat is weakening cows and reducing milk yields. If we fail to take countermeasures against global warming now, our dining table in the year 2100 will look very different. We report on some ways that farmers are starting to adapt, and, with help from experts, we project the future of Japanese food production.

In the US, the Trump administration's pressure on universities through funding cuts, visa cancellations and demands tied to campus protests is disrupting college research in medicine, climate change, technology and more. For their part, Harvard is fighting back in court and NASA is warning that key satellite data could go dark. As labs face uncertainty, researchers are weighing moves abroad, with Canada, Europe, China, and Japan all recruiting, raising stakes for academic freedom and collaboration.

Japan's scorching summers are difficult for everyone, but they are even more grueling for people suffering from sweat-related medical conditions. About one in ten people have a form of hyperhidrosis, a disorder that causes excessive sweating. Some say the condition makes it difficult for them to go outside during the summer. Another disorder causes strong body odor. People who suffer from it worry about offending others and societal expectations about cleanliness and personal hygiene add to this anxiety. We ask people who suffer from sweat-related conditions about the challenges they face. We also look at the latest research and treatment options.

Drug repositioning finds new uses for existing medicines, cutting development time and costs dramatically. AI accelerates this by identifying hidden drug-disease links and improving success rates. This approach offers quicker, safer options to tackle diseases with unmet medical needs, but the government's drug pricing system has become a barrier to development.

In March 1986, a junior high school student was killed in Fukui City. Though the suspect who was arrested a year later pled not guilty, he ended up serving a prison sentence. He was finally acquitted at a retrial, but that was this July - nearly four decades later. Why did it take so long? One of the answers lies in the Japanese judicial system's absence of rules that require prosecutors to disclose evidence in a retrial. In the Fukui case, for many years the prosecution had been withholding key evidence that later proved the man's innocence. We look at what needs to be done to help save the victims of wrongful convictions. 

Guest: Ibusuki Makoto (Professor, Seijo University)

Japan's sewer system is aging. Across the country, particularly in urban areas, pipelines are degrading, with potentially disastrous consequences. In one case earlier this year, a ruptured sewer pipe triggered a major road collapse near Tokyo that killed a truck driver. The incident revealed some pipelines are decaying faster than expected and prompted a national inspection of large and aging sewer pipes across the country that uncovered similar problems in other places. The race is now on to remedy these issues, but local authorities say labor shortages and budget limitations are hampering their efforts. We asked an expert what Japan needs to do to preserve its sewer system for generations to come.

Guests: 
Urakami Takuya (Professor, Kindai University) 
Saito Keijiro (NHK reporter)

Seaweed has long been a staple of Japanese cuisine. Recently, its nutritional value has made it popular overseas. Seaweed products now line the shelves of supermarkets across the United States. It's also being used in beauty products and even as a crucial tool in the fight against global warming. With more types of seaweed growing in its waters than any other country in the world, Japan is well-placed to take advantage of this seaweed boom. But it's only sixth in seaweed production, lagging far behind some of its Asian neighbors. We examine efforts across the country to tap into this underused resource and speak to experts about future possibilities. 

Guests:
Masu Taichi (Assistant Professor, Harris Science Research Institute, Doshisha University) 
Watanabe Atsushi (Director, Ocean Vision and Action Division, Ocean Policy Research Institute, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation)

With one in 3.5 older people in Japan now living with dementia or pre-dementia, the country is shifting from a care-only mindset to inclusion, putting people to work by matching them with roles they can do and redesigning public spaces and tools around their needs. From stores that let workers "do what they can" to developing safer stoves and clearer signage, we show how ability-focused support eases family strain, tackles labor shortages and lets people keep their identity and purpose.

Guests: Fujishima Takehiko (Care worker with dementia)
Hotta Satoko (Professor, Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University)

Bear attacks are on the rise in Japan. Dozens of injuries and several deaths have been reported this year. Many bears are coming down from their mountain habitats and entering residential areas. Experts say if they get used to being around humans, their behavior may get more aggressive. As the bear population continues to grow, Japan could be facing the start of a new kind of natural disaster. We learn about steps we can take to protect ourselves and our communities. We also ask a bear expert how humans can learn to coexist with the animals.

Guest: Ohnishi Naoki (Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute)

People entering middle age often experience a malaise that forces them to question their life decisions and sense of purpose. The midlife crisis phenomenon is a natural result of changes in the brain that experts believe can be slowed with increased levels of intellectual curiosity. We interviewed experts and media personalities to discover the most effective ways to beat the middle-age blues and find new joy in life. One practice that's recently become popular encourages people to look back on their lives and write down their personal histories. Another involves sorting through their anxieties and uneasy feelings to work out what really matters to them in life. 

