With mottainai, the Japanese word for "waste", gaining currency around the world, one Japanese entrepreneur is using the term as the inspiration for an innovative web-based business. Akiko Nishiura runs a website which finds uses for dormant urban spaces, such as residential driveways, the entrance spaces of buildings, and shops outside of business hours. By utilizing these wasted spaces, Nishiura seeks to boost the Japanese economy with a firm that deals in untapped potential.

Japan's corporate culture has a reputation for discouraging independent thinking. Daichi Konuma created International Corporate Volunteering Program. It connects workers from some of Japan's most recognizable companies with over 200 NGO's in 8 emerging countries in Asia. Participants use their professional skills to develop solutions to that country's needs. By fusing global corporate social responsibility with human resources development, Konuma is pioneering a new field of opportunities.

When the Olympic games come to Tokyo in 2020, robot taxis may already be a common sight. Led by Hisashi Taniguchi, robotics venture company ZMP caused a major stir by announcing a collaboration with the company DeNA to bring these futuristic vehicles to market. Taniguchi is also involved in schemes featuring self-piloting drones and robot carts designed to reduce injuries in the shipping industry. We follow his efforts to promote safe, fun, convenient lifestyles through robotics.