NHK WORLD-JAPAN Video on Demand Review: High-tech Strawberry Farming & Limitless Fabrics

Jun. 29, 2020

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Video on Demand Review

NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s website Japan offers a wide range of free-to-view programmes showcasing insider information and lesser known sights and cultures of Japan, offered in more than 18 languages. This week, I am sharing with you two videos that really piqued my interest!

Watchlist #1
High-tech Strawberry Farming: Hiroki Iwasa / President & CEO, GRA

Watch Here

Duration: 15 min, available until March 3, 2021

A strawberry from Migaki-Ichigo is synonymous with the best fruit of the harvest. Selected for high sugar content, pleasant tartness and intense aroma, only 1 out of 100 strawberries make it into the “platinum” class.
A box of Migaki-Ichigo strawberries, marketed as “edible gems”
A box of Migaki-Ichigo strawberries, marketed as “edible gems”
Strawberries are the pride of Yamamoto city in Miyagi prefecture, but the industry was crippled by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. This spurred Hiroki Iwasa, the founder of Migaki-Ichigo, to return from Tokyo to help with relief efforts.
Luxury-quality strawberries created by cutting edge technology used in the strawberry greenhouses
Luxury-quality strawberries created by cutting edge technology used in the strawberry greenhouses

To revitalize the industry, Iwasa applied his programming expertise from developing software to the strawberry greenhouses. Sensors measuring temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels allow conditions to be monitored and automatically regulated around the clock.

Iwasa teamed up with local strawberry farmers and provides training to others
Iwasa teamed up with local strawberry farmers and provides training to others

Having built a successful brand, Iwasa is now focusing on a long-term perspective to create a viable industry of independent businesses, thereby creating jobs and strengthening the local economy. It’s truly inspiring to see businesses with a social cause and giving back to society.

Watchlist #2
Direct Talk - Limitless Fabrics: Kanji Kikuchi / President, Nihon Homespun

Watch Here

Duration: 15m, available until March 10, 2021

These famous bouclé fabrics are created by a little-known homegrown Japanese textile boutique
These famous bouclé fabrics are created by a little-known homegrown Japanese textile boutique

Kanji Kikuchi, the President of Nihon Homespun, has a controversial opinion: the Japanese textile industry is “a bit of a bore”. But to his credit, Kikuchi is reinvigorating the scene.

Nihon Homespun has an international reputation for exclusive and high-quality wool-based fabrics blended with silk, yarn, synthetic fibres and even washi paper. Their unique bouclé material is highly sought after by designer brands worldwide, and have become an iconic fashion staple even I recognise.

A traditional hand-weaving loom, influenced by Scottish wool looms during the Meiji era
A traditional hand-weaving loom, influenced by Scottish wool looms during the Meiji era
To keep with the times, Kikuchi innovated a mechanised weaving process to create a more tactile fabric using delicate yarns, all while retaining its signature homespun feel. Nevertheless, the company maintains its traditional hand-weaving looms, which are ironically best for crafting samples for customers.
A close-up look at Nihon Homespun’s famous fabrics reveal their incredible texture
A close-up look at Nihon Homespun’s famous fabrics reveal their incredible texture

In the spirit of novelty and originality, Kikuchi strives to preserve the company’s unique creativity by constantly innovating. I look forward to seeing what he’ll dream up next!

When I feel cooped up at home during the circuit breaker period, it’s a welcome break from the confines of my home to learn more about the innovations taking place around the world. It may feel like our lives are put on hold but progress marches on nonetheless.

Reviewer

Yonghui

Quarantine-time-only chef and baker who is temporarily enjoying travelling on the interwebs.

About NHK WORLD-JAPAN

NHK WORLD-JAPAN is the international service of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK.
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