The Japanese Economy is Rising from Recession

Japan has at last escaped from the recession that has lasted since 1990, and it is now about to move on to a new stage of stable growth. This, however, has only been achieved by thorough reconsideration of the business systems that made Japan strong in the past and the implementation of initiatives such as rigid restructuring. This segment pursues the course of Japan's long-awaited economic recovery.

Shop Assistants with Purchasing Power

Convenience stores have overtaken department stores and supermarkets in terms of sales figures, and they now enjoy the top position among retail shops in Japan. Why are their sales figures increasing? A leading convenience store chain not only uses computerized data for sales management, but has also introduced a system in which even the part-time shop assistants are responsible for purchasing. The segment introduces the backstage activities at Japanese convenience stores that can quickly grasp customer needs to increase their sales figures.

Exploring Japan: Appreciating Japanese-style Rooms

Traditional Japanese-style inns and ordinary houses feature Japanese-style rooms called "Washitus" where Japanese people can find peace of mind. Simplicity is the main characteristic of a washitsu and it is normally kept largely free of furniture. However, it can easily become dining room if a table is placed on the tatami mats or a bedroom if futon mattresses are laid out. Washitsu rooms are divided by "Fusuma", sliding wooden doors covered with paper. This segment presents the unique Japanese aesthetic by which a limited space can be put to a variety of uses.

The Roots of Japanese Anime

Japanese pop culture is spreading worldwide today and many young people overseas regard anime animated films and manga comics from Japan as "cool". Children in New York are fascinated by Pokemon and you can easily buy Japanese comics in Paris. Collaboration work has also begun between animation production companies in Japan and foreign artists. This segment investigates the roots of Japanese animation, which perhaps go all the way back to a picture scroll drawn 900 years ago or to the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the 18th and 19th centuries.