BIZ STREAM

BIZ STREAM's first broadcast of 2020 focuses on a movement to help encourage and support a new generation of Japanese startups. Compared to many other developed nations, the number of startups is relatively small, but the government is promoting tie-ups between universities and the private sector in order to nurture companies that will shape the country's future. This episode features some of the ways Japan is working to improve the chances its startups have at finding success.

With the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics set to commence in Tokyo later this year, Japan's construction industry is being pushed to its limits. A national labor shortage is adding to the challenge, so construction companies are now turning to technology to maximize efficiency. From smart excavators that can be operated by almost anyone, to MR (mixed reality) goggles that can display construction plans on demand, this episode introduces some of the cutting-edge technology that is being used to help make up for a lack of man-power at major construction sites in Japan.

With an average life expectancy of 84.2 years, Japan's population is living longer than almost any other country in the world. The market for consumers over the age of 65 is now worth nearly 900 billion dollars. Today's episode introduces a major shopping mall which is catering to this market by opening its doors at 7am to let old people in the neighborhood use its facilities for walking and group exercise classes. We also feature a special travel service that provides the extra care and support needed for older customers with disabilities to be able to take local excursions or even go on a "final dream trip."

1 year has passed since the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) went into effect between Japan and the European Union. This historic agreement led to the creation of the world's largest free trade zone, one that includes up to 600 million people. In addition to the elimination of tariffs on a variety of goods, new provisions were established to protect products sourced from specific regions like Kobe Beef and Bordeaux wines, which have suffered from sales of falsely labeled goods from other areas. Said to be a model for free and fair trade moving into the 21st century, this episode highlights the effects this agreement is having on the import and export of popular goods between Japan and the EU.

Japan's soaring health care costs are expected to reach nearly $500 billion within the next 5 years. With costs ballooning, some businesses are now creating new technology that will revolutionize early detection of a variety of diseases. From a quick and easy cancer test that only requires a single drop of urine, to connected devices that allow wearers to receive instant health advice from medical professionals, this week's episode focuses on how medical technology is playing a key role in saving lives and lowering health care costs.

While online shopping revolution might seem like a dream come true for consumers, it has thrown the logistics and shipping industry into chaos. This episode shows how logistics companies are implementing creative ways of using space in their delivery trucks to maximize efficiency and specialized packing machines to help keep pace with increasing demand.

In recent years, food loss isn't the only major form of waste that the world is dealing with. There is now growing concern over "clothing waste." Not only are fashion trends hard to predict, they can also change quickly. This means that the apparel industry is constantly over producing across a wide range of products in order to ensure that it can keep up with demand. Of the 2.9 billion clothing items imported to or produced in Japan every year, nearly half end up getting thrown away. This week's episode shows how some apparel companies are trying to overcome "clothing waste" by using IT technology and innovative recycling techniques to reduce waste and cut costs while still remaining competitive.

Japan has been hit hard by the coronavirus. With most people relying on public transport, the risk of the virus spreading among millions of commuters crammed into packed buses and trains is real. In response, many companies are now having their employees work from home. Although previously not a popular choice for companies in Japan, many now see it as the only way to keep their businesses up and running. This week's episode features companies helping businesses who are trying to deal with the current health crisis through novel telecommuting techniques as well as allowing people who are under lockdown to stay connected with the outside world.

Plastic waste from all around the world is ending up in Southeast Asia. After China stopped accepting the trash in 2018, Malaysia became the top importer. It receives hundreds of thousands of tons from Japan and other wealthy nations, and the results have been shocking. Shipments of plastic waste are piling up in ports and illegal recyclers are dumping mountains of scrap in rural areas, risking the health of local people. In Indonesia, pristine beach resorts are polluted by plastic garbage as authorities struggle to cope with the influx. In this special edition of BIZ STREAM, we send an investigation team to the region to find out how the situation developed, and what local people are doing to tackle the problem.

Like many countries around the world, the coronavirus is hurting businesses across Japan. From reusable masks, to efforts to help struggling restaurants, this episode shows how some local businesses are trying to fight back during these challenging times.

Japan declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for Tokyo, Osaka and 5 other prefectures. But many question whether the measures will be effective to stop the spread of the coronavirus. We take an in-depth look.

[On-Site Report] With most events canceled and little to no support from the government, Japan's performing arts industry has been hit extremely hard by the health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus. As the debate over the importance of live theater and music continues, many artists and organizations are now attempting to take their acts online. This episode shows how live entertainment here is adapting as the performing arts world struggles for survival during the COVID-19 pandemic. [World Perspective] Indonesia's healthcare system is struggling under the pressure of COVID-19. The country has recorded the most deaths from the virus in Southeast Asia and the number of infections has now surpassed 20,000. Medical staff are finding it increasingly difficult to get the personal protective equipment, or PPE, they need. A call to make sure workers don't go unprotected has been answered by companies of all sizes. We visit a men's tailor that started making hospital gowns and a textile giant that may turn PPE into one of its mainline businesses.

