In the mountains of Okayama Prefecture, Kamimomi is a community whose features include beautiful terraced rice fields. But with fewer than 90 residents, it is at risk of disappearing. Here, Kyle Holzhueter from the USA engages in a form of natural construction that employs Japanese plastering techniques. One aim in all he does is a sustainable lifestyle, aligned with the power of nature. Peter Barakan learns about Holzhueter's way of life and the rich potential of Japan's rural communities.

In Japan, economic conditions may be challenging, but male cosmetics are selling increasingly well. Social media and the normalization of remote working have contributed to a growing concern among men about their appearance. The increasing popularity of hair removal treatment is evidence of that trend. But looking back at Japanese history, we see that for over a thousand years, it was normal for men to wear makeup. We look at the evolution of male aesthetics in Japan.