← FRONTRUNNERS

Season 2

16 episodes · 2024

  1. 1Master Salt Maker - Sato Kyojiro

    31 Jan 2024 · 28 min

    Meet salt maker Sato Kyojiro, whose unique, naturally produced, labor-intensive creations have earned fans among Japan's leading chefs.

  2. 2Medical Interpreting Pioneer - Minamitani Kaori

    28 Feb 2024 · 28 min

    Follow Dr. Minamitani Kaori, head of a pioneering medical center in Osaka Prefecture that is leading the way in providing care to patients from overseas with limited Japanese skills.

  3. 3Poet & NPO Founder - Ueda Kanayo

    20 Mar 2024 · 28 min

    Meet Ueda Kanayo, an Osaka-based poet, activist and NPO founder helping disadvantaged former manual laborers to build community and discover themselves through the creative arts.

  4. 4Snow Country Chef - Kuwakino Keiko

    24 Apr 2024 · 28 min

    Globally-renowned chef Kuwakino Keiko uses a new take on traditional methods to showcase the culture, climate and produce of Minami-Uonuma, one of the snowiest places in Japan.

  5. 5Supporting Street Children - Watanabe Hiroki

    01 May 2024 · 28 min

    Watanabe Hiroki is co-founder of an NGO in Bangladesh. It gives long-term support to underprivileged children on the street, proving that they can make a positive contribution to society.

  6. 6Orthopedic Shoe Meister - Nakai Yosuke

    29 May 2024 · 28 min

    Meet Nakai Yosuke, a qualified prosthetist and German-certified orthopedic shoe "meister" leveraging his skills to help Japanese seniors maintain their mobility and independence well into old age.

  7. 7Cricket Food Producer - Ashikari Seiya

    19 Jun 2024 · 28 min

    Ashikari Seiya explores the potential of crickets as a nutritious solution to the global food crisis. He works with farmers in Cambodia to establish green, sustainable production methods.

  8. 8Ainu Cultural Advocate - Monbetsu Atsushi

    26 Jun 2024 · 28 min

    Monbetsu Atsushi is a cultural and wildlife advocate working to preserve Hokkaido Prefecture's traditional Ainu culture through ancient practices including bowhunting and forest management.

  9. 9Accessibility NPO Founder - Oda Yuriko

    14 Aug 2024 · 28 min

    Oda Yuriko suffers from a progressive disease, but by running a patient association, developing an app and other activities, she's working toward a society in which anybody can enjoy life.

  10. 10Coconut Entrepreneur Tackling Poverty - Mizui Yu

    21 Aug 2024 · 28 min

    Mizui Yu is tackling poverty in the Philippines using coconuts—he develops food and cosmetics for sale in Japan. His business is improving lives. What products will he develop next?

  11. 11Nebuta Artist - Kitamura Asako

    25 Sep 2024 · 28 min

    Kitamura Asako is the first female floatmaker in the 300-year history of Aomori's Nebuta Matsuri, battling prejudice as she upholds this very male tradition while also imbuing a fresh new sensibility.

  12. 12International Mountain Medic - Oshiro Kazue

    30 Oct 2024 · 28 min

    Dr. Oshiro Kazue is a skilled mountain medic, dedicated to promoting awareness of alpine safety, and even spending her summers treating climbers from a cabin near the peak of the iconic Mt. Fuji.

  13. 13Drone Entrepreneur - Kawanoue Kazufumi

    20 Nov 2024 · 28 min

    In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, heavy traffic hinders the delivery of blood for transfusions. Kawanoue Kazufumi hopes to overcome this challenge using drones, and build out a new aerial infrastructure.

  14. 14Medical Companion for Travel - Ito Reiya

    27 Nov 2024 · 28 min

    Joy through travel: the mantra of Dr. Ito Reiya, who helps critical and chronic patients to plan trips. He accompanies them to the sea, familiar places or to see family, bringing them happiness.

  15. 15Horse-Powered Energy Innovator - Iwama Takashi

    04 Dec 2024 · 28 min

    We follow a unique initiative led by expert horse-handler Iwama Takashi as he strives to harness the potential of horse-drawn carts to provide renewable electricity to off-grid communities in Senegal.

  16. 16Bonsai Master - Kobayashi Kunio

    25 Dec 2024 · 28 min

    Kobayashi Kunio (76) is a celebrated bonsai artist working to secure the future of this traditional art form through outreach to children, and through efforts to protect the iconic shimpaku juniper.