Japan's Top Inventions - Season 3

First aired: 1/9/2020 16 episodes

Episodes

1. Home Bread Makers

Aired: 1/9/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, home bread makers. These bread makers, first released in Japan in 1987, allow you to bake fresh bread at home by simply adding the ingredients and pushing a button. With over 10 million units shipped to 26 countries and regions, they're beloved worldwide. This time, the little-known story behind the 3 years of hard baking work involved in their creation.

2. Glow in the Dark Pigments

Aired: 1/30/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, glow in the dark pigments, which absorb light to glow in the dark. A version of these pigments that contain no radioactive substances was invented in Japan in 1993. They're now used worldwide in products like watch faces and emergency signage. We learn the little-known story behind the pigments' creation, including how they were born from a company in danger of closing down.

3. Emoji

Aired: 2/13/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, emoji, the ideograms like smileys, hearts and food that help add fun to text messages. Now used in messages and emails worldwide every day, the first set of emoji was created in Japan in 1999 for the relatively small cell phone screens of the time. Dive in and discover the little-known origin story of emoji.

4. Miniature Video Cameras

Aired: 3/12/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, we look at miniature video cameras, used worldwide. In 1989, a Japanese firm created the smallest, lightest video camera in the world, which was the length of a Japanese passport. It helped people all over capture precious memories, like their children's growth and important vacations. We look into the little-known story behind the creation of these video cameras.

5. 2D Barcodes

Aired: 3/26/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a well-known type of 2D barcodes called QR codes. These codes were invented in 1994 by a Japanese car component manufacturer. These days, they're used throughout the world in factories and stores, on travel tickets, for cash-free payments and more. Learn the little-known story behind these barcodes, including their unusual inspirations: the game of Go and skyscrapers!

6. Water Purifying Powder

Aired: 4/16/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention that makes dirty water clean: water-purifying powder. This powder was invented in 2002, and is now used in some 80 developing countries in places like Asia and Africa. It employs polyglutamic acid, which is found in natto, Japan's sticky fermented soybeans! We discover the tale behind this powder, including its inspiration: a huge earthquake that hits Kobe, Japan.

7. Worksheet Study Method

Aired: 5/28/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, the worksheet study method known as "Kumon." Invented in 1958 by math teacher Kumon Toru for his son, the method involves self-study with math problems printed on worksheets. Using the sheets, learners improve their academic ability in small steps. Today the method is used by over 4 million students in 57 countries and regions. Dive into the little-known story behind this method.

8. Film Farming

Aired: 6/25/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a method of growing produce using a transparent film: film farming. The film is made from hydrogel, a moisture-absorbing material used in disposable diapers. Sow seeds on top, and they germinate and create seedlings, leading to vegetables and other produce without soil! We dive into the little-known story behind this unique Japanese farming technology.

9. Surgical Microscope Stand

Aired: 7/23/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a surgical microscope stand used in neurosurgery. Invented by an optics company in Tokyo, it features a unique piece of tech which keeps the microscope in focus even when it moves. Discover the little-known story behind this invention, partially inspired by equipment used to observe outer space!

10. Automatic Thread Trimmer Sewing Machines

Aired: 8/13/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a product used and loved in garment factories worldwide: automatic thread trimmer sewing machines. Just press a foot pedal, and the threads attached to stitched pieces of cloth are automatically cut. From high-end brands to fast fashion, these machines are used by garment makers around the world. This time, we dive into the little-known story behind their invention.

11. Robotic Exoskeletons

Aired: 8/20/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, robotic exoskeletons, machines that turn humans into cyborgs! They were invented by professor and business founder Sankai Yoshiyuki, who created them for people who have trouble walking, such as the elderly or those who have suffered strokes. We dive into the little-known story behind the development of the world's first robotic exoskeletons.

12. Dinosaur Robots

Aired: 8/27/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention installed in museums around the world: dinosaur robots. Using cylinders that expand and contract with air pressure to replicate realistic movements, these robots make it look as if the dinosaurs are really alive. We discover the little-known story of how Japanese inventors made these robots look so real.

13. Palm Vein Authentication

Aired: 9/24/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention with which you confirm your identity just by holding out your palm: palm vein authentication. This world's first biometric technology, developed by a large Japanese manufacturer in 2003, reads the unique vein patterns in the palm to verify users' identities. It's now used in over 60 countries and regions. Discover the little-known origin story behind this top invention.

14. Fresh Freezing System

Aired: 10/22/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention that uses magnetic force to help freeze food without destroying its cell structure: a "fresh freezing" system. It was developed by a Japanese venture firm in 1995 as a technology that would help freeze food without altering its flavor. We look into the story behind its creation, inspired in part by microwaves, and learn about the latest versions.

15. Bottled Green Tea

Aired: 11/25/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, bottled green tea: green tea sold in bottles made from PET plastic. Loved in over 30 countries and regions, it was developed by a Japanese beverage maker in 1990 using special techniques to keep the tea tasting great when bottled. We dive into the little-known story behind this drink, which is expanding worldwide among health-conscious consumers, and learn about the latest versions.

16. Personal Information Protection Stamps

Aired: 12/24/2020

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, personal information protection stamps: rubber stamps that make mail addresses unreadable. Just stamp, and a unique alphabetic pattern renders the underlying text illegible. These stamps were invented in 2007 to help protect personal information. We discover the story behind these stamps, now sold in over 20 countries and regions, and learn about the latest models.