J-Arena - Episode Guide

Making its Olympic debut in 2020, karate is set to become a symbol of the Tokyo Games. We look at the martial art's long history, with a focus on kumite, and visit Teikyo University's karate club, home to 15 Japan team members. We speak to Ayumi Uekusa, kumite gold medalist in the 68kg+ category at the 2016 World Championships, and Miho Miyahara, who fought Uekusa in the 2017 Japan Championship final, and examine the appeal of karate as a sport as well as its unique underlying philosophy.

Sport climbing will be joining the ranks of official Olympic sports when it makes its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games as a single combined event comprising the 3 disciplines of bouldering, lead and speed climbing. Japanese climbers are working hard to polish their speed climbing skills, their weakest area up till now. Former national team coach Hidekazu Ito joins us at the climbing wall. We also examine what sets handcrafted Japanese climbing shoes apart from other rival brands.

Japan is finally enjoying the limelight once again as one of the world's top table tennis nations after decades of decline. This change of fortunes is down to various efforts being made at the youth level of the sport, including a number of young stars coached by their parents, and the Hopes national team, an elite academy for under-12s responsible for developing a new crop of Olympic medalists. With a brand-new league set to kick off this autumn, we explore Japan's table tennis renaissance.

Va'a is a new discipline for paracanoe set to feature for the first time at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The over 7m long outrigger canoes are based on traditional Polynesian craft, and will be raced over a 200m sprint. Masaaki Suwa (32) is a Japanese pioneer of va'a. He has a very quick start due to his fast paddling rhythm and skill in keeping straight. Suwa is vying to represent Japan in 2020, and hopes his training can bear fruit in a race to decide Japan's Paracanoe World Championship team.

Japan's first professional football league, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The J.League's success has greatly improved the quality of football in Japan, helping the national team qualify for both Olympic and World Cup tournaments. We speak to former national team player Masakiyo Maezono, who played in the J.League from its very first year, and Japan Football Association President, Kozo Tashima, about the impact the J.League has had on Japanese football and their hopes for the future.

Japan's first-ever national sports research facility, the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, was opened in 2001 at a cost of 27.4 billion yen. Using the latest research and technology, including a unique purpose-built wind tunnel to analyze air resistance, the facility supports athletes and para-athletes in all aspects of their training and health, and is the cornerstone of the fully integrated Japan High Performance Sport Center, encompassing everything from training grounds to dormitories.

In Japanese kyudo, archers use traditional asymmetric bows over 2 meters long as they attempt to strike a target from a distance of either 28 or 60 meters. Self-mastery is key in this exacting martial art, where the target is said to reflect the heart, and correct attitude and technique are seen as intertwined. We use a high-speed camera to track the path of a skilled archer's arrows as they fly through the air, shining a light on the depth and subtleties of kyudo's hidden techniques.

Rugby Sevens made its Olympic debut at Rio 2016 and proved to be a highlight of the Games. There were hopes that the Japan women's team, the Sakura Sevens, might reach the podium, but they were swept aside in almost all their matches and finished up in 10th place. We follow the Sakura Sevens as they enter a new stage of development, putting their tough experience in Rio to positive effect and working on all aspects of their game in preparation for the 2020 Olympics on home turf in Tokyo.

The grueling combined swimming, cycling and running sport of triathlon joined the official Paralympic roster at Rio 2016. Hideki Uda is a rising star of the sport. He lost his right arm in 2013, and was scouted for para triathlon while swimming for rehabilitation. He won the 2015 Asian Championships on his first attempt, and is now near the top of the world rankings. With national team leader Masamitsu Tomikawa, he's working hard to ensure he can continue to compete at the top of the sport.

Judo first became an official Olympic sport at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Due to the structure of the points system introduced, overseas judoka began breaking Japan's dominance, but many Japanese judoka, such as Toshihiko Koga, continued to strive to win with a single ippon. Koga's 1992 Olympic gold medal in Barcelona was a testament to his traditional approach to judo, as taught by founder Jigoro Kano, and he is now passing down this teaching philosophy to the younger generations ahead of Tokyo 2020.

Japan has won more medals in gymnastics than in any other Olympic sport. Together with 1992 Olympic silver medalist Yukio Iketani, we look back at how Japan grew to be one of the sport's leading nations, and explore the essence of the "beautiful gymnastics" its top gymnasts are renowned for. With Tokyo 2020 on the horizon, we see how the next generation of young talent is being trained, and introduce the incredible skills of current stars Kohei Uchimura and Kenzo Shirai.

