At 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest peak. Its bold, beautiful shape is famous the world over and is often seen depicted in woodblock prints. But Fuji is also an active volcano that has erupted violently many times in the past. Today, volcanologists are growing increasingly concerned that it might erupt again in the near future. On this edition of Science View, we leave the studio and visit a village on the foothills of Mount Fuji. We'll take a look at both the beautiful and potentially dangerous sides of the famous mountain. We'll also report on the latest research into whether another eruption will occur. This program was recorded in December on a beautiful clear day. Science watcher Eiji Mizushima and Reporter Rena Yamada were able to enjoy a clear view of the snow-capped mountain. Too bad it was so cold! Our two hosts were practically frozen by the end of the day.

On today's The Leading Edge, we focus on yellow dust: huge dust clouds that travel to Japan from East Asia's dry interior. Yellow dust is a phenomenon that occurs in Japan every spring, brining with it a fair amount of trouble. In Tokyo yellow dust causes a haze that disrupts economic activity and affects people's health. But up until now, there were many things scientists did not understand about yellow dust. Now, research has revealed some surprising facts. This is not your average dust! In fact, some scientists are now referring to it as a microbial ark or an airborne chemical plant. Scientists also believe studying yellow dust could help us learn more about the global environment and maybe even help us prevent global warming. Join us as we take a detailed look at yellow dust!

A huge number of toxins exist all around the world. And believe it or not, the nine deadliest toxins come from living things! Tetrodotoxin, found in the organs of blowfish, is particularly notorious. When blowfish is prepared for consumption in Japan, it must be prepared by a licensed chef who is trained to cut the toxic organs out. It is possible, however, under special conditions, to raise blowfish that are not toxic at all. In fact, blowfish aren't even born with the poison at all. So, where does it come from? Scientists are looking for ways to use biotoxins for medicinal purposes. For example, conotoxin, which paralyzes nerves, could be a thousand times more effective than a certain drug you may have heard of. Can you guess what it is? Join us as we step into the deep and amazing world of biotoxins.

In a two-part series, Science View steps out of the studio to explore some hidden treasures of Japanese nature and science, in a visit to the all-new Natural History Collection Wing of the National Museum of Nature and Science Tsukuba Research Departments. The National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo has a history of more than 130 years. In addition to its valuable exhibits in the fields of natural history and the history of science and technology, it also engages in pioneering research. The new natural history building in Tsukuba, which houses most of more than 4 million items in the natural history collection, was completed in April 2012. You can see fascinating items not normally shown to the public, as we explore the natural world of Japan, how the Japanese people interact with it, and also Japan's growth as a technological power. In Part One, we focus on the fauna of Japan. Our first port of call is the ancient specimen collection, where we examine a fossil that is considered one of Japan's treasures. What makes this 6 plus-meter long plesiosaur, discovered in 1968, such a national treasure? Well, it actually helped overturn a widely held assumption about Japanese natural history. Tune in to find out what it was. Meanwhile, a fossil found nearby suggested that our futabasaurus was engaged in a ferocious battle with another creature. What was this creature, who helps inspire vivid images of an ancient Japanese ecosystem? We peer into the scientists' toolkit to see how CT scanning is now being used to study the structure of such valuable fossils - without breaking them! CT scans have also revealed much about the way of life of an ancient mammal known as the "mysterious beast!" Next, we visit the vertebrate skeleton room to see and hear about the whales that live in waters around Japan. Scientists have been investigating why healthy whales strand themselves on beaches. You might be surprised to hear one of the reasons we reveal... Something related to bo

The National Museum of Nature and Science has a proud history of over 130 years. Besides its valuable exhibits in the fields of natural history and the history of science & technology, it also engages in frontier research. The new Natural History Collection Wing, which houses almost all of more than 4 million items in the natural history collection, was completed in April, 2012. In this two-part series, Science View steps out of the studio to visit this new Natural History Collection Wing of the National Museum of Nature and Science Tsukuba Research Departments in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. We view materials not normally displayed to consider the natural world of Japan, how the Japanese people interact with it and also Japan's growth as a technological power.

