The worldwide pandemic is changing everything. While the world eagerly awaits breakthroughs, people are searching for different ways to lead fulfilling lifestyles. This new series, The Signs, takes a deep dive into the new normal unfolding in Japan. The trends we spot could be part of your tomorrow. As real-world contact is limited, technology is helping people to build and maintain relationships. New VR worlds are opening up for avatars. In this episode of The Signs, we take a closer look.

COVID-19 is still plaguing people around the world. The medical field in Japan is also suffering from this new infectious disease. It's been a long battle. Amid fears of the third wave of outbreak, the challenge for society as a whole is how to balance normal medical practice with the need to deal with COVID-19 without disrupting the medical system. Now, efforts are beginning to cross medical and industrial boundaries under the outbreak. This episode focuses on fully automated PCR testing machine, VR training for medical workers, and infection-free clothing that allows for hospital visits.

In this new episode, we will report on the new signs of "Contactless Services" that have emerged from COVID-19 disaster. In order to prevent further spread of the new coronavirus, and at the same time promote economic activities, it will be necessary to shift to the business model based on the "three-Cs avoidance" principle; closed, crowded, contact. You will find efforts to create new value in a situation that could be described as adversity.

Due to COVID-19 situation, the outlook for small- and medium-sized businesses -- the bedrock of the Japanese economy -- is especially grim. Amidst the turmoil, financial institutions work to support small businesses in need. Unique community-based credit unions -- working hand-in-hand with management -- are bringing new Signs of hope to companies struggling to weather the coronavirus storm.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended lifestyles and economies everywhere. One vision of that reset is on the horizon. It's called green recovery. The idea is to use investments in environmental protection and social transformation to drive economic recovery. Renewable energy is a cornerstone of the green recovery concept. EVs are now playing a key role in this new challenge, not only as vehicles but also as storage batteries.

The pandemic is hitting the food service industry hard. Revenue losses have caused many businesses to close up shop. But amid the crisis, innovative food services are popping up. When sales at her Asakusa restaurant took a dive, Saka Megumi started a new kind of eatery where chefs of differing cooking genres share the kitchen. The concept now a hit, in November, Saka opened her fourth location, this one tackling the issue of food waste. We follow her work that turns hardship into opportunity.

Due to the pandemic in 2020, nearly all live entertainment ground to a halt, including Rakugo, a traditional Japanese performing art. During the hiatus, Rakugo artists began to broadcast online, attracting subscribers and sponsors while performing for remote fans. As theaters gradually reopen, many artists attempt to reach a wider audience by balancing the real world and online performances. Explore the signs of a paradigm shift in the world of classical Japanese performing arts.

The rapid increase in the use of disposable masks and to-go containers during the pandemic has made the problem of plastic waste go from bad to worse. But some Japanese companies are working to alleviate the issue. Environmentally friendly masks made of fibers used for traditional Japanese paper, which decompose in 3 months when buried in soil. Also underway is the development of plates made from recycled food waste, and an initiative to compost them after use.

Messenger RNA science has tremendously accelerated the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines. Enabling the creation of a variety of proteins inside the body, mRNAs are a promising weapon in the fight against intractable diseases such as cancer. This episode of The Signs focuses on Japanese researchers who work to create new vaccines and medicine through combining mRNAs with original technology.

Japan has long practiced the use of materials with sterilizing properties for everyday things and clothing. Scientific research now shows that these materials, such as extracts from indigo, known as Japan blue, and Japanese stucco used in traditional architecture, are also effective against COVID-19 virus. Also, in the realm of the latest technology, a revolutionary virus-inhibiting lighting fixture has been developed that uses UV light that's safe for humans. In this episode, we talk to some of Japan's leading researchers about the forefront of antiviral technology.

In 2020, as people hunkered down due to the pandemic, they started to take a fresh look at reading. Online events organized by bookstores and book clubs experienced unprecedented growth. There were even some who ventured to open real life, brick and mortar bookstores, in the hopes of nurturing connection. We take a look at how the pandemic has sparked a renewed relationship with books.

