Medical Frontiers

The first of our two-part series on Japanese acupuncture looks at how it's being incorporated into advanced cancer treatments. At a hospital in Kyoto Prefecture, doctors work in collaboration with acupuncturists. Their work, backed up by scientific studies, suggests that acupuncture is effective against various side effects of surgery and cancer medications. Benefits include promoting post-surgery digestive function and healing in patients with stomach cancer, and easing numbness caused by a widely used drug for breast cancer.

Rice is Japan's staple food. Although high in sugar, rice promotes health. Men in Niigata Prefecture, a main producer, boast Japan's lowest BMI, a gauge of obesity. Rice reduces blood cholesterol and kome-koji made from rice rid the body of fat. A hospital uses mirin, rice-based sweetener which curbs after-meal blood sugar rises, for patients with diabetes. We'll also share recipes for easy-to-make, gluten-free dishes using rice flour. The program explores the secret of superfood, rice, in Niigata.

In the second of our two-part series on Japanese acupuncture, we zero in on its most widely used application: pain-relief. It has long been known that acupuncture can ease pain, and Japanese research is shedding light on the reasons. Holding the keys are blood flow, brain waves, and the autonomic nervous system. We explore acupuncture's potential by seeing how it has helped a migraine sufferer and a fibromyalgia patient.

Falling accidents kill over 640,000 people worldwide each year, making them deadlier than traffic accidents. The elderly are especially vulnerable to falls that leave them bedridden or needing nursing care. Devices designed to reduce the risks are advancing in Japan. One uses suspension to let people experience near falls, and to train the body to react. And a robot created with Japanese automotive technology is helping patients develop better balance.

A therapy developed in Japan called waon, or soothing warmth, has proven effective in patients with severe heart failure and chronic fatigue syndrome. The approach has also shown promise for other difficult-to-treat illnesses. Patients take a dry sauna at a fixed temperature for a set amount of time to raise their core body temperature by about one degree Celsius. We'll look at waon's benefits and why it works. And we'll share some simple warming tips to try at home for better health.

About a third of the world's population is overweight or obese, and the number keeps growing. Obesity can cause various illnesses, including diabetes and heart problems. Japan has led the world in recognizing obesity as a disease, and has been highly successful in helping many people lose weight and regain their health. The approach relies on a well-organized team effort involving different specialists. Their aim is not just to treat obesity, but to improve patients' lifestyle and their psychological health.

A Japanese robotics engineer has developed an innovative prosthesis for people missing hands due to an accident, illness or a congenital disability. The robotic hand picks up electrical signals traveling through the muscles, and uses artificial intelligence to move in accordance with the user's wishes. It's lighter and less expensive than conventional prostheses, and efforts are underway to put it into practical use. A smaller version made for a girl born without one hand allows her to perform complicated tasks, demonstrating how the technology can change people's lives.

We feature superfoods from Okinawa Prefecture in southwestern Japan that may contribute to long, healthy lives. Parts of Okinawa are home to many centenarians. Their diet is rich in foods that have been shown to enhance longevity. Shima-dofu, or Okinawan-style tofu, contains isoflavones that can support bone strength. Mozuku seaweed may fend off lifestyle illnesses and help fight cancer. We'll also share recipes based on Okinawa's traditional cuisine that you can enjoy at home.

The da Vinci surgical robot, which was developed in the US, allows a single surgeon to perform a surgery using 3 robotic arms and an endoscope simultaneously. Difficulties in manipulating it have meant most doctors are unable to make full use of it. But Japanese doctors have come up with a way around this that has also led to a drop in surgical complications. There was a 40% risk of complications such as a loss of voice with esophageal cancer, but that's dropped to 10%. We report on how the robot is allowing safer surgeries.

Tinnitus, a perception of sound when no external source is present, is a dangerous condition that can lead to dementia and mental illness like depression. Japanese doctors have focused on the link between tinnitus and hearing loss and have come up with an effective treatment that trains the brain with a hearing aid. We report on the training, as well as a 2 mm-wide cochlear implant being developed for those with severe hearing loss. We also offer tips on how to train the brain to boost hearing.

