Though everyone is fretting about Japan's economic future, the young people who are destined to become tomorrow's leaders have had little opportunity to share their own ideas on the topic. NHK's new information program, "Oikonomia" (NHK-E, Tues., 11:30 p.m.), a madeup term based on the English word "economics," aims to correct that oversight.
This week, the show looks at the financial potential of men's grooming. Lately, young men have become quite attentive to their appearance, and are spending more and more money on cosmetics. Experts discuss what sort of beauty products do well in a recession, as well as the economic ramifications this development will have. They also tackle that age-old question: Do good-looking people automatically make more money?
Carnivores are celebrated on this week's two-hour special version of "Onegai Ranking Gold" ("Do Me a Favor Ranking Gold"; TV Asahi, Sat., 6:56 p.m.), which runs down the top chain restaurants in Japan with regard to the popularity of their meat dishes. The producers surveyed 10,000 average meat-eaters and based on their responses came up with the best six "menus."