Our body clock makes us feel hungry or sleepy at set times. You probably know the feeling. The latest studies have found as many as 300 substances in the human body that vary in amount according to a 24-hour cycle to generate the body's rhythm. We also now know there are body-clock genes which govern these processes. While experience tells us that we are likely to get sick if our body clock is disrupted, and more likely to fall ill at particular times of day, science is now tackling these issues, too. Mice with disrupted body clocks, for example, catch a sickness that people often get. What do you think it is? A gene has also been discovered which generates a rhythm and then controls embryonic growth. What hidden links are there between life and time? Don't miss this fascinating report!

How Gut Microbes Influence Immunity This week's The Leading Edge is all about gut microbes. With a name like gut microbes, you might think that these tiny organisms are bad for you, but in fact, they play a key role in keeping your gut healthy. Recent studies have even shown that gut microbes enhance our immune system. We go over all the details of how they manage to make our immune system stronger. Research has also revealed a species of microbe that helps keep the gut healthy and functioning properly. It took scientists 40 years to identify it. Can you guess what it is? Tune in to find out all about the essential, microscopic work of gut microbes and how they affect our immune system.

Mystical Lake Mashu in Hokkaido is swathed in mist for more than 100 days of the year. Hemmed in by steep mountains and with no river flowing into it, it is known for its exceptionally clear water. This lake, however, is in crisis. Its water clarity, once the highest in the world at 41.6m, has dropped year by year. Trees in the surrounding mountains have started to wither. What is going on at Lake Mashu? A survey team set out to discover the cause of the lake's deterioration. Could it be mudslides? Or the soaring deer population? Various possibilities were considered but... Science View hunts down the real culprit. Tune in for the must-see conclusion!

Security cameras have become a common sight even in Japan now. But we can't be complacent about these cameras and their random images of people in the crowd. The technology exists to have them reveal sensitive personal information, and it is closer to reality than you might think! Called facial recognition software, this technology can identify individuals from their facial characteristics. Already employed in criminal investigations, and evolving apace, Japan is a world leader in the field. Our special guest is an expert in the field, and together we look at how far techniques have advanced, explore whether the privacy issues can be solved and discuss the benefits and problems this new science raises for us all. You might regret it if you miss this Leading Edge!

J-Innovators: Microballs and Auto Parts It is a small business with a staff of only 19, but possesses revolutionary knowhow now being used by every automaker in Japan. It is even being used at the pinnacle of car racing, in Formula One. Our innovator this week is the man behind this technology. His company makes components such as gears and shafts. They may look ordinary, but something sets them apart. Tiny microballs are used in the manufacturing process. Their use extends from car to airplane parts, and beyond to yet more surprising areas. Find out more as we explore the secret strength of the microball. Reporter Michelle Yamamoto also explores the motivations of the innovator behind them. Science News Watch: Hair Cells Improve your Hearing? Over 10% of the world's population has a hearing impairment, according to WHO figures from 2004. Science Watcher John Gathright focuses on a story that will bring hope to the auditorily-impaired: a drug that can regenerate auditory hair cells! Is that really possible? The man behind the research is Professor Hideyuki Okano of Keio University, who is also well known for successfully using iPS cells to enable mice with spinal injuries to walk. Tune in to learn how his team is now on the path to enabling hearing to be restored. The horizons for regenerative medicine just keep on expanding! The Leading Edge: Cells Making Waves! This topic might sound a little challenging, but is sure to intrigue any amateur scientists or animal lovers out there. We focus on the striped patterns on animals. Have you ever wondered how those patterns are formed? A Japanese scientist delved deep and found an answer. His breakthrough findings made the cover of a prestigious scientific journal, and overturned the accepted view that these patterns are encoded in the genes. We also look at the contribution of brilliant British mathematician, Alan Turing, whose own ideas anticipated this new finding. A mathematician? Join us to connect th

