Known as the "loveliest mountain of China," Mt. Huangshan has been acclaimed in art and literature throughout China's history and holds a great fascination for poets, artists and photographers alike. This Natural World Heritage Site located in southern Anhui Province boasts 72 peaks and a landscape that features "three wonders" of odd-shaped pines, spectacular rock formations and a sea of clouds -- all attributed to mighty thunderstorms. Much like a magnificent three-dimensional scroll painting, seasonal images capture the magnificent scenery of Mt. Huangshan existing in harmony with people.
Amid a backdrop of lush forests and craggy peaks, Zhangjiajie offers a treasure trove of plants abloom year-round. Plum trees or purple azaleas in winter are followed by the colourful flurry of over 3,000 types of plants blossoming at once in spring. Lakes, streams and waterfalls cool the heat of summer and give life to Davidia, or "Dove" trees. In autumn, yellow chrysanthemums blanket the entire area. Enter a rare and multi-hued world that is also home to an ethnic minority group with intriguing traditions.
Within China's largest valley area, newly renamed Shangri-la, three great rivers, the Yangtse, Mekong and Salween, flow in parallel between 5,000 m mountain plateaus. Bountiful nature includes snow-capped mountains and glaciers in between a 6,000 m vertical drop, lakes hidden like jewels in the innermost recesses of a great canyon and primordial forests. Along with a number of rare creatures exclusive to the region, people and their daily lives naturally blend into the landscape. Take a journey and feast your eyes on the magnificence of this untainted natural paradise.
The waters of the limestone ponds and lakes in Huanglong sparkle with emerald green, ultramarine, bright yellow and pale blue. The area's limestone caverns also thrill the viewer with their mystical beauty. The basin of the limestone-encrusted Huanglong Valley, shimmering with a golden color that is acce-nted by the deep green of the surrounding virgin forest, looks like a huge yellow dragon flying down the mountain. With high-definition cameras capturing these and other superb views, this program uncovers the natural mechanism that has created this sculptured beauty, called one of the wonders of the earth.
Many cultures have crossed the narrow Straits of Gibraltar separating Western Europe and Northern Africa. Much of Spain's art, music and even food still reflect influences from North Africa and beyond. Its architecture often bears unmistakable characteristics of Islam. Moreover, influences from the early Roman Empire and the ancient Teutonic Goths are also abundant throughout Spain even today. In this two-part NHK documentary, we explore some of the 38 World Heritage Sites on the Iberian Peninsula, and examine the rich mixture of cultures and civilizations that created them.
Many cultures have crossed the narrow Straits of Gibraltar separating Western Europe and Northern Africa. Much of Spain's art, music and even food still reflect influences from North Africa and beyond. Its architecture often bears unmistakable characteristics of Islam. Moreover, influences from the early Roman Empire and the ancient Teutonic Goths are also abundant throughout Spain even today. In this two-part NHK documentary, we explore some of the 38 World Heritage Sites on the Iberian Peninsula, and examine the rich mixture of cultures and civilizations that created them.
Lencois, located in northeastern Brazil, is known as the whitest dunes on earth. However, when the rain comes every half year, this scenery of pure white sand stretching over 150 thousand hectares completely changes. Countless lagoons are formed, creating a startling contrast between the white sand and blue water. Even fish suddenly appear in these lagoons. Where do they come from? Through a year-long coverage of Lencois, this episode reveals the truth about this surreal nature's beauty.
Manu National Park, Peru, which holds 13 species of monkeys among the various types of Amazonian fauna, is praised as a monkey kingdom. Deep in its jungles is a strange open spot about 20 meters in diameter where a peculiar behavior of monkeys can be observed. The monkeys spend a majority of their time up in the canopies of the rainforest, but come down to the ground to consume gluttonously the soil of the spot. The program looks at how this strange behavior most likely developed in the competition for survival in the Manu's rainforests during the ice age.
The beautiful, mysterious world of rain is visualized using the latest filming technology. Ultra-high speed cameras capture breathtaking images in Odaigahara, the rainiest area in Japan that receives an annual rainfall of 5,000 millimeters. On the ground form lakes that only appear after summer heavy rains, allowing rare frogs to thrive. In winter, a unique natural phenomenon called Glazed Frost takes place if rain falls unfrozen and the air temperature is below zero. Through poetic cinematography, we discover just how rain enriches the natural beauty in Japan, a country unusually blessed with rain.
The Gulf of California in Mexico is the home of the Munk's devil ray. It weighs about 20 kilograms but its width can reach over two meters. It sometimes shows a very unique behavior. A huge school of several hundreds of these devil rays amazingly jump more than two meters high over the sea surface again and again. But the reason of the jump is a mystery because very little is known about this species of fish. In fact they have been rarely observed. This program focuses on the mode of life of the Munk's devil ray to find the answers to their mysteries.
We invited Hollywood director Oliver Stone to the NHK studios to share some of the insights that informed his unprecedented documentary series on the US history. In it he questions the commonly accepted belief that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were necessary to end the war. He also talks about the need for people to face up to history, and his first-ever visit this summer to the 2 atomic bombed cities, where he spoke to A-bomb survivors.
Mush! Dash across the vast Alaskan and Canadian ice fields in -30˚C temperatures with the aurora borealis glowing above. It's the toughest sled dog race in the world -- the Yukon Quest. Competitors cross numerous mountains covered in thick snow and brave frozen rivers to reach the goal 1,600 kilometers from the starting line. The key to victory: efficient teamwork between the dog team leader -- the musher -- and a team of 14 dogs. The leader must decide when to urge the dogs to run at full speed, when to let them rest, and when to take exhausted dogs off the team. Each year one third of the competitors are forced to drop out of this grueling race. This program captures the moving, heroic drama of the dogs and their handlers
Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture One year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Reconstruction initiatives are underway in many places, including the disaster-stricken areas. March to Recovery shows how the nation is recovering from the unprecedented disaster. The dilemma over iodine pill distribution to Miharu residents affected by radioactive fallout in March 2011.
The government has started decontamination work in areas affected by the nuclear accident but the progress is slow amid mistrust and conflicts. We report from Fukushima communities in danger of collapse in the aftermath of the accident.
Fukushima evacuees: Following the lives of Iitate residents forced to leave their homes due to the high radiation levels from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. One year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Reconstruction initiatives are underway in many places, including the disaster-stricken areas. March to Recovery shows how the nation is recovering from the unprecedented disaster.
Voices from 3.11: A Town Torn Apart; Namie, Fukushima Prefecture Namie, in Fukushima Prefecture, was hit by a tsunami after the Great East Japan Earthquake. A day later, people within a 10-kilometer radius of the local nuclear power plant had to evacuate before they could search for lost family members. It was more than a month before the search began. Survivors couldn't identify bodies that had been lying outside for so long. They're wracked with guilt for being unable to perform proper burial rites. This program highlights their heart-wrenching experience.
Mt. Rishiri (1,721 meters) floats in Japan's northernmost sea. In February, when seasonal winds blow from the sea, winter is at its harshest. Daisuke Sasaki, one of Japan's most famous backcountry skiers, dares to ski down 1,400 meters of unforgiving cliffs, some with a gradient of 50 degrees. But even before he can ski down, Sasaki must first face the ordeal of climbing the mountain with ski equipment on his back. This documentary follows Sasaki as he challenges-and ultimately succeeds in-skiing down the snowy mountain, despite the unavoidable risk of avalanches.
Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, is a world-renowned executive. Through an in-depth interview with Inamori, this program delves into the essential philosophy of Amoeba Management.
More than 2.5 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Now, more and more people are returning to live in areas that were inundated by tsunami waves. This program takes a look at what should be done to protect these communities in the future.
The massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 triggered an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, uncovering a huge risk inherent in running a nuclear facility. Terrorist attacks could wreak similar havoc. Now, Japan has no choice but to face a new risk of nuclear plant terrorism. Our program looks at the front line of security initiatives
Beijing is said to have some of the worst traffic of any world capital. More than five million cars pack the city's ring roads each day. City authorities have tried in vain to restrict vehicular access to the inner city. In this program, we see how the traffic brings life to a near standstill as we track Beijing for 24 hours during the past sweltering summer.
Japanese filmmaker Kyoko Miyake visits a relative who lived in the area that was devastated by the 2011 tsunami and subsequent disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
The World on a Bike will take you on a smooth ride around the globe to encounter new people and landscapes. Today's tour - the Republic of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. We head from Toshkent to the ancient capital, Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road. More than 20 years have passed since Uzbekistan gained independence from the Soviet Union. We'll get a firsthand look at everyday life there.
What happens when Japanese pottery that highlights food is combined with an international cuisine? In this program, we planned a collaboration of Spanish cuisine and pottery from Okinawa, an island in southern Japan. Taking on this mission is Josep Barahona Vines, the master of Spanish cuisine. The pottery from Okinawa that Josep will challenge is called Yachimun in the local dialect. Will he be able to meet the potters, present food on their pottery, and win their hearts? Chef Josep's unprecedented challenge begins.
60 years after its first appearance on the screen, Godzilla continues fascinating moviegoers and Hollywood producers alike. The techniques developed by its creator Eiji Tsuburaya, including the use of full-body suits on carefully crafted miniature sets, are of particular interest at a time when computer graphics reign supreme. Hideaki Anno, best known for his animated series Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Shinji Higuchi, director of Attack on Titan, discuss the magic of Japanese special effects.
This annual ceremony for world peace commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki. People from around the world gather to pray for the souls of the victims.
On March 14, 1954, a tuna boat named Lucky Dragon No. 5 returned to Yaizu, Japan after being exposed to hydrogen bomb testing on Bikini Atoll. This was the Bikini Incident, which shook the world. The crew suffered serious radiation poisoning, and their tainted tuna decimated the local fishing industry. This program features the crew of the Lucky Dragon and others involved in the fishing industry at the time, as well as citizens who started an anti-nuclear testing movement. They paint a picture of what the Bikini Incident did to Yaizu, and the suffering it inflicted.
After World War II, the United States conducted nearly 1,000 nuclear tests in the Nevada desert. Radioactive particles blew in the wind and descended on towns many miles from the testing site. People in these towns are known as "Downwinders," and to this day only some of them have received compensation. The others are still fighting for recognition, and for information on the damage done to their health. Now, a previously unknown report has been uncovered, lending greater credence to their case. We take a look at the unknown and unhealed scars of the victims of nuclear weapons testing in America.
Lethal, yes, but the samurai sword has served as an object of sacred beauty in Japan for over a thousand years. Sometimes priced at more than 1 million dollars, it is highly appreciated by thousands of collectors around the world today.
Japan's Imperial family has long taken under its patronage craftsmen whose works now form a treasured collection handed down over generations. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), when trade with other countries was resumed after 200 years, the artisans' skills and creations became a matter of national prestige. From exquisite ceramics, cloisonné and tapestry to a masterpiece of metalwork that cannot be replicated, this is the little-known drama behind the Imperial Collection of Japanese art.
Join us for the 2nd installation of our "TOKUSATSU" series, featuring Japan's unique filmmaking technique! We report from the venue of the current hit exhibition in Japan, "TOKUSATSU - Special Effects Museum", brought to you by film director Hideaki Anno, known around the world for his popular robot animation series "EVANGELION". The exhibition features numerous miniature sets used in past Japanese tokusatsu films and television programs, and we take a close look at the rich history of Japanese tokusatsu as we walk through the exhibition. Witness the craftsmanship of tokusatsu technology, as well as the evolution of the latest tokusatsu film.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, covers a range of over 2,000 kilometers off the northeast coast of Australia. Magnificent spectacles of the birth of life unfold here every summer. Male and female surgeonfish swim at lightning speed toward the water surface and spawn; Tens of thousands of green sea turtles simultaneously come ashore under the star-filled sky to lay eggs; And the climax is a rare sight of some 100 varieties of coral all spawning at once within a timeframe of only 15 minutes. Enjoy the breathtaking moments successfully caught on an unprecedented scale by taking full advantage of the amazingly rich colors of high-definition 4K cameras. Immerse yourself in the mysterious drama of life under the spell of the moon, on a summer night.
Karakami is a decorative Japanese paper used to ornament interior sliding doors during the Edo period. Woodblock-printed motifs, such as cherry blossoms and dragons, are said to have inspired several prominent European artists in the 19th century. This program examines the history of karakami through the work of a family in Kyoto that has preserved this traditional art form for nearly 400 years.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) refers to "the availability of health services related to health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to all citizens when needed at a cost they can afford." The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the issue in 2005, which led to the United Nations General Assembly passing a resolution to promote universal health coverage in December 2012. This program will look at how Japan achieved universal health coverage back in 1961, and at the issues it faced then and now, and what is being done to improve the quality of universal health coverage. It will also feature examples of JICA assistance in the health and medical sector. The program will focus on the experiences of a number of people in Saku, Nagano prefecture to describe how universal health coverage works in Japan. It will also focus on initiatives by the local Saku General Hospital, which helped make the region a pioneer in preventative medicine.
From manga to anime to video games, Comic Market (also known as Comiket) is a haven for subculture fans. Twice a year, in summer and in winter, fans gather at Tokyo Big Sight, an international exhibition center in Japan. Dojinshi or self-published works from a variety of genres are exhibited and sold. Considered the best of subcultural festivals, Comiket celebrates its 40th year in 2015. Unparalleled in scale and in history, the 3-day event brings 600,000 people from around the world. Despite its enormity, however, much remains unknown about the event. Who attends the event? What goes on inside? What new things are formed? This program offers an inside look at the seemingly familiar yet hidden world of Comiket. How does Comiket continue to attract more than half a million people every year?
