Direct Talk - Season 7 / Year 2022

Chang-Haeng is a juggler who has performed in over 80 countries. He grew up in Japan, but his Korean heritage made him the target of vicious bullying. He speaks with us about his life and his art.

Naka Kotobuki runs a company producing peanut butter in the Khotang District of Nepal. She is cultivating the local peanut industry and creating a work environment where women can thrive.

Antoine Hubert, the world's biggest mealworm farmer is tackling the looming global food crisis by bringing insects as a new source of protein. His team invented an innovative farming technology.

Bella Galhos, a former East Timorese independence activist, shares with us her mission: what needs to be done for Timor-Leste to become a vigorous and stable society and attain financial independence.

Christopher Coutanceau, a French chef running a restaurant rated 3 stars by the most famous guidebook, proposes sustainable gastronomy respecting the limited resource of the planet.

In 2018 and 2019, Kon Hiyori won back-to-back second-place trophies in the women's openweight division of the Sumo World Championships. She's getting more people interested in sumo wrestling.

Professor Steve Brusatte is an American paleontologist teaching at Edinburgh University. He specializes in the evolution of dinosaurs, and he has named 15 new species.

Ties van der Hoeven is a co-founder of a Dutch firm of holistic engineers with a plan to regreen the Sinai Peninsula, dry land in Egypt. Ties believes regreening is an answer to tackle climate change.

Professor Jemma Wadham is a leading glaciologist who has spent the last twenty years examining glaciers in places as diverse as the Himalayas, the Andes and the Alps.

Olimpia Coral Melo Cruz helped pass regulation on "digital" violence that became law in Mexico. She was a victim of revenge porn where her former partner spread videos and photos of them having sex.

Amidst growing censorship of art and media in China, the performance artist Nut Brother has used his imaginative works to speak out against modern issues such as pollution and class differences.

Ota Akimi recently won multiple international awards for his documentary film on the Amazon rainforest. He talks about developing a style of visual storytelling that transcends borders and boundaries.

Explore the origins of Gundam!
Tomino Yoshiyuki is the creator of "Gundam," an iconic sci-fi robot anime series. For over 50 years his work has explored the social issues facing humankind. He talks about his creative process.

Missing limbs, bruises, medical devices... The look-alike dolls for children with a unique appearance handcrafted by A Doll Like Me are helping to further an inclusive world.

When 16 elephants set off on a sudden journey from their home in China's Yunnan Province, elephant specialist Wang Bin mobilized to ensure that both humans and the elephants would remain safe.

Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 2021. She is also a cancer survivor and is working to raise awareness about cancer.

Mori Ryohei has developed a novel 100% nature-derived biodegradable plastic that is made without petroleum products. In 2020, his startup was selected to receive financial support from the U.N.

Brandon Farbstein is a Gen Z with disabilities, pushing for an anti-bullying law. Chosen as one of the "Most Influential Teens in the World," he currently works on inclusion strategies for companies.

Italian 100m sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs took gold in the Tokyo Olympics. How did the relatively unknown athlete train his mind and body to be crowned the fastest man in the world?

Over 3 years, a French Pianist Guilhem Fabre has run "uNopia," his own project in the aim of making classical music known and loved by audiences who don't normally have access to it.

Hanayagi Juraku's original Nihonbuyo performance film "Diversity of Japan ~MAI~" was premiered at the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. He shares his passion for this Japanese classical dance form.

Joshua Miele designs accessibility tools for people with disabilities to interact equitably with the world. He explains how the pursuit of equal access has driven innovations for the benefit of all.

A transgender state senator is working to eliminate discrimination against not only LGBTQs but all people in a divided America. She aims to create a safe society where everyone can live with dignity.

Mitsubori Junichi is a confectioner who has made Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) in front of wowed audiences around the world, including at the prestigious Salon du Chocolat in France.

Leena Kejriwal is a photographer and artist. She blends art and technology to create awareness about India's child trafficking, using stencils, games and digital comics based on true stories.

Saito Eita is an executive at a Fukushima-based company that has developed the world's thinnest and lightest silk, which it supplies to luxury brands around the world. He shares his passion for silk.

Rationality has made society healthier and more peaceful, argues Harvard Professor, Steven Pinker. Now, in our era of fake news, we need institutions which bring back trust in evidence-based thinking.

Professor Ryad Alsous fled Syria in 2013 in the civil war as his life was in danger. He has set up a beekeeping project in the North of England, to help other refugees.

Ingrid Daubechies has collaborated with people from various fields to solve problems using innovative mathematical theory. Her recent art project was created to show that math is everywhere!

Kenneth Rimdahl came from Sweden to Chiang Mai, Thailand. There he discovered "miang," an edible tea made with leaves from local tea plants. Now his business helps protect the forests where they grow.

