Internationally acclaimed industrial designer Mitooka Eiji is Japan's leading designer of railway vehicles. He has worked on more than 40 trains across Japan, including the luxury cruise train "Seven Stars in Kyushu" and JR Kyushu's Series 800 Shinkansen, as well as local railway trains such as Shinano Railway's "Rokumon" and Wakayama Electric Railway's "Tama Train." His latest work, "36+3," makes its debut in October. In this program, Mr. Mitooka shares his thoughts on how the railway will change after the coronavirus pandemic.

The 67.7km Tenryu Hamanako Railroad in Shizuoka Prefecture is a third sector railway that connects 5 cities and 1 town. The railway is famous for its railway heritage, remnants of which can be found along the line, such as a turntable and roundhouse, old station buildings and bridges, 36 of which are registered tangible cultural property of Japan. This year marks the railway's 80th anniversary, but the coronavirus pandemic has seen ridership decline. See how Tenryu Hamanako Railroad is working with the local community to revitalize the area and make a comeback.