3x3 basketball will be making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. With roots as a popular street sport, the lightning-speed 3-a-side version of the game uses just a single hoop on a half-court, and players must switch between offense and defense in an instant. We follow the Japan men's team as they try to build on recent Asia Cup bronze medal success at the World Cup. Given the sheer size of overseas players, Japan must rely on speed, skill and shrewd tactics as they take aim at the Olympic podium.

The samurai warrior remains an enduring symbol of Japan. In the 17th century, when peace came to the country after more than a century of wars and turmoil, samurai continued to practice their sword-wielding skills, with emphasis shifting from the demands of the battlefield to ideals of self-cultivation. With expert Alex Bennett, we examine the philosophy of influential swordsman Yagyu Munenori, who popularized swordsmanship as a means of cleansing one's heart and achieving one's full potential.

Japan's badminton team have made great progress in the run-up to Tokyo 2020. Their current strength owes much to the appointment in 2004 of Park Joo-bong as head coach. Park analyzed why Japan, despite technical ability and smashing power, were unable to win in international competition, and concluded the players lacked the strong resolve to win no matter what. Park overcame significant opposition to change Japan's attitude to badminton. We look back on the secrets behind this success story.

With skateboarding making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, there's a palpable buzz among Japan's young skaters who are bursting with talent. All 10 male and 10 female athletes so far shortlisted for the 2020 national team are aged 19 or under. We follow 11-year-old Yumeka Oda as she looks to realize her Olympic dreams, and also break down some of the breathtaking tricks we'll be seeing from the world's top skaters, looking at how scores will be awarded at the 2020 Games.

In tankendo, exponents use a 53-cm-long bamboo sword, less than half the length of those used in kendo. As tankendo was originally based on bayonet fighting, thrusts form the main mode of attack. With its thrilling up-close action, the martial art is gaining enthusiasts worldwide. 6th dan expert Baptiste Tavernier discusses the French influence on tankendo as well as the overall efficacy of short sword fighting, and we report from an international tankendo seminar with attendees from 15 nations.

Blind football has fast grown to become one of the most popular Paralympic sports. The 5-a-side game for visually impaired players has featured at the Paralympics since 2004, but Japan's men's team have until now failed to even qualify for the Games. A new coach and revamped training methods have brought about a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, though, with Japan recently holding back the world's top 2 teams Brazil and Argentina in 0-0 matches. We follow the team as they gear up for Tokyo 2020.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Japan's 4×100m sprint relay team stunned the world when they clinched the silver medal. With World Championship 4×100m bronze medalist Kenji Fujimitsu, we explore the secrets behind Japan's unique baton exchanges, which first propelled them to a medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. We take a closer look at the skill involved in the risky underhand or "up-sweep" baton pass technique, and discuss why the Japanese team originally decided to adopt this difficult approach.

At the World Challenge Cup held in Tokyo this June, Japan's men's team beat leading wheelchair basketball nations Australia, Germany and Canada to win their first major international trophy. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Japan had focused on teamwork but were overcome by more powerful opponents. A revamped approach focusing on speedy transitions has led to rapid improvements. We explore the team's current success and look back on their half-century of history, starting with the 1964 Tokyo Games.

In Olympic archery, a 1.22m diameter target is set 70m from the archer. To date Japan has won 5 Olympic archery medals, 3 silver and 2 bronze, and the team will be looking to add to this success at Tokyo 2020. Modern archery in Japan has been influenced by traditional Japanese archery or kyudo, particularly the 8-step process used to prepare and fire. We interview 2012 Olympic silver medalist Takaharu Furukawa about his own unique style and investigate the mental control required to succeed.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that aims to train a person's movements and character in harmony with the rules of nature. An estimated 1.6 million people practice aikido worldwide, drawn by its spiritual and physical benefits. Aikido was developed in the early 20th century by the late grandmaster Morihei Ueshiba. Through interviews with the current lineage holder, a kinesiologist, and practitioners, we unveil some of aikido's secrets and find out what makes it so unique among martial arts.

