NHK WORLD-JAPAN

The popular Ebisu district developed alongside a brewery and even derives its name from beer. We trace the area's evolution, soak up its old-fashioned charm, and see what makes the community tick.

Sato Yasuhiro coaches top snowboarders of many nationalities. Some of them took gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The coach explains how snowboarding can make the world a better place.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: capsule beds.

Health tech entrepreneur Ajima Masumi has developed an app to analyze the condition of children with developmental disorders, aiming to help them reach their potential regardless of their background.

Discover the science behind nature's favorite shape, the hexagon. Plus, a cutting-edge drone uses insect antennae to sniff out scents.

100 years ago, on September 1, 1923, a major earthquake struck Japan. The Great Kanto Earthquake left an estimated 105,000 people dead or missing, yet most of the victims perished in fires. Why?

Due to global warming, the bamboo habitat range in Japan is expanding and abandoned bamboo groves are encroaching on forests and farmland nationwide. How should we associate with this iconic plant?

Amami Oshima is a World Natural Heritage Site, with rare flora and fauna including many endemic species. Explore the biodiversity of its lush, subtropical forests in stunning time-lapse footage.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

In this episode, we learn about boshu and geshi, two dates from early summer. The chefs prepare ume plums and tea leaves and teach us how to make a pair of refreshing summer dishes.

We visit the Yoshiwara district, Edo's most prominent pleasure quarters. Among the lavish spenders, courtesans and apprentices, small humanoid creatures scurry about - what could they be up to?

Sato Yasuhiro coaches top snowboarders of many nationalities. Some of them took gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The coach explains how snowboarding can make the world a better place.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: capsule beds.

Health tech entrepreneur Ajima Masumi has developed an app to analyze the condition of children with developmental disorders, aiming to help them reach their potential regardless of their background.

The popular Ebisu district developed alongside a brewery and even derives its name from beer. We trace the area's evolution, soak up its old-fashioned charm, and see what makes the community tick.

Sato Yasuhiro coaches top snowboarders of many nationalities. Some of them took gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The coach explains how snowboarding can make the world a better place.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: capsule beds.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

1 in 156 Japanese are transgenders. In a society still lacking in understanding, we talk to transgender people about work, marriage, leisure, as they try to live their normal daily lives.

It's late at night, when all are fast asleep. A young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

Discover the science behind nature's favorite shape, the hexagon. Plus, a cutting-edge drone uses insect antennae to sniff out scents.

Health tech entrepreneur Ajima Masumi has developed an app to analyze the condition of children with developmental disorders, aiming to help them reach their potential regardless of their background.

The popular Ebisu district developed alongside a brewery and even derives its name from beer. We trace the area's evolution, soak up its old-fashioned charm, and see what makes the community tick.

Sato Yasuhiro coaches top snowboarders of many nationalities. Some of them took gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The coach explains how snowboarding can make the world a better place.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: capsule beds.

Japanese confectionery has evolved over centuries, shaped by influences from China and beyond. In Kyoto, artisans honor tradition while advancing the craft with a fresh, modern sensibility.

Visit one of Japan's engineering marvels, an auto and train bridge spanning six islands, and meet the dedicated crew working to keep it as good as new for the next 200 years.

Japanese confectionery has evolved over centuries, shaped by influences from China and beyond. In Kyoto, artisans honor tradition while advancing the craft with a fresh, modern sensibility.

Visit one of Japan's engineering marvels, an auto and train bridge spanning six islands, and meet the dedicated crew working to keep it as good as new for the next 200 years.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

1 in 50 families have lost a child during pregnancy or soon after birth. A couple who lost their second son when two hours old talks about their grief and sorrow, a topic often not discussed in Japan.

It's late at night, when all are fast asleep. A young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

Japanese confectionery has evolved over centuries, shaped by influences from China and beyond. In Kyoto, artisans honor tradition while advancing the craft with a fresh, modern sensibility.

Railway news from the latter half of 2025. Join us as we look back on new railway vehicles, cutting-edge technologies, commemorative events and more from across Japan.