Covid-19 has highlighted one of the challenges facing Japan: how to ensure a sustainable food supply. Nearly 2 million people found themselves out of work in Japan in 2020. With more people unable to earn a living, the impact is being felt by children across the country. At the same time, about 6 million tons of edible food is wasted annually in Japan. There are people working to solve this problem by linking this food loss to a food safety net. This episode follows their challenge.

In its wake of destruction, COVID-19 has brought additional barriers for people with disabilities. At the same time, sign language interpretation at press conferences held by local municipalities has become a nationwide standard, and remote sign language interpretation services are also emerging. In addition, a unique online theater that's been established to specialize in accessibility issues, is attracting a lot of attention. Explore the new signs of working toward a barrier-free society.

COVID-19 continues to mutate and wreak havoc. About 90% of infections in Japan are caused by these variants, which have become new threats. To stem infection rates, vaccination and testing are both essential. Come along as we explore new cutting-edge technologies being developed through the combined efforts of the private sector, including accurate, high-volume testing units, technologies that quickly detect variants, and the world's fastest method for detecting viruses at the microscopic level.

COVID-19 has forced us to rethink the functions and roles of offices and houses. We may have reached our limit to live comfortably in "boxes" built with a human-centered mindset. The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of the "closed box." As we confront these new forms of daily life, how can we create ideal living spaces? In this episode, world-renowned architect Kuma Kengo introduces some of his recent projects and discusses his vision for the future of architecture and cities. Time Magazine selected Kuma Kengo as one of the 100 most influential people of 2021.

Japan is the world's fifth largest emitter of CO2, but young people are now trying their best to bring about societal change. A printing company that acted quickly to reduce their carbon footprint holds online events to discuss SDGs, led by its junior staff. University students spearhead the shift to natural energy. We focus on how people of all generations and backgrounds in Japan are seeking a path toward a decarbonized society.

Genetic research in sports is currently making great strides. A soccer team in Japan has found results in tailoring training regimens to players' genetic makeup. While there are beneficial findings for disease prevention, like the link between comorbidity and severe cases of COVID-19, there is also the risk of using the "blueprints of life" for not so altruistic purposes. A close examination of both the technology and ethics at the forefront of sports genomics.

The pandemic has seen an evolving ecosystem of streaming services scrambling to bring entertainment to audiences. And in all this, once humble, but now almighty smartphones are leading the way. They deliver immersive and intimate worlds right in front of our eyes. These ultimate personal devices are being leveraged to create new ideas that could transform the way we consume content. Come along as we explore the new normal in entertainment developing right in the palm of your hand.

After over a decade spent lagging behind the world, the pandemic saw huge advances for digital learning in Japan. Nationwide elementary and middle schoolers are given tablets as a new standard writing tool, and an app from a small venture company is transforming lessons. But some teachers are not embracing the rapid pace of change, and parents are voicing their concerns. Take a closer look at major changes taking place in Japan's educational landscape.

The ongoing fight against COVID-19 is creating greater barriers in society for people with disabilities. Asakawa Chieko, a major global IT company Fellow and CTO, is tackling these problems. Having lost sight in both eyes at the age of 14, she joined the IT company and has dedicated her life to developing technological solutions to accessibility issues. Asakawa shares her thoughts on making the real world more accessible for people with disabilities, and embracing a future of rich diversity.

CO2 is known to be the major driver of global warming and climate change, but carbon recycling is all about converting it into useful resources. We report on world leading research that synthesizes plastic from it, and one company's amazing technology that harnesses the power of microorganisms to make CO2 into biofuel. Instead of the maligned pollutant we have come to know it as, in the future CO2 will no longer be just waste.

As COVID continues to mutate, people in Japan are applying unique technology to fight the maligned scourge. Developers of a sensor that detects airborne viruses in under a minute, and an expert in analysis who forecasts infections and consults the government. In addition, an antiparasitic drug created in Japan over 40 years ago is currently undergoing clinical trials as a potential treatment. We spoke with doctors on the frontlines of medicine to hear their diverse views.

