Broadcasters' Eye

"The Act in Caregiving" is a 2018 documentary that was produced and broadcasted in Okayama Prefecture. It is about Tadao Okada, a 91-year-old man who has been taking care of his senile wife for over 10 years. Not knowing how to handle his wife's senile behavior, Okada had long been suffering. But his life changed for the better when he met actor and professional caregiver Naoki Sugawara. By taking on the main role in the theater performances about aging and going senile, put on by Sugawara's theater troupe, Okada became able to accept his wife for who she is. This documentary focuses on Okada's daily life as he serves as the star actor of a theater troupe while being the primary caregiver to his senile wife.

"Every Day is a Good Day" is a television program that was produced and broadcasted in Fukui Prefecture. It is about 4 elderly brothers: Ryoichi, 100 years old; Eiichi, 97 years old; Sakae, 90 years old; and Ryosaku, 88 years old. Ryoichi, the eldest brother, does all the housework as his wife is sickly, but still enjoys his days dancing and singing karaoke. Eiichi, the second eldest, does 100 push-ups every day, and was at one time the Masters track and field shot put record holder of Japan. This program follows Ryoichi and his younger brothers as they all live their lives with a whole lot of energy and a positive outlook.

"SUMO GIRL!" is a program that was produced and aired in Aomori Prefecture. The sumo team at Goshogawara Commercial High School once reigned as national champions. However, in 2014, the team almost was disbanded, as it became an empty one without a single member. The team was saved when 2 novice boys joined, along with a girl named Yoshina, who jumped in as the team's assistant. Urged by the will to be stronger herself, Yoshina began practicing sumo herself. This documentary follows Yoshina throughout her high school life, as she dedicates her passion and energy to the sumo team.

Broadcasters' Eye showcases excellent programs produced by Japanese commercial broadcasters. The closure of a school in Kochi Prefecture after 132 years led to the opening of a new attraction at the site. Sharks and sea turtles enjoy themselves in the pool where students used to swim. The facility has been repurposed as the Muroto Closed School Aquarium. Despite being a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the prefectural capital, the aquarium has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. When the idea was proposed, critics called it a waste of money for a small town with a declining population. However, organizers came up with fun ideas that could be achieved with a modest budget. The result has brought new life to a struggling community.

Broadcasters' Eye showcases excellent programs produced by Japanese commercial broadcasters. Professional wrestlers train their bodies and minds to dazzle fans with over-the-top performances. Kyushu Pro-Wrestling was founded as a non-profit organization in 2008, operating under the slogan "We're going to energize Kyushu." Management and personnel challenges arose in the early years of the operation, but the group was able to rise to the occasion and stay in shape. The fierce battles carried out on the ring were more than entertainment. They embodied a message: "No matter what sort of trials await, I will believe in myself and deal with them head on." More than a decade after its founding, Kyushu Pro-Wrestling is slamming its way to success.

Oita Technical High School has been around for more than a century. Graduates of 6 departments have gone on to successful careers in Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering. Once a year, though, the students turn their attention away from the classroom to the Sports Day competition, in which the departments go head to head. In the school's long history, the Architecture Department has the largest number of victories, and the other departments always set out to stop Architecture's winning ways. The program shows the fervor that teenagers bring to the contest, in an effort to claim 365 days of bragging rights.

The Ainu are an ethnic minority indigenous to Japan. Since their culture and language had mainly been passed down orally, much of their traditions and language have been lost or forgotten. Kuzuno Tatsujiro was an Ainu man who was called Ekashi, which means "respectable elder" in the Ainu language. To preserve Ainu culture for coming generations, he spent his life documenting Ainu traditions and language on about 100 notebooks. Now, about 20 years after Tatsujiro's death, his young grandson Daiki is studying the notebooks to reclaim the Ainu culture and keep it alive.

For ages in the small fishing town of Ijika, Mie Prefecture, all men became fishers and all women became Ama, divers who dive for seafood. But today, this town is suffering from a serious lack of successors. However, there are 2 young people who are determined to spend their lives out at sea. Aiko is a young woman who moved to the town 4 years prior from Tokyo to be an Ama diver. Shusuke, a young man who conducts fishing tours with his father, makes the bold move to build a brand-new boat. This program looks at how in Ijika, times have changed, but the townspeople's wish for great hauls has not.

This program provides a touching portrait of nine-year-old Michitsuji Yuna, a blind girl from the city of Isahaya in Nagasaki Prefecture who dreams of delighting people as a singer. While introducing the loving and resilient family who supports her, it portrays Yuna as a strong and determined person who stays true to her dream after losing her sight when she was just 4 months old.