Cool Japan

The first theme of 2021, the year of the Ox, is "cow". Cows brought from the continent in the Yayoi period were indispensable to Japanese life as a means of agriculture, transportation, and transportation. Foreigners who started living in Japan are surprised by marbled Wagyu beef and milk that is praised as sweet and rich. In addition, we will rediscover the Japanese cow culture that surprises foreigners, such as Japan's unique bullfighting raised by elementary school students with effort and love, and the secret of the birth of beef gourmet shabu-shabu that flies around the world.

Fruits produced in Japan are attracting the world right now. The secret to their popularity is their superior sweetness. In America, Japanese strawberries are cultivated in greenhouses and sold at multiples of the price that they are sold in Japan. Russian tourists take back mountains of strawberries on airplanes as souvenirs. However, foreigners find it strange that Japanese people don't eat the skin of fruits. Our foreign guests report on Japan's dried persimmons, whose popularity in Europe is quickly rising, and the strawberry development wars, in which sweetness and appearance are pursued. Will Japan's fruits become the next flavor of the world?

Now, the massage "shiatsu" born in Japan is attracting attention overseas. In the past, it was said that "Westerners have stiff shoulders, but stiff shoulders" and "stiff shoulders are a national disease of Japan", but with the spread of smartphones and personal computers, stiffness spreads worldwide. Massage, which was born from Japan, a great country of coli, is a cool culture that the world is paying attention to now. What should I do to make Japanese massage heal the world? I will explore while comparing it with the world's massage culture.

The 4th installment of the SDGs series is "Quality education for everyone." Even now, many children in the world do not have the ability to read, write and calculate, and it is a problem that they can not get out of poverty. Under such circumstances, "education for sustainable development" is emphasized in Japan. We have abolished detailed school rules and regular tests, and covered junior high schools that raise autonomous students, and schools for the elderly who are over 56 years old. Explore from a foreigner's point of view how Japanese education now looks from the world.

Japanese "winter traditions" such as "Kotatsu" and "Nabe" are also very popular with foreigners. Among them, "Kotatsu", which was once the number one thing I want to take back to my home country, is now evolving rapidly. In addition, foreigners reported on the revival of "frozen konnyaku" in Okukuji, Ibaraki Prefecture, which was in danger of extinction, and the activities to restore the snow "kamakura" in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. From traditional things to new Japanese "winter traditions" created one after another, we will rediscover its charm.

A thorough comparison of athletes from the world and Japan on the verge of the Tokyo Olympics. In the studio, foreign athletes who are active in Japan gather. What you will talk about is "Gimon for Japanese athletes." The discomfort they have with their teammates when they come to Japan and play sports, questions about the Japanese sports environment and practice content, and the wonder of the sports spirit. We will unravel the great ideas of foreign athletes for such Japanese sports and athletes with the claims of the Japanese people.

Admission to elementary school is a major event to commemorate for families. Parents who carefully prepare clothes and belongings for their grandparents who are excited to buy school bags and study desks. It's like the entrance ceremony in Japan that the whole family wants. However, it is said that there are few such entrance ceremonies in countries around the world. On the day of admission, there is only simple guidance and normal classes. Parents don't want to dress up and go to the ceremony. How do foreigners see the Japanese freshman season?

Japanese people especially have a strong awareness of their skin and longing for beautiful skin. When we conducted a skin awareness survey, it was found that women in Tokyo "the skin condition is good, but the skin satisfaction is overwhelmingly low" compared to New York and Milan. It turns out that Japanese people are highly conscious of seeking beautiful skin. There are a lot of skin care products in Japanese drugstores. In addition, the men's skin care market is also expanding year by year. Now, both men's packs and BB cream are natural. Are Japanese people who are particular about beautiful skin COOL?

Otaku, a term originating in Japan, has evolved a surprising amount in the past ten-plus years. Otaku, who love anime, games and manga in the limelight, used to just be seen as strange people. That has now turned into a nation-wide otaku era. 60% of university students identify as an otaku and 80% of high school girls have a positive impression of otaku. Otaku is now an internationally recognized word. What has changed in the past ten-plus years? We investigate the latest occurrences in the world of otaku.

Japan seems to have progressed at once due to the Corona disaster. But from the perspective of foreigners, "Why is remote work not progressing?" " Why don't you take paid leave?" " Why are men and women determined by job types?" And so on, the way of working for Japanese people is still insane and mysterious in the world. Therefore, this time, in the "Great Gimon Series for Japanese People", we have a thorough discussion with foreigners about Japan's "work style". Taking advantage of the foreigner's perspective unique to the program, turn the painful Corona disaster into an opportunity.

