｜Length : 30min ｜Year : 2022 ｜

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has become widespread in Japan. About 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with a high risk of fetal disabilities like Down syndrome choose to end their pregnancy. I, the director of this program, have a younger sister, Sae, who has Down syndrome. When I asked my mother if she would have been tested, had NIPT been available, she responded, “Given my state of mind then, I would have, and if risk had been detected, Sae might not have been born.”
I interviewed people who have faced these decisions. After a prenatal test that indicates abnormalities, some people chose to end the pregnancy and others gave birth. I discovered realities behind these decisions that I hadn’t imagined. What is needed in society today, and what can each of us contribute? This is a personal documentary centered on dialogue with those who grappled with these issues.

｜Length : 24min ｜Year : 2020 ｜

The Small Journeys series focuses on the regions of Japan and the lives local people. In this episode we look at the umbrellas of Gifu; traditional craft products that are painstakingly and skillfully made from bamboo and washi paper.

The area surrounding Gifu City has been Japan’s premier umbrella-producing region ever since the Edo Period (1603-1868). After WW2, however, output shrank to a mere fraction of the peak as Western-style umbrellas became popular, and today the traditions are under threat.

Nevertheless, a few individuals continue to sustain Gifu’s craft heritage. One is a 70-year-old man who produces “runners,” the complex wheel-shaped parts connecting spokes to the shaft. He is the only runner artisan in Japan. Another is a woman who specializes in umbrella assembly. Captivated by the beauty of Gifu’s umbrellas, she spent 10 years perfecting her craft while overcoming opposition from traditionalists. She hopes to keep the tradition alive, to pass on to her young son’s generation and beyond. The Umbrellas of Gifu is a moving story of superlative craftsmanship and deep pride in local traditions.

｜Length : 29 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

colors mark each of the four seasons in the Geiyo Islands, in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. In winter, white mist blankets the sea. Between dawn to sunrise, the mist turns purple, then blue, and finally, gold. In spring, delicate pink cherry blossoms burst into bloom on Iwagi Island, with its 3,000 trees planted by the islanders themselves. In summer, Osakikamijima Island is the stage for a fierce and brightly-colored battle. Teams of men in red, yellow, blue, and white take part in a rowing race that dates back to medieval times. In autumn, milky-white oysters are ready. They are harvested from the oyster racks that flank the coast of Kurahashijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan’s top oyster producing region. And then, when winter returns, Kone Island is dotted with deep orange, the color of ripe satsuma oranges. The Geiyo Islands are truly a land of vibrant color, culture, and tradition.

｜Length : 29 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

The Seto Inland Sea region in western Japan has been dubbed the “jewel of the world” for its scenic beauty, but its remarkable colors are not limited to the deep blue waters and green forests that cover its many islands. This episode explores the palette of colors, both manmade and natural, that make this region so unique, including the prized silvery sheen of sardines carefully caught and quickly processed to preserve their freshness; the pure white island that is a major salt depository; the red, green, and white lights illuminating an industrial complex that operates around the clock, as fiery bursts from flare stacks scorch the night sky; and a deep red soy sauce made by combining crystal-clear water from the forests with a traditional brewing method involving natural bacteria and wooden barrels. Unlock the secrets of the colors created by nature and the people living near the Seto Inland Sea.

｜Length : 34 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

Stone walls are part of the fabric of traditional Japanese scenery, especially in mountainous Shikoku in western Japan. Walls delineate fields, protect homes and support a rural way of life. But today, the expertise needed to maintain and repair them is in danger of dying out.
In college, Reo Kaneko, now 30, was charmed by the walls’ functionality and simple elegance. He took on the challenge of learning traditional wall-building techniques and passing them on to the next generation. Quitting his job and moving to Tokushima, he set about making his living solely by repairing broken walls and teaching others how to do it.
However, the realities of marriage and a child are causing financial strain. He remains committed to living and working in rural Shikoku, while his wife works for a construction company in Tokyo. Can he find a way to build both walls and a family life?