Watch interviews from the popular NHK program, Direct Talk, and hear the voices of 15 creative problem-solvers from Japan and around the world.

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Interviews are up to 10 minutes long in two parts, activating skimming, scanning and organizational skills.

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This textbook focuses on building fluency and developing critical thinking skills.

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Students are encouraged to explore a range of today’s global issues in various fields such as technology, social welfare, science, and fashion.

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Lessons include background readings, comprehension tasks, and scaffolded activities culminating in communicative mini-projects.

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WATCH 4 sample videos on plus+Media 

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Table of Contents

• Voice 1

Ride-Hailing Innovation: Creating Jobs Through Technology

Nadiem Makarim (CEO, GOJEK)

• Voice 2

Bringing Medicine to the African Backcountry

Eri Machii (Chairperson, AfriMedico)

• Voice 3

Saving Children in Poverty Through Music

Margaret Martin (Founder, Harmony Project)

• Voice 4

The Matcha Business: A Maverick Spirit

Takeo Sugita (President, Aiya)

• Voice 5

French Refugee Integration

Ayyam Sureau (Founder, Pierre Claver)

• Voice 6

The Power of Biologging

Yuuki Watanabe (Marine Biologist, National Institute of Polar Research)

• Voice 7

Farming Is the Future

Cherrie Atilano (Founding Farmer & CEO, AGREA)

• Voice 8

New Challenges for a Fashion Giant

Luciano Benetton (Co-founder, Benetton Group)

• Voice 9

Helping the Socially Vulnerable

Viola Cheng (Entrepreneur, Good Food Enterprise)

• Voice 10

The Danish Recipe for Happiness

Meik Wiking (CEO, Happiness Research Institute)

• Voice 11

Knitting the Future by Hand

Tamako Mitarai (CEO, Kesennuma Knitting)

• Voice 12

Towards a Zero-Waste Future

Sun Xiaolong (Scientist, ZeroWaste Asia)

• Voice 13

The Healing Power of Dogs

Toru Oki (Chairman, International Therapy Dog Association)

• Voice 14

Uncovering Our Hidden Biases

Mahzarin Banaji (Social Psychologist, Harvard University)

• Voice 15

Space Exploration: Can Private Citizens Play a Role?

Bill Nye (CEO, The Planetary Society)