Paper has been used in many aspects of life from long ago and is indispensable for the daily lives of Japanese people. Japanese paper has excellent quality and durability and has even gathered attention from around the world and has been used for repairs in overseas museums and libraries. Further, Japan is said to have the greatest variety of paper in the world. People from around the world will be able to see a variety of Japanese papers during the Tokyo Olympics. How does Japan's paper compare to the world's? We search for cools down to paper-thin differences.

Unlike just "recommendation" so far, it is called "recommendation activity" that allows you to take various actions for your "recommendation" and recommend it to others. I'm not just going to the target of my recommendation, but I'm happy to recommend and sympathize with others. It is said that this is a culture unique to Japan that can not be translated. Recommended activities that spread to various fields such as idols, anime, actors, athletes, writers, etc. Will Japan's unique "support activities" be understood by the world? Explore the latest situation of the recommendation activity.

One thing that foreigners living in Japan notice is that Japanese people always seem to be smiling. The way they smile when they share their opinion, fail at something, and even when they say "no" is unique to Japan. There are many kinds of smiles that are rooted and expressed in Japanese culture. We rediscover Japan's emotive smiling culture with various smiles such as fake smiles, slight smiles, bitter smiles, embarrassed grins and laughing with ridicule from the perspective of foreigners.

It is said that more than 30% of people started studying for the purpose of obtaining qualifications due to the Corona disaster. The purpose is various, such as changing jobs, starting a business, improving skills and enhancing hobbies, but the popularity of qualifications in Japan is increasing. The qualification business to certify new qualifications is also exciting. "Japan, a qualified country" full of a wide variety of qualifications. How do foreigners see the Japanese qualification culture, which is said to be more than 300 national qualifications, and private qualifications certified by companies and organizations, if you include more than 3,000?

We will cover the SDGs that Japan should address now, three themes ▽ "Specific measures against climate change" introduces the hydrogen energy initiatives of Kawasaki City. What you use to produce hydrogen is that!? Aiming for a recycling-oriented society ▽ In "Let's realize gender equality", the studio is a big debate! What is the color of the toilet? Who opens the door? What is distinction and discrimination? ▽In "Let's eliminate inequality between people and countries" introduces free space initiatives that provide children with a place to stay

A "walk" that the needs are increasing due to the Corona disaster. Ideas to make walking fun, such as goods such as mini water bottles and minimal wallets in your pocket, and a map app that superimposes Edo and current towns, have appeared! ▽Interview the back side of the course creation of the walking magazine. What is the walking course with the theme of Matsuo Basho? ▽Azumino's initiative to turn the former railroad tracks into a walking course. What is the thought of local people who maintain benches and paths by hand... Is it cool to take a walk in Japan full of ingenuity?

With aging, health consciousness and the pandemic, medicine is indispensable in our lives. Japan is actually third place in the ranking of the number of new drugs developed by a country. Further, development of drugs and quasi-drugs that are intimately tied to daily life is also common. There are over 58,000 drugstores in Japan, which is more than the number of convenience stores. Are Japan's medicine situation and the way Japanese people relate with medicine cool compared to the rest of the world? We investigate the cools of Japan's medicine in comparison to the situations in other countries.

There are countless rivers flowing from the mountains to the sea in the Japanese archipelago, and it has been closely related to life for a long time. The wide riverbed, which alleviates the flooding of the river and becomes a valuable square for residents, is unique to Japan!? ▽As a place to relax in a big city, a cool river revives in the valley of the building!? ▽What is the tradition inherited by the precious nori and food culture that inhabits a specific river? ▽High school students revive the river contaminated by domestic wastewater with handmade equipment! The way of thinking of local residents has also changed. From tradition to the cutting edge, is the Japanese river cool?

Japanese rice is attracting attention due to the overseas Japanese food boom. Eat and compare rice boasting various varieties at a specialty store! Does the compatibility with various dishes determine not only the taste but also the characteristics? ▽It is "smart agriculture" to help rice farmers who lack successors! Management of suiter gates, automatic driving rice planting machines, etc. Aiming for agriculture that anyone can do! ▽"Unwashed rice" is popular as rice that can be cooked without sharpening. It was once said to be an impossible dream... What is the surprising idea of removing the skin bran in question? Is Japanese rice that continues to develop cool?