Japan's homegrown track cycling sport of keirin first joined the Olympics in 2000. Despite a vibrant professional scene, Japan has underperformed on the world stage until now. We speak to 10-time former sprint cycling world champion, Koichi Nakano, and renowned coach Benoit Vetu, who are working hard to transform Japan's fortunes. Thanks in part to revamped training program performances have been improving, with Yuta Wakimoto clinching the men's keirin title at this year's UCI World Cup.

In 2018 Japanese sailors competing in the 470 class made great progress with a number of international wins. Hopes are high that Japan can grab a gold medal in the class at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. One of the favorite pairs for the men's team are Keiju Okada and Junpei Hokazono. Their familiarity with the erratic wind conditions at the Olympic venue in Enoshima gives them a solid home advantage. We also meet former Olympian Aiko Saito who plays a key role in raising Japan's youngest sailors.

The gravity-defying sport of BMX Freestyle Park has burst into the spotlight with its official selection for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Riders use ramps of various sizes to perform intense mid-air acrobatics before a panel of judges. We speak to Toshio Takagi, a candidate for the Japanese Olympic team, about the rules of the sport and the fundamental skills that lie behind its stunning tricks. National team coach Satoshi Deguchi explains how Japanese riders are working to improve their techniques.

Devised and developed by players, wheelchair rugby is renowned for its fierce collisions and full-contact action. In 2018, Japan clinched their first-ever World Championship victory, marking the latest step in a major turn-around in fortunes for the team. Wheelchair rugby pioneer Masahiro Fukui reveals the secrets behind Japan's recent success, in particular the role of star players Daisuke Ikezaki and Yukinobu Ike. With experienced coach Kevin Orr at the helm, all eyes are now on Tokyo 2020.

Hiromi Miyake has had a distinguished career in weightlifting, making her first Olympic appearance at the 2004 Athens Games at just 18 years old. She went on to win Olympic medals in both London and Rio, and is much loved by the Japanese public for her stoicism, competitive spirit, and gentle manner. We hear about her hopes for what could be her final Olympics on home soil at Tokyo 2020, and also meet a professor of biomechanics to help us understand some of the secrets of her technique.

In para-equestrian, riders use adapted saddles and reins to control their horse and achieve accurate, artistic dressage performances. Mitsuhide Miyaji represented Japan at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. A former JRA racehorse trainer, he was left with partial paralysis and brain damage after a stroke in 2005. He uses fine fingertip movements to control his horse while his wife Yumiko assists by calling out guidance. Working together, the couple hope to make an impression at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

We explore the world of Japan's classical martial arts, the ancient predecessors of modern martial arts. Developed on the battlefield, classical martial arts techniques encompass centuries of wisdom on body mechanics and how to maximize efficiency of movement. Such skills still have great relevance for modern sports, and we investigate how athletes such as sprinter and Olympic medalist Shingo Suetsugu and Olympic speed skating gold medalist Nao Kodaira have been applying them in their training.

Badminton will be making its Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. 2009 para-badminton world champion, Ayako Suzuki, has returned to the sport as she aims for a gold medal on home soil. Known for her careful shot selection and smart strategy, the 31-year-old competes in a class for players with upper body disabilities. Having reclaimed the world number one spot, can she hold off Chinese rival Yang Qiuxia, more than 10 years her junior and leading the tally in their one-on-one battles?

Boccia is a Paralympic sport with similarities to lawn bowls or curling that demands immense skill and precision. Players use various strategies to get their balls as close to the white jack ball as possible. In the team event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Japan's "Fireball Japan" team clinched the silver medal. Cool technician Hidetaka Sugimura and aggressive attacker Takayuki Hirose played a key role in Rio, and we follow them as they aim to go one better and claim gold at next year's Tokyo Games.

Goalball is a dynamic team sport where visually impaired players rely on sound as they combine hard-hitting attacks, stoic defending, and shrewd tactics. It was originally developed as a rehabilitation activity for visually impaired veterans and has gone on to become one of the most popular Paralympic sports. Japan's women's team won gold at London 2012, and they're now working to hone their game and adapt to evolution in the sport as they look to reclaim the Paralympic title in Tokyo next year.

Japan is targeting 2 fencing gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The sport is also undergoing a major transformation at the direction of Japan Fencing Federation President Yuki Ota, himself a silver medal winner at the Beijing and London Olympics. Ota is working hard to attract new audiences by incorporating technology such as "sword tracers" and heart rate monitors that bring the action alive. With the Olympics approaching fast, work to incorporate these new initiatives is gathering pace.

