Added to inquiry!
DOCUMENTARY

Laugh It Away and Say Goodbye

DOCUMENTARY 2010 55 min Episode(s): 1 english English
Winner of Best News Documentary at Monte-Carlo TV Festival 2011
Grand Prize at The Age of Regionalism Video Festival 2011
Grand Prize at “Era of Local” TV Festival 2010


Small and medium-sized businesses are the back bones of Japan that support the economy from the bottom-up. However, as work decreased sharply after the Lehman Shock, many life changes were in order for smaller businesses.

Without the work of numerous subcontractors, the manufacturing of Toyota cars, Japan’s top brand, would simply not be possible.

This documentary takes an up-close and personal look at a tiny Toyota subcontractor, four steps down the supply chain. In a 7.5 square-meter factory, the owner, a lively 56-year-old woman, works with two other housewives who live nearby. This work consists of gluing small parts together.

All seems well in this cozy factory until one day in the fall of 2008, a global recession is triggered by the fall of Lehman Brothers. Suddenly, sales of Toyota cars dry up.

How does the owner of this tiny factory deal with the crisis?

Despite the grim reality, the factory is always filled with laughter.

What can we learn from this upbeat story of business closure?

Click here to preview the program!

  •  

    The Jewel of Toyama Bay to be Preserved for Future Generations (Toyama Prefecture)
    2021 25 minutes

    [Colores in Japan] “Shiroebi,” translucent shrimp harvested in Toyama Bay, are prized for their delicate beauty. Local fishermen formed the Toyama Bay Shiroebi Club to protect this resource. The club works to promote shiroebi nationwide and ensure its preservation for future generations. Click here to preview the program! Part of...
    more details
  •  

    On-Chan Season 2
    2010

    Shanghai TV Festival International Animation Nominated, 2008 New York Festival Finalist, 2009 Banff World TV Festival Nominated, 2009 On-chan is an educational animation program for young children. The episodes are filled with laughter and lessons for young viewers as well as a variety of very loveable characters. See how On-chan...
    more details
  •  

    Craft Masters of Japan Series
    2015 30 mins

    This 12 episode series is a part of the "Of Japan Series" which introduces various cultural aspects from different prefectures in Japan. The "Craft Masters of Japan Series" focuses on artisans that live in Japan, their individual crafts, and also their hopes and dreams for the future. From heartwarming dolls,...
    more details
  •  

    Four Blossoms
    2004

    Award of Excellence at the Media Arts Festival. Mizuki’s mother is a widow and raises her three daughters by herself on a flower farm. Following a quarrel with her mother, Mizuki leaves her family and hometown behind. Now working for an employment agency in Tokyo, she is discouraged by her...
    more details