Program Contents (March 6th, 2010)

"The Power of Praise"
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Today's working people have no shortage of reasons to worry. Some people may be struggling to meet their sales targets, and others may be losing their motivation as they face more demands within the companies with no prospect for higher pay. Employees who constantly worry about being laid off may realize that they haven't smiled for a while. Some workers may feel everything they do at home or work is taken for granted and find them experiencing stresses or a sense of disconnectedness. But offering sincere compliments can be just a thing to provide such people with strength and get going again. Praise can provide reassurance that someone is taking notice of someone's effort. Today's Close-up will take a look at the power of praise.

"Frontiers of Free Business"
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Free electronic books, free electronic international calls, free applications for cell phones, free electronic medical records… These free businesses seem to be difficult to figure how they make money. However, they have been growing rapidly and receiving huge attention. Their business models are totally different from free papers that depend on advertising and trial samples which shift prices to the final products, free businesses have been successful in creating wealth from nothing. In the background of this scene, the lataest behavioral economics is a key after the financial crisis. The field of this study is combined economic theories and the complicated and irrational psychology of human beings. Today's close-up this week will feature and explore the unique backstage of this "No-Pricing Business" which is predicted to grow and affect various industries in the future.

"Bluefine Tuna: Fishing for a Solution"
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Tuna is one of the most popular menus at the sushi restaurant. But the consumption is under global scrutiny. The international conference in trade in endangered spices (CITES) was opened last week. The agenda was proposed to ban on the selling Blue-Fin Tuna from Mid-Atlantic Ocean, and blue fin tuna is said to be an endangered extinction. And the anti-group, Sea Shepard, says it would be struggled tuna fishing. The reckless tuna fishing is concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The Japanese tuna fish wholesalers protested against the proposed ban. In Japan, there is the arising sense of crisis that Japanese consume 80% of the world blue fin tuna catch, but Japan is attempting to prevent to over catching. What will be happened to the trade of blue fin? Today's Close-up this week will report the latest move.

"JAPAN VIDEO TOPICS"
- No "Today's Closeup" this week -

Episode #48: "SAKURA - Celebration of Spring"
Sakura cherry blossoms will annouce the arrival of spring across Japan. The blossom symbolizes the energy of life and the signal of fresh start of human spirit. Cheery blossoms explode the colorful landscape. As the warm spring moves to north, people draw outside to view the blossoms. The sakura possesses the sence of beauty to the Japanese treasure. The beauty of cherry blossoms can be also found in traditional kimono, cakes and desserts. "Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing Party" is also popular in Japan.

Episode #49: "Keeping Frozen Cells Alive - CAS"
The phenomenal freezing technology called "CAS = Cell Alive System" was invented in Japan. CAS enables to keep food fresh without breaking any cells inside of it. Normally, when we defrost food, water and its 'umami' will be dripping out. However, when we use CAS, no liquid will be running after defrosting food and the freshness still remains. The technology of CAS just popped out from a laboratory in Japan and has been applied in many fields worldwide.

Episode #50: "Matsuri-Zushi - Festival Sushi"
Sushi is world famous, but the kind of sushi known overseas is just one of many that are eaten inside Japan. Matsuri-zushi is a term describing sushi eaten at festivals and celebrations, and even this comes in many varieties, made using different local ingredients and methods. We look at two famous regional styles – Okayama's extravagant bara-zushi, and Chiba's futomaki-zushi, featuring intricate designs that combine several layers of seaweed-wrapped rolls.

Episode #51: "Wazuma - Japanese Traditional Magic"
The Japanese traditiona lmagic art of Wazuma, originated far back as the 8th century and enormously popular in the 17 century. Wazuma features many unique Japanese magic techniques, gorgeous traditional costumes, accessories and stage performances. For example, a magician plays a roll of paper on his fan, and the paper will instantly transform into eggs, sometimes chain rings will get together or be separated. Of all stage magic traditions, Wazuma is unique having such a all oral and written transmission.