NaN/100 votes#1 - Home Bread Makers
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 1/9/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, home bread makers. These bread makers, first released in Japan in 1987, allow you to bake fresh bread at home by simply adding the ingredients and pushing a button. With over 10 million units shipped to 26 countries and regions, they're beloved worldwide. This time, the little-known story behind the 3 years of hard baking work involved in their creation.
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NaN/100 votes#2 - Glow in the Dark Pigments
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 1/30/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, glow in the dark pigments, which absorb light to glow in the dark. A version of these pigments that contain no radioactive substances was invented in Japan in 1993. They're now used worldwide in products like watch faces and emergency signage. We learn the little-known story behind the pigments' creation, including how they were born from a company in danger of closing down.
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NaN/100 votes#3 - Emoji
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 2/13/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, emoji, the ideograms like smileys, hearts and food that help add fun to text messages. Now used in messages and emails worldwide every day, the first set of emoji was created in Japan in 1999 for the relatively small cell phone screens of the time. Dive in and discover the little-known origin story of emoji.
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NaN/100 votes#4 - Miniature Video Cameras
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 3/12/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, we look at miniature video cameras, used worldwide. In 1989, a Japanese firm created the smallest, lightest video camera in the world, which was the length of a Japanese passport. It helped people all over capture precious memories, like their children's growth and important vacations. We look into the little-known story behind the creation of these video cameras.
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NaN/100 votes#5 - 2D Barcodes
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 3/26/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a well-known type of 2D barcodes called QR codes. These codes were invented in 1994 by a Japanese car component manufacturer. These days, they're used throughout the world in factories and stores, on travel tickets, for cash-free payments and more. Learn the little-known story behind these barcodes, including their unusual inspirations: the game of Go and skyscrapers!
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NaN/100 votes#6 - Water Purifying Powder
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 4/16/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention that makes dirty water clean: water-purifying powder. This powder was invented in 2002, and is now used in some 80 developing countries in places like Asia and Africa. It employs polyglutamic acid, which is found in natto, Japan's sticky fermented soybeans! We discover the tale behind this powder, including its inspiration: a huge earthquake that hits Kobe, Japan.
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NaN/100 votes#7 - Worksheet Study Method
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 5/28/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, the worksheet study method known as "Kumon." Invented in 1958 by math teacher Kumon Toru for his son, the method involves self-study with math problems printed on worksheets. Using the sheets, learners improve their academic ability in small steps. Today the method is used by over 4 million students in 57 countries and regions. Dive into the little-known story behind this method.
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NaN/100 votes#8 - Film Farming
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 6/25/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a method of growing produce using a transparent film: film farming. The film is made from hydrogel, a moisture-absorbing material used in disposable diapers. Sow seeds on top, and they germinate and create seedlings, leading to vegetables and other produce without soil! We dive into the little-known story behind this unique Japanese farming technology.
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NaN/100 votes#9 - Surgical Microscope Stand
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 7/23/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a surgical microscope stand used in neurosurgery. Invented by an optics company in Tokyo, it features a unique piece of tech which keeps the microscope in focus even when it moves. Discover the little-known story behind this invention, partially inspired by equipment used to observe outer space!
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NaN/100 votes#10 - Automatic Thread Trimmer Sewing Machines
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 8/13/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, a product used and loved in garment factories worldwide: automatic thread trimmer sewing machines. Just press a foot pedal, and the threads attached to stitched pieces of cloth are automatically cut. From high-end brands to fast fashion, these machines are used by garment makers around the world. This time, we dive into the little-known story behind their invention.
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NaN/100 votes#11 - Robotic Exoskeletons
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 8/20/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, robotic exoskeletons, machines that turn humans into cyborgs! They were invented by professor and business founder Sankai Yoshiyuki, who created them for people who have trouble walking, such as the elderly or those who have suffered strokes. We dive into the little-known story behind the development of the world's first robotic exoskeletons.
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NaN/100 votes#12 - Dinosaur Robots
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 8/27/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention installed in museums around the world: dinosaur robots. Using cylinders that expand and contract with air pressure to replicate realistic movements, these robots make it look as if the dinosaurs are really alive. We discover the little-known story of how Japanese inventors made these robots look so real.
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NaN/100 votes#13 - Palm Vein Authentication
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 9/24/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention with which you confirm your identity just by holding out your palm: palm vein authentication. This world's first biometric technology, developed by a large Japanese manufacturer in 2003, reads the unique vein patterns in the palm to verify users' identities. It's now used in over 60 countries and regions. Discover the little-known origin story behind this top invention.
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NaN/100 votes#14 - Fresh Freezing System
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 10/22/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, an invention that uses magnetic force to help freeze food without destroying its cell structure: a "fresh freezing" system. It was developed by a Japanese venture firm in 1995 as a technology that would help freeze food without altering its flavor. We look into the story behind its creation, inspired in part by microwaves, and learn about the latest versions.
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NaN/100 votes#15 - Bottled Green Tea
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 11/25/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, bottled green tea: green tea sold in bottles made from PET plastic. Loved in over 30 countries and regions, it was developed by a Japanese beverage maker in 1990 using special techniques to keep the tea tasting great when bottled. We dive into the little-known story behind this drink, which is expanding worldwide among health-conscious consumers, and learn about the latest versions.
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NaN/100 votes#16 - Personal Information Protection Stamps
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 12/24/2020
The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is Japan's Top Inventions. This time, personal information protection stamps: rubber stamps that make mail addresses unreadable. Just stamp, and a unique alphabetic pattern renders the underlying text illegible. These stamps were invented in 2007 to help protect personal information. We discover the story behind these stamps, now sold in over 20 countries and regions, and learn about the latest models.
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The Best Episodes of Japan's Top Inventions Season 3
Every episode of Japan's Top Inventions Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Japan's Top Inventions Season 3!
Japanese inventions are used and loved around the world. Through interviews and reenactments, go behind the scenes and discover how Japanese craftsmanship brought these top...
Genre:Documentary
Network:NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Home Bread Makers" is the best rated episode of "Japan's Top Inventions" season 3. It scored N/A/10 based on 0 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/9/2020. This episode is rated NaN points higher than the second-best, "Glow in the Dark Pigments".