Two special guests gave a presentation at the Japan Information Centre on June 21, as hosts of the Discovery Channel's science magazine show, Daily Planet, recounted their experiences in Japan to an audience crowding into the Information Centre's Events Room.
Jay Ingram and Natasha Stillwell are familiar faces to viewers
of the Discovery Channel's flagship program, which traverses the
world for cutting-edge science and technology stories. This past
March, Daily Planet dedicated a whole week of shows to
Japan, following Mr. Ingram and Ms. Stillwell as they explored
everything from robots to sword making, from high-speed trains
to sake brewing.
In order to research and gather footage for the special, the
hosts and crew from the show went to Japan a total of three times,
taking in first-hand the country's technology and traditions.
Of the three, the first trip was made possible by the Japan Information
Centre and the television crew invitational program of the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the producers of
Daily Planet, the Japan special was received extremely well,
with the audiences in the ages 25 to 54 demographic doubling in
three out of the five nights when the shows aired.
"I greatly appreciate the Discovery Channel's contribution
toward promoting greater understanding of Japan among Canadians,"
said Consul General of Japan HisaoYamaguchi (photo above right).
"However, rather than congratulate Daily Planet's
two hosts for a job well done, we thought we would give them additional
chores. We asked Mr. Ingram and Ms. Stillwell whether they would
be willing to come to the Japan Information Centre, and share
their experiences from Japan with us. What were their impressions
of the country? What were their favourite stories from the Japan
special, and why?"
In response, Mr. Ingram and Ms. Stillwell selected two of their favourite stories: Mr. Ingram chose "Ai the Counting Chimp", an account of a lovable chimpanzee with stunning mathematics ability who is changing scientists' ideas of how our apes think (photo above left). Ms. Stillwell presented "Test Driving The Eliica", featuring the revolutionary automobile that is fueled by a powerful electric battery, and can jump from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds (photo above right). The two stories were screened on the large screen in the Japan Information Centre's Events Room, and the audience was treated to entertaining behind-the-scenes anecdotes recounted by Mr. Ingram and Ms. Stillwell.
After the presentation, the two presenters relaxed and mingled
with the audience over refreshments served in the Information
Centre's library.