COVID has forced many industries to change, and the airline industry is no exception. Two major airlines that account for 80% of Japan's market share posted a loss of nearly 700 billion yen for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. They are now embarking on businesses that do not rely solely on passenger revenue. We take a closer look at the struggles of these juggernauts to survive making use of airline resources, drone deliveries using their operational know-how, and the development of telerobotics.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Ishinomaki Laboratory started as a place for disaster victims to rebuild their lives by making and repairing furniture themselves. The workshop's simple and functional designs are drawing attention from the global furniture industry. They explore the possibilities of DIY while doing what they can with what they have. We report on current efforts of this small local venture and offer hints on how to thrive in the age of the new normal.

The lumber shortage of 2021 and the suspension of Russian exports have presented a major challenge to the Japanese housing industry, which has come to rely on cheap foreign import of timber. In response, attention is shifting to domestically produced lumber. Efforts to revitalize the forestry industry are underway, including a business that commodifies entire trees, local production and consumption of houses with wood sourced from Tokyo, and construction of high-rise buildings made with wood.

Yamakoshi, Niigata Prefecture, is a remote village with a population of just about 800 people. NFT art featuring Nishikigoi, a colored variety of carp it's known for, could be the key to new life for the town. Purchasing this new type of artwork in the spotlight gives buyers a chance to participate in community revitalization activities. Real world and digital communities interweave, in this challenge towards local revitalization.

A concerted national effort to attract foreign travelers was dealt a crushing blow by COVID-19, but a new trend is emerging across Japan. Micro-tourism, or visiting nearby areas without traveling far from home, is the key concept in the spotlight. New forms of tourism for the post-pandemic era, like renewal of tourist attractions for locals to enjoy, community trash pickup efforts that create a virtuous cycle, and universal design using self-driving mobility.

The clothing we all take for granted poses many problems from a sustainability perspective, particularly with regard to its environmental impact. We report on some youths who are attempting to rethink manufacturing from the ground up in order to address these issues, as they struggle to carry on the proud history of Japan's textile industry.

As real-world connections weaken, more people are falling deeper into isolation undetected. Against this backdrop, we report on one person who left their hospital job to work at a small diner while looking after the health of the community. A nursing and social welfare facility has become more bustling with locals than ever before, providing a place to interact with the elderly, people with disabilities, and foreign residents. Be inspired by these ideas for creating new connections in society.

One man is taking a whole new approach to the challenge of a super aging society from the unique perspective of theater and performance. That man is Sugawara Naoki, a senior caregiver, actor and the leader of a theater company. We take a closer look at the potential of theater as a vehicle for bringing positive change to the elderly and those who care for them.

While anime from Japan continues to captivate the world, people involved in production have long endured tough working conditions like low wages and long working hours. The industry structure is ripe for change. Recently, a project to produce anime together with supporters using NFTs was launched. There is also a growing recognition of the potential of regional areas, instead of big cities like Tokyo. All signs are pointing to a dramatic shift in the Japanese animation industry.

Nigiri-zushi, or "hand-pressed" sushi is a quintessential part of Japanese culinary culture. It entails a special dining experience where one sits across the counter from the sushi chef. We take a look at a popular sushi restaurant that maintains tradition while putting a new twist on their ingredients, as well as a high-end shop that has begun to reconsider their rigorous training to nurture young chefs, as we explore new trends in this cuisine that is loved around the world.

Sauna culture is experiencing a boom among young people in Japan. They're being used as a way to solve various problems, with unique efforts underway throughout the country. One local bus company struggling to stay afloat made one of their vehicles into a mobile sauna. Sauna using domestically grown cedar contains hopes for revitalization a lagging forestry industry. A sauna built in a small mountain village are attracting visitors from far and wide, creating warm interactions with elderly residents.

The traditional Japanese clothing culture of kimono. Due to the many items and expertise required to wear one properly, as well as the clear distinction between men's and women's designs, opportunities to wear them in modern day Japan are becoming more and more rare. But a new trend is emerging to bring the kimono to a wider audience, with kimonos that transcend barriers of physical ability or gender.

Clothing holds the hidden potential to uplift our spirits. One designer who previously suffered from social withdrawal created a dress with a certain special feature in the pockets for people who for just leaving the house can be an anxiety inducing event. Another artist runs costume making workshops to emphasize unapologetic self-expression. Come along as we introduce efforts to reach people's hearts through the things we wear.