About this season
Japanese inventions are used and loved around the world. Through interviews and reenactments, go behind the scenes and discover how Japanese craftsmanship brought these top inventions into being.
Episodes (11)
1. Automatic Ticket Gates / Tool Setters
Aired 28 January 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind automatic ticket gates, developed by a Japanese company in the 1960s and installed at train stations throughout Japan. In the second half: tool setters that can accurately measure the length of drill bits for precision machining to within one thousandth of a millimeter.
2. Automatic Door Sensors / Banknote Printing Machines
Aired 25 February 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind automatic door sensors which detect people using the far-infrared radiation they emit. In the second half: banknote printing machines used in Japan and around the world, in places like the UK and India.
3. Online Karaoke Services / Umbrella Bagging Machines
Aired 25 March 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind online karaoke services which allow the latest songs to be transmitted over the net and sparked a karaoke boom in Japan. In the second half: umbrella bagging machines which allow people to easily cover a wet umbrella with a plastic bag.
4. Imitation Crab / Monorail Transporters
Aired 29 April 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind imitation crab, invented over 50 years ago and now enjoyed around the world. In the second half: monorail transporters installed on inclines on farmland which help farmers carry their produce.
5. Piano with Silent System / Plastic Food Models
Aired 27 May 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind the piano with silent system, developed for people with a need to practice quietly, which created a new category of silent instruments. In the second half: plastic food models displayed at restaurants which look like real food.
6. Cockroach Traps / Residential Maps
Aired 8 July 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind cockroach traps with sticky sheets that trap bugs inside. In the second half: residential maps which help emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks and police cars get to the scene quickly.
7. Ultra-High-Speed Elevators / Carton Filling Machines
Aired 29 July 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind an ultra-high-speed elevator capable of traveling 1,260 meters per minute, the fastest in the world. In the second half: carton-filling machines used for juice boxes and milk cartons.
8. Stand-Up Personal Watercrafts / Rice Crackers with Peanuts
Aired 26 August 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind highly maneuverable stand-up personal watercrafts. In the second half: rice crackers with peanuts, an ever-popular snack in Japan.
9. Lint Rollers / Rotating Beacon Lights
Aired 30 September 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind lint rollers which can be used to clean floors. In the second half: rotating beacon lights found on police cars, made by a company with 80% of the Japanese market share.
10. Car Navigation Systems / Vapor Heat Treatment Systems
Aired 28 October 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind car navigation systems, developed by a major Japanese car manufacturer in 1981. In the second half: vapor heat treatment systems which remove pests from fruit.
11. Home Water Purifiers / Plastic Valves
Aired 25 November 2023 • 28 min
The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. This time: home water purifiers & plastic valves.