｜Length : 60min. ｜Year : 1993 ｜

Although learning songs from around the world is an excellent way to foster an international attitude in the young, in most countries the songs children learn generally come from their own culture. In the case of Japan, however, we have learned from many countries. This program is a documentary about the kinds of songs children sing in Japan, tracing their origins in 14 different countries.

｜Length : 45min. ｜Year : 1993 ｜

In the summer of 1993, it was the Tokyo Institute of Technology's turn to host the International Robot Contest. This contest has been held every year since 1990 at some of the world's most top-ranked universities and institutes, including MIT. This time, there were eight teams of six people, each team fielding a robot with advanced manipulatory skills. The test in this hi-tech sport was to put tubes into a box with two openings just big enough for the largest of the tubes.

｜Length : 46min. ｜Year : 1993 ｜

The Honda saga is one of the best known industrial "rags to riches" stories, but although everyone knows about Soichiro Honda, not many have heard of his protege, Masashi Ito, who started Marusho Motors. Ito's small factory also took on the world, producing the "Lilac", a motorcycle that gave Honda's "Dream" a run for its money. Two engineering geniuses --Soichiro Honda and Masashi Ito: one became the biggest name in automotive history; the other is mostly forgotten.

｜Length : 20min. x15 ｜Year : 1993 ｜

While this interesting series of programs was based on the childhood experiences of popular Japanese singer Tetsuya Takeda, the focus is actually on his mother, Kiku, who had to overcome many problems in raising her four boys. As the youngest child with a natural tendency towards goodhearted mischief, Tetsuya himself could be a problem, but Kiku had to face and deal with much greater challenges -- first and foremost, her alcoholic husband: if she was even a minute late arriving at his workplace on payday, he would go out and spend all the family's money drinking. The bitter fights between husband and wife sometimes sent the children scurrying to their next door neighbor's house for cover. All in all, however, Kiku was a strong, cheerful, and optimistic person who persevered to do what had to be done to make ends meet, running a small tobacco shop and doing domestic work. Certainly her example inspired young Tetsuya to grow up to be a cheerful and caring adult and undoubtedly made him the success he is today. Behind every great man is indeed a woman - his mother!

｜Length : 15min. x30 ｜Year : 1993 ｜

NHK's Science Program Group has accumulated an impressive amount of scientific material over the years in a variety of fields. "Junior High School Science" draws on this extensive library using computer graphics and video footage of actual experiments and research to improve young people's understanding of biology and physical geography - the micro and macro worlds that are background for all human existence. The series covers a range of subjects from a variety of perspectives. It is a fascinating introduction to natural phenomena and the scientific laws and principles that govern them.


[Chemistry]
1. Crystallization
2. Chemical Compounds and Decomposition
3. Burnable Metals
4. Unchanging Mass
5. Properties of lons
6. Electrolysis
7. Separation of Gases

[Physics]
8. Motion and Speed
9. Acceleration
10. Equilibrium of Force
11. Buoyancy
12. The Function of Force
13. Water Pressure
14. Slopes and Friction
15. Falling Motion
16. Work and Energy
17. Wave Transmission
18. Mirrors and Lenses
19. Gas Pressure
20. Magnets

[Biology]
21. Micro-Organisms
22. Reproduction in Plants
23. Digestion and Absorption
24. Blood Circulation
25. Reproduction
26. Biological Evolution
27. The Nervous System
28. Vertebrate Animals

[Physical Geography]
29. The Moon
30. Movement of the Planets