During the final days of World War II, a fierce battle between Japan and the United States took place in Manila, resulting in 100,000 civilian casualties. Elpidio Quirino, who would later become President of the Philippines, lost his wife and three of his children. He hated the Japanese. Yet, eight years later, as President he decided to grant pardons to Japanese war criminals, sending them home to Japan. Why did Quirino do this against the strong wave of opposition? Through interviews with his surviving family and other witnesses of the battle, we document Quirino's inner conflict, and the division between hatred and forgiveness shown by the people of the Philippines.
In the depths of a Hokkaido forest in winter, the surface of Lake Shumarinai shimmers with the iridescence of snow crystals. The blanket of fine white powder also permits a number of hardy fish, including a giant "phantom" salmon, to flourish underneath. Few places on Earth get so bitterly cold - minus 41℃ - or have such heavy snowfalls - 25 meters a year. Special cameras (4K, thermo, underwater) reveal the structural beauty of the snowflakes and illuminate mysterious environmental phenomena. A fox "narrator" and 2 local schoolgirls give charming perspectives onto the wonders of a magical world.
Michael and his family are feeling proud of themselves after eating their way across Japan over 100 days. However, when a culinary expert asks his views of "osechi", Michael is taken aback. So, he sets out to learn about this New Year's food, starting with the harvesting of rice. He and the family later revisit Japan during the holiday to get a taste of "osechi" for themselves.
Deep Inside is an educational entertainment program where our hosts gain entrance into otherwise restricted areas to take a deep look inside. As the hosts make you laugh, they'll unravel the mysteries of Japan.
Droves of refugees have descended on the Turkish port city of Izmir since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Compounded by the emergence of Islamic State militants, this unending flood of refugees risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea. They seek peace and a new life in Europe as terrorist attacks have fanned the flames of anti-refugee sentiment. This documentary offers an unflinching look at the harsh realities faced by Syrian refugees.
We take you into the living rooms of people settling in Japan from around the world. From traditional wooden "minka" houses and average apartments to high-end residences, we discover this country's unique housing situation. How to go about renting or purchasing? Is Japan really an expensive place to live?
5 years have passed since the 3.11 disaster. Have people in the stricken areas in Iwate Prefecture managed to regain their lives? How is the recovery progressing in the communities?
NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN has received more than 5,000 expressions of encouragement from across the globe since the Great East Japan Earthquake. A number of notes came from listeners who themselves were living amidst calamity and strife. NHK WORLD has delivered the messages to people affected by the disaster. Some felt inspired to move forward with restoration of their communities. Others decided to take action in other countries to show their gratitude. 5 years after the quake, interaction between the Tohoku region and the rest of the world is lifting the spirits of senders of the messages and their recipients.
Fukushima Reborn recounts Yauemon's passionate campaign to save the region he loves so much. The documentary looks at life in present-day Fukushima, a beautiful part of Japan struggling to get out from under a dark cloud.
5 years ago, the fishing industry in the prefecture that proudly calls itself Fishery Miyagi was devastated by the tsunami. How is the recovery of the marine resources progressing?
Global hitmaker Sérgio Mendes heads Part 1 in collaboration with Aki Yashiro, a singer renowned throughout Japan. Young people from Fukushima also add excitement with a taiko drum performance. Uplifting music envelops the people of Fukushima, who have taken a new step toward the future..
The 5th International Image Festival held in the small island kingdom of Brunei, and the theme is 'Happiness'. Competing are young creators from 8 different Asian nations. We introduce the steps they took on the road to creating their pieces up to the day of the festival.
Kjetil Jikiun, Norwegian sake brewer, was the first to make sake commercially in Europe. He started out as a pilot. One night in Japan, he tasted high-quality sake. Blown away by its wonderful flavors, he returned to Japan to learn at top breweries. In 2010, he added a sake department to his brewery in Grimstad, Norway. Though the Norwegian sake market is small, it's growing. Kjetil has bought land in Greece, to make craft beer. But his plan is to make sake with Greek rice, an all-European sake.
Fukushima Prefecture has become a familiar name worldwide as a result of the nuclear accidents in 2011. Ever since then, the world has been concerned about what's happening regarding radioactive contamination in the prefecture.
There is a hugely popular Hawaiian-themed amusement center in Fukushima. After the disaster, it became the base for recovery support provided by Hawaiian artists. See performances by popular Hawaiian group ManoaDNA, Japanese jazz pianist Senri Oe and singer Junko Yagami, residents of the US who have been supporting recovery efforts. New ties are created between Hawaii and Fukushima!
Paul Duffield is an acclaimed British manga artist and animator. His comics are the perfect synthesis of Japan's iconic comic culture with his own deep worldview. Although manga (Japanese comics) is often recognized for its distinctive aesthetics, Paul knew there was more to manga than just its looks. By searching for manga's deeper soul, he identified what gives manga the unique spirit and strength to make it the largest comic industry in the world.
Masahiro Kikuno is a master craftsman who belongs to an exclusive international group of independent watchmakers. These consummate artists create timepieces that reflect their deepest ideals, with no connection to commercial watch manufacturers. Kikuno's creations are deeply influenced by traditional Japanese culture. He's fascinated by a masterpiece called the Myriad Year Clock, which was built by a 19th-century Japanese mechanical genius. Containing over a thousand hand-made parts, the clock is a marvel of complex and precise engineering.
The final part of Music for Tomorrow features a fabulous collaboration between Bob James and friends. His performance with leading Japanese singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda is not one to miss. Bob James has written a new song of support for Fukushima's high school students who were forced to live in evacuation shelters following the accident at the nuclear power plant. High school students who are the future of Fukushima premiere the song.
Tawaraya is the oldest inn in a city that knows something about longevity, Kyoto. Many prominent personages have stayed beneath its roof within the past 300 years, including John-Paul Sartre and Alfred Hitchcock. Tawaraya has only 18 guest quarters, but it's filled with fascinating details, among them: rooms joined with the garden, unconventional layouts, and impeccable timing in the serving of meals. Mystery writer Frédéric Lepage helps reveal the inside story of the inn, which usually does not allow filming. Tune in and immerse yourself in hospitality.
With her Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up series stirring up phenomenal sensations all over the world, KonMari visits New York to help people distressed about tidying. Gina Kruger, who lives with her husband and 2 sons, is helpless as things pile up uncontrollably in her house. KonMari comes to rescue.
Her Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up series has stirred up phenomenal sensations all over the world. Emily Newhouse, who lives alone in New York, needs to tidy up her place so that her boyfriend can move in.
Indonesian actor Hamish Daud reveals the appeal of Ise-Shima to Muslim visitors. Although the area is not so well known overseas, Ise-Shima offers much to see: Ise Jingu, one of Japan's largest shrines; Iga, an original ninja site; and Ago Bay, a place where pearls are plentiful.
Ise Katagami has been practiced for a thousand years in the Ise region. This use of stencils for dyeing kimono contributed to the "Japonism" influence on European arts around the start of the 20th century. These days, it takes on new shapes as dyed pictures, interior decorations and accessories.
Masaaki Hatsumi, 84 years old, is a living ninja in modern times. As the grandmaster of Togakure-ryu, an amazing legacy of ninja's martial arts, left and remained throughout the history of 900 years, has drawn attention from FBI and other government agencies as ultimate survival skills of dodging enemy attacks and saving one's life.
A young wrestler from Egypt has taken the world of sumo by storm under the apt name of Osunaarashi - or "Great Sandstorm" in Japanese. It took him only 18 months to reach the top makunouchi division, where only 42 of all 600 wrestlers are admitted. That's the fastest rise ever among foreign-born wrestlers. But fighting his way up through the ranks was no easy task.
For millions of years, insects have come out ahead in the struggle for survival. From painless mosquito stings to high-performance dragonfly wings, advanced 4K high-speed cameras and digital microscopes can now provide extraordinary new views of the world of bugs. Join us as we take a look at the amazing mechanisms hidden inside their bodies and the new man-made technologies they have inspired.
Designing shoes for Lady Gaga garnered a lot of attention for contemporary artist Noritaka Tatehana. Now he's turning his talents to staging Japan's traditional puppet theater in Paris. Collaborating with bunraku master Kanjuro Kiritake, Tatehana serves as an art director for a story steeped in Japanese aesthetics. The master himself is giving the grand role of the courtesan Akoya its premiere outside of Japan, bringing the soul of the character to the present. The program documents the 2 men's efforts to discover new dimensions of bunraku.
Charles Chibana, a 26-year-old judoka, is a 3rd-generation Japanese-Brazilian seeking Olympic glory. His family has practiced judo for generations, and his father still teaches it to the children in their 40-person household. Charles' grandparents left Okinawa for South America after World War II, leaving a home that had become a war zone and raising their children while maintaining their Japanese heritage. This program focuses on the achievements, hopes and dreams of this remarkable family.
Kaoru Ogura dedicated his life to telling the world about the Japanese city where the first atomic bomb was dropped. He brought public figures from other countries together with survivors in postwar Hiroshima, even though he himself was born and raised in the U.S. The devastation shocked the visitors, causing them to spread the word internationally. They eventually began supporting the victims and joining in the anti-nuclear movement. The program recounts the life and work of those activists and the experiences of Kaoru Ogura.
This special edition of NHK NEWSLINE covers the peace memorial ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.
This program is based on that original movie and Tanabe's body of work as well as NHK's Hiroshima Broadcasting Center records and testimonials to create an updated and reworked version of the original movie. In the hope of reinforcing the uselessness of war and the desire among people for peace, NHK WORLD presents a new take on the events of August 6, 1945 in the actual words and drawings of the few people left that survived to tell their story.
Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, the program looks at the current status of the world's nuclear weapons and the global movements toward abolishing them.
Actor Ken Watanabe has continued to support the Tohoku region since just after the Great East Japan Earthquake. 5 years have now passed since the disaster and again he returns to the area to revisit acquaintances, to get a sense of the positive developments there and learn what is now giving people cause for concern.
Having lived for 88 years, Minatoya Koryu has plenty of tales to tell. She has performed as a Rokyoku storyteller for 70 years, 50 of those on the road. The art of Rokyoku storytelling - performing stories sung along with the melody of a shamisen - was the most popular performing art in Japan from the end of the 19th century to 1960's. It was all but forgotten during Japan's high economic growth era. Now, it's being rediscovered by a younger audience. The program shows the relationship between Koryu and her young disciple Koyuki, introducing the appeal of the tradition to a modern generation.
Held every 5 years, the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition attracts the world's top young pianists vying fiercely for a chance at stardom. But for the 4 piano manufacturers who supply instruments for the contest, the event also provides a supreme opportunity for public exposure. How many pianists will select their piano to play? What instrument will the winner use? In the latest competition held in the autumn of 2015, the fates of the instrument makers rested with company piano tuners who were nearly all Japanese.
The thalidomide poisoning incident of the early 1960's was the first of a series of drug poisoning cases in Japan. In 2014, the Japanese government released results of a survey of the present condition of the thalidomide victims. Physical examinations using cutting-edge medical technology and interviews with victims revealed a wide array of disabilities that had previously been undetected. The never-ending consequences of their poisoning have forced the victims to reexamine their lives. Following individual victims as they once again confront the nature of their exposure, a portrait of a half-century of "the poison of thalidomide" emerges.
The long-awaited completion of the Sagrada Família in Spain, Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is scheduled for 2026. Meanwhile, the symbolic Nativity façade was finished in December 2015. A Japanese sculptor, Etsuro Sotoo, created the 8 gates in the Nativity façade. Without any blueprints left by Gaudí, how did he create them? Unveiling Gaudí's message, this documentary captures the moment of the façade's completion and stunning images of Sagrada Família never before seen.
The Onda Festival is held at the Aso Shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan every summer on July 28. A tradition going back more than 800 years, it's the shrine's largest festival and features a procession of 200 people who pray for a good harvest. In 2016, a huge earthquake destroyed much of the shrine, but parishioners resolved to hold the festival anyway. This program features a festival veteran of more than 40 years and a young man who plays a leading role for the first time, channeling prayers for a stricken community.
Badly affected by the Kumamoto earthquakes of April 2016, the town of Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, one of Japan's top hot spring resorts, experienced a dramatic drop in visitor numbers. Desperate to revitalize the area, local inns and other businesses banded together with residents to rebuild. Last time Yufuin was hit by a major quake, 41 years ago, some residents established a traditional Japanese taiko drumming group to boost people's spirit in the midst of hardship. Those performers' activities once more took on renewed significance this August, at a summer festival held to bring energy and excitement back to the town.
Robocon 2016 was held in Bangkok, Thailand. In this edition, the young engineers gathered from 16 countries and regions had to go up against the clock with 2 robots: the Eco Robot and the Hybrid Robot. The Hybrid Robot must use forces such as magnetic power and wind power to move the Eco Robot to the finish line without directly touching it.
"Go, Kitchen, Go!" visits Okinawa Prefecture, a small island in the south of Japan with Taiyo Sugiura, an actor and Ema Koeda, a fusion cuisine specialist. Let's find out its local ingredients, such as Abasa or porcupinefish, or Kandabaa or sweet potato leaves, and Irabuu or sea snakes. The mission of chef Koeda is to create her original and tasty dishes using such ingredients found in Okinawa.