Japan has a strong tradition of marathon running. The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Marathon was the first-ever to be broadcast live. In the 1980's and 90's Japan enjoyed a long period of success, but over recent years Japan's runners have struggled to keep pace with their East African rivals. A new project designed to improve performances will culminate in a one-off race to decide the Olympic marathon team later this year. We follow the efforts of Japan's marathon runners to get back on top of the world.

The Naginata, a pole with a curved blade at its end, was a key battlefield weapon during Japan's long history of warfare. With the advent of peace in the Edo period, the Naginata found new popularity among women, since it allowed attackers to be kept at a distance, reducing any advantage of height or strength. Today, Naginata-jutsu is still practiced mostly by women in Japan. We meet one of the martial art's foremost teachers, and follow a group of schoolgirls targeting the championship title.

Football has grown to become one of the biggest sports in Japan. We hear from former Japan team members spanning the generations as we look back at key moments and personalities in the development of Japanese football. From coach Dettmar Cramer, the "father of Japanese football" who guided the national team to bronze at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, to superstar Zico, whose presence played a key role in the early days of the J.League, we trace the compelling story of football's rise in Japan.

With skateboarding set to make its Olympic debut at next summer's Tokyo Games, Japan's top talent have been showing off their dazzling skills at the national championships. The event was held at a brand new publicly funded skatepark in Niigata Prefecture, on Japan's northern coast. The indoor venue is one of Japan's largest skateboarding facilities, and one of the few whose "skateboard park" course, with its deep and varied bowls, meets international competition standards.

In para judo, visually impaired athletes rely on feeling to sense their opponent's every move. The biggest difference with standard judo is that bouts start with a hold, resulting in frequent ippon. Five-time Paralympic medalist Satoshi Fujimoto explains how his hands receive information from the moment of contact. His throws are so precisely executed, it can be hard to comprehend that he can't see his opponent. We also speak to the German national team, visiting Japan for their training camp.

Shorinji Kempo is a martial art founded in post-war Japan that emphasizes self-defense and personal development. It incorporates both "hard" techniques such as punching and kicking, as well as "soft" techniques like throws and joint locks. Perhaps most intriguing is its highly developed understanding of human physiology, particularly the use of pressure points and energy meridians, which can be used either to disable an attacker or to treat illness or injury. We visit the main dojo in Shikoku.

Japan's strong track record in volleyball includes 9 Olympic medals. Despite the smaller average size of Japanese players, innovative skills helped the women's team win a historic gold medal at the 1964 Olympics, with the men's team following suit 8 years later. As larger overseas players adopted their tactics, Japan's successes grew rarer, but a women's bronze win in 2012 has proved the podium is still within reach. We discuss prospects for Tokyo 2020 with former star player Motoko Obayashi.

In table tennis, players with a defensive style based on backspin returns are known as "choppers." The style requires persistence and skill to force errors. At this year's World Championships, Japan's bronze medal winning women's doubles players were both choppers, highlighting the style's effectiveness. While chopping may look one-dimensional to the untrained eye, its exponents employ many subtle varieties of spin. We look deeper into the chopping style with legendary chopper Koji Matsushita.

Breakdancing or more correctly "breaking," the athletic street dance with its origins in 1970's New York, is expected to become the latest youth-focused addition to the Olympic program at the 2024 Paris Games. Its b-boys and b-girls, as they're known, perform mind-boggling acrobatics to music, displaying extreme creativity and skill. Japan is home to some top-class dancers who compete at the very highest level. We follow b-boy Shigekix, a 17-year-old prodigy with a dream of winning gold in Paris.

Japanese race walkers have been achieving unprecedented success, occupying many of the higher positions in international rankings. Olympic race walking, contested over 50km and 20km for men, and 20km for women, is a grueling sport with strict rules on walking technique that result in frequent disqualification. Despite being an individual event, Japanese athletes are approaching the sport as a team, focusing on form, information sharing, and a well-organized support network during races.

In wheelchair fencing, competitors use the same 3 weapons of foil, epee, and sabre as in standard fencing, along with the same protective gear. The key difference, however, is that wheelchairs are firmly fixed in position, restricting movement to only the upper body. This forces fencers to employ a diverse range of advanced strategies, giving a unique twist to the traditional art of swordsmanship. We meet Paralympic hopeful Shintaro Kano as we explore this demanding and lightning-fast sport.

