In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The Southeast Asian island nation of Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, will celebrate 20 years of independence in May. The former leader who led the country in its early years spoke with NHK World about those difficult first steps, and his hopes for the future.

The symbolic Doomsday Clock is ticking closer than ever to midnight, driven in part by concerns about the resurgent specter of nuclear weapons. In New York City, an exhibition invited visitors to reflect on those dangers in an unexpected way — through art. The show, titled "Nuclear Injustice," brought together photographs, installations and sound pieces that invite reflection on the human and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons.

One installation by Japanese American artist Alan Nakagawa drew particular attention, using sound to connect two places inextricably linked by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Thailand's progressive Move Forward Party swept the popular vote in a general election earlier this month, pulling off an upset victory that some saw as a sign of disillusionment with years of military-backed rule. For party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, however, the path to power remains beset with hurdles. Pita recently sat down with NHK for his first interview with foreign media since negotiating a fragile coalition that's vying for control of Thailand's lower house.

His remarks have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Growing up in a conservative family in southern Thailand, Ann Chumaporn spent years convinced the problem was her. It took time to understand that it wasn't ― and longer to do something about it. On January 23, 2026, she held a wedding ceremony with the woman she loves, in a country whose laws she helped change.

In a Chinese town on the border with North Korea, a cosmetic enhancement item plays a key role in the dramatic revival of trade between the two countries.

Chances are, you're reading this on a smartphone or PC. These gadgets are an essential part of daily life — but not without immense pain for some people. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a major source of rare minerals used in all manner of modern devices. The industry is rife with human rights abuses, and many companies simply turn a blind eye in the name of profit. At least two in Japan are finding innovative ways to end the suffering.

Japanese wines are picking up international awards — but global traction is another story. In a climate defined by humidity and rain, producers are getting creative, taking cues from sake and whisky to carve out a distinct identity.

North Korea's first congress of the ruling Workers' Party in five years was an opportunity for the leadership to assess its achievements, install new officials, and chart policy for the coming half-decade. Leader Kim Jong Un projected a conspicuous air of confidence at the February gathering as he touted successes across all sectors — including the economy, defense, and diplomacy. NHK World's Takeda Tomonari takes a closer look at the newfound air of self-assurance in Pyongyang — and whether it's warranted.

More than 80 years have passed since Japan occupied Singapore during World War Two, and historian Lim Shao Bin continues to search for answers buried in documents and war memorabilia — from a chapter of history that still shapes his country today. His work is deeply personal, driven by a conviction that confronting painful truths is essential to building lasting peace. At its core is a question: how can societies pursue peace without forgetting the past?

Award-winning Myanmar writer Ma Thida says reading and critical thinking are essential tools of resistance — and the foundation of any future democracy. Speaking during a three-city tour of Japan, the former political prisoner, now living in exile in Germany, reflected on post-coup Myanmar, where the military continues to entrench its power despite claiming a return to civilian rule.

South Korea's former president Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of insurrection. The punishment was handed down on February 19 by the Seoul Central District Court and comes 443 days after his declaration of martial law plunged the country into political turmoil. NHK World editor-in-chief and former Seoul bureau chief Aoki Yoshiyuki examines what it means for South Korea's political landscape.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are often taught as history. But for some young people in Japan, they are just as relevant today, and have become a reason to act. Touched by the stories of survivors known as hibakusha, they are choosing to step forward with new ways of keeping their messages alive.

It's been a year since dozens of countries got together to enforce a landmark ban on nuclear weapons, yet the goal of eradication seems as distant as ever. For the states that refused to sign the treaty—countries with nuclear arms and others under their protection—discussions to prevent further spread of nuclear arms are not progressing. That stalemate has prompted some to ask: If the world's most powerful countries can't even agree to slim their nuclear arsenal, what hope is there of abolishing the weapons altogether?

Over the 12-year period that followed World War Two, the United States tested dozens of nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands. Residents of the Pacific nation are still grappling with the consequences. Now, however, they face a potentially greater threat.