Program Contents (February 2nd, 2008)

"Find the Pathway to the Success"
- Revive Local Industries -

The collapse of "Keiretsu" and the heated-up of international competition among Asian countries have been making Japanese local industries struggle in the current economic situation. In the meantime, some Japanese local industries develop business by collaboration beyond areas and industrial categories. One towel company developed their business with the well-known art director, Kashiwa Sato. They launched a new brand by setting an integrated standard as showing well-absorbent products. An old-fashioned Japanese sake factory, Morita, tagged with local sake factories by sharing equipment and human resources. It led them to cut costs and to increase its sales by the integration. The Japanese government encourages introducing business professionals for local industries as a liaison, and also finds their business partners to cultivate its sales distribution. " Today's Close Up" this week will explore hints and tasks for the revision of local industries.

"Tracking: Distribution Root of Poisons"
- Chinese Dumplings, Deepen Mystery -

Large quantities of frozen dumplings made in China have been recalled throughout Japan. The dumplings were found to contain methamidophos, a chemical used in insecticides. People who ate the dumplings were hospitalized with severe symptoms of food poisoning. Some people felt dizzy and found it difficult to walk unassisted; other people felt a loss of physical control. Inspections have been launched at factories where the dumplings are made, in China and elsewhere, to determine how the toxic substance got into the food. The documentary feature, Toxic Dumplings Shake Japan, seeks to explain how the contamination occurred, describe the impact of this incident on the general Japanese society and tell people what they need to do to prevent toxic contamination in the future.

"A New Wind from Europe #1"
- The Carbon Management -

The Dovos Meeting "World Economic Forum" will be held in Switzerland this winter. The world keeps an eye on what kind of messages the country currently chairing and Japan will dispatch. The EU, the leading countries which have been reducing CO2 actively, is trying to establish a new economic system based on the CO2 reduction. European companies set a force to administrate the CO2 exhaustion strictly. "CO2 administered societies" change the lifestyle for each individual. The "Today's Close Up" caster, Hiroko Kuniya, ask worldwide leading companies for how the world is going to tackle this situation and what Japan needs to do.

"Wisdom of Japanese Local Dishes"
- From Top 100 Local Dishes -

Last year, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan announced the "Top 100 Local Dishes." This is a digest of how each dish was brought to fruition by using local materials. However, currently many local dishes are disappearing without being handed down. This phenomenon has affected the production of vegetables and may lead to the decline of Japanese food culture. On the other hand, some dishes that are suitable to the local weather and climate have been spotlighted for solving the disorder of eating habits. In Karumai city, Iwate Prefecture, "Hittsumi" is served to single seniors who tend to be undernourished. In Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, kindergarten kids who dislike eating vegetables has been overcome by eating "Senbei Soup. "Today's Close Up will report the future and possibilities of local dishes in modern Japan.