BIZ STREAM

The automobile industry is in the midst of a global shift toward electric vehicles. Japanese auto giant TOYOTA has been focusing on hybrid models lagging behind, but the company is now ramping up its EV development to break into the expanding market for pure electric cars. TOYOTA's strategy is not limited to electric vehicles. It plans to develop various types of cars for different market segments. We also have a report from Indonesia. With 260 million people, this is Southeast Asia's largest market, and competition is heating up to meet the growing appetite for milk-based foods.

Recently, several home appliance makers from around the world have been increasing their presence in Japan's domestic market. One of those companies is US-based iRobot. They are currently focusing their efforts on getting feedback from Japanese consumers to further improve their products. According to some experts, the demanding expectations that consumers in Japan place on products makes becoming competitive here a key step in succeeding globally. We will also take a look at India, where the country's growing middle class has led to increased demand for home appliances. South Korean products currently dominate there, but Japanese electronics maker Panasonic is now taking steps to seize a larger share of the market.

On-Site Report The wearable device market continues to expand rapidly around the world. One company that is currently receiving lots of attention is Mitsufuji, a small maker with a staff of just 35. The company is creating woven smart-wear products that contain silver-metalized fibers. The material is so conductive it has the potential to transmit heart-rate and other sensitive biometric information. They hope to use it to gather a wide range of useful data ranging from the vitals of the elderly, to biometric data from athletes and people who work in extreme conditions. World Perspective At the recent Bangkok International Motor Show -- the largest show of its kind in the region -- many automobile companies featured eco-friendly cars. Japanese automobile companies have dominated the Thai market for many years with an 80% share of the market. But recently, competition has intensified in the electric vehicle sector.

On-Site Report We'll take a look at Japanese tourism-based businesses that are working to draw repeat foreign travelers to their unique corners of Japan. Far out in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, a travel company called Chura-boshi has turned their bicycle tours of the surrounding countryside into a popular activity by redesigning their tour routes in order to appeal to foreign guests. Another company, HIDAIIYO, remodeled their accommodations and included office space in order to lure visitors who want to get work done during longer stays.

On-Site Report Cross-border e-commerce websites continue to expand in China. Some of the most popular items on these sites are Japanese products such as cosmetics and food items. Many of these sites are now competing to sell Japanese products. NetEase, which runs one of China's largest cross-border e-commerce sites, provides extremely detailed descriptions of commodities and appeals to consumers by pointing out the safety and trustworthiness of the products. Meanwhile, bolome, a site that attracts a lot of younger Chinese, uses celebrities to promote their products and increase sales. World Perspective People in the US are developing a serious thirst for sake, and drinking it well beyond its traditional home in sushi restaurants. But the selection so far has been limited mainly to mass-produced imports from Japan. That's changing in places like New York City, where sake lovers can now enjoy microbrews that offer both freshness and unique characteristics.

On-Site Report The "sharing economy" is starting to show us new ways in which it can benefit people both in their personal and professional lives. One example that has caught on here in Japan is car sharing, which gives users a chance to drive expensive vehicles like exotic cars or recreational vehicles. Recently, there is a new type of sharing called "skill sharing" that is starting to gain attention in Japan. Services that match people possessing specific abilities or know-how, such as knitting or knife sharpening, with people who want to learn those skills are now becoming popular.

Drought and depleted ground water sources have led to agricultural water supply issues across the globe. We will see what 2 Japanese companies are doing to tackle this problem. The first has developed soil conditioners made from waste glass that have high levels of water retention capability. The second is a venture company, which has developed a device that uses sensors and IoT technology to provide precise measurements of moisture content in soil. Researchers say this will allow for the cultivation of crops with virtually no waste water.

On-Site Report Non-biodegradable plastic waste is polluting the environment and becoming an ever-increasing problem. In this segment, we will introduce 2 companies that are attempting to make a business out of dealing with this issue. One company has developed the ability to recycle PET bottles and create new ones of almost the same quality as a brand-new bottle. Since impurities are removed during the recycling process, beverage companies have already started using them. The other company, develops products made out of alternative materials. It is attracting attention for some products which are made mostly out of limestone. Not only were they able to drastically reduce the amount of oil used in the production process, their products are both durable and reusable. World Perspective Myanmar has been dubbed the last frontier of Asia. Long years of military rule left the country's economy stagnant. As a result, many citizens have no insurance policies and this has caught the attention of insurers. The firms are now waiting for an announcement they hope will allow foreign capital to make inroads into Myanmar's insurance market.