91-year-old Sunao Tsuboi is a hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivor, from Hiroshima Prefecture. His postwar journey has taken him from all-consuming anger and an attempted suicide to reconciliation and activism in the name of peace. On this program, we trace Tsuboi's transformation and explore the latest chapter in his remarkable life - a meeting with the president of the United States, the country that dropped the bomb, and the launch of a grass-roots campaign aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
The Paralympic Games are now one of the world's biggest sporting events, and they also impact society by transforming people's attitudes toward disabilities. Tokyo's vision for the 2020 Games is to raise awareness of unity through diversity among people around the world. How can we create a truly inclusive society? What role can sports play in achieving this goal? On this program, we discuss these issues with top athletes and global leaders in the field of social inclusion through sports.
Asia's biggest trail running race taking racers across the mountains around the circumference of Mt. Fuji - a designated World Heritage Site. This year was the 5th edition and over 2,300 racers from 39 different countries and regions gathered to take on the challenge of participating in one of two races going all the way around or half way around Mt. Fuji. However, on the day of the race, the weather was bad and heavy rain warnings were issued. The water levels along the race course rose and the risk of landslides also developed. Race headquarters were faced with a difficult decision. Would they actually be able to start the race?
It was the biggest data leak in history. Or more like a dam burst. Suddenly, 11.5 million documents came pouring out of a Panamanian law firm. These so-called Panama Papers provided shocking details of how the superrich use tax havens to hide their wealth. They were leaked to the media by an anonymous source, then shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, or ICIJ. 400 journalists from 80 countries analyzed the data. The unprecedented collaboration led to some of the most powerful leaders in the world. In June, NHK joined the ICIJ project and delved into a huge number of documents linked to Japan. In this program, we’ll look into each case and expose some previously unknown ties between the Panama Papers and Japan.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, from Japan, and Ailee, one of the bright lights of South Korea's K-Pop, joined performers from 11 other nations and regions in this year's "ABU Song Festival" held in Bali. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu performed a medley of "Fashion Monster" and "Sai & Co" for the occasion. It was her first time to sing in Bali, and she took the opportunity to try out some of the island's dance traditions.
In 2016, NHK WORLD started GRAND SUMO Highlights, a program that delivers the thrills and excitement of sumo to a global audience. In this review show, our commentators are back to recount the highlights of the year, including the rise of a new hopeful for Yokozuna. We also reveal the winning secrets of the most powerful wrestlers, many of whom weigh over 150kg, and explain some of the sport’s mysterious traditions.
The spirit of Japanese hospitality has been nurtured over the centuries, through the spiritual connection of the people with a myriad of gods. The god of the fields, for example, watches over rice cultivation. After the harvest, farmers invite the god into their homes for a meal. In parts of the country that get a lot of snow, the mountain god comes down to the village once a year. Children cower, but residents still invite it inside for a meal. As the source of both blessings and disasters, nature is revered in Japanese tradition. The gods are believed to dwell in everything: in forests, rivers, rocks, and an endless array of other places. This program, shot with 4K video equipment, allows viewers to sense the mysterious-yet-delightful relationship between Japanese people and their countless gods.
A student photography contest took place in 2016, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Japan's entry to the United Nations. The theme was "My View on Sustainable Development Goals". Contestants addressed challenges such as poverty, hunger, education and climate change. 622 pictures came in from 47 countries. The judging was led by Leslie Kee, known for his work with Lady Gaga and other celebrities. This program visits Cambodia, Myanmar, and other sites of the selected photos, to hear the photographers' thoughts.
An unlikely new group has emerged onto Japan's "Idol scene". With an average age of 84, the members of KBG84 are from the small Okinawan island of Kohama. Wearing headbands, the group excites crowds with their dynamic singing and dancing. Their concerts in Tokyo and Osaka were sold out. And in December 2016, they expanded overseas! Media Corp, the Singaporean TV company found Grandmas' singing on Youtube, and invited them for a concert! They want to discover "Why are these Grandmas so full of vitality?" This program looks at their way of life and find clues for the beautiful life in old age.
Every year, NHK WORLD holds a "Radio Personality Contest in Chinese" in connection with its "Chinese Talk Show" program. Japanese and Chinese people pair up to put on talk shows. Those that made the cut this time included a duo of high school students and a Japanese-Chinese married couple. The contestants had only 19 days from the time of their selection to the on-stage performance. Follow the teams as they struggle to create their scripts and hone their speaking skills.
Through decades of combat in war-torn Afghanistan, a Japanese man has been waging a different battle, against the ravages of drought. Tetsu Nakamura is a 70 year-old physician. Beginning in 1991, he opened 3 clinics to provide medical service in the mountainous eastern region of the country. However, a historic drought that began in 2000 led to shortages of water and food, causing the deaths of many people. From the perspective of providing medical care, "One irrigation canal will do more good than 100 doctors!" Nakamura shed his physician's white coat and set out to build an irrigation canal. 16 years later, the plains have turned green again and local people have begun to return to farming with renewed security. Nakamura declares, "Weapons and tanks don't solve problems. The revival of farming is the cornerstone of Afghanistan's recovery". The program follows Nakamura's 16 years of unrelenting effort, to examine the question of what kind of aid will assist Afghanistan the most.
Shinji Sogo was the 4th president of Japanese National Railways. With imagination and determination, he made sure that the Shinkansen bullet train service started in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The news brought attention from around the world and revived the railway industry. It also laid the groundwork for high-speed railways being planned and built in Europe, the US and Asia today. This program examines rare documents and firsthand accounts of how Sogo's leadership brought the ambitious Shinkansen project to fruition.
The area that covers the alpine resorts in southwestern Hokkaido is collectively referred to as Niseko. Its popularity among skiers abroad has exploded in the last 20 years, attracting aggressive foreign investment. The reasons lie in the top-quality powder snow and the efforts of the locals to ensure visitors' safety and pleasure.
For 30 years, Sayuri Yoshinaga, one of Japan's top film actresses has volunteered her time to read poems by survivors of the World War II atomic bombing of Hiroshima. She is joined by the internationally renowned Academy Award winning musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who says "Unless there is peace, we can't enjoy art. So, for me, there has to be peace". The poems express sorrow and suffering, a belief in the strength of humankind to overcome hardship, and messages of hope for peace.
apan's railway system can take you to all corners of Japan without much hustle. So, one way to enjoy Japan is to hop on any of these trains, get off at some random station, and take a stroll around. In this program, we get on Odakyu Odawara Line, one of Tokyo's major railways, to take you on a journey to explore some hidden charms along the way. The train travels 82.5km from the nature-abound area of Odawara City to metropolitan Shinjuku through a suburban Tokyo landscape. Get on board!
The March Grand Sumo Tournament opens with huge expectations for newly promoted Yokozuna Kisenosato, who won the previous tourney in January to finally reach the sport's highest rank. The strong contender for the championship in Osaka will have to contend with Yokozuna Hakuho, who'll be aiming for his 38th title, and his first since May 2016. In addition to the yokozuna battle, the preview show also looks at up-and-coming wrestlers who could shake up the March tournament.
Snow-bound and still impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the people of Tohoku wait eagerly for that springtime symbol of hope and life: the blossoming of cherry trees. Northern Japan boasts many varieties of cherry trees and some very beloved ones -- a tree strong enough to grow through a boulder and another whose lineage stretches for a thousand years. Some of these trees are cared for by generations of the same families, people who know each bud on their trees and the best places to view the cherry blossoms.
Takano Hospital is located in a town only 22 kilometers away from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The 81-year-old hospital director, Dr. Hideo Takano, has continued to provide medical care during difficult times as an active physician. The environment surrounding the hospital has changed drastically since the nuclear accident in 2011. Other hospitals closer to the damaged facility have closed, so the ambulances come thick and fast. With local medical services in disarray, Takano Hospital is the last refuge for the "new citizens" engated in decontamination work and elderly patients who lost their homes when the disaster struck. The program follows Dr. Takano over a period of 2,000 days as he struggles on alone.
This film unveils a hidden history which starts in the Dutch East Indies under Japanese occupation during WWII. The protagonists were born of Eurasian mothers and Japanese fathers as children of the enemy. They moved to the Netherlands with their mothers while their fathers went back to Japan after the war. The absence of their fathers becomes a missing piece in their lives, and the ensuing search stretches across continents. One of the protagonists, Nippy Noya, is the percussionist in a Netherlands-based rock band called Massada. In his career, he also recorded with artists such as John McLaughlin and toured with Billy Cobham and Chaka Khan. The film starts with his soulful drum playing in the ruins of the former Jewish transit camp, Westerbork. On his journey, he discovers the secret of his musical gift, just as the other protagonists each experience their own emotional rebirth.
Japan's Yayoi Kusama is one of the most closely watched female artists on the planet. Her works sell for millions of dollars. The allure of her art transcends borders and she constantly stages grand touring exhibitions around the world. Kusama is 87 years old, but she continues to paint at a frenetic pace of one painting every 2 or 3 days, as part of her "My Eternal Soul" series. This program uses 8K cameras to follow Kusama through the process of producing new works, from the initial brush strokes right through to completion. With high-definition video and original music from artist/producer Towa Tei, the program portrays the moment of creation in a striking and dynamic way.
This documentary follows a group of students at the sensitive age of 15 as they try to move on in the wake of a major disaster. In April 2016, 2 earthquakes measuring between magnitude 6 and 7 struck the town of Mashiki in Kumamoto Prefecture. More than half of the students at a local junior high school had their homes damaged. They were forced to live in a shelter in the middle of their broken town.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, Kumamoto Prefecture's popular mascot Kumamon visited disaster-stricken areas in the Tohoku region many times to warm the hearts of countless people. Last year, Kumamon's own home of Kumamoto Prefecture was shaken by many massive tremors and he has been busier than ever helping people in a variety of ways. Kumamon has encouraged the people of Kumamoto to share their stories by using a Twitter hashtag resulting in over 9,000 tweets. In this program Kumamon visits some residents and is touched by people's kindness.
Kumamoto Castle was seriously damaged by a massive earthquake registered as a 7 on the Japan's seismic intensity scale last year. NHK has obtained a permission to conduct a survey on the restricted area. And the results showed that most of its collapsed
English Rakugo storyteller Kimie Oshima and Kaishi Katsura visited Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa city and Saga Prefecture Arita town, and they will show off what they were impressed by traveling and making heartbreaking episodes as English-style Rakugo! In the theme of "WAGASHI" in Kanazawa, and "Porcelain" in Arita. It is a Rakugo program that introduces Japanese fascination, fun and fun! Please enjoy Japanese traditional entertainment "RAKUGO" comparable to Kabuki!
This spring, Tokyo's NHK Symphony Orchestra and its Chief Conductor Paavo Järvi embarked on their first European tour together as a part of the orchestra's 90th birthday celebrations, with concerts at prestigious venues in 7 cities across 6 countries. Currently in his second season as Chief Conductor, Järvi commented, "our biggest mission is to introduce the orchestra as one of the great orchestras in the world to European audiences". This program brings you the orchestra's brilliant performances at the Berlin Philharmonie along with stories from behind the scenes.
In his last years, Katsushika Hokusai, world-renowned ukiyo-e artist, painted a final masterpiece. Destroyed by fire in 1923, the 3-meter work has now been recreated based on the only surviving image, a single early 20th century monochrome photo. Leading edge image analysis technology combined with traditional art restoration techniques brought this magnificent work back to life in all its glory.
The theme of this program is the journey to explore the "Spirit of Japan" by visiting temples and shrines. This time we will visit Mt. Yoshino. Mt. Yoshino places in the south of Nara Prefecture and we will look for the roots of "Sakura (cherry blossoms)" which the flower that Japanese people love so much. Yoshino is the mountain which is covered with over 30,000 of SAKURA and it is known as a sacred place for mountain worship. This worship is developed focusing around "KINPUSENJI (temple located in Mt. Yoshino)". Through this journey, we will find out the Japanese people's feeling for the SAKURA.
In May 2016, a handshake in Hiroshima between a sitting US president and a hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivor, became front page news. The survivor, Sunao Tsuboi, was in his 20's when the atomic bomb hit. He just barely escaped death, and for years afterward, he was consumed by hatred of America. But a chance meeting led to a change of heart. He has since dedicated his life to ridding the world of nuclear weapons while fighting the aftereffects of radiation. At 92, his journey for peace goes on.
Koko Kondo was 8 months old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. As she grew, she struggled to come to terms with the bomb's legacy, and with being a hibakusha, or survivor. While still a teenager, she fled Hiroshima and eventually moved to the US, where she hoped to marry. But when her engagement was called off due to radiation fears, Koko returned to Japan. She then made it her life's mission to share her experiences with people from all walks of life, to pass on the torch of peace.
This series examines how the Paris Agreement on climate change has affected businesses around the world. The first episode focuses on the financial industry. On Wall Street, fossil fuels are increasingly seen as "stranded assets" to be divested. The program looks at what the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, among others, is doing. The second episode concerns electric power.
This program promotes Japanese culture by introducing "Noh", Japan's traditional performing art, in a way that can be easily enjoyed by anyone, not just aficionados of Japan. Noh employs various elements of theatrical expression, such as Noh masks and costumes
Major electric companies in Germany are pulling out of the fossil fuel business and shifting their mainstay to renewable energy sources. Can they compete with clean energy, which is said to be unstable and comparatively high in prices?
