Frontrunners

(03/21/2023–03/10/2026)

NHK World (JP)30 min

Frontrunners highlights professionals at the very forefront of their field. We showcase their amazing work, discover their motivations, and learn about the challenges they face in the future.

Source: unknown Frontrunners

Episodes

Season 1

S01E01

Prosthetics Pioneer - Usui Fumio

March 21, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E02

Kyoto Foraging Master - Nakahigashi Hisato

March 28, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E03

Rope Rescue Expert - Hayashida Akihiro

April 18, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E04

Children's Hospice Founder - Tagawa Hisato

May 24, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E05

Vegan Washoku Chef - Kusumoto Katsumi

June 28, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E06

Japanese Cheese Trailblazer - Shibata Chiyo

July 19, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E07

Master Gardener - Kitayama Yasuo

July 26, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E08

Helicopter Physician - Tsugita Nobuyuki

August 30, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E09

Kyoto Kimono Dyer - Tabata Kihachi

September 27, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E10

Thatching Innovator - Sagara Ikuya

November 15, 2023 at 03:00 AM

S01E11

Pioneering Neurosurgeon - Kato Yoko

December 26, 2023 at 03:00 AM

Season 2

S02E01

Master Salt Maker - Sato Kyojiro

January 30, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E02

Medical Interpreting Pioneer - Minamitani Kaori

February 27, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E03

Poet & NPO Founder - Ueda Kanayo

March 19, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E04

Snow Country Chef - Kuwakino Keiko

April 23, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E05

Supporting Street Children - Watanabe Hiroki

April 30, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E06

Orthopedic Shoe Meister - Nakai Yosuke

May 28, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E07

Cricket Food Producer - Ashikari Seiya

June 18, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E08

Ainu Cultural Advocate - Monbetsu Atsushi

June 26, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E09

Accessibility NPO Founder - Oda Yuriko

August 13, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E10

Coconut Entrepreneur Tackling Poverty - Mizui Yu

August 20, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E11

Nebuta Artist - Kitamura Asako

September 24, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E12

International Mountain Medic - Oshiro Kazue

October 29, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E13

Drone Entrepreneur - Kawanoue Kazufumi

November 20, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E14

Medical Companion for Travel - Ito Reiya

November 27, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E15

Horse-Powered Energy Innovator - Iwama Takashi

December 04, 2024 at 03:00 AM

S02E16

Bonsai Master - Kobayashi Kunio

December 25, 2024 at 03:00 AM

Season 3

S03E01

Wildlife Vet - Saito Keisuke

January 08, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E02

Digital Services Innovator - Oba Carlos

January 15, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E03

Robotic Surgery Pioneer - Watanabe Go

January 28, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E04

Takama Takeshi - Environmentalist

March 04, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E05

Fish Leather Maker - Noguchi Tomohisa

March 19, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E06

Tree Surgeon - Goto Mizuho

March 25, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E07

Peace Educator: Sumioka Kenta

July 30, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E08

Compost Promoter - Taira Yuiko

August 05, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E09

Dollmaker - Nakamura Hiromine

August 12, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E10

Master Sculptor of Buddhist Statues - Matsumoto Shukan

August 27, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E11

Chef - Suzuki Yuko

September 29, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E12

Reconstructive Surgeon for Microtia - Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi

October 21, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E13

Social Entrepreneur - Ishikawa Naohito

November 18, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E14

Dry Stone Waller: Kaneko Reo

November 25, 2025 at 03:00 AM

S03E15

Deaf Cyclist: Hayase Kumi

December 24, 2025 at 03:00 AM

Season 4

S04E01

Cheesemaker and Dairy Farmer: Matsubara Masanori

January 07, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E02

NPO President - Shiraishi Yuriko

January 21, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E03

Pizza Entrepreneur - Masuko Yosuke

February 03, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E04

Wajima Lacquer Artist: Akagi Akito

February 11, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E05

Master Whisky Blender: Akuto Ichiro

February 17, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E06

Koi Masters – Mano Futoshi & Mano Shigeru

February 24, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E07

Health Tech Entrepreneur - Ajima Masumi

February 03, 2026 at 03:00 AM

S04E08

NPO Founder - Doya Yuto

March 10, 2026 at 03:00 AM