In Focus

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Discover the extraordinary role that Japan plays in driving innovation and improving lives in cities and societies around the world. Join us as we meet the inventors and inspirational figures at the heart of these stories of progress in technology, sustainability, inclusivity and establishing global benchmarks.

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Top 10 In Focus Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best In Focus episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to In Focus for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite In Focus episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

How rice husks could help the world

In Focus

08/27/20 • 11 min

We look at a new technology called Triporous – a porous carbon material made from rice husks – and discuss the various global issues it could help to solve. These range from the disposal of biomass waste to purifying water in developing countries.

The friendly face of robotics

In Focus

08/20/20 • 15 min

Robots are well established in industrial settings but could they ever successfully work alongside humans in the service industry? We find out how they are being adapted in Japan for use across all sectors, from coffee shops to disaster relief.

Navigating our oceans’ plastics crisis

In Focus

08/13/20 • 12 min

As the issue of plastic pollution in the seas climbs the agenda, we meet Dr Sanae Chiba from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology to find out about the country’s efforts to clean up its oceans, and how Japan’s research into microplastics could help other nations around the world.

Buckling down to create a sustainable future

In Focus

08/06/20 • 13 min

We visit the city of Kiryu to find innovative new models for sustainable fashion businesses, which are using a combination of locally sourced materials and labour, technology and traditional techniques. We also discover how, when it comes to eco-friendly clothing manufacturing, Japan’s fashion history continues to inspire contemporary designers.

Re-energising local ecology and economy

In Focus

07/30/20 • 14 min

We visit Toyooka City, where organic farming has boosted biodiversity and enticed back its emblematic bird – and the return of the oriental stork has attracted more visitors. We also visit Yonago City to learn how generating energy locally is as good for the economy as it is for the environment.

Taking strides to empower women

In Focus

01/14/20 • 18 min

We head to Nagai City and Dar es Salaam to find out how Japan is encouraging equality in sport through Ladies First, which helps female Tanzanian athletes achieve their potential.

Talking to the world

In Focus

11/23/19 • -1 min

We visit Tokyo to find out how Japan is driving innovation for inclusive societies. We meet the minds behind two technologies, ‘LiveTalk’ and ‘Nin_Nin’, which are helping people become better connected, whether it's by creating conversation between those who speak different languages or giving disabled people the independence to navigate cities.

In Focus

11/21/19 • 1 min

Introducing our brand-new programme exploring Japan’s role in driving innovation and improving lives worldwide, through technology, sport and cultural exchange. We meet inventors, athletes and communities looking forward to a more inclusive future.

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FAQ

How many episodes does In Focus have?

In Focus currently has 8 episodes available.

What topics does In Focus cover?

The podcast is about Culture, Monocle, Design, Music, Podcasts, Current Affairs, Sports, Business and Government.

What is the most popular episode on In Focus?

The episode title 'How rice husks could help the world' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on In Focus?

The average episode length on In Focus is 12 minutes.

How often are episodes of In Focus released?

Episodes of In Focus are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of In Focus?

The first episode of In Focus was released on Nov 21, 2019.

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In Focus

Monocle

Top 10 In Focus Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does In Focus have?

What topics does In Focus cover?

What is the most popular episode on In Focus?

What is the average episode length on In Focus?

How often are episodes of In Focus released?

When was the first episode of In Focus?

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