On-Site Report Japan's low birthrate and aging population are leading to a major labor shortage. Despite being profitable, many small and medium-sized businesses are now struggling due to a lack of manpower. Some companies, however, have found a way to overcome this hurdle by taking advantage of the expertise and know-how of older workers. Other businesses are using state-of-the-art technologies to allow young workers a chance at a new career. In this segment, we will examine their management methods and see if they can be applied to help solve global labor shortage issues.

On-Site Report In order to reduce CO2 emissions, most of the world's automakers are shifting towards the electric vehicle. While most of these vehicles produce zero emissions, large quantities of CO2 are still produced when generating the electricity needed to power them. This means that until the process can be made greener, shifting to EVs will still pose a risk to the environment. With this problem in mind, 2 Japanese automakers are developing different technologies that offer low-emission alternatives to standard electric vehicles. World Perspective Young entrepreneurs with dreams of becoming Asia's next startup sensation recently flocked to an event in Singapore to pitch their business ideas. The main attraction was "Fight Club", where some 100 companies sparred to win recognition as the region's most promising new business.

On-Site Report Japan is already known as a global leader in the refrigeration industry, but one local startup is pushing the envelope even further. Until recently, their technology, "Cell Alive System" has been mainly used for food preservation, but it has recently found new uses in the medical field ranging from organ transplants to working with iPS cells. Meanwhile, another Japanese company is targeting India as a new market for its "Ice Battery" refrigerant plates, which can maintain their designated temperatures for up to 72 hours without needing any additional power supply.

On-Site Report Along with the increased popularity of Japanese food, rice cookers are starting to become more prevalent globally. By incorporating everything from traditional Japanese earthen ware to newly developed enamels, 2 Japanese companies are taking both price and flavor to unheard of levels as they seek to break out of Japan and find new customers for their high-end rice cookers in both Asia and North America. World Perspective Rapid growth in recent years has brought higher incomes to Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy. This is fueling consumer trends, and one of the newest is a taste for Japanese cuisine -- both at neighborhood eateries and in a growing number of kitchens across the nation.

On-Site Report In Japan's fashion industry, some companies are finding success with new business models. Several manufacturers that used to be sourced exclusively by luxury brands are now working with an e-commerce company to create and sell their own unique brands. Another company is making things even more personal and matching individual clothing makers directly with consumers to create the ultimate in order-made fashion. World Perspective Cosmetics firms in Thailand have seen booming sales of skin-care products that come from an unusual source. The key ingredient is made from slime of a certain pest that's found in farm fields throughout the country.

On-Site Report The heat island effect is a common issue that many cities around the world have to struggle with during the summer months. Tokyo is among those cities and now with the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, the health of both the athletes and spectators is becoming a major concern. From road temperature reducing coatings to bio heat shields for buildings, we will look at some new heat reduction technologies that Japanese companies hope will help Tokyo and other hot spots around the world to cool down. World Perspective With rapid economic growth and a market that is still opening up to foreign companies, Myanmar is often referred to as Asia's final frontier. The country has recently been expanding its Special Economic Zone, located near the business center of Yangon, in hopes of attracting more investment from abroad.

On-Site Report Vending machines in Japan have long been known to offer a broad range of items that go beyond cool drinks and tasty snacks. These ubiquitous machines are constantly evolving and as technologies advance, new types are offering products and services that were previously unimaginable. Join us as we check out some of Japan's cutting-edge vending machines!

Recently Japan has seen a boom in the development of various eco-friendly materials. One example that stands out is a new type of "aerogel". This is a lightweight, transparent material that offers extremely high levels of insulation. Many see this material as a new way to drastically improve efficiency for the heating and air conditioning of buildings. Another material that is attracting attention, is a new type of "cellulose nanofiber" that is made from plants yet is 5 times stronger than steel. It offers several potential applications, ranging from stationary to aircraft.