Jane Da Mosto is an environmental scientist living in Venice. In 2015, she founded WE ARE HERE VENICE, which draws attention to the health of the Venetian lagoon system.

To understand the problem of abusive policing in America, Georgetown University professor Rosa Brooks became a rookie cop herself, then founded a program to help recruits reimagine their profession.

Fujimoto Yasushi developed an ultra-high pressure cleaning machine that can remove unauthorized graffiti on walls with ease. He talks about his innovative, non-chemical, eco-friendly cleaning system.

A female entrepreneur formed a robotics team of teenage girls in Afghanistan. Undaunted by the Taliban's return to power, she struggles to change the future of Afghan women through digital literacy.

The logistics industry is suffering from a labor shortage amid the COVID situation. We feature an engineer who has developed a cloud robotic system aiming for collaborating between humans and robots.

Inata Miori has photographed holy sites worldwide. She was holding an exhibition in Kyiv when Russia invaded Ukraine. She talks about the sanctity of everyday life and what we can do to protect it.

Benoit Schumann, a professional firefighter, founded Project Rescue Ocean to make citizens aware of the environment and to take actions.

Matsuoka Satoshi oversees the operations of Fugaku, a Japanese supercomputer named for Mt. Fuji. It made global headlines when it succeeded in visualizing the aerosol dispersal of COVID-19.

Takahashi Tomohiro is a journalist who photographs disaster sites. Since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, he's been traveling across Japan increasing disaster awareness and preparedness.

Yalitza Aparicio, indigenous Mexican and Academy Award nominee, strives for minority inclusion in the media, driven by childhood memories of television where no faces like hers were to be found.

Cofounding an organization which measures companies' impact on society, Jay Cohen Gilbert is working to reshape corporate culture to benefit all stakeholders, from workers to suppliers to communities.

James Wong is a popular botanist working in the UK. He is also an author and television presenter on gardening programs.

Hirabayashi Kei wants to break down the barriers between able-bodied people and those with disabilities. He shares his passion for stylish, accessible and inclusive fashion.

Pritzker Prize-winning Ban Shigeru is known for his commitment to disaster relief efforts, such as his work to improve living conditions at shelters. He talks about helping Ukrainian refugees.

A legendary New York actor and director best known for playing Connie in "A Chorus Line" now strives to create opportunities for Asian performers. She talks about racial diversity in American theater.

Rafa (19) is the founder of EwasteRJ, a nonprofit community organization tackling the e-waste problem in Indonesia. At 12, he became the youngest published Indonesian author with his book "E-WASTE."

Shirley Raines provides makeovers for the homeless in downtown L.A. Beauty services bring back dignity and hope to them. We ask her about her expanding organization and what's most needed today.

Okawa Yoshiaki is attempting to breathe new life into a 1,300-year-old Japanese music tradition. He traces his beginnings with the koto—a plucked string instrument—and reflects on its sound.

Thanks to Tinia's innovative approach, her 8-employee urban start-up in Brooklyn, New York, provides safe and nutritious fresh produce with no environmental impact.

Dutch shareholder activist Mark van Baal challenges the power of Big Oil and urges these influential companies to abandon fossil fuels and commit to a fossil free future.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the author Boris Akunin condemned Vladimir Putin's aggression and began fundraising to help Ukrainians. Akunin says his actions represent the "true Russia."

Shinpuku Yoko was recognized by the World Health Organization on its 2020 list of "100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders." She talks about her work to improve maternal health in Tanzania.

Victims of female genital mutilation reached 200 million. The UN has called for ending the practice, but it still continues. Waris Dirie is fighting to eradicate FGM through her own testimonies.

Generation Z computer wiz Avi Schiffmann uses his coding skills to confront global crises, with websites tracking the coronavirus outbreak and connecting Ukrainian refugees with temporary housing.

Award-winning chef José Andrés is the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization supporting people in disaster areas with fresh food. He shares his passion for humanitarian work.

The esports market is worth $1 billion (USD) a year, and Tokido is a prominent figure in that world, having won multiple global fighting game championships. Hear about his life in gaming.

Awata Takaya and his international chain of udon restaurants have made the firm and flexible noodles a hit overseas. He talks about his localization strategy and business philosophy.

Like a sci-fi dream come true, a service using drones to deliver medicines was launched in Africa. This service that presents a challenge to the future of logistics has spread to Japan and the USA.

Deja Foxx created GenZ Girl Gang. The platform helped peers bond during isolation due to COVID-19. The network is leading to a more real connection today, as we exit the pandemic and tackle agendas.

Russian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky documented Putin's rise to power in 2000. His films reveal early clues to Putin's objectives in Ukraine and how Russia lost its way on the road to democracy.