J-Innovators: A New Technique to Make Furniture out of Bamboo Tables made from bamboo folded like origami paper, and chairs with unusual and complex designs... These are some of the items of furniture made by this week's innovator. Bamboo is strong and doesn't break easily. That's why it has been used since olden times for baskets, sieves and screens. But it does also tend to warp, and that's why it hasn't been used for larger furniture. It bends out of shape when it loses its moisture. After much experimentation, our innovator has found a way to prevent that distortion. What is his surprising technique? He says that he thought it up because it pained him so much to see the neglected state of the bamboo groves in his hometown. We see how perseverance pays off, as we trace the path and motivations of a truly dedicated bamboo craftsman and innovator. Science News Watch: Soil Liquefaction after Earthquakes - Mitigating the Damage Science Watcher Koichi Kitazawa reports on news that could help combat the serious problem of soil liquefaction. This is what happens when the shaking from an earthquake causes water to rise up and liquefy the ground surface. It often causes catastrophic damage to buildings. Research by a group based around the Nagoya Institute of Technology is looking at preventing liquefaction by using a particular material mixed into sandy soil. In tests, it was shown to stop water rising up even in the equivalent of a seismic intensity 6 earthquakes. So, what is the mystery material? A hint lies on the roof of a Japanese house. The latest earthquake research has come up with an ingenious damage mitigator. The Leading Edge: Body Area Networks: Using the Human Electric Field What if you could learn all about someone just by placing your hand near them? It's not a science fiction movie, but a scenario from the frontline of scientific research. Body area networks - using the human body to communicate information - is now a hot topic. Just by

J-Innovators: Long-lasting Artificial Knee Joints It is said that more than 10 million elderly people in Japan suffer from knee ailments. Artificial knee joints offer a solution that puts them back on their feet. But until now, artificial joints have had a major drawback. After implantation, the polyethylene "cartilage" in the joints deteriorates as a result of oxidation, and repeated friction. In collaboration with a university, this week's innovator has developed a way to prevent oxidation using a well-known nutrient. Can you guess what it is? The innovator also found a way to reduce friction. We find out what the development of better artificial joints means to him, and investigate the radical techniques he employed that are now helping so many. Science News Watch: A Childhood Learning Support Robot Science Watcher Koichi Kitazawa takes up news of a robot designed to help children with their studies. In a performance trial at an elementary school in Kyoto, a robot assisted in science classes through a whole year. The adorable robot was developed by a group centered around the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International. It has two eyes, a rather comical visage, can recognize the faces of over 100 children and address them by names. What were classes with this clever robot like? See for yourself in the program! Fun with robots could be a great motivator for kids at all levels. The Leading Edge: Robots in Our Everyday Lives - The Future Robots as trusty servants and witty conversation partners? It sounds like science fiction, but the fantasy is already a reality. Until now, robots have been used most actively in factories and the like. They were considered incapable of the ad hoc responses required for everyday interaction with people. But technological advances have now made it possible for robots to react more flexibly to circumstances, and their usage is expanding accordingly. We explore the technology making all this possibl

