FRONTRUNNERS: Season 2 - 8 Episode s
2x1 - Master Salt Maker - Sato Kyojiro
January 31, 2024
Meet salt maker Sato Kyojiro, whose unique, naturally produced, labor-intensive creations have earned fans among Japan's leading chefs.
2x2 - Medical Interpreting Pioneer - Minamitani Kaori
February 28, 2024
Follow Dr. Minamitani Kaori, head of a pioneering medical center in Osaka Prefecture that is leading the way in providing care to patients from overseas with limited Japanese skills.
2x3 - Poet & NPO Founder - Ueda Kanayo
March 20, 2024
Meet Ueda Kanayo, an Osaka-based poet, activist and NPO founder helping disadvantaged former manual laborers to build community and discover themselves through the creative arts.
2x4 - Snow Country Chef - Kuwakino Keiko
April 24, 2024
Globally-renowned chef Kuwakino Keiko uses a new take on traditional methods to showcase the culture, climate and produce of Minami-Uonuma, one of the snowiest places in Japan.
2x5 - Supporting Street Children - Watanabe Hiroki
May 1, 2024
Watanabe Hiroki is co-founder of an NGO in Bangladesh. It gives long-term support to underprivileged children on the street, proving that they can make a positive contribution to society.
2x6 - Orthopedic Shoe Meister - Nakai Yosuke
May 29, 2024
Meet Nakai Yosuke, a qualified prosthetist and German-certified orthopedic shoe "meister" leveraging his skills to help Japanese seniors maintain their mobility and independence well into old age.
2x7 - Cricket Food Producer - Ashikari Seiya
June 19, 2024
Ashikari Seiya explores the potential of crickets as a nutritious solution to the global food crisis. He works with farmers in Cambodia to establish green, sustainable production methods.
2x8 - Ainu Cultural Advocate - Monbetsu Atsushi
June 26, 2024
Monbetsu Atsushi is a cultural and wildlife advocate working to preserve Hokkaido Prefecture's traditional Ainu culture through ancient practices including bowhunting and forest management.