[On-Site Report] Japan's manufacturing industry relies on small factories located across the country to keep it churning. With sales stagnant and no sign of demand picking up, the coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on many of these small manufacturers over the last 3 months. This episode focuses on how a regional bank and an IT company have set out to support these local businesses during the ongoing crisis. [World Perspective] Medical workers treating coronavirus patients are doing everything they can to avoid becoming infected. In Thailand, a robotics team stepped in to help. It made a robot that allows doctors to remotely take patients' temperatures and examine their throats. Another robot delivers meals to patients. The robots reduce contact between patients and medical workers, as well as the need for personal protective equipment. We look at how technology from Thailand could reduce the burden at hospitals worldwide.

[On-Site Report] Japan has been reluctant to test for COVID-19 on a massive scale, but as the government strives to get the economy up and running as quickly as possible, experts are saying that a huge increase in testing is needed in order for businesses to re-open safely and successfully. We sat down for an exclusive interview with economics professor and government advisor Kobayashi Keiichiro to find out how important testing is to jump-starting Japan's economy. [World Perspective] The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to the global travel industry and created unprecedented challenges for the aviation sector. In Asia, the shock comes as some state-run airlines were already struggling amid intensifying competition from low-cost carriers in the region. Thai Airways International has filed for bankruptcy protection and Garuda Indonesia is said to be struggling. We talk to experts about what may be next for aviation in Asia.

[On-Site Report] Robots are rolling in to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by allowing for less direct human contact. New innovations let users visit a sick loved one or receive personal fitness training without leaving the safety and comfort of home. This episode shows how new uses for robots during the health crisis could spur further demand in the technology sector. [Global Trends] Companies around the world have initiated teleworking to try and ensure the safety of employees. For most businesses it's just a temporary measure. But one company in the US has taken an even bolder step, closing its office permanently and transitioning solely to telework. We take a close-up look at what was behind the firm's decision, and how the move is changing the lives of its employees.

With another sweltering summer in the forecast, heat-related illnesses are once again a major concern here in Japan. This year, however, people wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be at an even higher risk of succumbing to the heat. This episode features new mask technology that allows for better breathability while still offering virus protection as well as a small wearable device that can instantly detect and warn wearers of dangerous increases in body temperature.

With the spread of COVID-19, it became clear that Japan's administrative infrastructure is lagging when it comes to digitalization. Online applications for financial support are taking much longer than expected to process and much of the government is still using fax machines. This episode features Japanese start-ups pushing to digitalize the country as well as an in-depth interview with an expert from one of the world's most digitalized nations - Estonia.

As the coronavirus has thrown the global economy into a state of flux, legendary investor Jim Rogers' bold warnings and predictions are getting more attention than ever. This episode features an in-depth interview where he shares his thoughts on COVID-19 and the US, Chinese and Japanese economies.

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, the way people live and work is changing. Here in Japan, a new type of rental share house system that allows customers to rotate between over 60 houses across Japan is growing in popularity. With fees starting at less than $400 per month, people who no longer need to live in the city for work are signing up to escape to safer and more peaceful surroundings. As more and more properties sit empty after decades of population decline, this business model is also attracting attention as one way to make use of some of Japan's vacant housing. This episode looks at how short-term rental businesses are helping people in Japan adapt to a new way of life amid the ongoing pandemic.

Japan's agriculture industry is struggling with both an aging workforce and a labor shortage. According to national estimates, the number of farmers across the country has dropped about 57% over the past 20 years. One company is drawing attention for its AI-driven robots, that are assisting farmers with harvesting produce. Another company has created a matching service that introduces farms that need more staff to people who are interested in giving farming a try. In exchange for their help, guests receive a paycheck as well as a place to stay. The service is proving especially popular with young people, as it gives them an affordable way to travel around the country while trying a new kind of work. This episode examines how technology may play a key role in saving Japan's agriculture industry.

Businesses that help customers to stay socially distanced are catching on as people seek to regain their social lives while still following safety guidelines. One company has implemented AI technology into its software which allows users to see how crowded locations such as retail stores, restaurants and even hotels are in real time. Another company is taking advantage of outdoor spaces to provide people with a chance to get out and mingle safely through out-door events, such as barbecues. This week's episode looks at how businesses are attracting customers by providing them with ways to get out and have some fun while still remaining socially distanced.

