Health authorities have watched with alarm as a succession of more transmissible coronavirus variants have emerged in different countries and spread rapidly across the world. Experts have used big data to gain a clearer understanding of how the variants moved between countries before arriving in Japan. Others studying cluster cases have gained new insights into the way the virus moves through the air, travelling further than previously thought. These lessons could prove vital in the effort to halt new and more dangerous variants lurking in our future.Guests:Miyata Hiroaki (Professor, Keio University)Wada Koji (Professor, International University of Health and Welfare)Hayashi Motoya (Professor, Hokkaido University)

Japan is seeking to eliminate the gender gap at home and at work. The key is to get rid of "unconscious biases." In this edition, we conduct "position change experiments," involving a husband and wife, and a male company president and his female employee. By trying to put on the other's shoes, what did they learn about the separate roles? We're joined by Brady Mikako, who recently wrote a book on empathy, and explore ways to create a society that respects different points of view.Guest: Brady Mikako (Writer/Columnist)

Around 2.9 million foreigners now live in Japan. Many came to the country for work during the bubble economy of the late 1980s. Now, they and their families are facing a serious issue: they can't find a final resting place. Cultural differences are one of the main reasons, as 99.9 percent of the Japanese are cremated. We take a look at efforts to create a society where everyone can be assured of a proper burial.Guests:Sahel Rosa (Actor)Ishii Kota (Writer)