Compared to the world, do Japanese people have less sleep? In addition, from the perspective of foreigners, Japanese sleep is full of wonders, such as sleeping in the shape of a river with children and falling asleep on the train! The studio is a big debate with pros and cons! ▽We will approach the development of "pillows" that Japanese people are particular about. How is a pillow made that supports the head and neck and does not stiffen shoulders? ▽Resolve the lack of sleep with "napping"!? A 10-minute nap incorporated into a busy school life in classes and club activities. Is there a change in student life...?

The "Japanese fantasy" that foreigners think is in daily life!? Children-only going to school, walking alone on women's night roads, and beautiful roads without garbage are also fantasy ▽ Concept cafes where the world view is created based on a certain theme is also a Japanese fantasy. Foreigners experience maid training at a maid cafe! What is the hidden effort that I noticed there...▽Is it because the monster was a necessity of life that was born? What I saw in the town of the Shikoku Mountains, which continues many yokai legends now...

Yokohama, a city where many foreigners live. Ranking the top 5 attractive spots in Yokohama that I heard from foreigners living in Yokohama! ▽The shopping street that is closely related to life is popular with foreigners!? The Japaneseness that you can enjoy cherry blossoms and temples together is attractive! ▽A redevelopment area facing the sea. Minato Mirai. Is it the charm of Yokohama that newness is mixed in history? ▽Food theme parks are rare for foreigners!? ▽There are a lot of things in Yokohama Chinatown that are not actually in China!? Is Chinatown cool with development unique to Japan?

In preparation for foreign inbound after COVID-19, an emergency questionnaire for foreigners living in Japan, "Where do you want to go when the coronavirus is over?" Introducing the 5 best secret spots ▽ Is the god in the rice field cute? ▽Is the abandoned dam nice? ▽A superb view point that locals were looking for on the Tadami Line in Oku-Aizu! ▽What is the breakfast service that the 4th generation who inherited the inn at Tsumago-juku on Nakasendo noticed when he felt like a foreigner? ▽Thorough introduction of the cool lurking in regions that Japanese people do not know from the perspective of foreigners!

As the time at home increases due to the Corona disaster, there are a wide variety of pets ▽ and pet food that sticks to the production area is also popular as a souvenir to overseas? ▽Interview of the "dog friend" community that gathers in the park. Is it only in Japan that dog names + "papa" and "mom" are called each other? Do you learn the social nature of dogs? Also a place for people to interact with! ▽A temple that heals the hearts of those who lost their pets. More than 10,000 pets have been memorialited so far, including dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, turtles, insects, etc. Are pets a family? What's the difference from overseas...!?

The fifth installment of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) series is "Developing a city where you can continue to live" ▽ In the redevelopment progressing in Tokyo in recent years, functions such as "no electric poles plan" and "installation of underground reservoirs" have been strengthened. Amazing road inspection technology is also available! ▽Toshima Ward, which was pointed out as a city that may disappear in 2014 to work on town development with park reform. Landscape beauty and disaster prevention facilities are also ▽ We interviewed about towns that are working on regional revitalization with high schools as the core. Will the number of students increase due to the maintenance of free cram schools and dormitories, or will the town regain its vitality ...

Japanese liquor culture is full of wonders from the perspective of foreigners! ▽What is a supplement for a hangover? Why are there so many types of non-alcoholic drinks? ▽What is the surprising way to create fine bubbles, which is popular can beer if you can enjoy bubbles like draft beer even in cans? ▽Do you need beer bubbles? Studio big hot argument ▽ A person who warns sake, a sa sake. From that work, I can see the Japanese's commitment to the temperature of sake. What is the dish that matches the temperature of each sake? Is it cool to drink alcohol in a foreign country?

How is the Japanese people's awareness of saving different from foreign countries? ▽ Is it good to manage income and expenditure with "household account book"? Or is it an invasion of privacy? Introducing the popular ranking of saving idea goods ▽ "Poi activity" to accumulate points in daily life. Do you earn points just by walking? Can I get points if I write a complaint? Do foreigners like discounts more than points? ▽Consing the back culture into business! Can the reuse of school uniforms nurture the local community? Also for exchanging information for the child-rearing generation!

For the New Year ... Special feature on "Mochi" popular among overseas people! ▽There are various kinds of zoni all over Japan! Ozoni like chawanmushi is also available! ▽It was only after the appearance of cut rice cakes that you can eat rice cakes at any time. We will approach the secret story of the development of cut rice cakes that can be stored for a long time, do not mold, and can be baked cleanly! ▽"Beko-mochi" handed down in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. The two colors of white sugar and brown sugar started, but after that, it evolved into a vivid pattern such as flowers by using food red and layering many colors! It was ordinary housewives who supported them!