One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals -- "Life Below Water," is of particular importance to Japan. This episode introduces Japanese companies that are taking action to help counter the effects of seafloor desertification by helping to bring kelp forests back to coastal seabeds. A young startup has come up with a clever way to slow the spread of kelp-eating sea urchins and provide additional economic benefits to local communities by collecting, fattening up and selling the prickly pests. Elsewhere, a major steel maker is producing a special fertilizer made from a mixture of steel slag and other organic compounds that is promoting the regrowth of marine plant life off of Japan's coastal waters.

"Clean Water and Sanitation" is one of the 17 sustainable development goals set forth by the United Nations. This week, we continue to feature Japanese companies that are contributing to improving sustainability by introducing businesses that have made it their mission to find ways to conserve on water usage. One company has created a recycling system that allows up to 98% of household water to be reusable, and the other has developed an automated cultivation system that uses solar heat to grow crops using limited amounts of water.

This episode looks at how unintended results and accidental discoveries during the research and development process can sometimes end up leading to a new discovery. We feature a new material that was created during research on liquid crystal technology that allows for precise temperature control of cold-storage environments and a porous odor adsorbent carbon material which was created during the development of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

As the battle continues against COVID-19, advances in antimicrobial and disinfectant treatments are receiving more attention than ever. This episode highlights Japanese efforts to fight against microscopic threats by featuring a special antimicrobial coating that was originally designed to protect precious ancient artifacts and artwork as well as the first safe-for-human UV light that effectively inactivates COVID-19.

This episode features Japanese companies that are extracting useful materials from bio-waste products. One company has found a way to extract hydroxyapatite (a key ingredient in making artificial bones) from eggshells, and another is turning sugarcane waste into biofuel. This week's On-Site Report shows how advances in recycling technology are leading to a more circular society.

An online bus tour started by a small bus tour company in western Japan is growing in popularity. Participants are sent food and drinks from the tour destination in advance and are able to enjoy them while listening to the tour conductor from the comfort of their homes. Another advantage these online tours offer clients is the lack of travel time between destinations. Realizing that these virtual tours can allow clients to participate from anywhere in the world, the tour company has also created tours for clients in the United States in an effort to expand on what was once a completely domestic client base. This episode focuses on how the pandemic has forced a local tour company to shift its business model in order to survive.

Strong, portable and weather resistant, shipping containers are becoming a popular choice in modern architecture. Recently, a company that operates 20 shipping container hotels in Japan's Kanto region has made many of its units available for use as portable "rescue hotels" that can be deployed almost anywhere in the country for use by rescue workers, medical staff, or for other relief services. An industrial equipment dealer also was similar potential in shipping containers and is now equipping them with solar-powered generators and high capacity batteries to create emergency response stations that can instantly provide local areas with a much needed boost to infrastructure during times of trouble. In this episode, we focus on how shipping containers can be used to bolster the Japan's emergency response capabilities.

This week's episode gives you an inside look at 2 companies that are combining modern technology with personal experience in order to create custom-made products for their disabled clients. One company, with a large number of disabled staff, is creating custom-built vehicles for people with disabilities. From design to fabrication, the company's staff incorporate their own experiences into the creation process as they seek to provide their clients with the best solutions possible. A small start-up is also using a similar approach to create "powered prosthetics." These new prosthetics use sensors and motors to assist users with movement. The CEO and lead developer, an amputee himself, has spent the last 5 years developing a powered prosthetic leg and is aiming to have it ready for market in 2021.

As e-commerce sweeps the globe, retail stores and other businesses are looking to technology to help them compete in the digital age. A supermarket in Tokyo's neighboring Chiba Prefecture has introduced smart shopping carts that allow shoppers to ring up items as they shop. This system not only increases efficiency by letting shoppers avoid checkout lines, a built-in AI system analyzes their shopping behavior and makes suggestions to improve their shopping experience. Retail isn't the only field where technology is changing how business is done. A Tokyo-based IT venture has come up with a fun and unique way to carry out meetings for sales, marketing and customer service-based businesses -- by using a digital avatar. The system also uses AI to analyze client responses in order to improve overall customer service.

This episode examines how technology could fill the gap as Japan's food industry struggles to deal with the country's labor shortage. A Tokyo-based robot maker has developed a "humanoid" helper robot that is capable of working alongside humans. It implements advanced image analysis and AI as it helps pack elaborate boxed lunches. A Japanese confectionery is using a special oven equipped with AI to bake Baumkuchen. The system automatically adjusts oven temperature and is able to decide when to apply a new layer of batter to the rotating cake - both tasks that normally must be done under the watchful eye of an experienced baker.