Season 6

2023 · 11 episodes · 5h 8m in all

1. Automatic Ticket Gates / Tool Setters
28 Jan 2023 · 28 min
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
25 Feb 2023 · 28 min
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
25 Mar 2023 · 28 min
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
29 Apr 2023 · 28 min
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
27 May 2023 · 28 min
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
8 Jul 2023 · 28 min
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
29 Jul 2023 · 28 min
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
26 Aug 2023 · 28 min
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
30 Sept 2023 · 28 min
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
28 Oct 2023 · 28 min
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
25 Nov 2023 · 28 min
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.