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A Japanese Community and an Andean Odyssey

Mark Whittaker crosses the Inland Sea to visit one of Japan's shrinking - and ageing - island communities. Ed Stocker endures a gruelling road trip through Argentina and Bolivia.

Mark Whittaker crosses the Inland Sea to visit Shiraishi-Jima, one of Japan's many fast-shrinking - and ageing - island communities. Thousands of places like this are seeing their population grow old as the young decamp to the cities. But there are still outsiders who fall in love with the island - and many vigorous elders doing their best to keep its unique culture alive.

It is a younger man's game in Argentina and Bolivia, as Ed Stocker and friends endure a gruelling road trip up the spine of the Andes - and almost everything which could go wrong, does.

(Photo: Residents of Shiraishijima practise their home island's unique dance (c) 成人快手)

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11 minutes

Last on

Mon 21 Jul 2014 19:50GMT

Broadcast

  • Mon 21 Jul 2014 19:50GMT