In PX120 our guest is Assistant Professor Akane Bessho, Ph.D of the Housing and Urban Analysis Laboratory, Department of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Information about Akane’s work is at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Akane-Bessho-2
and her website is: https://www.akanebessho.com

Akane has a wide range of research projects and field work including schemes that seek to reverse depopulation in Japan’s rural areas, assisting people with disabilities into the agricultural sector (see for example Coco Farm & Winery) (https://cocowine.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cocofaw-pr-eng.pdf), new approaches to food production and creating community gardens and centres specifically designed to aid those with dementia. Her work ranges from densely populated metropolitan centres to small rural towns and villages.

Akane describes her faculty at the the Tokyo University and the excellent work it produces. Details at https://www.due.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/

The interview discusses many issues confronting Japanese society. From this we can draw lessons that can be applied to other countries.

An engaging and inspiring interview about new methods to create better societal outcomes.

In Podcast Extra / Culture Corner, Akane has two recommendations, music by Ren (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnbXfRACsVM) and a book The Essence of Language: How Words Were Born and Evolved? (by Mutsumi Imai & Kimi Akita):  https://amzn.asia/d/00SRoMrL

Jess has taken up tennis lessons and recommends this to listeners.

Pete has two recommendations both Japanese: The TV series Golden Kamuy on Netflix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6DmjhcSt8Q

and 'Design X Stories' a program on NHK (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/design_stories/) in particular ’Shared Living, Shared Spaces' (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2101025/)

Audio produced by Jack Bavage. Podcast released 10 August 2024.