Season 6

1. Automatic Ticket Gates / Tool Setters

2023-01-28 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind automatic ticket gates, developed by a Japanese company in the 1960s and installed at train stations throughout Japan. In the second half: tool setters that can accurately measure the length of drill bits for precision machining to within one thousandth of a millimeter.

2. Automatic Door Sensors / Banknote Printing Machines

2023-02-25 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind automatic door sensors which detect people using the far-infrared radiation they emit. In the second half: banknote printing machines used in Japan and around the world, in places like the UK and India.

3. Online Karaoke Services / Umbrella Bagging Machines

2023-03-25 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind online karaoke services which allow the latest songs to be transmitted over the net and sparked a karaoke boom in Japan. In the second half: umbrella bagging machines which allow people to easily cover a wet umbrella with a plastic bag.

4. Imitation Crab / Monorail Transporters

2023-04-29 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind imitation crab, invented over 50 years ago and now enjoyed around the world. In the second half: monorail transporters installed on inclines on farmland which help farmers carry their produce.

5. Piano with Silent System / Plastic Food Models

2023-05-27 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind the piano with silent system, developed for people with a need to practice quietly, which created a new category of silent instruments. In the second half: plastic food models displayed at restaurants which look like real food.

6. Cockroach Traps / Residential Maps

2023-07-08 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind cockroach traps with sticky sheets that trap bugs inside. In the second half: residential maps which help emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks and police cars get to the scene quickly.

7. Ultra-High-Speed Elevators / Carton Filling Machines

2023-07-29 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind an ultra-high-speed elevator capable of traveling 1,260 meters per minute, the fastest in the world. In the second half: carton-filling machines used for juice boxes and milk cartons.

8. Stand-Up Personal Watercrafts / Rice Crackers with Peanuts

2023-08-26 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind highly maneuverable stand-up personal watercrafts. In the second half: rice crackers with peanuts, an ever-popular snack in Japan.

9. Lint Rollers / Rotating Beacon Lights

2023-09-30 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind lint rollers which can be used to clean floors. In the second half: rotating beacon lights found on police cars, made by a company with 80% of the Japanese market share.

10. Car Navigation Systems / Vapor Heat Treatment Systems

2023-10-28 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. In the first half: the story behind car navigation systems, developed by a major Japanese car manufacturer in 1981. In the second half: vapor heat treatment systems which remove pests from fruit.

11. Home Water Purifiers / Plastic Valves

2023-11-25 · 28m

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. This time: home water purifiers & plastic valves.