Biz Buzz Japan

Safe water for drinking, bathing, farming and more: it's said to be Earth's most precious resource, but due to factors like climate change, it's under increasing threat. On this episode of Biz Buzz Japan, we take a look at how Japanese businesses are using innovative technologies, from advanced filtering membranes to high-pressure pumps to a "magic powder" made from a surprising source, to tackle the impending water crisis and bring clean, safe water to Japan and the world.

Japan is an aged society, with the largest proportion of people aged 65 or older in the world. Businesses catering to the senior set are growing rapidly. We meet a dietician making appetizing, easy-to-chew food, observe how technology can provide comfort and peace of mind, and find out how Japanese companies are taking their ideas to graying markets overseas. Our guests tackle this topic from both a statistical and a human point of view, and suggest some guiding principles for moving forward.

Think Japanese alcoholic beverages, and the first that comes to mind might be sake. But Japan also produces a range of beverages that originate in the West. This time on Biz Buzz Japan, we explore some of the beverage businesses taking the world by storm, including a craft beer brewery specializing in made-in-Japan flavors, a distillery whose whisky has been called the best in the world, and a winery whose acute business sense and grape growing methods have brought it acclaim with wine experts.

Soy sauce, miso paste, skipjack tuna flakes, sake ... it's no exaggeration to say that fermentation is a bedrock of Japanese cuisine. But how are fermented food producers adapting to the 21st-century Japanese palate and foodies abroad? We explore several new business ventures, including a healthy, non-alcoholic beverage made by sake brewers, a modern take on miso soup, and a new version of the infamous fermented beans called natto engineered to be more palatable to non-Japanese consumers.

Japanese fruit is famous for its quality and high prices. Meanwhile other farmers are returning to traditional crops, while still others are exploring ways to grow food on polluted or unsuitable ground. This time on Biz Buzz Japan we explore high-end fruit varieties and the innovative new packaging designed to protect it, Tokyo's heirloom vegetables making a comeback with new menus to match, and a new farming technology that can grow tomatoes in a desert.

Japanese confections run the gamut from Western cakes and chocolate to traditional wagashi. One patissier has created low-sugar chocolates and sweets that still satisfy. Snack manufacturers team with university researchers to create low-calorie treats that pack extra protein and fiber into every bag. Meanwhile wagashi makers are fighting a growing trend towards Western sweets by developing new fillings and opening new cafés that introduce an, or bean paste, to Japan's younger generation.

Undergoing many changes, real estate is currently one of Japan's most exciting industries. First, we explore a popular new type of housing: high-rise condominiums called "tower mansions". Next, a topic of interest to the increasing number of visitors to Japan from abroad: private B&B-style lodgings. Finally, a new business that helps owners of used homes match with buyers and breathe new life into pre-owned properties. Our panel of experts dig into the business of Japanese real estate!

With the Tokyo Olympics around the corner, Japanese sporting goods manufacturers are developing cutting-edge items for athletes and para-athletes. A super-light pair of running spikes helps a Japanese athlete beat the 10-second barrier for the first time. Robotics technology helps wheelchair athletes perfect their form while a tire manufacturer stabilizes a running prosthetic. Meanwhile a sock manufacturer has developed specialized designs for sport climbers, a new addition to the 2020 Olympics.

Japan may be one of the safest countries in the world, but even here, security is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In this episode of Biz Buzz Japan, we explore some of the nation's latest security advancements, including roving robots, AI-equipped surveillance cameras, and even personal security devices that keep users safe while looking stylish too. This time, a look into the evolving technologies that will keep Japan secure during the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and beyond.

Shochu is a distilled spirit made from sweet potato, wheat or rice. Once overshadowed by beer and whisky, it's now a major player. As a low-carb drink it attracts health-conscious drinkers, and sales now outstrip those of sake. Shochu has a vast array of flavors and finishes: from a legendary label whose buyers are chosen by lottery, to regional varieties made with onions or chestnuts. Zero-waste plants are also making a mark in the industry. Tune in for the latest on Japan's shochu business.