Does Japan suffer from an inferiority complex? That's one way of interpreting the title of the variety special "Nakayoshi Terebi: Nihon no Ima wo Sekaiju ga Shimpai Shite Iru zo" ("Friendly TV: The Whole World is Worrying About Japan Now"; Fuji, Tues., 7 p.m.).

It's not clear if other countries are actually concerned about some of the "issues" that are discussed on the show, such as whether Japanese children should start studying English compulsorily at a younger age. American expat TV personality Dave Spector provides the non-Japanese perspective, while a team of Japanese celebrities debate with him and among themselves. To keep things light, a hidden camera records their own English capabilities when confronted by native speakers.

Other topics include elderly people dying alone and the ongoing pension crisis.