In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Washington-based news outlet Radio Free Asia is an empty shell these days. The journalists are gone, their laptops and cameras jettisoned on desks stripped of all purpose. For decades, they've delivered uncensored information to millions of people living under oppressive regimes in Asia. But in March, US President Donald Trump cut funding to all broadcasters operated by the Agency for Global Media, leaving RFA's future hanging in the balance.

Pope Leo XIV was elected by 133 cardinals from all over the world – including the Archbishop of Tokyo, Cardinal Kikuchi Isao. The 66-year-old spoke exclusively with NHK on May 12, offering a rare glimpse inside the secretive conclave.

*The interview, translated from Japanese, has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Japanese people who once connected with British-French actor, model and singer Jane Birkin say they continue to rely on the strength and compassion she offered in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

"I'm finally getting on a boat tonight." These were the last words of a 24-year-old migrant who lost his life on the Mediterranean. He was speaking to his cousin in Kabul, some 3,500 kilometers away.

Vietnamese workers in Japan have been sending out SOS calls. All of them came to Japan under a visa category for skilled workers, and many now face serious problems under the current system.

A possible ceasefire may be on the negotiating table, but many ordinary Ukrainians will still maintain a deep mistrust of Russia. "My biggest worry is that if they resume their aggression after a truce, the sacrifices we make every day will be in vain," says Tetiana Vatsenko-Bondareva who lost her husband in the invasion. She's among many women and children who must live with the severe emotional and physical scars, long after the fighting comes to an end.

Gaza schoolgirl Roaa was fostering her passion for Japan and its language ― and then the conflict between Israel and Islamic group Hamas broke out.

The comic book "Myanmar, the last stand" is rekindling international interest in how people there are struggling with military rule. It has been four years since the junta seized control in a coup that limits artistic expression ― but thanks to the efforts of a French author and Hong Kong illustrator, it is connecting readers around the world who share democratic values, particularly in Asian countries.

An increasing number of male and female victims of sex crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine are coming forward to share their harrowing experiences. Their stories paint a horrible picture of life in occupied territory ― and as US-Russia ceasefire talks get underway, survivors fear their abusers may never be brought to justice.

*This report contains references to sexual violence and trauma that may be distressing for some readers.

Singer, actor, and global style icon Jane Birkin's death at 76 on July 16 was a particularly sad passing for many in Japan. She was most widely known for her personal and artistic relationship with late songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and the iconic Hermès Birkin handbag, but her work to support survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami earned her a special place in the hearts of Japanese.

The long decline of China’s once-booming property development industry is being felt nationwide, especially among workers who provide labor-for-hire. People who have left poor farming villages for jobs in urban areas are being hit hard.

A piano that was exposed to the blast and radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima 80 years ago has made it on stage. A German playwright who was inspired by the instrument’s tragic story to write the piece in which the piano takes center stage has finally been able to see it for himself.

Oren Cass, the founder and chief economist of conservative think tank American Compass, believes that "making things matters" ― and that tariffs play a crucial role in rebuilding American industry.

The 41-year-old is not part of the Trump administration, but is closely aligned with key figures like Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In late March, Cass visited Japan for the first time at the invitation of the Japan Foundation. He sat down with NHK deputy chief commentator Kaori IIDA for an interview in Kyoto on March 21. 

*The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Immigration judges in the United States play a crucial role in hearing the cases of non-citizens and deciding their future. But as dozens get fired by the Trump administration, a retired court official – himself a third-generation Japanese American – is sounding a warning that people's rights are under threat.

The slowing Chinese economy is fueling employment concerns especially among young people. University graduates are struggling to find work and many have set their sights on jobs with the government or at state-owned companies.

The best and brightest want stability — and that means they are set to become cogs in the wheel of the powerful one-party Communist system.

A team from NHK-World takes an exclusive look inside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered a triple meltdown in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The disaster forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, and the decommissioning process is expected to carry on for decades.

The Akiruno area of western Tokyo is home to hillsides draped with hydrangea blooms in season. During early summer, the area attracts thousands of tourists who flock to see the flowers under a canopy of cedar and cypress boughs.

Just south of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant lies the town of Tomioka, where residents were ordered to evacuate following the triple meltdown in 2011. Those orders have now mostly been lifted, but as people return, they've been saddened to find the town’s colorful azalea bushes were removed during decontamination work.

One young man has made it his mission to revive the symbolic blossoms in Tomioka and bring back the joy of spring.

As Japan's population shrinks, rural areas are facing a problem ― too many empty houses. An American fan of Japanese architecture is stepping in to preserve old homes, even if it means shipping them piece-by-piece across the country.

South Koreans reacted with anger and defiance when their President abruptly declared martial law earlier this month. The ensuing turmoil was captured in an iconic image that shows an opposition party spokesperson grabbing the rifle of a soldier amid chaotic protests outside the parliament building in Seoul.

Weeks later, Yoon Suk-yeol is suspended from duty following a successful move by the opposition to impeach him, but the reasons for his declaration remain unclear. Former NHK Seoul bureau chief Aoki Yoshiyuki considers some possibilities.