A challenge taken by a man who was described by Queen Elizabeth as a gardening magician. Kazuyuki Ishihara is known around the world for his designs. He has won 8 top prizes in various categories at London's annual Chelsea Flower Show. In 2016, he received the President's Award, an honor given to a work chosen from all categories. This year, Ishihara is competing once again, aiming to be the first person to win the President's Award twice in a row. Tune in and watch his gardening magic.
This program takes food connoisseurs to some of the beautiful places in southern Japan. Surrounded by lush mountains and deep-blue ocean, residents have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. Our guide is Alex Kerr, a scholar in Eastern culture who specializes in reviving traditional Japanese houses. He argues a period of constantly chasing what's new is over and that the passage of time is what truly creates and nurtures authenticity. During his trip, he comes across modern-style cafés that embody the lifestyle of "Satoyama", the traditional way of living side by side with nature. We travel through Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture to Nagasaki Prefecture's Goto Island, where Christians maintained their beliefs in secret for several hundred years when their religion was banned.
Bunraku puppet plays have been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. 3 puppeteers work as a team to perform these serious and adult dramas. Renowned puppeteer Kiritake Kanjuro explores this extraordinary art through "Kagamiyama Kokyo no Nishiki-e", a tale of revenge, and "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", a historic tragedy. Kiritake's team of 3 puppeteers perform with the leading doll in the studio, showcasing the full depth and breadth of emotion of which bunraku is capable.
The Sewol, a South Korean passenger ferry, sank in 2014. 295 people died in the tragedy. Many were high school students on a field trip. Mothers of victims whose bodies were not recovered lived at a port near the accident site for the 3 years to be close to their loved ones. They steadfastly campaigned for a search to be conducted for those still trapped inside the ferry. We document their struggle.
Nearly 70 years after the detonation of the first nuclear bomb, the threat of nuclear proliferation continues to advance. North Korea's nuclear development progresses as it continues to conduct test-launches of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. For responding to future provocations by the North, the US says "all options must remain on the table".
"Who will do it without me doing it". The blue-eyed reformer is struggling with the crisis of Japanese heritages. His name is David Atkinson. He is an English man who is currently the president of a long-established restoration company with a history of 350 years. Although he collided with craftsmen, he has been promoting the restoration of the famous cultural heritages including ones of Nikko and Kyoto with his innovative ideas. The camera has scooped the moment of his unique strategy for saving the cultural heritage throughout Japan.
The theme of this program is the journey to explore the "Spirit of Japan" by visiting temples and shrines. This time we will visit TODAIJI in Nara Prefecture. TODAIJI is one of Japan's most legendary temples which originally built more than 1,200 years ago. The Japanese people have been prayed to Buddhist statues from ancient times. Among the numerous Buddhist statues found in Japan, "TODAIJI's DAIBUTSU (giant Buddha statue)" is one of the most prominent and popular of them all. Visitors from all over the world come to TODAIJI to catch a glimpse of the world's largest Buddhist statue.
The theme of this program is the journey to explore the "Spirit of Japan" by visiting temples and shrines. "Miwa" places in the northern part of Nara Prefecture and it is known as where an ancient Japanese monarchy was founded. Our journey for this time is "OMIWA JINJA (OMIWA Shrine)" which is told as the oldest shrine in Japan. Enshrined at OMIWA JINJA, is Mt. Miwa.
Belarus writer Svetlana Alexievich, winner of a 2015 Nobel Prize, is known for her unique testimonial documentary style. She strives to capture the voices of "the little people" -- those at risk of being buried in the histories of their states. She is especially known for her chronicle of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, to which she devoted 10-plus years. Her birthplace was contaminated, and she lost her sister to cancer after Chernobyl, where Alexievich went immediately to gather the stories of survivors of those killed and others who were exposed. Part 1 follows the writer as she travels to pursue her stories, featuring footage NHK began to film in 2000, to depict the experience of Chernobyl through the eyes of "the little people".
The Chernobyl nuclear accident devastated Alexievich's home country of Belarus, spurring her to document the disaster and explore the problematic relationship of humans and the atom. After the March 2011 Fukushima disaster -- like Chernobyl a Level 7 major accident -- she hoped to visit Fukushima Prefecture to hear the voices of "the little people" there. More than 5 years after the accident, her hopes were realized in November 2016. In Odaka and Iitate, towns that were completely evacuated, she encounters people determined to carry on, and others whose family committed suicide in despair. What do Chernobyl and Fukushima share? What does the future hold? We examine Fukushima today, through Alexievich's eyes.
Pulitzer Prize -- winning journalist John Hersey caused a sensation when he published "Hiroshima", the first account for American readers of the horror experienced by victims of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb attack. "Hiroshima" stunned readers with its descriptions of the terrible aftermath of the bombing, yet Hersey never spoke about his experience in Hiroshima. Intrigued, his grandson Cannon Hersey visited present-day Hiroshima to trace his grandfather's footsteps as he worked to understand his grandfather's feelings when he was writing the book.
Pulitzer Prize -- winning journalist John Hersey caused a sensation when he wrote "Hiroshima", the first account for American readers of the horror experienced by victims of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb attack. First published as a reportage essay, "Hiroshima" brought home to American citizens the inhumanity of nuclear weapons. Wishing to unravel the reasons his grandfather never spoke about Hiroshima later in his life, Hersey's grandson Cannon Hersey, an artist, visits Hiroshima.
The Battle of Imphal resulted in 70,000 Japanese casualties. What are the facts regarding the WWII operation to invade India from Burma? We take an in-depth look at the brutal fighting and retreat.
World-renowned Western-style painter Koji Kinutani and his daughter Kanako, a Japanese-style painter, collaborated on a work which successfully harmonized the 2 worlds of his burning color and her monochrome ink painting. Titled "Shining Life", the work is being shown this summer at a major exhibition in Kyoto and attracting great attention. This is the heartwarming story of the intense relationship between father and daughter as they proceed toward the birth of a joint masterpiece.
A magnificent panorama of more than 3,000 stone columns soaring as high as 200 meters into the air! Welcome to Zhangjiajie, a region of natural wonder in China that's registered as a World Heritage Site. Although a popular destination for tourists and a model for the scenic backdrop of the film Avatar, much of the area has restricted access and is virtually unknown. With the permission of local authorities, we succeeded in filming this wonderland with a high-resolution 4K camera mounted on a drone. Join us as we explore the mystery of a mountain with a giant hole located 1,000 meters above the valley floor; discover rice paddies cultivated on steep precipices; and document the lives of local minority peoples. Travel back in time to retrace the ancient roots of Zhangjiajie in the Han dynasty, and explore the secrets of geologic change that gave rise to these dramatic columns of stone. And, as a special treat, witness the rare occurrence of the miraculous Torrent of Mist issuing from the mountain hole like white smoke from a dragon's mouth. Our bird's-eye view highlights the special appeal of Zhangjiajie for all to see!
Taisetsuzan, a cluster of mountains known as the "roof of Hokkaido", is a garden in the sky boasting some of the largest alpine meadows with the greatest variety of alpine plant life in the world. A close examination of each flower growing here reveals various ingenious strategies that allow plants to pass on the gift of life to succeeding generations in the midst of a harsh environment. Using 4K cameras and other advanced video technologies, this program captures the fascinating spectacle of this tiny, hidden world.
It's no overstatement to say that Katsushika Hokusai changed the world of art. The master of Japanese ukiyo-e influenced the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists in Europe, affecting fashion, music, anime and even social thought. In this program, super high-definition 8K cameras get up close to the recent Hokusai exhibit at the British Museum. Tune in to discover the enduring appeal of Hokusai.
To discover the true essence of Japanese cooking, it's crucial to leave the big cities behind and head out into the countryside! 3 food experts from the U.S. and Britain visit Toyama Prefecture, located about 400 kilometers from Tokyo, to learn all about washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine. They explore Toyama's diverse food culture and are introduced to unique ingredients such as tofu, miso and kombu. They also create innovative dishes for a bento together. Join them on their journey!
An American magazine calls Katsushika Hokusai one of 100 people who left the most important achievements of the past millennium. Assisting him behind the scenes however was a woman: his daughter, O-Ei. For the first time, NHK WORLD brings a historical drama presented in high definition 4K, telling O-Ei's story.
The opening program of the series, ASEAN Now and the Future – Connectivity and Economic Corridors, looks back over the history of cooperation for peace, stability, growth and prosperity between Japan and ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and explains how the broadcasting stations of the four participating countries in this program production assistance project – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar – tackled the program production work.
The program tours the infrastructure of the East-West and Southern Economic Corridors which support the high annual growth rates of over 6% and visits projects developed with Japanese assistance, including the Tien Sa Seaport, Noi Bai International Airport, Nhat Tan Bridge, the local production of a measles rubella vaccine, Vietnam-Japan University and an electronic customs clearance system.
Part Three of ASEAN Now and the Future – Connectivity and Economic Corridors, was produced by the Laotian state-run broadcaster, Lao National Television (LNTV). Laos, with its population of 7 million, is ASEAN’s only landlocked country but it enjoyed an average annual GDP growth rate of 7.85% for the 4 years of 2012-15. This economic growth is underpinned by the expanding infrastructure for the rapid transport of people and goods. The focus this time, carrying on from Vietnam, is the East-West Economic Corridor, starting from the town of Dansavanh on the Vietnam border. We cross Laos on from there on the East-West Economic Corridor’s National Route 9 to Savannakhet on the border with Thailand.
The program introduces the bridges built by Japan, which have contributed to solve these problems. We also travel along the Southern Economic Corridor connecting Cambodia to Vietnam via the Tsubasa Bridge, the 3rd bridge built by Japan, visiting the border town as well as Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, connecting the country to not only other ASEAN countries but the world.
The program introduces how Myanmar is overcoming the political turmoil and stepping out for a better tomorrow, looking at the links with other ASEAN countries and how those links are supported by Japan. The East-West Economic Corridor links Myanmar to Vietnam. In the near future, an electronic customs system will also be introduced on the Thai border, and a bridge being built with the latest Japanese technologies on the road to Yangon should further accelerate the flow of goods. In the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, the governments of Myanmar and Japan and the private sector are working hand in hand to help the Myanmar economy lift off.
Young engineers around the globe compete with handmade robots in the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest, or Robocon, and in August 2017 robots from the world over gathered in Tokyo. In the past 15 contests, China and Vietnam boast the most number of wins with 5 titles each. Japan has only won twice, but this year, both the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo will enter for the chance to regain the title for Japan after 4 years. Come witness behind-the-scenes footage of the battle to be number one.
Mone Kamishiraishi playing Mirai and Thai actor Thiti Mahayotaruk playing Samut star in "Gata no Kuni kara: Message from the Mudflats". Samut, a Thai celebrity, disappears from the production while filming a TV show in Saga Prefecture. He longs to see the mudflats (Gata) so he can re-experience the joy he felt as a young boy. He meets Mirai, a local high school girl while on the run and convinces her to take him to the mudflats. Even though, the show's director and his staff are in hot pursuit, Mirai and Samut manage to make it to the mudflats, but... How will it all end? Though the two of them do not speak the same language, they are able to communicate via Mucchi, Mirai's pet mudskipper, due to an extraordinary power he possesses. What could this extraordinary power be?
The program features Japanese actress Mone Kamishiraishi as Mirai, a Japanese high school girl, and popular Thai actor Thiti Mahayotaruk as Samut, a big name Thai celebrity who is filming a TV show in Saga Prefecture. Samut runs away from the production and convinces Mirai to take him to see the mudflats (Gata). But it is high tide when they finally arrive, so the mudflats are underwater. He acknowledges that "knowing when to give up" is important. Mirai then promises to help him see the mudflats. Finally, with the help of others, they are able to visit the mudflats at low tide and really see them. Just before they reach the mudflats, the show's director appears and tries to convince Samut to return to the production. But suddenly, Samut and Mirai run towards the mudflats.
Festivals hold a special place in people's hearts in Japan. Passed down over generations, they express the spirit of local communities, and people's hopes for safety and prosperity. In 2016, UNESCO added 33 Japanese festivals featuring elaborate floats to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Among them are five from the southwestern island of Kyushu. Showcasing the cultural diversity of local communities, these festivals have been integral to creating a sense of local pride and belonging.
Good health is something that everyone wants, and interest in fitness, healthy eating, and other aspects of disease prevention awareness has been growing each year.
Alain Ducasse is a world-famous French chef and owner of restaurants worldwide, including Tokyo. He's fascinated by Japanese cuisine and makes several visits a year to explore local ingredients and culinary techniques. We follow him on his search for premium winter ingredients such as sea urchin, pole-and-line fished cod and traditional Kyoto vegetables. After commenting on the beauty of the way in which they're prepared Japanese style, he demonstrates his unique style of French cuisine.
More than 22,000. This is the number of people either dead or missing in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. For surviving family members and friends, the pain and sorrow of losing loved ones do not fade, even after 6 years. Ever since the disaster, NHK has shared on its website photos of loved ones sent in by survivors, along with messages to them. There are now more than 500 of them. Among them are a family portrait from a daughter who lost her parents; a photograph of a woman and her husband, who is still unaccounted for; and one of a smiling wife who lived close to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. We tell the stories of the years since the disaster – stories that should never be forgotten.