Guests: 
Okubo Kayoko(Media personality)
Nakashima Misuzu (Certified Public Psychologist)

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has dragged on for more than three-and-a-half years now. With prospects of a ceasefire still seemingly remote, the war is shifting to AI-controlled drone attacks and long-range missile strikes. At the same time, reconstruction efforts are already underway in Ukraine. And Japanese companies are taking part, seeing opportunities to use unique technologies developed through experience of recovery from natural disasters and war. We look at what's happening on and off the battlefield.

Guests: 
Hyodo Shinji (Vice President for Academic Affairs, National Institute for Defense Studies) 
Matsuda Kuninori (Former Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine)

We look at why weather forecasting lags when it comes to life-threatening linear precipitation bands in Japan, how researchers and the Japan Meteorological Agency are pushing accuracy forward and what that means for more efficient evacuations. From atmospheric rivers to supercomputer simulations and AI alerts, the work aims to deliver earlier, more local warnings that can save lives. 

Guest: 
Satoh Masaki (Professor, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are a new type of pluripotent stem cells first generated in 2006 by Kyoto University Professor Yamanaka Shinya. Human iPS cells can be made from skin or blood cells and be turned into a variety of cells in the body. For this breakthrough in regenerative medicine, Professor Yamanaka was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Now, 19 years later, the practical application of iPS cells is just one step away. However, some hurdles remain, including development costs and irregularity in their effectiveness. With our guest Professor Yamanaka sharing his insights, we take a look at the frontlines of research on iPS cell therapy. 

Guest: Yamanaka Shinya (Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University)

A dangerous tick-borne disease is spreading across Japan. Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, or SFTS, can cause multiple organ failure and has a fatality rate of around 30%. Some people have been infected while mowing their lawn, while others have gotten it from their pets. There is no vaccine and early detection is difficult. But there are ways to protect ourselves. We speak to experts about steps we can take to limit our risk of infection. 

Guests: Izumikawa Koichi (Professor, Nagasaki University Hospital) 
Sakanishi Shunta (NHK reporter)

For years, property prices and rents in Japan's urban areas barely changed. Then in 2023, the market exploded to life as investment money started pouring into new condos. In many cases, buyers are rapidly reselling for profit, a practice that's driving prices skyward and pushing house-hunters toward the used market or rentals. The result has been a sharp rise in prices there, too, leaving many renters in a precarious financial position. We look at what one municipal government in Tokyo is doing to counter the trend, and ask experts how residents can find an affordable place to live.

Guests: 
Nagashima Osamu (Real estate consultant) 
Nozawa Chie (Professor, Meiji University)

So-called "lively libraries" that promote new concepts, such as allowing people to chat, eat and drink are gaining popularity, resulting in a sharp increase in users in an era of declining population. Some facilities use books and magazines to promote intergenerational exchanges and resolve local issues. In addition, some local governments have focused on their libraries' ability to attract users by allowing people to use them for free as a key part of urban development. We visit a library in Gifu that has seen its visitor numbers increase tenfold. What is the potential for public spaces to evolve into places for everyone?

Guests: 
Yoshinari Nobuo (Former General Producer, Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos)
Itoga Masaru (Professor Emeritus, Keio University)

Miso paste, soy sauce and other Japanese fermented foods are riding a wave of popularity abroad. Major outlets highlight them as global food trends and high-end restaurants use them as crucial ingredients. But back in Japan, it's a different story. Regional fermentation traditions, often dating back hundreds of years, face the risk of extinction. Unique flavors are already disappearing across the country. We talk to experts about the reasons for this crisis and what can be done to save Japan's age-old fermentation methods.

Guests: 
Ogura Hiraku (Fermentation designer) 
Uchino Masataka (Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture)

Often appearing in athletes, the yips are a condition where specific actions become difficult. They are also seen to occur in people of all walks of life, such as a barber suddenly unable to use a comb when doing haircuts, and a professional musician whose fingers don't respond as they used to. The patients' condition often worsens to a point where they are no longer able to work. Long viewed as solely psychological, the disorder has been found to also have neurological causes. We listen to the stories of patients, including an exclusive interview with former pro golfer Miyazato Ai, and discuss the latest treatments with a specialist in the field.

Guest: Taira Takaomi (Former Director, Japan Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery)

From serving as conversation partners for the elderly to helping people walk again, AI robots are revolutionizing nursing care in Japan. The industry is facing a severe labor shortage, but the robots are helping to ease the burden on overtaxed caregivers and doctors. One expert says this is just the first step in the wider introduction of AI robots to our daily lives. As software capabilities catch up with existing hardware, it could be a matter of time before we see general-purpose humanoid robots at shops, offices, and even in our homes. We bring you the latest on the progress of AI robots.