Fukuda Naoki is a photographer the world's premier boxing magazine once referred to as the "undisputed champion." He talks about the technique and passion that goes into capturing critical moments.

Andrey Kurkov is a bestselling Ukrainian writer with Russian roots. We ask him about the current conflict and his novel set in the "grey zone," a space that neither Russia nor Ukraine controlled.

Giulio Bonazzi takes nylon waste such as fishing nets and carpets to recycle them into ECONYL(R) nylon. He is reshaping the fashion industry that's been behind with environmental measures.

Food waste is a major problem. A founder of a non-profit in Germany is tackling the issue by rescuing food destined for the dustbin.

Maeno Ould Koutaro studies the desert locust, a creature that has wreaked havoc on humanity since the dawn of civilization. His extensive field research has increased our understanding of the insect.

Miyazaki Kensuke paints murals in areas affected by conflict and poverty with the support of local people. He talks about his work in Ukraine and the power of art amid Russia's invasion.

Thai journalist Nalutporn Krairiksh is the founder of ThisAble.me, a website about disabled people and disability rights. A disabled person herself, she seeks a society of true equality for all.

Trendsetter Kerry Murphy co-founded a digital fashion house. Digital fashion is now mainly used by Gen Z for self-expression on social media and in the metaverse, but the market is expanding.

Dr. Firdausi Qadri is a Bangladeshi scientist specializing in infectious diseases such as cholera. In 2021 she was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Asian Nobel Prize, for her work.

Kawaguchi Nobuhiro is trying to bring solar panels to parts of Africa that lack electricity, in order to supply schools and public facilities with power. He talks about changing lives in rural Africa.

Tamsin Mather's research into how mercury and other volcanic gases affect the atmosphere has triggered new exploration into the cause of mass extinctions of living organisms in earth's distant past.

A poet living in western Ukraine, created rap songs to call for resistance to Russian invasion. He speaks to the world for people to realize more about what is currently happening in Ukraine.

Orii Koji is a traditional craftsman who uses a special technique to develop unique colors on copper panels less than 1mm thick. He talks about what goes into creating beautiful copperware.

James Rebanks is a British farmer who runs a 600-year-old farm in the Lake District in the UK. He is also the author of 2 best-selling books and is a campaigner for sustainable farming.

Firzana Redzuan founded Monsters Among Us, the only youth-led child sexual abuse advocacy organization in Malaysia that aims to create a safer world for children.

Mountain climber Xia Boyu (73) lost both feet when he climbed Mount Everest for the first time. After 43 years, finally on May 14, 2018, he reached the summit of Everest.

Renowned yachtsman Horie Kenichi, 83, recently became the oldest person to complete a nonstop solo voyage across the Pacific Ocean. What compels him to set sail for the horizon?

In the era of #MeToo, intimacy coordinators play an important role in TV, film and theater, ensuring actors feel comfortable performing intimate scenes, while helping directors execute their visions.

Growing up in a Nairobi slum, Kenya's leading pro gamer didn't even own a pair of shoes, let alone a game console. Today, he uses his prize money to help slum kids find a better future.

Naomi Shimada is a successful model working in Europe. She has also been a campaigner for more diversity in the fashion industry and has co-authored a book about social media.

Tanabe Chikuunsai IV's bamboo art has been exhibited at the British Museum and other prestigious museums around the world. He talks about the creative possibilities of art installations using bamboo.

To avoid pollution, a business has started transforming the huge number of temple flowers discarded into the Ganges River into incense. It's a model of circular economy that respects local customs.

Polish veterinarian Radosław Fedaczyński is head of an animal shelter that is working to save animals caught up in the horror of the ongoing conflict in Poland's neighbor, Ukraine.

How and when will Belarus, long ruled by the iron hand of a dictator, achieve democracy? Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exiled Belarus opposition leader, talks to us from Lithuania.

Osa Yukie, who has many years of experience working in conflict zones around the world, is the head of an NGO that has been providing humanitarian aid to refugees from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Nagahara Chisato won third prize in an international competition for cheesemongers in 2021. She talks about the unique cheese that is developed in the agricultural region of Tokachi in Hokkaido Prefecture.

Ukrainian picture book creator Romana Romanyshyn co-founded the art studio "Agrafka." Despite the 2022 Russian invasion, she remains in her homeland to communicate the truth of war through her works.

The number of Vietnamese people working in Japan has been on the rise in recent years. And when a Vietnamese person in Japan is in need, Buddhist nun Thich Tam Tri is there to help, day or night.

Hayakawa Chie has garnered international acclaim for "Plan 75," a feature-length drama about senior citizens facing choices of life and death. She shares her experience of making the film.

Baseball team co-owner Jesse Cole has enhanced entertainment and family fun with his unique approach to presenting games. His team, the Savannah Bananas, has more followers than any Major League team.