Self-taught artists are claiming respect and recognition for themselves and their work. Marie Suzuki is one such person, a creator of what has come to be known as art brut, made by artists who have learned on their own. She cultivates her skills primarily to please herself. Nevertheless, others have taken notice. The program features an exhibition of Japanese art brut in Nantes, France, including that of Suzuki. Tune in to see how boundless imagination turns into expression beyond words.
The "Tokyo Girls Collection" fashion show has become a social and economic phenomenon. Teenage audience members -- some 20,000 in all -- buy the clothes the models are wearing right in front of them, in real time. Their social media posts affect the year's clothing trends. People in Kitakyushu, quite a distance from Tokyo, thought their community could use that sort of event. So, they staged their own version of it. Tune in to see young people taking to the catwalk as their industrial city finds itself in fashion.
Situated as the gateway to the Japanese archipelago from the South China Sea, Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Until the 19th century, it was an independent island chain known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Then during WWⅡ, Okinawa was the location of the first ground battle in Japan. Countless civilians died, both young and old. The former Kingdom's Shuri Castle was also burned down. It was only in 1992 that it was restored to its former glory. In its long and turbulent history, Okinawa's songs never ceased to offer hope and support. Artists symbolizing Okinawan folk music have gathered at Shuri Castle, now a World Heritage Site, to perform a series of songs celebrating the islands and their culture.
Satoyama are areas where people have formed a close interdependent relationship with nature. These timeless landscapes are deeply embedded in the Japanese psyche and a recognizable feature of Japanese culture around the world. Yet the countryside is facing a crisis of epidemic proportions: a graying and decreasing population; wide swaths of unused farmland; and numerous empty or abandoned buildings and houses. But a ray of light has shown from a hopeful source: the younger generation. Leaving urban areas behind, they've quietly revitalized their adopted communities, and in the process, have found renewed energy and passion. American writer and Japanologist Alex Kerr takes us to the aging castle town of Taketa in Oita Prefecture where new value and old traditions work hand in hand. Kerr notes that this change occurring in the satoyama may alter assumptions of life in the countryside and economics in general.
The Paris Agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050, which has sped up the growth of "zero-carbon" business worldwide. Part 3 of Zero Carbon Ahead looks at this trend. The world's biggest solar power station is currently being built in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates -- the power it generates will be far cheaper than coal. Dramatic decreases like this in the cost of renewable energy mean that many businesses hope to eventually use renewables for 100% of their energy needs.
A ravaged high school piano, soaked by the tsunami, sat stoically after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Renowned musician Ryuichi Sakamoto came across it when visiting the disaster area. The sounds were divorced from conventional tonality, and Sakamoto employed them in his first album in 8 years. He also attached sensors to the keys, transforming the instrument into a machine that converts seismic waves into sounds. It was his way of conveying the message that the disaster should never be forgotten. Watch and listen as the teacher and a student who had used the "tsunami piano" before the quake react to its new melodies.
William Perry served as US secretary of defense for 3 years, beginning in 1994. He granted NHK 20 hours of exclusive interviews, focused on the 1994 North Korean nuclear crisis and tensions surrounding American military bases in Okinawa Prefecture that occurred during his tenure.
"Oshin" is a Japanese TV drama that has taken the world by storm. It's been aired in more than 60 countries. The story was set in Yamagata Prefecture, which is known for its beautiful, snowy landscape. In this series, Win Morisaki, an actor from Myanmar who's based in Japan, visits the places where the drama was shot.
"Running in Japan" introduces Japanese running culture to the world. Canadian expat and running advisor Brett Larner takes part in exciting running events across Japan in order to meet other runners and find out what they love about running. Of the 70 full marathons held annually in Japan, the Himeji Castle Marathon is relatively new, yet it attracts many runners from throughout Japan as well as from overseas. Our running reporter, Brett Larner takes on this marathon with a camera in-hand in order to give a first-person point-of-view of this unique race. With a scenic start and finish, enthusiastic volunteers and spectators and lively local events, the city of Himeji puts on a marathon to be proud of!
Recipes are often developed over several lifetimes of work, lovingly crafted and passed on from generation to generation. These dishes represent much more than home cooking. This program delves into traditional recipes to shine a light on unique food cultures across Japan, and discover the older generation's seasoned philosophies of life. Tami Hiyama, 92 years old, lives alone in Fukuoka City, where she has taught home cooking for more than 60 years. We learn her recipe for "chirashi-zushi", a special kind of sushi eaten at family celebrations. Tami prepares the finest ingredients but she says mindset is just as important – she cooks the dish imagining those who will soon enjoy it. What does "chirashi-zushi" mean to 92-year-old Tami? We discover her recipes for life and the secrets of her good health.
The grounds of Tokyo's Imperial Palace are home to a little-known garden storing an extraordinary bonsai collection. Overseas guests who visit the Palace may be greeted by masterpieces of the Japanese bonsai art such as the 2-meter high "Neagari-goyo" pine, a 600-year-old juniper, or a 17th century shogun's favorite five-needle pine. Discover the trees -- and their pots of Imari ware and other fine ceramics -- as we explore the unsung cultural ambassadors of the Imperial Household.
7 years ago, a huge earthquake hit the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan. The fishery industry sustained heavy damage from the quake and the tsunami that followed. Reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant led to the spread of radiation. People became nervous about the safety of seafood. We followed the 7-year-long journey of the locals striving to overcome various challenges, including a fisherman trying to regain consumers' trust and business owners trying to expand overseas.
Local residents boast of Mt. Fuji's blessings, and especially the water. Rain and snow penetrate the volcanic surface, and the nature of the layers through which the water filters change its content, so it differs from place to place. It produces the best rice, the hottest wasabi and succulent sakura shrimp. Stephan Rager, a beer brewer in Fujinomiya, was drawn to the wonders of the water and surveyed 100 springs to find the right one for his beer. He shows us the power of Mt. Fuji's water.
"The Directhon" is a TV version of an "ideathon", where teams come together in quick brainstorming sessions to generate ideas. The participants are NHK viewers who want to promote their local area, and they themselves become TV directors and create a show. This time, the location is Shizuoka Prefecture, and people of different ages and backgrounds compete. A high school student and her teammates come up with the winning idea: a travelogue introducing a scenic and leisurely escape for hardworking women.
We follow former members of the Japanese yakuza gang as they work to return to society by opening an udon shop. The Organized Crime Exclusion Ordinance and movements to banish yakuza members have led to a decrease in their numbers. In other words, ex-yakuza are increasing with each year, but returning to society isn't easy for them. The employment rate for ex-yakuza is about 2%. In Kitakyushu, ex-yakuza Nakamoto and fellow former inmates learn how to make udon noodles and wait on customers in order to open an udon shop.
On August 12, 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashed in Osutaka, Japan, becoming the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history. The crash site has become a gathering place for people who have lost loved ones in other calamities, including the Great East Japan Earthquake. Many of the bereaved families are working to ensure that such tragedies never happen again. They are inspired by Kuniko Miyajima, who lost her 9-year-old son in the Flight 123 crash. She became the head of a relatives' association dedicated to getting the voices of victims' families heard. This program highlights people who, bonded by grief, fight to make sure that their loved ones did not die in vain.
In 2018, Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the return of the Ogasawara Islands. This World Natural Heritage Site, 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, is home to a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community that has flourished since the 19th century. The islanders' dedication to one another allowed them to endure the Pacific War and subsequent US military occupation. Nowadays, they enjoy life amid the flora and fauna that make their piece of the world unique.
Yoshimasa Takakura, a kimono shop owner from Fukuoka Prefecture has launched an unprecedented project: to produce elaborate kimono representing every single one of the 206 countries and regions around the world. His goal? The 2020 Tokyo Olympics ... he'd like to see all the placard bearers wear the kimono at the opening ceremony. Takakura is fighting to save the declining kimono industry by calling on artisans from all around Japan to come together and create innovative designs. The program follows Takakura's quest to bring new life to an old tradition.
For NHK's "Letters from Hibakusha" project, the broadcaster received 2,200 written recollections of the 1945 atomic bombings. 4 of them were chosen this year and recreated as short animations. The memoirs include the story of a survivor's struggle to make ends meet, a teenager's quest to find his first love in the aftermath, and the parting words of a dying girl. NHK hopes that teenagers today may gain an insight into the experiences of people who were much like them when they had their dreams snatched away.
In March 2018, the Mars Society hosted its 191st research mission in the arid Utah desert. The 7 members that make up Crew 191 spent 2 weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) simulating life on the Red Planet. But this was no ordinary research team – none of the crew members were space specialists, and they covered a range of ages and backgrounds. An NHK cameraman went along to record what happens when 7 strangers are thrown into confined isolation with limited power and water. The MDRS is a pressure cooker environment that had proved the downfall of many groups in the past. How did Crew 191 cope?
The Nagoya University Graduate School of International Development (GSID) was established in 1991 as Japan's first graduate school dedicated solely to the study of international development. GSID has since trained students from developing countries to become their nation's leading specialists through its practical curriculum and support from Nagoya's local communities. This program will explore these 2 driving forces, and how they create a nation leading specialist.
Tune in for an exclusive long-form interview with the legendary French movie star Alain Delon. The epitome of a handsome, cool actor, Delon has starred in more than 80 films. Throughout his career, he has not been fond of the media. Nonetheless, a year after announcing his retirement, he agreed to an interview with NHK. Despite whispers that he could be difficult, the 81-year-old Delon proved to be charming and open. He spoke freely about his private past and his relationships with movie directors and cast members, covering more than 60 years on the screen.
24 brewers in Japan send their sake to 24 restaurants in Paris to create new dishes to be paired. This project was a part of the event "Japonismes 2018" celebrating 160 years of French-Japanese relations. One brewer is from Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, which was ravaged by a tsunami in 2011. The brewer sent a video message to the French chef telling his story of making sake after the catastrophe. And thus, a new legend begins.
The sun descends over the horizon, color radiating across the sky: It's the Magic Hour. Vincent van Gogh, enchanted by this spectacle, spent the twilight of his life searching for colors only he could see. During the final 2 years of his 10-year painting career, he produced over 300 masterpieces. Why did he embark on this lonely quest for color, to a foreign land so far from home? A journey in 8K, to the skies upon which Van Gogh gazed in the South of France, before ending his life at just 37.
In August, 2018, the ABU Asia-Pacific Robocon was held in Vietnam. With the goal to come out victorious using their shuttlecock-throwing robots, teams from 17 countries and territories gathered from across the world for the 17th edition of the competition. However, many of the teams find their high-tech robots being affected by the extreme heat in Vietnam. Who will overcome all obstacles and rise to the top in the chaotic finals?
Songs from across Asia rang out at this year's General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU). From Japan, Eir Aoi performed [IGNITE].
Meet Makoto Kotani, a jovial 34-year-old man without a care in the world. He is a social butterfly with invitations flooding in for dinner and drink parties and has reportedly gained 20kg from his gourmet lifestyle. People come asking for his advice on everything from family relationships to lack of self-confidence. Makoto Kotani is also a homeless man. Why do so many people want to spend time with him? The program director spent 10 days on the streets with him to find out what makes this man so special.
The World Heritage "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region" preserve the memory of the Christians who observed their faith during 250 years of religious prohibition. Many of these sites are in the Nagasaki area, where the Virgin Mary was particularly venerated. The secrecy of their faith is evident in objects of worship, including a seashell bearing a human-like image and statues of a Buddhist deity. Both were proxies for images of Mary. These Christians held onto their faith despite the threat of oppression and death, believing that Mary was life. We look at what the prayers of these people can tell us today.
2018 marked the 30th anniversary of My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies. Sadly, it was also the year Isao Takahata, one of the great masters of Japanese animation, passed away. Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki formed STUDIO GHIBLI so they could create their masterpieces. This program will give you an up-close look at some of the studio's most famous films along with the music of STUDIO GHIBLI that continues to have multi-generational appeal. Songs are performed by popular J-pop stars and artists who have worked with STUDIO GHIBLI over the years. Treat yourself to fun and moving performances that pay homage to your favorite STUDIO GHIBLI films, hear rare stories about Hayao Miyazaki, and learn about the history of Isao Takahata and how he became one of Japan's greatest treasures.
An extraordinary journey tracing the footsteps of early Homo sapiens leaving Africa, reaching the easternmost end of the Eurasian continent, and developing unique culture there. The latest paleoanthropological findings and CGI created by top game creators should stun the viewers.
What is involved in creating a groundbreaking film that documents the latest paleoanthropological findings? This film will shed light on the talent, research, and scientific discoveries that made Out of the Cradle possible.
Robots were created to transform the workplace. Now, they're revolutionizing the way humans communicate. Asian researchers believe robots will soon serve as intermediaries to communicate between elderly dementia patients, autistic children, and their families. But could introducing robots into our homes have unintended effects like hurting family ties or making us lose touch with our humanity? To find out, we traveled around Asia.
Hidetoshi Nakata first made his name on the soccer pitch, as a member of Japan's national team and pro teams in Italy. Now, he's working in a different field, spreading the allure of Japanese sake around the world. Sake has been riding along with the boom in Japanese cuisine. Exports have doubled over a decade. To boost those numbers, Nakata has visited more than 350 breweries and founded a company that promotes Japanese culture through sake.