Visit one of Japan's engineering marvels, an auto and train bridge spanning six islands, and meet the dedicated crew working to keep it as good as new for the next 200 years.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

1 in 45 Japanese are suspected of a gambling addiction. We follow a man who made a clean break from gambling, overcoming the crisis of a broken family, and is in the recovery process from addiction.

We visit one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Edo. Flower viewing parties were for eating, drinking and making merry. It was also an opportunity for young men and women to mingle.

Japanese confectionery has evolved over centuries, shaped by influences from China and beyond. In Kyoto, artisans honor tradition while advancing the craft with a fresh, modern sensibility.

Railway news from the latter half of 2025. Join us as we look back on new railway vehicles, cutting-edge technologies, commemorative events and more from across Japan.

Visit one of Japan's engineering marvels, an auto and train bridge spanning six islands, and meet the dedicated crew working to keep it as good as new for the next 200 years.

Recently popular in China are "otome games" allowing female gamers to experience romance with male characters. Services providing costumed dates have emerged as a related business for fans.

Japanese comedian Tonikaku, also known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura in Japan, has garnered big laughs with his "naked" act. We take a look at how he is bringing Japanese comedy to overseas audiences.

Railway news from the latter half of 2025. Join us as we look back on new railway vehicles, cutting-edge technologies, commemorative events and more from across Japan.

Recently popular in China are "otome games" allowing female gamers to experience romance with male characters. Services providing costumed dates have emerged as a related business for fans.

Japanese comedian Tonikaku, also known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura in Japan, has garnered big laughs with his "naked" act. We take a look at how he is bringing Japanese comedy to overseas audiences.

Bonsai is a living art form that requires attention to detail and patience. For three days, we asked visitors to a hub of bonsai nurseries near Tokyo about the appeal of bonsai in a fast-paced world.

Railway news from the latter half of 2025. Join us as we look back on new railway vehicles, cutting-edge technologies, commemorative events and more from across Japan.

Inoue Hiroko is the president of an NGO that has been running exchange programs for young people from Israel, Palestine, and Japan for 20 years. She talks about their goals and her hope for peace.

Food waste is a major driver of global warming. One institute warns that greenhouse gas emissions from food waste exceed those of nations like India and Russia. We examine the data behind this issue.

A Chinese woman living in Japan holds gatherings for Chinese children with the goal of boosting their confidence in their international background.

Recently popular in China are "otome games" allowing female gamers to experience romance with male characters. Services providing costumed dates have emerged as a related business for fans.

Japanese comedian Tonikaku, also known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura in Japan, has garnered big laughs with his "naked" act. We take a look at how he is bringing Japanese comedy to overseas audiences.

Today's theme: Designing for portability. The spotlight is on portable and mobile designs. From lighting to houses and transport, explore the appeal and potential of designing for portability.

Health tech entrepreneur Ajima Masumi has developed an app to analyze the condition of children with developmental disorders, aiming to help them reach their potential regardless of their background.

Recently popular in China are "otome games" allowing female gamers to experience romance with male characters. Services providing costumed dates have emerged as a related business for fans.

Inoue Hiroko is the president of an NGO that has been running exchange programs for young people from Israel, Palestine, and Japan for 20 years. She talks about their goals and her hope for peace.

Food waste is a major driver of global warming. One institute warns that greenhouse gas emissions from food waste exceed those of nations like India and Russia. We examine the data behind this issue.

A series of doodles by the famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day. What kind of artistic statement was he trying to make?

Japanese comedian Tonikaku, also known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura in Japan, has garnered big laughs with his "naked" act. We take a look at how he is bringing Japanese comedy to overseas audiences.

Today's theme: Designing for portability. The spotlight is on portable and mobile designs. From lighting to houses and transport, explore the appeal and potential of designing for portability.

Recently popular in China are "otome games" allowing female gamers to experience romance with male characters. Services providing costumed dates have emerged as a related business for fans.

A Chinese woman living in Japan holds gatherings for Chinese children with the goal of boosting their confidence in their international background.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: capsule beds.

Japanese confectionery has evolved over centuries, shaped by influences from China and beyond. In Kyoto, artisans honor tradition while advancing the craft with a fresh, modern sensibility.