Sho Sakurai of the idol group Arashi can currently be seen playing a physician in the theatrical film "Kamisama no Karute" ("God's Medical Chart") alongside Aoi Miyazaki. Both can also be seen in the ongoing TV commercial series for supplemental medical insurance provider Aflac, alongside a CGI duck and cat.

Sakurai obviously takes his representation of the medical profession seriously, since he will be the guide on NHK's documentary "Sakurai Sho no Ima Soko ni Iru Hitobito" ("Sho Sakurai's People Who are There Now"; NHK-E, Wed., 6:55 p.m.), where he accompanies rural doctors in Hiroshima and Hokkaido on their rounds and discovers the special challenges of "regional medical care."

Japanese students used to be the envy of the world, especially in the fields of math and science. Not anymore. But things may be improving, and the purpose of "31-kai Kokosei Kuizu" ("The 31st High School Student Quiz"; Nippon TV, Fri., 9 p.m.) is to find out if they are. The quiz aims to locate the smartest high school kids in Japan based on prefecture and school. The preliminary rounds, which cover all the basic high school subjects, including history and politics, are being held in 28 separate locations: a new record. There is also a special online competition to narrow the field to 52 schools, which will then compete for the Grand Prize.