In February 2019, several months before Emperor Akihito's abdication, a painting went on exhibit at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It was a portrait of the Emperor and Empress Michiko. The portrait was painted over the course of nearly 4 years by Hiroshi Noda, a master of realistic painting. During the final 6 months before the portrait was completed, our cameras visited Noda's studio and carefully documented his process. Noda has known the imperial couple for 3 decades, and he grappled with the challenge of depicting the humanity and sense of presence they have maintained, in close connection to the Japanese people as the symbol of the nation. The program depicts the completion of the first and only portrait of the imperial couple.
Villagers in the upper reaches of China's Yangtze River once depended on the "Sky Cradle" gondola to cross a deep canyon, though now they have a bridge. The program documents tradition encountering change.
ULTRA-TRAIL Mt.FUJI is Asia's biggest trail running race against the background of Mount Fuji, and more than 2,500 competitors from 40 countries and regions gathered to take on the challenge. The 165-kilometer course takes them through mountainous terrain and forested foothills, with a cumulative altitude gain of 8,000 meters. More than 30 cameras captured the spectacle from multiple angles, including from the air. Tune in to experience some of the highs and lows of this thrilling event.
"Mobile Suit Gundam" is a science fiction anime about a war-torn future where humanity has colonized outer space. Over the decades Gundam has become one of Japan's most iconic media franchises. But when the original series debuted in 1979, ratings were low, and it was initially deemed a flop. So how did Gundam become beloved by generations of people? What was the making of "Mobile Suit Gundam" - the beginning of this cultural phenomenon - like? We spoke with the people who were there to hear the inside story.
This annual ceremony for world peace commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. People from around the world gather to pray for the souls of the victims.
This annual ceremony for world peace commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki. People from around the world gather to pray for the souls of the victims.
The Vaganova Academy in Russia is the world's leading ballet school. Meet its graduating boys' class as they rehearse for a show at the Mariinsky Theatre and audition for the top ballet companies.
The Vaganova Academy in Russia is the world's leading ballet school. Meet its graduating boys' class as they rehearse for a show at the Mariinsky Theatre and audition for the top ballet companies.
In April 2019, 52-year-old Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, who is totally blind, succeeded in crossing the Pacific Ocean in his sailboat. This program documents both his spectacular achievement of being the first blind person to make the brutal 55-day voyage, and the life experiences that led him there. When he lost his sight at age 16, Iwamoto contemplated suicide but was saved by a seemingly impossible dream: to sail across the Pacific Ocean. 6 years before this documented success, he had attempted a crossing with a popular newscaster that ended in failure when their boat collided with a whale. On this successful voyage, Iwamoto teamed up with Japan-based businessman Douglas Smith. The two of them set sail from San Diego, California and arrived, without any stops in between, at Onahama Port in Fukushima Prefecture. The entire journey was filmed using 3 fixed cameras placed strategically on the boat in addition to one hand-held camera.
On the first of May 2019, the Reiwa era dawned in Japan and Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne. As a young man, the Emperor studied at Oxford University and married an up-and-coming diplomat, Masako Owada. Empress Masako became the first Empress of Japan to have had a previous career. Drawing on rare footage and interviews with people who know them, we consider what may lie ahead for the new Emperor and Empress.
Faced with a shrinking population, Japan is admitting a record number of foreign workers. In April 2019, the government initiated a new residence status called "specified skilled worker." Many companies and communities are opening their arms to foreign workers. But some Japanese are concerned about crime and problems with assimilation. Should Japan become more welcoming? Or is homogeneity more important than growth? We look at the growing awareness of these issues and the steps being taken to address them.
The terror of devastating infernos. From Australia to America and Europe, "megafires" are threatening life across the world. Reducing homes and belongings to ash, they also leave a death toll. This series, an international co-production with France, will focus on "megafires." The key driver of frequent "megafires" is the increasing pace of climate change. How do we respond to this state of emergency? In the first part of the program, we will explore the mechanism of these "megafires." We will also report Japan, with its many wooden buildings, is no stranger to "megafires." The threat of an earthquake fire could strike its cities at any time. Is there any way to stop "megafires"?
This series, an international co-production with France, will focus on "megafires." In the second part of the program we will show how "megafires" are affecting the environment. They are accelerating the speed of global warming, and threatening the future of our planet. We will cover "megafires" around the world from Siberia to Brazil. "Megafires" in the Amazon and other rainforests produce huge quantities of carbon dioxide. Peat forests in Indonesia are also burning. Global demand for palm oil has destroyed the pristine forests, and turned them into massive farmland of oil palms. These palm oil farms are contributing to wild fire in Indonesia, and warming the atmosphere. In the program, we will explore strategies to stop "megafires."
In the remote regions of southwest China's Guizhou province reside the Miao, an ethnic minority. Villagers brave the unforgiving mountains to tend rice fields, and shamans sing esoteric songs of their past. Some scale hundred-meter cliffs without a lifeline. Research has identified their roots in the ancient Yelang kingdom, which flourished some 2 millennia ago. After making enemies of the Han empire, the Yelang were forced to flee into these distant mountains. Their history is a record of a community bearing the harsh elements, united as one in the preservation of their unique tradition.
"Despite not knowing what it is, it's amazing." There are artists devoted to creating works that are not influenced by existing art or trends, nor by education, works that can't be imitated. Works like an elaborate drawing done by a 27-year-old woman who draws herself with a single ballpoint pen, or an oil painting by an artist with cerebral palsy who struggles to control his hand as he applies layers of paint. This program enters into and brings their artistic world to life with high-resolution images, and provides a glimpse of the artists' life through these original works. Witnessing them work brings up questions about what it means to be alive.
In November of 2019, Pope Francis visited Japan. It was only the second time a pope had visited the country, but the correspondence between Japan and the Vatican stretches back centuries, to a time when believers faced persecution. "Hidden Christians" in Nagasaki Prefecture and elsewhere dreamed of a day when their leader would come to guide them. For their descendants, that long-awaited day has come.
This program introduces a total of 15 subjects including the Japanese monkeys soaking in snowy hot springs, Sabae glasses made through a harmonious blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, and back country tours held amidst the superb views of Rishiri island at the northern edge of Hokkaido. We’ll showcase the culture and technology that Japan prides itself upon, as well as destinations where the people of the world will surely aspire to visit, all officially recognised as COOL! from the perspective of the world we share today.
One technique called mindfulness that rooted in Buddhist meditation is spreading across the world. But what is Buddhist meditation? Why people enthusiastic about it in this advanced information society? The most innovative two Zen teachers are proving the answers to our dilemma right here.
"Paprika," the " Song to cheer up everyone's challenge for the year 2020 and beyond," has become a big hit in Japan. Related videos have reached more than 300 million views on the video-sharing platform! It is loved by people young and old as a song that can be enjoyed together through singing and dancing. The wave of support delivered by "Paprika" is spreading not only in Japan but throughout the world. The program features a part of the music video's global version of "Paprika." It also shares an interview with singer-songwriter Yonezu Kenshi who created the song. Find out the thoughts he breathed into this song! The program also airs the dance music video of "Paprika," performed by Foorin team E who sing the song in English. They will support the dreams of everyone in the world through this song!
Creative designer Kashiwa Sato is famous for countless memorable icons and designs, for reinvigorating companies and shaping new values. Since 2018 he's been providing special classes to design students at Arita technical high school in Saga Prefecture. Under his tutelage students consider the role design plays in the local area, and how to prioritize it. Explore Sato's interactions with the students, and his personal thoughts on design and its potential.
The JAPAN PRIZE is an international contest for education media which was established by NHK in 1965. "LIFE" is a 2018 best proposal that was pitched and produced by a producer, Elke Franke who lives in Mexico. Elke got to know that there are increasing number of suicide in Larrainzar, -- one of the poorest indigenous municipalities in southern Mexico. Then she started investigation and completed a 40-minute documentary. It follows youngsters who have organized a hip-hop festival in effort to stop their peers from taking their lives in the face of poverty and discrimination. The show aims to get society in general to think about these impoverished youngsters putting their heart and soul into rapping and dancing.
NHK has teamed up with Thai Public Broadcasting Service to create a film adaptation of Shiga Naoya's short story Moki-Fuboku -- The Blind Turtle and the Driftwood. A novelist travels to a quiet village by the sea with his beloved dog. But then his dog goes missing... A classic Japanese story is brought to life in present-day Thailand!
Gion Kobu is the largest geisha district in Kyoto. Gion, with its history of about 400 years, has over 60 teahouses in a narrow alley of only 1 kilometer square. In the neighborhood, there are shops of various artisans supporting and sustaining the district.
Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) celebrates their 10th anniversary in April 2020. Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who developed the method to produce iPS cells, serves as the director for the center. How much progress have they made in the past 10 years toward clinical application? What vision does the director have for CiRA for the next decade? The program looks at how Yamanaka runs the organization as well as the past and future challenges of CiRA.
The stark Atomic Bomb Dome and the sublime Itsukushima Shrine and its thousand-year-old history. Both these World Heritage Sites are in Hiroshima Prefecture but there's also a lot more off the beaten track. NHK and Hiroshima TV, 2 local stations, suggest different overnight itineraries for visitors. Come and explore Hiroshima.
A young boy carries on his back the lifeless body of his younger brother, in the devastated city of Nagasaki after the atomic bomb. An American military photographer, Joe O'Donnell, took a picture of him standing stoically near a cremation pit. No one knows the boy's name, but the photo has become an iconic image of the human tragedy of nuclear war. This program follows the continuing efforts to deepen understanding of the photograph, while exploring the fate of thousands of "atomic-bomb orphans" and their struggles to survive the aftermath of World War II.
The International Association for the Visually Impaired (IAVI) is a Japan-based group that supports blind exchange students who visit from developing nations, helping them acquire trade skills such as massage and acupuncture. 3 years ago, the group struggled with the termination of the funding that the Japanese government had once offered. Now with the spread of the coronavirus, exchange students face even more unexpected challenges as this program follows 1 year of their experiences.
October 31, 2019, Shuri Castle had been destroyed by fire. The symbol of half a millennium of history gone in one night. Okinawans grieve as one of their most precious treasures burns. Now Shuri Castle is about to rise again in the digital realm. The goal is to resurrect the castle in 3D graphics, using thousands of photographs from all over the world. This episode follows people's efforts to rebuild Shuri Castle byte by byte, with images carrying the thoughts of all those who love this Okinawa's treasure.
The Himeyuri Peace Museum tells the story of the Himeyuri Student Corps, a group of young schoolgirls who were forced onto the battlefield at the prime of their youth to treat wounded soldiers in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII. In recent years, the museum had been facing a serious problem: the exhibits were not getting through to the young people of today. To bring change to this situation, the museum boldly decided to renovate its exhibits to make the theme of war and peace more relatable for the younger generations. But as the museum staff, all of whom have never experienced war, set out on the arduous path to do just that, they are met with even more challenges. The museum staff dedicate themselves to find ways to revive the lost voices of the Himeyuri girls, which have the power to remind future generations of the horrors of war and the invaluableness of peace.
In February 2019, after hurtling 300 million kilometers from Earth, the Japanese space probe Hayabusa 2 landed on the asteroid Ryugu. We follow the team behind the mission, as they sample parts of the asteroid and return it to our planet.
How can we cope with this tricky virus now rampant worldwide? The key to this battle lies in our immune system. Through the high-tech “eyes” of next-generation microscopes, we will see how our immune defense corps combat against pathogens and what mechanism is expected to help develop treatment.
In late 2020, Takada Kenzo died from complications of Covid-19. Shy but exuberant, Paris's top designer was known for fun. We honour a legend, with Koshino Junko, Shimada Junko, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, bodies yet to be identified were designated with serial numbers. Retired police officer Abe Shuichi took it upon himself to recover the names of these unknown victims. Following the disaster, affected families needed to search for relatives by examining photographs of corpses, taking a great emotional toll. Abe, an expert in police likenesses, volunteered to use his forensic skills to help ease the pain of grieving families.
Presenting a wide range of programmes from news, current affairs, documentaries.
Summer, 2020. Nomura Yuki, the 20-year-old scion of a family dedicated to the Japanese performance art of Kyogen, prepares to take a huge step forward in his professional development. After rigorous training under the watchful eyes of his father Mansai and grandfather Mansaku, he will debut the challenging solo piece "Nasu no Yoichi," in which he plays 4 different characters. Mansai must ensure the family's viability while seeking a way forward as a live performer in the era of COVID-19. With the weight of tradition on his shoulders, can Yuki live up to the Nomura name?
Located just 3 kilometers from the crippled nuclear plant, Futaba is the only evacuated town in Fukushima Prefecture whose residents have yet to return. Although other municipalities are recovering and welcoming back their residents, Futaba remains deserted. From the 60s to the 80s, the town flourished on so-called nuclear money, with its people enjoying steady jobs and government subsidies. This documentary depicts 10 years of Futaba residents' nuclear exile and the true cost of atomic energy.
Sano Toemon has spent much of his life trying to understand and preserve Japan's iconic cherry trees. Entrusted with restoring a cherry tree that's collapsed, he carefully observes its roots and listens to the particular sounds it makes to understand its condition and what it needs. Even at over 90 years old, he examines unique blossoms from new, crossbred varieties and keeps detailed records. This program listens to the words of a man who is filled with respect and love for all living things.
For decades before he was killed in 2019, Dr Nakamura Tetsu devoted his life to aiding the Afghan people. Young Japanese people who assisted his efforts reflect on how that experience changed their lives.