The Japan women's field hockey team has been improving dramatically. Following their first Asian Games gold in 2018, they've gone on to defeat some of the world's top sides. The team's turnaround in fortunes is in great part down to Australian head coach Anthony Farry, who has harnessed the team's speed to create a "high press" strategy, enabling them to win the ball back quickly in the opponent's half. Farry aims to take the team to number one.

20-year-old Hikaru Mori took up trampolining at age 4, and now hopes to become Japan's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in the sport. Her mastery of the challenging "triffus," a triple somersault with a twist, has opened the door for her to compete at the very top of the sport. We explore the technical intricacies of her ten-skill optional routine. Trampoline routines are judged on both aesthetics and difficulty, and Mori is working hard to make sure she can fly higher than all her rivals.

Para high jump follows the same basic rules as its able-bodied counterpart, placing similarly exacting mental, technical, and strategic demands on competitors. Veteran para high jumper Toru Suzuki has so far competed at a remarkable 5 Paralympic Games. He employs a wide array of training methods to hone his technique and keep his body and prosthetic leg moving as one. We follow him as he reflects on his efforts at the Rio Paralympics and puts his brand-new tailor-made prosthesis to the test.

We meet 87-year-old grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, living legend of the ninja arts, and speak with one of his instructors, an American living in Japan who has reached a high level of proficiency in ninjutsu. Keeping the secretive techniques of the ninja alive in the modern age, Hatsumi sensei has attracted countless thousands of students from around the world, even winning recognition from law-enforcement agencies such as the FBI. We explore the history of the ninja arts and their enduring legacy.

The traditional martial art of karate evolved on the islands of what is now Okinawa with rich regional influences. Today, karate has developed into a global competitive sport, with events comprising both one-on-one bouts as well as kata, specific sets of movements performed solo that embody the very essence of the martial art. We explore karate past and present with a special focus on kata and their role in passing karate's core teachings from one generation to the next.

Wheelchair tennis largely follows the rules of the standard version of the sport, but the ball is allowed to bounce twice. Players employ deft, creative chair work to make up for lack of sideways movement, dashing around the court in an instant. Japan has a number of world-class players, but the country's greatest pioneer of the sport is multiple Paralympic medalist Satoshi Saida. Now 47, he's gearing up for a final shot at the podium, hoping to crown his career with a medal in Tokyo next year.

Softball first arrived in Japan from the US in 1921, soon gaining popularity as a women's sport. Japan eventually grew to become one of the world's top teams, spurred on by their rivalry with the US, traditionally a dominant force in the sport. Using similar strategies to Japan's baseball team, Japan developed "small softball," climbing to world number one by avoiding sole reliance on home runs. We speak to former national coach Taeko Utsugi about Japan's unique approach to softball.

As the only Paralympic sport that allows full body contact, Para Ice Hockey is often referred to in Japan as "martial arts on ice." Japan has a proud history in the sport, having beaten gold-medal favorites Canada to claim silver at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics. After that triumph, Japan struggled to develop a new generation of players, and failed to make an impression in the following three Paralympics. However, efforts to revive the team continue, with players of all ages working together to recapture Paralympic glory.

Parkour competitors harness the natural abilities of running, jumping and climbing to create a sport of artistic, fluid movements. Parkour is a possible candidate for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and has its roots in military obstacle course training developed in early 20th century France. The sport is growing in popularity and the first-ever Parkour World Championships was held in Japan in October 2022. We introduce Izumi Hikari and Suzuki Tomoya, two world-class Japanese athletes, to outline the philosophy behind this unique discipline.

Japan is home to the Trans Japan Alps Race, a physically and mentally grueling mountain race. Runners must traverse a distance of 415 kilometers through some of Japan's most rugged and unforgiving mountain territory. Passing over peaks that rise to over 3,000 meters in height, the biannual race is considered to be one of Japan's most challenging running events. As we focus on this unique and demanding race, we speak to a four-time winner and a new rival seeking to break his existing course record.

Padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, features dynamic, powerful play in tandem with delicate technique and clever strategies. The Japan women's team, spearheaded by duo Yamada Rio and Kutsuna Maiko, have dominated at a regional level, but awaiting them at the 2022 World Championships was world powerhouse Argentina. Under the careful eye of their Spanish coach Asier Gago Martinez, the two athletes incorporate lessons from their experiences abroad to refine their tactics and continue to test themselves on the world stage.