Although the Japanese government has been placing an emphasis on getting more women into the workforce, a glass ceiling still remains. In this episode, we will visit a company that is succeeding under female leadership, as well as look at how some companies that are working to support women in and out of the workplace through unique programs that tackle issues ranging from re-entering the workforce after maternity leave to helping career women to climb higher in an environment that is still less than welcoming.

On-Site Report The number of visitors to Japan continues to increase as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games approach. Naturally, hotels are looking to capitalize on this trend and that includes the arrival of new types of accommodations that have never been seen before. In this episode, we will feature a luxury hotel with roots in a completely different industry and a very unique concept that a startup is trying out - turning an entire town into a hotel. World Perspective The bubbling popularity of craft beer around the world has reached Southeast Asia. Some breweries there are trying to stand out from the competition by using ingredients unique to the region. Biz Stream takes a look at the trend that both beer brewers and drinkers are raising a glass to.

On-Site Report Biz Stream sat down for an exclusive interview with Colin Angle, the CEO of a company that went from sweeping for mines to sweeping the floors of homes around the world with its Roomba line of floor cleaning robots – iRobot. Our very own Shaula Vogue asked him how robotics and AI will change the world we live in and also spoke with him about the importance of STEM education (a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In Japan, the routes that food products take from farm to kitchen are complicated and lead to high distribution costs and large amounts of food loss. One Japanese company has decided to help connect farmers and restaurants as well as to use data to help improve distribution methods. Another business is working on a better way to take Japan's most popular foods abroad by streamlining the export process. In this episode, we will examine how such companies are starting to change the way food distribution is being done in Japan.

Surprisingly, Japan is one of the world's leaders when it comes to its abundance of timber resources. However, a variety of factors ranging from poor stewardship to a lack of younger workers have put the industry at risk. Fortunately, some companies are seeking to restore the industry and take advantage of the nation's vast untapped forests. One IT company is seeking to bring a new level of efficiency to an industry that is still largely analog. We will also look at how a timber and forestry conglomerate is causing a stir with its construction of a 70-story skyscraper that is made primarily of wood.

Famous for its sushi and sashimi, it's not surprising that Japan is one of the biggest fish consuming countries in the world. However, Japan isn't the only country with an appetite for salmon and tuna. The global demand for fish has been steadily increasing and has reached a point that has caused many experts to say that the world's fish supply is now at risk. One potential solution to this issue has been the commercial rearing of fish at facilities that are usually located on the coast or near bays or harbors. Today, we will look at 2 companies that are helping to take fish farms inland, one with new water technology that allows them to use standard tap water and the other by taking advantage of the railroads.

While Japan's go to grain dish is usually steamed rice, recently it is becoming known for its bread. Japanese bread has gained a reputation for its light and fluffy texture and is gaining popularity around the world. Large numbers of young future bakers from all over Asia are now choosing Tokyo over Paris when it comes to where to study. Today we will introduce you to one of the gourmet bread shops that is now popular among both Japanese and foreign customers. We also visit a major Japanese food producer, whose tasty and reasonably priced baked goods are now making waves in Indonesia.

Despite the global trend towards renewable energy, Japan's domestic efforts were greatly hampered by the after-effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake. While the country is behind where it would like to be, new advances in renewable energy are providing hope for Japan to get back on track. This episode will introduce 2 companies with very different ways of harnessing energy from the earth to generate electricity. One has developed wind turbines with a compact design that allows them to withstand typhoons. And the other has created unique waterwheels that are able to generate electricity from small streams and agricultural runoff.

Japan's decreasing population is causing negative effects on the property market. One major issue, is the number of abandoned homes that can be found almost anywhere. A potential solution one company has come up with is to refurbish them stylishly. They then find renters and share the lease income with the property owners. Elsewhere, a local municipality has created a new matching system to help find tenants for empty store and office spaces. This effort has helped the town to turn wasted spaces into new business.

In recent years the variety of sightseeing and tour options in Japan has started to climb almost as rapidly as the number of tourists visiting the country. Entrepreneurs are now coming up with creative and quirky offerings in order to compete for a share of this increasing market. One Japanese housewife has found success in the kitchen by opening-up her home to foreign visitors and offering cooking classes. Another tour that is climbing up the rankings is offered by a "pedestrian bridge" expert, who takes tourists on stair-climbing urban excursions.