On March 11, 2021, a new form of prayer was born at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto Prefecture. Dancer and actor Mirai Moriyama dedicated his performance to the Buddhist temple upon completion of its large-scale renovation, done every 200 years. The motif he chose was Kusozu, a 1,000-year-old illustration of the decaying process of a corpse. He conducted fieldwork at sacred sites around Kyoto, with the aim of reinterpreting what he felt there. What did Moriyama create? Director Kosai Sekine documented the process. (Performance organized by PERROTIN / Film produced by NION)
The documentary follows an 800-year-old family-run temple in Kyoto as it struggles to balance tradition with process in order to thrive in the 21st century.
Renowned architect Kengo Kuma is known for unique designs that reinterpret traditional Japanese aesthetics, and aim to re-balance the relationship between humanity and the environment.
People in Namie loved their hometown sake, Iwaki Kotobuki. The brewery, however, was one of the places in Fukushima prefecture devastated by the earthquake, but the owner never lost hope of restoring production.
Sunflower blossoms turn to face the sun. Evoking these flowers in its name, a home for war orphans called Koyoryo was established in Nagasaki after the city was devastated by the atomic bomb. The orphanage director Mochida Chiyo kept extensive notes on her educational programs. Where the orphans were tainted by theft and violence, Chiyo bathed with them and poured herself into teaching them independence. In time, the children came to cherish her as their "Mother." Having matured, they left the home and took jobs, but what awaited them was bias and discrimination. Now, 60 years later, the former residents reunite. We examine the fates of these orphans from the wasteland of war.
Mount Omine in central Japan has long been considered the spiritual heartland of the ascetic tradition known as Shugendo. Japan-based American journalist David Caprara lives at the foot of the mountain. One day he comes across a rusty airplane engine in a local museum. It once powered a US heavy bomber B-29 Superfortress which was used in air bombings during World War II. Intrigued, Caprara begins a quest to track down the story behind the engine. With the help of experts in Japan and the US, he obtains key wartime documents that confirm the B-29 had crashed after a bombing raid on Osaka on June 1, 1945 and that 4 airmen survived only to become prisoners of war. He also meets elderly people who witnessed the events. Caprara eventually pieces together the fate of the American fliers and the stories of those whose lives crossed theirs on the revered mountain.
Enjoy a fun holiday concert as the NHK Symphony Orchestra and blossoming international conductor Keitaro Harada mix Olympics and Music, introducing kids to some of the greatest music ever written.
Stop-motion animation Junk Head has won global praise, but he's turned down offers from Hollywood. Now; he's made a new short just for NHK, and we're bringing you the world premiere!
In 2001, a 15-year-old Mongolian knocked on the door of traditional sumo wrestling in Japan. After 20 years, 69th Yokozuna Hakuho held many of the biggest records in professional sumo, including 45 championships and 1,187 career wins. How did Hakuho overcome tough competition and climb to the top rank, with so many unprecedented achievements? We look back on highlights of the great grand champion's career and ask Hakuho himself about his deep love for sumo.
The Michinoku Coastal Trail reveals both the grand nature of Japan's Tohoku region and the struggles of people to recover from the 2011 earthquake. The 1,000 kilometer path connects 4 prefectures along the Pacific coast, between Aomori and Fukushima. Join Canadian actor Kyle Card on a trek across the trail as he meets residents and ponders what the future may hold for the region and the country.
Sculptor Isamu Noguchi's Hiroshima cenotaph was never built. Looking at the life and thoughts of an artist who struggled to bridge the gap between his two homelands, Japan and America.
A beautiful highland village is without a doctor. A retiring medical professor moves there to care for the aging residents, becoming close to them as he records their lives and deaths in photographs.
Kawate Haruo knew that his father, Masao, a second-generation Japanese American, returned to Japan after World War II. That, however, was about all he knew of it. After Masao's death, Haruo found a letter to an American attorney, Wayne Collins, seeking restoration of his American citizenship. Haruo met with Collins' son and with a Japanese American whose father chose to stay in the U.S. He discovered that Masao had suffered especially harsh treatment during the war, leading him to renounce his American citizenship. Follow along as Haruo pieces together the facts of his father's life, 80 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Around 1,800 children in Japan are involved in sexual abuse through social media. How does this happen to ordinary teenagers? We worked with support groups and psychiatrists to investigate multiple examples. What lies behind teens' use of social media, and what drives abusers? How can we keep children safe from abuse? A documentary and drama that explores teenage perspectives through workshopping scenarios with young actors.
North of Tokyo, near Mt. Tsukuba. An old-fashioned farmhouse with a thatched roof still sits here, home to a young couple and their 2 children. Thatched roofs are eco-friendly, and a symbol of Japan's traditional farming communities. Under their roof, the Yamada family enjoy the slow life in harmony with nature. They've fostered a mutual aid network who gather for each season's farming milestones and celebrate their successes. The Yamadas' "thatched living" is at once familiar and new.
From the Macintosh computer to the iPhone, Apple founder Steve Jobs masterminded a series of inventions that changed the world. He was also famously interested in Japanese culture, including Zen meditation and traditional cuisine. Less known was his love of Shin-hanga -- a modern take on ukiyo-e woodblock printing. Ahead of the 10th anniversary of Jobs' death, NHK WORLD-JAPAN was granted exclusive access to a list of works he bought in Tokyo. In this special program, experts and old friends look at how Jobs' beautiful collection may have informed his own aesthetic sensibility.
An American, Art Lee is a master of the taiko, a traditional Japanese drum. He formed the successful drumming group TOKARA, whose members include his wife, Yukari. In 2002, Art was diagnosed with an incurable liver disease. Eventually he received a partial liver transplant, but his treatment is ongoing. Art and Yukari maintain an optimistic outlook and advocate for diversity through music. We follow them as they plan a special concert in which drummers around the world will take part remotely.
A loook at pro baseball player Shohei Ohtani's ability to both pitch and bat at the highest level. Hearing from those who have supported him on and off the field and examining the importance of his father's training regime.
In 2021, 76 years after the destructive power of the atom bomb was unleashed on the city of Nagasaki, NHK and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum asked survivors to create pictures of their memories of the catastrophic event. With limited records existing of the bombing's immediate aftermath, the hope was that survivors' handcrafted depictions of what they witnessed would help ensure the horrors of nuclear war were not forgotten. For many though, it presented an opportunity to finally open up about the traumatic experiences they had been silently carrying all their lives.
A remarkable painting was created toward the end of World War II: a 3-meter-wide canvas covered with images of working women. The painting was the work of an all-female team of painters formed in 1944: the Women Artists Service Corps. The painting shows women on the home front as shipbuilders, postal workers, tram drivers—roles traditionally performed by men. The vibrant colors of the piece are in direct contrast to the somber war paintings made by male artists. The burden on men during the war gave women a chance to take on new roles outside of the home. To the prominent female artists involved, it was a perfect chance to showcase their skill. What did the war mean to these women? Photographer Oishi Yoshino zooms in on these artists, delving into a largely untold story of women painting war. (Narrator: Hannah Grace)
Explores the current state of the culturally unique, biodiverse, and increasingly cosmopolitan Okinawa prefecture, a region in the far west of Japan that serves as the country's westernmost province.
Fungi have a mysterious ecology that science has yet to completely illuminate. Uncovering the wonders of these mysterious organisms with a visit to a forest in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.
Thirty years since its debut, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon continues to reach passionate fans worldwide. We talk to the people behind the creative process to learn the secrets of the legendary series.
Brazilian President Bolsonaro seeks reelection in the October vote. He advocates putting the economy first, leading to increasing deforestation in the Amazon. Standing against this destruction are the Amazon's indigenous people, who use smartphones or drones to expose illegal logging and mining operations. They are led by Sonia Guajajara, who aims for election as federal deputy. She gains support from social media, as the indigenous people who were once scattered now unite in protest, waging a digital war for their homeland.
The Tokyo National Museum is home to a collection of some 120,000 objects of beauty and interest, mainly Japanese art and craft pieces along with work from the Asian mainland and historical artifacts. The museum houses 89 items deemed by the Japanese government to be of especially high value and designated as national treasures. Paying a visit to this historic museum that is celebrating its 150th anniversary are Andy and Shaula, hosts of NHK WORLD-JAPAN's popular program DESIGN TALKS plus. They marvel at the majestic building, visit an exhibit that offers insights into 30,000 years of creativity in Japan, and revel in the first ever exhibit of every national treasure in the museum's possession — an experience that will surely make art aficionados across the world jealous. The two also get a glimpse of the future of museums, experiencing high-definition imagery, 3D computer graphics, and other cutting-edge digital technology. Come join us on this 50-minute adventure exploring the Tokyo
Every year, brilliant young engineers from different countries and territories compete with the robots they've built in the ABU Robocon. In the 2022 competition, teams played a game called Lagori against each other via the Internet. The game requires robots to knock down a tower of cylindrical blocks and pile them back up again. It also features a mission wherein the object is to obstruct the opponent's progress. 13 teams from 12 countries and regions fight it out to clinch the title.
Sometimes it takes a lifechanging event to help us realize what truly matters. For Kimura Tomoharu, that event was a massive earthquake and tsunami. In 2012, he sought a fresh start in a remote part of Akita Prefecture. He moved into a long-abandoned hamlet, where he pursues his goal of being almost entirely self-sufficient — living off the land from season to season. But he's not alone. Kimura has a family, and he must now balance his own ideals with those of his two young children.
Keiko Ogura, age 85, has spent her life talking to the world about her experiences as an A-bomb victim in Hiroshima. Feeling helpless in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she decides to participate in a symposium in a small college town in Idaho, U.S.A., where many people accept the existence of nuclear weapons. Determined to hear their side of the story, she engages in dialogue and discovers circumstances she had never understood before. When it's her turn to give a presentation, how does she convey her own beliefs?
The prestigious entertainment quarter of Gion in Kyoto Prefecture is one of the largest in Japan. As an area priding itself on traditional hospitality, Gion was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several geiko and maiko lost their places of work, and without any opportunity to pass down traditional ways to the new generation, the art itself seemed in danger. The revival of the Miyako Odori, a large-scale dance performance to be performed for the first time in three years, is their only hope. We join some young maiko who fell in love with this wondrous district and life in Gion as they attempt to overcome adversity. We bring you rare footage from inside the okiya where they live and train; a side of life normally unseen by outsiders. Young maiko work hard to realize their dreams in the sometimes strict, sometimes kind world of Gion.
Half a century since the birth of video games, we explore how legendary titles have shaped our ideas and created a new culture. "DEATH STRANDING" won new plaudits for its uncanny predictions of our experiences during the pandemic. Program guests share their love for the game, and why it's captivated so many. Renowned developer Hideo Kojima guides us on a deep dive into his creation and explores his inspiration and motivations. A special, expanded episode with new footage in response to the reaction to the original broadcast.
In April 2023, a memorial was held to remember James Hatsuaki Wakasa, a Japanese immigrant who was shot dead in a wartime internment camp on US soil 80 years ago. The killing of the 63-year-old caused an uproar among the internees at the time. But the episode was largely forgotten until a Japanese American journalist investigates Wakasa's life and death. Her findings lead to a surprising discovery of a stone believed to have been demolished forever.
Keeping track of CO2 emissions can give travelers a new perspective. Can a 1,250km journey from Kyoto Prefecture to Shiretoko in Hokkaido Prefecture be done in just two days, with emissions limited to just 100kg? If our travelers make their goal, they'll be rewarded with a nature experience in a Natural World Heritage site. But if they exceed the set CO2 limit at any point during their journey, they'll be sent home immediately. Two students with very different views on the environment use various means of transport to make their way to their goal, facing unexpected obstacles and problems along the way. A 21st-century travel show that grapples with the global problem of CO2!
"What did you bring from Ukraine?" Amidst uncertainty over when they can return, hastily packed suitcases contain fragments of these refugees' lives. We focus on the personal stories of some Ukrainians seeking refuge in Japan, whose treasured keepsakes remind them of a better time, connecting them to cherished memories, as their former lives threaten to fade in the shadows of war.
Japan's biggest trail-running race covers 100 miles around Mt. Fuji, and for the first time in four years it's back as a truly international event. Zhao, a speedy runner from China, has claimed 28 victories in 6 years. He competes against Japan's Kawasaki, a local to Mt. Fuji, who trains at high altitude. Both are chased by Lee, an American runner on his first visit to Japan. Zhao shares the painful reason he's determined to win the race. Meanwhile, one female runner just wants to finish the race before the cut-off time. No matter how many times she falls down, she gets back up. Will she make it in time?
There are now 1.8 million foreigners working in Japan, including real estate agents, taxi drivers and garbage collectors. NHK WORLD-JAPAN has introduced over 100 such hardworking foreigners, and this program compiles some of the best stories. We look at how they struggle in the face of cultural differences, but bring about change in Japanese companies and society. The host is Sanyutei Kouseinen, a rakugo performer from Sweden.
In the town of Uda, in Nara Prefecture, visit Japan's oldest private garden dedicated to medicinal herbs. Meet the elderly couple who tend the 300-year-old plants that have taken root in this botanic time capsule, and discover a flourishing sanctuary of the local culture and history.