Kyudo, one of Japan's oldest martial arts, is currently growing in popularity around the world. Its practice incorporates traditional techniques and encourages personal development. One kyudo club in Tokyo attracts many non-Japanese participants. New Zealander Jessica Gerrity, one of the group founders, has achieved much in her five years of practice and promotes the sport on social media. We take a deep dive into this ancient discipline and its aesthetics, and also learn how its unique bamboo bows are created.

In Sport Climbing, competitors scale artificial walls embedded with holds. The sport is growing in popularity around the world and Japan is no exception. As the number of gyms in Japan increases, the quality of climbers is also rising, turning Japan into one of the sport's leading nations. In the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, we speak to top male climber Ogata Yoshiyuki and discuss how Japanese climbers are aiming to improve their competition performance and how changes in the Olympic rules for Sport Climbing have affected their training.

Tricking combines the kicks of martial arts and the flips of gymnastics with the expressive skills of break dancing to produce dynamic and acrobatic performances. While the sport has its origins in the United States, trickers now come from all around the world. Their diverse backgrounds often result in radically different tricking styles which can include anything from capoeira to taekwondo. We speak to three-time World Champion Iwamoto Shosei of Japan about his own journey with tricking, his technique and style, and his views on what makes this sport so special.

Competitive Karuta is a thrilling sport based on a traditional Japanese card game using a set of 100 classical poems known as waka. In recent years, it is gaining fans outside of Japan, thanks to its exposure in manga and anime. The sport demands a wide mix of talents, including a strong memory, fast hand reflexes and stamina. The highest accolade in Competitive Karuta is the title of Meijin. We take a closer look at one Meijin's rise to dominance and explore the appeal of this unique and tensely-fought sport.

Esports has seen extraordinary growth in recent years. Fighting games, one of the most popular genres, require a combined skillset of razor-sharp reflexes, strategical skills, decisiveness and endurance. Japan boasts some of the world's most talented fighting game players and this week we meet Tokido, a player who has stayed at the top for more than 15 years. He looks back on a legendary and dramatic final at EVO2017, a tournament that proved to be a significant turning point in his career.

In Skateboarding Park, skaters have just 45 seconds to impress the judges with tricks in their run around the course. 17-year-old Nagahara Yuro is an up-and-coming Japanese skater known for his technical prowess. At the X Games in 2022, he achieved the best-ever performance by a Japanese Men's Park competitor, placing fourth. The Japan Open, the first Japanese competition of the 2023 season, was held in April. We see how Nagahara fared at the event in the run-up to the selection of the Japanese team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Karate team kata is a form of karate popular around the world and particularly in Japan, where the first All Japan Championship was held in 2022. A team of three performs techniques with precision, synchronization, speed and intensity. One element that sets it apart from the individual discipline is the performance of bunkai, which demonstrates how kata are used in the presence of an opponent. The coordinated displays of bunkai turn karate into an art. We examine this exciting form of karate to better understand its athletic and artistic elements.

Kendama is a traditional Japanese toy made of wood and string. Players must balance the attached ball on one of the kendama's three cups or catch it on the spike. Recently, kendama has evolved into an international urban sport, and more than 3 million people worldwide are said to have taken it up. Today, skilled kendama exponents join us to demonstrate their astounding techniques. We also feature a performance combining kendama with dance and music and see how this Japanese pastime has become a global phenomenon.

In BMX Freestyle Park, riders use a variety of ramps to show off thrilling aerial tricks. Japan is home to world champion Nakamura Rim, and many younger riders are hoping to follow in his footsteps. One up-and-coming rider is 13-year-old Matsuura Aou, who managed to land Backflips at the age of seven. With a potential that goes beyond his years, and after training in Australia, Aou hoped to unveil a new high-level trick at the Japan Cup in June. We follow Aou on his journey to become a future star of BMX Freestyle Park.

Tricklining is a style of Slacklining that is acrobatic and artistic in form. Using a narrow flat line of webbing like a trampoline, Trickliners perform a mesmerizing display of twists, spins and flips. Japanese Trickliners are some of the best in the world and the winner of the 2022 World Cup, teenage wonderkid Nakamura Rikuto, is known for his beauty of movement, dynamic combos and big original tricks. We follow Rikuto in his preparations and efforts for defending his World Cup title.