The Signs

CO2 is known to be the major driver of global warming and climate change, but carbon recycling is all about converting it into useful resources. We report on world leading research that synthesizes plastic from it, and one company's amazing technology that harnesses the power of microorganisms to make CO2 into biofuel. Instead of the maligned pollutant we have come to know it as, in the future CO2 will no longer be just waste.

As COVID continues to mutate, people in Japan are applying unique technology to fight the maligned scourge. Developers of a sensor that detects airborne viruses in under a minute, and an expert in analysis who forecasts infections and consults the government. In addition, an antiparasitic drug created in Japan over 40 years ago is currently undergoing clinical trials as a potential treatment. We spoke with doctors on the frontlines of medicine to hear their diverse views.

COVID has forced many industries to change, and the airline industry is no exception. Two major airlines that account for 80% of Japan's market share posted a loss of nearly 700 billion yen for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. They are now embarking on businesses that do not rely solely on passenger revenue. We take a closer look at the struggles of these juggernauts to survive making use of airline resources, drone deliveries using their operational know-how, and the development of telerobotics.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Ishinomaki Laboratory started as a place for disaster victims to rebuild their lives by making and repairing furniture themselves. The workshop's simple and functional designs are drawing attention from the global furniture industry. They explore the possibilities of DIY while doing what they can with what they have. We report on current efforts of this small local venture and offer hints on how to thrive in the age of the new normal.

The lumber shortage of 2021 and the suspension of Russian exports have presented a major challenge to the Japanese housing industry, which has come to rely on cheap foreign import of timber. In response, attention is shifting to domestically produced lumber. Efforts to revitalize the forestry industry are underway, including a business that commodifies entire trees, local production and consumption of houses with wood sourced from Tokyo, and construction of high-rise buildings made with wood.

Yamakoshi, Niigata Prefecture, is a remote village with a population of just about 800 people. NFT art featuring Nishikigoi, a colored variety of carp it's known for, could be the key to new life for the town. Purchasing this new type of artwork in the spotlight gives buyers a chance to participate in community revitalization activities. Real world and digital communities interweave, in this challenge towards local revitalization.

A concerted national effort to attract foreign travelers was dealt a crushing blow by COVID-19, but a new trend is emerging across Japan. Micro-tourism, or visiting nearby areas without traveling far from home, is the key concept in the spotlight. New forms of tourism for the post-pandemic era, like renewal of tourist attractions for locals to enjoy, community trash pickup efforts that create a virtuous cycle, and universal design using self-driving mobility.

The clothing we all take for granted poses many problems from a sustainability perspective, particularly with regard to its environmental impact. We report on some youths who are attempting to rethink manufacturing from the ground up in order to address these issues, as they struggle to carry on the proud history of Japan's textile industry.

As real-world connections weaken, more people are falling deeper into isolation undetected. Against this backdrop, we report on one person who left their hospital job to work at a small diner while looking after the health of the community. A nursing and social welfare facility has become more bustling with locals than ever before, providing a place to interact with the elderly, people with disabilities, and foreign residents. Be inspired by these ideas for creating new connections in society.

One man is taking a whole new approach to the challenge of a super aging society from the unique perspective of theater and performance. That man is Sugawara Naoki, a senior caregiver, actor and the leader of a theater company. We take a closer look at the potential of theater as a vehicle for bringing positive change to the elderly and those who care for them.

While anime from Japan continues to captivate the world, people involved in production have long endured tough working conditions like low wages and long working hours. The industry structure is ripe for change. Recently, a project to produce anime together with supporters using NFTs was launched. There is also a growing recognition of the potential of regional areas, instead of big cities like Tokyo. All signs are pointing to a dramatic shift in the Japanese animation industry.