Japanese Language and People

All in the Family

Meet the family of salaryman Takashi Sakai, who lives in the suburbs of Tokyo, and the family of Tatehiko Kamikawa, a forester on the southern island of Kyushu. Also featuring American housewife Robbie Walker, who offers the view of an outsider living in Japan.

All in a Day's Work

A day in the life of Jun Sakai, a young Tokyo marketing executive, and his sister Hiroko, an 'office lady' with Tokyo Gas. Also, a profile of celebrity entrepreneur Hiroko Minami , one of the few Japanese women to make it big in the man's world of business. Australian interpreter Bruce Holcombe offers the gaijin (outsider) perspective and helps present the language and etiquette of business introductions.

Shoparound

A look at Japanese consumerism and the language of shopping.

School Time

A look at the Japanese education system, widely regarded as the key to Japan's economic achievement, and introduces the language of time. Featuring a school excursion to Hiroshima, target of the world's first atomic bomb, and to Miyajima, one of the "three most beautiful sights of Japan". And college student Tamara Taylor offers an American view of Japanese education in practice.

On The Road

Alan Booth is walking the length of Japan. Along his route he explores the language and culture of travel in Japan, and responds to some of the stock questions Japanese people love to ask foreigners.

Eating, Drinking and Entertaining

A look at the business of entertainment - settai - and the importance of cementing relationships - tsukiai - when doing business in Japan. The language of ordering food and drink is presented by Tokyo reporter Yuka Nukina, with the help of young Japanese and two young businessmen from Europe. Plus a profile of the mama-san - queen of the hostess bars.

Time Out

A look at leisure in Japan from the golf range to the pachinko parlour.

Give and Take

A look at the language and etiquette of buying and giving gifts.

Japan Tomorrow

The changing lifestyles of Japan in the 90s.