JAPAN is an island nation with distinctive architecture, historical temples, shrines and glitzy shopping hubs. The Land Of The Rising Sun is also famous for its cuisine, unique pop culture and modern technology.
Despite stories of its economic struggle after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, it still remains the world’s third largest economy.
After the Olympic Games wraps up in Rio de Janeiro, all eyes will turn towards Japan which will host the games in 2020.
This month, CNN (Astro channel 511) focuses on Japan and gets perspectives from six bloggers, four Instagrammers, a Michelin-starred chef, a charismatic mayor and an 88-year-old scientist-turned-inventor.
It takes a special look at the country’s rich culture spanning travel, food, fashion, music, technology and urban invention.
The bloggers featured are Byron Kidd, Yukari Sakamoto, Melodee Morita, Brian MacDuckston, Mademoiselle Yulia and Lee Chapman. This segment airs today at 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, CNN goes on a culinary journey with two-Michelin-starred chef Shinobu Namae, to discover how Japan’s rich history of hospitality is simply a way of life. One of the traditions at the heart of its hospitality is the tea ceremony. Having introduced this service at his own Tokyo restaurant, L’Effervescence, Shinobu meets with a tea master to study the significance of this ritual. This segment premieres tomorrow at 4.30pm.
In the 30-minute episode, Innovative Cities, CNN features five cities, including Fukuoka, to explore their different approaches to innovation.
Fukuoka may not have the vibrancy of Tokyo nor the history of Kyoto, but this city on the southern island of Kyushu has its own unique asset: It is one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in the country.
Soichiro Takashima, Fukuoka’s charismatic mayor, has a vision to make his city the start-up capital of Japan. CNN explores the ways Fukuoka is giving a boost to budding entrepreneurs. This segment airs on Friday at 5.30pm.
CNN’s 15-minute science and technology series heads to Japan to meet with possibly one of the greatest inventors: Yoshiro Nakamatsu, also known as Dr NakaMats.
The 88-year-old scientist-turned-inventor has more than 3,000 patents to his name, including the floppy disk and the karaoke machine. After being diagnosed with cancer, he is now trying to invent his way out of his illness. CNN discovers the stories behind his inventions and technological breakthroughs that continue to shape our world. This episode premieres on Saturday at 8.45pm.