Survivor (Japan)

Survivor (サバイバー Sabaibā) was a Japanese reality competition program based on Survivor. Four seasons were produced and aired in Japan from 2002 to 2003.

Format &

The show follows the same general format as the other editions of the show. 16 castaways are split between two teams and are taken to a remote, isolated location and are forced to live off the land with meager supplies for 39 days. Frequent physical and mental challenges are used to pit the teams against each other for rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for immunity, forcing the other tribe to attend Tribal Council, where they must vote off one of their players.

Once about half the players are remaining, the tribes are merged into a single tribe, and competitions are on an individual basis; winning immunity prevents that player from being voted out. Most players that are voted out at this stage form the jury. Once down to two people, a Final Tribal Council is held where the remaining players plead their case to the jury as to why they should win the game. The jury then votes for which player they believe should be considered the Sole Survivor and be awarded the grand prize of 10,000,000 yen.

Seasons

1. Survivor Japan: Palau - 16 ordinary Japanese citizens were stranded in Palau. The first season was won by Eri Minoshima in a unanimous Jury vote. However, one contestant refused to vote for the Sole Survivor as she felt neither deserved to win.
2. Survivor Japan: Hokkaido - another 16 Japanese citizens were stranded in their home country of Japan. This season is unique in that the reward for Reward Challenges was bet on by their own tribe: whichever tribe won would win their own goods they bet as well as the goods the opposing tribe bet on. Asami Kawamura won in a unanimous Jury vote.

3. Survivor Japan: Philippines - 16 Japanese citizens were stranded in Siquijor, Philippines. A new rule allowed contestants to win rewards without competing against one another. Instead, they just had to reach a certain goal, meaning if everyone reached it, everyone got a reward. This is the first Japanese season to allow Luxury Items. However, they could not be used for survival (for example, Kimmi Kappenberg from the Survivor US: The Australian Outback brought a Scrabble set as her Luxury Item, and her tribemates used the stands as spoons; this would not be permitted in the Japanese version). Sei Sugawara won the season in a 4-3 Jury vote; the first non-unanimous Jury vote of the Japanese series. Sei gained fame from Survivor and used it to become a film actor.

1. Survivor Japan: North Mariana - this season had a major twist somewhat resembling a Tribe Switch. After three contestants were eliminated, a challenge was held, resulting in three contestants from each tribe swapping tribes. The season was put on hold when a typhoon hit the island and contestants had to live in a cave. While doing so, no challenges or Tribal Councils were held. Kōshin Gunji won in a 5-2 Jury vote