Thai activist Patima Tungpuchayakul is co-founder of the NGO called Labour Protection Network. She has been saving workers victimized by the giant fishing industry that is exporting seafood worldwide.

Despite all obstacles, then-Director Bill Kramer led the Academy Museum to its successful opening in 2021. With his proven leadership, Bill became the new CEO of A.M.P.A.S. in July 2022.

Besides helping to revive the Tour de France Femmes for the first time in 13 years, Kathryn Bertine, former pro cyclist and CEO of an NPO, strives to eliminate gender disparities in the cycling world.

Kishikawa Masanori is a Shinto priest who has organized live painting events, anime collaborations and more at a 1,300-year-old shrine. He shares his vision of a shrine for modern times.

Robin Takashi Lewis developed an app to reduce consumption of single-use plastic bottles. He shares how he's creatively working on changing mindsets, one bottle at a time.

Ikehara Masaki's company takes detritus such as volcanic ash and seashells and transforms them into regional souvenirs. He talks about the potential of their proprietary solidification technology.

Matsuda Aoko won a prestigious international fantasy fiction prize in 2021 for one of her short story collections. She talks about her work and how it explores gender issues and feminist themes.

Sir Mark Lowcock, former UN Relief Chief, has worked for nearly 40 years in international development policy and global humanitarian issues.

Honma Mareki is part of an international project involving 200+ scientists that claims to have photographed a black hole, both in 2019 and 2022. Can a black hole truly be seen? Prof. Honma explains.

Mitsuta Haruo is the only craftsman in Japan specializing in "jizai okimono"—meticulously made, highly articulated metal figures of animals such as insects and crustaceans. He talks about his craft.

In India, sanitary products are uncommon. Saathi makes pads from banana fiber, supplying women who lack access. Co-founder, Kristin Kagetsu discusses sustainable solutions for menstrual issues.

In September 2022, Fabio Luisi was appointed chief conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. He shares his thoughts about music and his work as a conductor thus far.

In 2022, Shinohara Tomoe's "The Leather Scrap Kimono" design won two awards at the prestigious ADC Awards in New York. She looks back on her career path and shares her passion for design.

Dewey Cornell created a threat assessment program to prevent mass shootings in schools. It catches signs that a student is troubled and can help resolve issues before violent behavior starts.

Yamamura Koji is the creator of numerous internationally acclaimed animated shorts; each of his films is groundbreaking in its own way. We spoke with Yamamura about his sources of inspiration.

Shibuya Źarny provides relief supplies and offers language and sewing classes in his native Myanmar, which is in a state of civil war following a coup. He shares his perspective as a former refugee.

Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths. Anirudh Sharma, from India, has developed a method of making ink from car emissions. What drives this self-described "chronic inventor"?

Watanave Hidenori is working on a project to track war damage in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion through digital maps that utilize satellite images. He talks about the power of digital tools.

Misawa Noriyuki is a shoemaker who produces traditional footwear as well as innovative artwork that uses shoes as a motif. He is always in search of the next "new shoe" that only he can create.

Mukengerwa Tresor Riziki is a music superstar in South Africa whose roots is a refugee fleeing the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. He challenges to eliminate the harsh conditions of refugees.

For close to 50 years, Miyazaki Manabu has been photographing wild animals entering human habitats using unmanned cameras he devised himself. He shares his thoughts on how we can coexist.

We feature a Japanese composer and pianist, Nakamura Tempei performing around the world. He has given numerous concerts in Ukraine over the past 13 years and plays prayers for peace of the country.

Since Natasha Ednan Laperouse died aged 15 in 2016 from a food allergy, her parents, Nadim and Tanya have campaigned to raise awareness and created a new law in the UK for better food labelling.

Mayuzumi Madoka is a haiku poet with a global outlook. When Russia invaded Ukraine, she invited people around the world to submit poems of peace. She talks about the power of haiku in times of crisis.

DeepL is highly evaluated by users worldwide for its very accurate AI translations. How can the development of AI help to solve the issues in modern society and how should we interact with it?

Chicago physician Zaher Sahloul founded an NGO to support people enduring war and natural disasters worldwide. It started in response to war in his homeland. Syria, and continues today in Ukraine.

Fu Jingliang, the 1st inheritor of Incense Culture, has been researching incense for over 30 years. Due to the pandemic, it drew the attention of Chinese.

Deaf since birth, Actor/Director Monique Holt is cast in many roles usually reserved for the hearing. She leads a movement to make the theater world recognize the potential of those with disabilities.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a popular space scientist and communicator working in the UK. She is also an author of several children's books, and worked on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Gamarjobat has performed in over 35 countries around the world. In 2021 he brought sporting pictograms to life during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games. He talks about the power of mime.