One reason for knee pain is the loss of cartilage, but once damaged, it can't regenerate. A way to remedy this has been developed in Japan. It involves transplanting cells that have been cultured using the patient's own cartilage. The success rate is 90%. The secret is three-dimensional cell culture technology combined with a production system that ensures quality control. Nutritionist and health consultant Erica Angyal will also share recipes using foods that are good for the joints.

Colon cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the US. Early detection is important but finding and diagnosing polyps is difficult. 2 AI-powered endoscopes have been developed in Japan to tackle the problem. One can judge a lesion's malignancy in 0.4 second with almost 100% accuracy. The other indicates lesions during an exam, even indistinct ones, like a car navigation system. We also introduce fermented Japanese foods that are beneficial for gut health and explain how they should be eaten.

Incidents at medical institutions can sometimes put patients' lives at risk. The Nagoya University Hospital in central Japan has adopted a system to ensure medical safety. Everyone who works there, from medical professionals to administrative staff, can report incidents. There are 250 a week, and each is examined to determine the cause, with information disclosed to patients. This has led to improvements in procedures and equipment. The system is based on Kaizen, a core principle of Toyota Motor.

In lung cancer surgery, it's common practice worldwide to remove a large area of the organ. The bigger the area, the worse the effect on the patient's quality of life post-surgery. Japanese doctors have developed a procedure that involves removing only a small amount of the lung. In one case, the surgery took an hour and less than a spoonful of blood was lost. The patient was discharged in 3 days and back to normal in a week. We report on the innovative method and its potential.

In part 1 of a 2-part series on superfoods found in Shiga Prefecture, which boasts one of Japan's highest life expectancies, we focus on the blessings of Lake Biwa. The lake is home to several indigenous species, many of which are used in Shiga's traditional dishes. They include the fermented dish Funazushi, which contains a lactic bacterium that boosts the body's immunity. Biwa trout contains astaxanthin, which can prevent strokes. We introduce recipes using these fish.

In part 2 of a 2-part series on superfoods found in Shiga Prefecture, which boasts one of Japan's highest life expectancies, we focus on the local diet. The area is home to many temples. Buddhism gave rise to Shojin Ryori, a cuisine that uses mainly vegetables and beans. As a result, dishes with such ingredients are common in Shiga. Kanpyo prevents lifestyle diseases, while soybeans help maintain the muscles and prevent aging. We introduce easy recipes using these foods and soy milk.

Japan has a unique system of preventive healthcare called the Ningen Dock. The examination makes it possible to pick up on cancers and brain diseases that are difficult to detect in their early stages. It's becoming popular among foreign visitors as they can have the checkup for about US$1,000. A new type of Ningen Dock helps subjects to lead a healthier lifestyle by changing their mindset. In the TIPS segment, we introduce tofu recipes that are effective against lifestyle diseases.

A Japanese surgeon can connect blood or lymph vessels less than 1mm. Supermicrosurgery specialist Takumi Yamamoto, 37, has done 10,000 sutures, reconstructing limbs and treating lymphedema, which had been thought to be impossible. Sensation returns to reconstructed limbs. Lymphedema, which often occurs as a result of cancer treatment, can be remedied by connecting extremely fine lymph vessels. This is made possible with 0.03mm needles made only by Japanese craftsmen.

A treatment developed by a Japanese doctor and his team is helping women with premature menopause to give birth with their own eggs. Premature menopause is triggered by a malfunctioning of the ovaries and affects even those in their teens. The treatment involves activating dormant primordial follicles. We focus on the method, which has been described by TIME Magazine as a global breakthrough. We also introduce herbs that can alleviate symptoms such as those of menopause.

CyberKnife is non-invasive, painless radiosurgery for treating cancer. Even cancers that are difficult to treat with conventional surgery can be removed without damaging surrounding tissue by applying low-dose X-rays at different angles. One treatment takes just 30 minutes and doesn't require a hospital stay. The technology originated in the US and was improved by a Japanese doctor. The number of patients he has treated with it is among the highest in the world.