The Himalayan mountains, with an elevation of some 5,000m, conceal a valuable "elixir." Caterpillar fungus is a parasitic fungus growing on insects that is especially valued in China for nutritional and anti-aging properties. High-quality specimens sell to wealthy buyers for as much as $70,000 per kg. In order to seek out this buried treasure, impoverished residents of Nepal's villages climb the snowy mountains to seek out the fungus from May through July, when it briefly becomes visible. In this program, a young man accompanies his father on this journey, joining the "Himalayan gold rush" to hopefully provide a better life for their family.
Soccer player Andrés Iniesta has had a stellar career as part of FC Barcelona and later as captain of Japanese squad Vissel Kobe, where he guided the team to great success. During his five years in Kobe, he developed a deep affection for the city and its tenacious inhabitants, a feeling that was returned by droves of supporters who see the team as a symbol of the city's rebirth after the major earthquake there in 1995.
NHK's international broadcast service NHK WORLD-JAPAN will premiere the NHK WORLD-JAPAN Music Festival 2023, an event people can view in 160 countries and regions around the world. This program is more powered-up than SONGS OF TOKYO Festival, which has aired since 2018, and will showcase Japan's latest and cutting-edge artists to fans overseas. On October 28, 18 of Japan's leading artists gathered at NHK Hall to perform their newest and hottest songs, which have attracted attention around the world.
World War II tore apart families of Japanese immigrants in the Philippines. For eight decades, they have been dreaming of being reunited. But time is fast running out.
NHK's international broadcast service NHK WORLD-JAPAN will premiere the NHK WORLD-JAPAN Music Festival 2023, an event people can view in 160 countries and regions around the world. This program is more powered-up than SONGS OF TOKYO Festival, which has aired since 2018, and will showcase Japan's latest and cutting-edge artists to fans overseas. On October 28, 18 of Japan's leading artists gathered at NHK Hall to perform their newest and hottest songs, which have attracted attention around the world.
October 2023: the Women Sumo World Championships, in Tokyo. We follow 3 athletes on their journey to the ring.
Visit hot springs hidden away in Aomori, Akita and Fukushima Prefectures to experience a variety of healing waters, taste the local cuisine and meet with the locals.
China's Highway of Beauty, running through the Tianshan Mountains, reveals some of the country's most incredible natural scenery, among which diverse ethnicities of people enjoy traditional lives.
Clothes can spark joy, but mass production has heavy environmental costs and clothing waste is a major, growing problem. Japanese firms and designers are taking up new projects to tackle the system.
A music festival held in Seoul, South Korea, where singers representing Asian countries and regions gathered. Performers: Hirahara Ayaka (Japan), MAMAMOO+ (South Korea), Tia Ray (China), etc.
Join experts such as Wim Wenders to explore the masterful film-making of renowned Tokyo Story director Ozu Yasujiro, the 120th anniversary of whose birth fell in December 2023.
Top young minds from many different countries and territories gather in Cambodia for ABU Robocon 2023, showcasing innovative ideas and technical skills as their robots go head-to-head in a very difficult ring toss game. It demands meticulous strategy and extreme accuracy, and spectators are sure to be on the edge of their seat. In a tournament devoid of easy matches, which team will emerge as champions? The program features competition highlights and behind-the-scenes stories of participating teams.
A quiet little shop in downtown Tokyo serves as a haven for Japan's lost young souls. They share their innermost feelings with their future selves in letters they'll receive exactly one year later.
Receiving worldwide submissions, Japan's prestigious Good Design Award. Take a first-time look behind the scenes at what society needs from design, and how it can help all of us have better lives.
76-year-old Tatsuyo, a.k.a. Grandma, is a budding stand-up comedian who captures hearts across generations. Join us and discover her passion for life.
Deaf and hearing actors performed together in a production of Shakespeare's classic comedy using Japanese sign language and verbal Japanese, which was broadcasted in January 2024. In this special program we look at the behind-the-scenes of how this performance was created. Most of the hearing actors had never worked with Deaf actors before, so it brought about a new challenge. During rehearsals, the cast underwent a process of trial and error as they examined each other's lines in sign language and verbal Japanese trying to coordinate their timing, with mixed results. Deaf actors and directors dug deep until the very last minute of filming to determine what sign language expressions were best suited for Shakespeare's eloquence. In the process, the entire crew discovered what it means for the two groups of actors to work together in this unprecedented artistic experiment.
DRUM TAO, a taiko drumming group that brings its sublime sound and dynamic performances to audiences around the world, delivers a performance from the stage of a national park in Aso.
This year saw the end of Sominsai, a unique festival in which loinclothed men plunge into freezing water, are enveloped in smoke, and jostle through the night to grasp a lucky sack as a form of prayer.
Explore Japanese TV with this "traditional" travel documentary about a majestic mountain village. Watch until the end to discover the program's true message.
Leaving a popular Tokyo restaurant, Otsuka Kenichi and his wife Keiko relocated to Hokkaido Prefecture six years ago. There, they offer enticing, unique dishes with local flavors found nowhere else.
Chef Otsuka Kenichi and his wife Keiko relocated from Tokyo to Hokkaido Prefecture six years ago. They now work with locals to source delicious ingredients even in the harshness of the northern winter.
Northern Japan's Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple is a National Treasure, constructed nine centuries ago. Come explore its mysteries through an ultra-high-definition digital replica.
Ten rookie manga creators from around the world have assembled in a small town in southwestern Japan. We follow their daily struggle to become world-class manga creators.
13 years after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, a stage race is held on the coast of Iwate Prefecture, covering 130km in 3 days. We follow the runners as they learn about the area's recovery.
90 years after the creation of Japan's national parks, we introduce the charms of the Setonaikai, Aso and other natural wonders, which are key to the Nature Positive strategy for the planet.
"A 27-year-old Japanese mountaineer achieved the feat of crossing a watershed that runs across Hokkaido Prefecture. This documentary chronicles his journey as he confronts the harsh nature and examines his life.
he Mikoda Morning Market has been known as "Morioka's kitchen" for almost 50 years. But it is not only the fresh produce that warms the hearts of customers even on chilly mornings.
A renowned Japanese artist and international star, 27-year-old Fujii Kaze is taking on the world. We look behind the scenes and explore the appeal of his continually-evolving music.
Many of those who visit a small coffee shop in Kumamoto are dealing with the loss of someone dear to them. In the four years since the café opened, dozens have found comfort there. One woman, after years of fertility treatments, became pregnant at last, only to lose her son to illness soon after his birth. One man lost his daughter to a traffic accident just before she was to graduate from college. And behind the opening of the café itself is also a story of deeply felt loss. In the face of sudden endings through accidents and turns of fate, how can people carry on? This is a story, told through the seasons, of the bonds that coffee creates.
NHK's alpine filming crew closely follows Japan's top ice climber Kadota Gihado as he hangs from the rock wall like a bat, conversing with gravity in an upside-down world.
The latest competition, held in Vietnam, was themed "Harvest Day." Robots competed in a game symbolizing rice planting and harvesting. With the top prize in sight, teams battled fiercely for victory!
No one can escape gravity. But some try. Japanese climber Kadota Gihado relies only on the ice axe to hold on to the rock. He takes on one of the world's most difficult climbs, Saphira, in Colorado.
Discover what kabuki tells us about Japanese attitudes to swords, which feature in many legends and transcend the realm of weapons. Within each awe-inspiring Japanese sword, they say, dwells a spirit.
First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: performing "Ode to Joy" at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders. Ayame, who often struggles to keep up with the group, is determined to play a major part — the big drum. We follow Ayame as she experiences shattering blows and joyous victories in the audition process. But to rehearse for the big performance, Ayame must quickly learn to deal with newfound pressure and responsibility. When it comes time to perform in the packed auditorium, will she prevail? Instruments of a Beating Heart intimately examines the Japanese educational system's tenuous balance between self-sacrifice and human growth as it teaches the next generation to become part of Japanese society.
A mobile vendor brings food to people who have no access to shops. A seafood merchant delivers Hokuriku fish to Japan and the world. We follow these local heroes as they work to help their community.
Writer Lafcadio Hearn introduced Japanese culture to the world around 130 years ago, in books that faithfully depicted the country's traditions. We explore the cultural journey of this world traveler.
Zookeeper Takaichi Atsuhiro has cared for a polar bear named Peace since she was a cub, including through her battle with epilepsy. We take a look at the ups and downs of their 25 years together.
Trees that survived the A-bomb have inspired many in Hiroshima. 159 such trees are still alive, but some are nearing their end. We follow a tree surgeon and others who love and care for them.
Osaka's Midosuji Avenue, and the subway that runs beneath it, have been key to the city's development. We look at 12 groundbreaking buildings that embody a dynamic period in Osaka's history.
"In November 2023, Muto Masatane and his wife Yuko welcomed a healthy baby girl. He lives with incurable ALS. We follow the couple navigating the challenges of parenting with love and determination.
In Japan, "goze" were blind female travelling performers. We look at the lives of those songstresses who, shamisen in hand, travelled throughout Japan, singing their songs to earn a living.
In 2024, for the first time, Crested Ibises were released in the northern part of Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. This program features Kiyo and Akira, the driving force behind this initiative.
The shinkansen: world-renowned for exceptional on-time performance. We explore the highly skilled drivers and equipment that make it possible, through history and into a future of self-driving trains.
Yamabushi are religious ascetics who undergo rigorous training in the mountains. Their practices were outlawed 150 years ago. Now, one adherent is attempting to breathe new life into this tradition.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian whose life was drastically changed by the Russian invasion is rapidly progressing in Japanese professional sumo. In the 2025 summer tournament, he takes on the top wrestlers...
In a world with 10,000 nuclear weapons and endless conflict, what if an atomic bomb were dropped? This show visualizes the A-bomb's impact through a man's testimony of being exposed in Hiroshima.
Why does Iwata's Grandma refuse to be in photos? This animation documentary is based on a picture book about the atomic bomb tragedy but conveys kindness and hope rather than fear and anxiety.
PORNOGRAFFITTI make a song for NHK Hiroshima to convey efforts for peace 80 years from the atomic bombing. We cover their struggle, from meeting survivors who inspire the lyrics to recording the song.
Keiho Junior High School in Nagasaki lost 400 lives to an atomic bomb. Three old core members of the alumni association explore the future of the memorial service, held annually for the past 50 years.
At this local chalk factory in Japan, 69 of the 96 employees have intellectual disabilities. As veteran workers prepare to retire, they pass on skills and encouragement to the next generation.
22 kids who've struggled with absenteeism attend a new diverse learning school. We spend a year with students and teachers exploring better approaches to studying, ending with a graduation ceremony.
The young participants of a long-running Japan-South Korea students forum get along even if bilateral ties have sometimes been on choppy waters. We follow the latest gathering in Sapporo.
Renowned pianist Lee Kyung-mi uses her talent to foster better ties between Japan and South Korea.
NHK WORLD-JAPAN will air its Grand Sumo preview for the tourney starting November 9.Our reporter visits the city to meet wrestlers and find out their secret of winning.
In November 2025, the Summer Deaflympic Games will be held in Tokyo. We meet some of the athletes who will take part, and look at local efforts toward inclusivity for people with hearing disabilities.
Extreme weather has wrought havoc on Japan's rice paddies. The farmers face an ultimatum: adapt, or lose their livelihoods.
The National Museum of Japanese History boasts a vast collection that traces everyday life and culture through Japan's history.Andy and Shaula will travel through time to explore life, culture, and the wisdom and spirituality of Japan.
We follow Fujii Kaze as he records his first English album, shoots music videos, and performs worldwide. What inspires his creativity? How did his dream become reality, and what will he aim for next?
NHK World JAPAN will broadcast Sumo Review. We will look back on the year 2025, a year in which many records were broken. We will also look ahead the Grand Sumo of 2026.
Amid the deep winter snow, a US high school student comes to stay at a house restored by Karl. When spring finally arrives, the villagers celebrate the cherry blossoms and enjoy seasonal dishes.
Students from around the world gathered in Mongolia for ABU Robocon 2025, competing with handmade robots in a basketball tournament where robots dribble, pass, shoot, and even slam dunk.
Western-style cuisine is a comfort food the people of Kobe have passed down with love. It gave them strength as they recovered from disaster. What stories lie behind its rich, brown demi-glace sauce?
In August, Fukuyama Masaharu sang "KUSUNOKI" with a choir of 5,000 people, sending a prayer for peace from Nagasaki to the world. We look at the song's meaning and how it has touched people's hearts.
The ABU TV Song Festival, held in conjunction with the annual general assembly of the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union), the world's largest broadcasting union, is aimed at fostering international exchange through music and culture. On September 13, 2025, popular artists from 9 Asian countries and regions gathered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the host city of this ABU general assembly, and gave distinctly unique performances.
Climate change in the Sea of Okhotsk threatens the rich ecosystem of Shiretoko Peninsula. Decreases in sea ice and spawning fish have upset the natural balance and put once common brown bears at risk.
NHK WORLD-JAPAN will air its Grand Sumo preview for the tourney starting March 8. Our reporter visits the city to meet wrestlers and find out their secret of winning.
Global attention turns to 14-year-old Japanese violinist Himari. Follow the young prodigy after her world debut as she performs with many of the world's finest orchestras.
Using the power of song to overcome natural disaster, young Fukushima survivors of the 2011 earthquake have performed "To Bring Happiness," an anthem of the 1995 Hanshin Earthquake, across Japan.
First held in 1975, Comiket has long shaped Japan's creative culture from manga and anime to games and cosplay. The committee, exhibitors, volunteers, fans, and cosplayers share their devotion to it.