J-Innovators: Peeling Machine Skins Potatoes in a Flash What's new about a machine that can peel potatoes, you might ask? Well, this week's innovator has come up with a device that can do something others can't. His machine can take potatoes of all shapes and sizes, and transform them into a smooth, evenly peeled product that looks as if it was peeled by hand. The other amazing thing about this machine is that it doesn't use any blades, but an innovative metal drum assembly instead. Michelle Yamamoto interviews our innovator to learn more about his remarkable device. Tune in and see for yourself! Science News Watch: A First in Flying Squid Footage Science Watcher Eiji Mizushima is intrigued by rare aerial footage of a school of flying squid captured by a team from Hokkaido University. The school of about 100 squids were observed in the Pacific about 600 km east of Tokyo. The creatures were caught leaping balletically into the air. Find out how far they jump, and how they do it! The Leading Edge: Deep-sea Drilling to Discover Megaquake Mechanism Scientists bore a drill 1,000m below the seafloor of the 7,000m deep Japan Trench. What was the purpose of this rather daring undertaking? They were drilling at the boundary of 2 quake-causing tectonic plates hoping to shed light on what caused the massive earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 in northern Japan. Working at these depths is no walk in the park. They were lucky to have Japan's state-of-the-art deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, but did they succeed in recovering samples from 8,000m below the ocean's surface? Did they find clues to the cause of the March 11 disasters? Don't miss this report to find out.

J-Innovators: An Ultra-Low Temperature Cooler - A Product of Precision Manufacture A cooler that lowers the temperature by 100 degrees in only 4 minutes? That would be the Stirling cooler, right? The basic design was developed by Scot, Robert Stirling 200 years ago, and has long been renowned for its efficiency. But how to make a comparable product for general use? This week's innovator found a radical solution using extraordinary precision manufacturing. What was his new idea? With great hopes for the Stirling cooler in both medicine and chemistry, we introduce the innovator who made mass production possible. Science News Watch: Fighting Flu with a New Omega-3 Substance Science Watcher Katsuyuki Sakai brings us news of a substance which can suppress the spread of the influenza virus. A research group at Akita University found this key substance while studying how the flu virus progresses and worsens. It can be made from something that's found in a food familiar to most of us. As Tamiflu and other anti-viral drugs are losing their efficacy against advanced flu, there is an urgent need for a better treatment. Will this research point a new way forward? Tune in to find out more! The Leading Edge: A Cure Before Illness? Small Blood Molecule Secrets The blood that circulates in our own bodies contains substances that can help warn of the presence of disease very early. Called metabolites, they are tiny - at up to only a nanometer in diameter. About 300 types are known, but they are formed in only minute quantities. If we succeed in identifying how they are created, they could be used as markers for disease. This includes a disease that often afflicts drinkers, and a common mental condition you might know. A team led by Nobel Prize winner Koichi Tanaka is also working in this area using an enhanced antibody to capture disease-related substances in the blood. Learn about the great progress being made in this field that could transform medicine.

J-Innovators: Micronanobubbles - Tiny and Eco-friendly This week's innovator developed a machine to make large numbers of micronanobubbles - bubbles so small they can't be seen with naked eyes. They have properties that set them apart from your average bubble, and the innovator has found applications in an astonishing range of fields, from oyster farming to color dyeing. So what exactly do these tiny bubbles do? And how can they be stably produced in commercial quantities? The innovator solved that by persevering with improvements to one part of his device in particular. Discover the key to his success in this feature on state-of-the-art tiny bubble-making technology. Science News Watch: 598 Cloned Mice, 26 Generations Science Watcher Katsuyuki Sakai was impressed by the news of important progress in cloning technology. A research group at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology has managed to create 598 mice in 26 generations from just a single mouse. Until now, attempts to reproduce successive generations of clones from cloned animals have failed due to abnormalities. The group's new technique has greatly reduced the abnormality rate by the addition of a special substance. Now what could it be…? The new technique could have applications in stock breeding and many other fields. Catch up on the latest in cloning research. The Leading Edge: The Magic Metal of Life - Calcium Calcium could be called the "magic metal" of life. It is found throughout the body - 99% in our teeth and bones, and 1% in the form of ions in our cells. That 1% weighs only about 10 grams in total, but plays a crucial role in our bodies' basic functions. Did you know we depend on momentary shifts in the concentration of calcium ions in our cells for our muscles to contract, and neurons to transmit information? And that it all happens at lightning speed? What cellular process produces such changes in only half a second? Calcium is also intimately involved in the formation