Supporting the Next Generation of Aircraft - Carbon Fibre Composite Materials

Development of the next-generation large-size passenger planes is advancing in Europe and the USA. Japanese textile manufacturers hold an unchallenged position in the production of carbon fibre, an essential element in their development. Super-fine fibres are bundled, heated and further woven to produce carbon fibre, the finest of trump cards for reducing the weight and strengthening the body of highly advanced aircraft. This segment introduces the carbon fiber composite materials that are created by the fusion of traditional textile industry technology and modern high technology.

One-day Trip to Tsukuba~ Nature and Science~

This segment introduces an attractive location for a day trip from Tokyo on which you can enjoy mountain scenery, ocean delicacies and advanced technology. Since the opening of a new railway service in 2005 it has become possible to travel from central Tokyo to Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture in just 45 minutes. The symbol of the city is the famous Mt. Tsukuba, which often featured in classical Japanese poems and is today a popular location for casual hiking. The research carried out at Tsukuba Science City supports Japan's leading-edge technologies and the facilities of many of the research organizations are open to the public; the tours given by English-speaking guides are very well received. And just east of Tsukuba is the Pacific Ocean where the angler fish, a winter delicacy, is in season.

Edo Kites Flying High

Traditional Japanese kites made of handmade Japanese paper and bamboo are very popular because of their charm as traditional craftworks. However, there are very few craftsmen left producing them. 82-year-old Tetsuya Kishida is one of the leading craftsmen who makes "Edo kites". Very particular about the kite frames and elaborate design, he produces kites that display the stylishness of Edo. In this segment we see Kishida at work in his atelier and also introduce the lively festival featuring kite competitions in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Tokyo Traditional Taste

Tokyo, originally known as Edo, is a city with a history of over 400 years. Many old establishments dating from the Edo period (1600-1868) remain in business in Tokyo today. They have gained support by preserving traditional ways. In this segment, we introduce three establishments at which "Edo period taste" has been handed down, centred around lunchtime menus with which you can casually enjoy the atmosphere of the past: "Sasa-no-yuki", a restaurant that specializes in dishes made from tofu, the globally popular health food; "Komagata Dojo" which serves dishes featuring the dojo loach, a freshwater fish traditionally loved by Tokyoites; and "Hanazono Manju" a confectionery shop where you can enjoy traditional sweet desserts with matcha green tea.