Programs

The 13th Visual Tourism Award, Japan Tourism Agency Commisioner's Award

Thank You, Gateway To The World

[Narita City, Chiba Prefecture]
"I want to thank you, too. You helped me remember something important."
This is a story about a woman who works for the Narita Airport Ground Handling Services. She’s always complaining and is unable to find any sense of purpose in her job, until a commotion her family causes at the airport helps her recall the importance of gratitude.
When Narita Airport gets hit by a devastating typhoon, ground handling staff member Ayako Takaoka (Misa Shimizu) has to cope with the situation. Even as people from around the world vent their frustrations and fears to her, she always responds with a smile. On the third day of the ordeal, after two nights without sleep, she finally arrives home and proceeds to take it out on her husband Hiroshi (Toshiro Yashiba.) Her daughter Misora (Rin Kataoka) retorts, "Stop complaining so much. You’re filling the house with bad vibes." When Ayako tells Misora to try getting a job before telling her what to do, the two are primed for a fight. Misora ends up taking her little brother Wataru (Akito Matsuno) to the airport to take photos of the planes. She happens to see her mother working, earnestly helping foreign travelers and being thanked in return. Misora starts to appreciate the pride associated with working at "The Gateway to Japan," and realizes Narita can help her pursue a future like no other. As a plane passes overhead, Misora shyly tells her mother, "Thank you for everything."

Yuki Saito / 0:25:00 / Japan / Branded Movie / 2024

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Like bamboo, like bamboo shoot

Akira is obsessed with handheld 'Teztsu' fireworks, which originate in Toyohashi. His son, Yuto, who is neurodivergent, has a talent for drawing pictures but Akira shows no interest in them. One day, Akira falls ill and hospital tests show that he has little time left to live.

Shinya Kawakami / 0:25:00 / Japan / Drama / 2024

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Starring Jun Kunimura

Blue and White

Ryusuke, who is grieving, makes salt on the day of his wife's funeral, aiming to preserve the local salt's history.

Hiroyuki Nishiyama / 0:25:00 / Japan / Drama / 2022

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Hey… Mom…

Kenji, who works alone, meets a young woman on his way home from work who is an AI robot who calls him "master". To avoid making his wife jealous, he suggests that If the robot looked like his mother there would be no way that she would have an issue.

Seiko Tano / 0:18:30 / Japan / Drama / 2023

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Oyu

It is the last day of the year and night falls on the small town of Toyama, Japan. A man goes to the public bath to retrieve a forgotten object. But once inside, the promise of a hot bath compels him to stay.

Atsushi Hirai / 0:21:31 / France, Japan / Drama / 2023

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