Landscape photographer Imai Go has a soft spot for sparrows. It's an interest that began four years ago when he captured some images of one of the tiny, delicate birds nibbling on cherry blossom buds.

Harris or Trump? The world's largest economy is heading to the polls on November 5th to choose its next leader. The outcome could have wide-ranging economic effects. An expert breaks down what to expect ― from the possibility of rising inflation to a deepening global divide. NHK World's Yanaka Marie interviewed Neil Shearing, Group Chief Economist at Capital Economics.

Myanmar's junta is pushing back with a new tactic after sustaining heavy losses in the western state of Rakhine. Military forces have found themselves cornered by the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine armed group ― and in an effort to retaliate, the junta is allegedly recruiting Muslim Rohingya, from the stateless minority group. The tactic is regarded as a ploy designed to incite conflict between the Rohingya and the majority Rakhine population.

People across the Noto Peninsula were slowly recovering from January's magnitude-7.5 earthquake when a second disaster struck―in September, record rain caused extensive flooding across the region. 

Thousands are still living in evacuation facilities and temporary housing, unsure when they can go home. For many, the ordeal has been made a little easier with the support of Syrian man Salim Mazen, who has been driven to help by his own experience of upheaval.

The global popularity of Japanese food seemingly knows no bounds. Tourists are flocking to the country in record numbers to savor the cuisine ― but back home, finding the real deal isn't always easy. A legendary sushi master in the United States wants to change that by imparting his knowledge and skills to other top chefs, all while battling cancer.

Efforts to tackle homelessness in the Japanese city of Osaka are having knock-on effects that are resolving a series of other issues facing the metropolis – from illegally parked bicycles to abandoned dwellings.

Win-win solutions are being led by non-profit groups offering employment and shelter to people who have troubled backstories but still want to contribute to society.

George Bory is the chief investment strategist for the fixed income team at Allspring Global Investments. He recently visited Tokyo and spoke with NHK World’s Hirata Miyu and Esaki Daisuke about the potential impact of US President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda on the US economy in 2025.

The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Japanese mountaineers Hiraide Kazuya and Nakajima Kenro have posthumously received 2024's Piolet d'Or for the unprecedented feat of ascending the northern wall of Tirich Mir in Pakistan in 2023. 

The Piolet d'Or award is considered the highest honor in the climbing world. It is given to those who achieve imaginative and innovative climbing by scaling a mountain through new routes while using simple techniques. 
 
In July, 2024, Hiraide and Nakajima attempted to climb K2 — the world's second-highest mountain, using a route no one had successfully climbed before — and fell to their deaths. 
 
The two often said taking on a challenge was what drove them to be so bold.

A doctor from Myanmar has been caring for displaced people at her clinic in Thailand for three decades. She says since her native country’s 2021 military coup, the situation has dramatically worsened. 

Dr. Cynthia Maung is the founder of the Mae Tao Clinic, which was honored in 2002 with the Ramon Magsaysay Award – known as the Asian Nobel Peace Prize.

A little over a year ago, Japan's Noto Peninsula was shaken by a powerful earthquake. About nine months later, when many people were finding their footing, torrential rains swept through, causing even more destruction. The city of Suzu, perched on the tip of the Noto Peninsula, bore the brunt of both disasters. One man saw his home devastated both times, but instead of succumbing to despair, he became even more determined to help rebuild the community he loves.

The weak yen is luring record numbers of visitors to Japan, and the tourism industry is now turning its attention to travelers who can deliver a bigger economic impact.
 
In April, Japan began issuing 6-month residency visas to traveling remote workers known as digital nomads who can show they earn at least 10 million yen per year. NHK World visited Shimoda City in Shizuoka Prefecture, a coastal city south of Tokyo, that is banking on these fresh arrivals to breathe new life into its community.

A year after a powerful earthquake ravaged Japan's Noto Peninsula, residents of one historic neighborhood are banding together to expedite repairs to the centuries-old shrine they consider the heart of their community.

A remote island in western Japan is a spiritual home for sumo wrestling. For hundreds of years, a competition in Shimane Prefecture's Okinoshima town has honored a local deity. Among more than 200 people who took part in the latest event were wrestlers from Poland who discovered that the sacred ritual is far more than just a sport.

Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus has a new challenge: The political novice took the helm of an interim Bangladeshi government after a surge of student protests culminated in the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In an exclusive interview with NHK World's Mitamura Taro in New York, Yunus shared his vision for his country's future. This is the full transcript of the interview.

South Korean pop star group New Jeans surprised fans at its Tokyo concert with a cover of a beloved Japanese '80s hit, sparking a viral buzz back home. NHK World's Aoki Yoshiyuki unpacks why Japanese pop from the 1970s and '80s is enjoying a major revival in South Korea.

NHK interviewed a former prisoner of war who experienced brutality after being captured by Russian forces. His suffering is not unique, according to a United Nations' report based on interviews with hundreds of current and former detainees on both sides. The report claims Russia is carrying out "systematic torture" of Ukrainian prisoners.

Perry Link is a leading sinologist with a deep knowledge of Chinese language and culture, and more than half a century of expertise in US-China relations. During the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, he helped shelter a prominent Chinese intellectual at the US embassy in Beijing. 

Although he has been banned from entering China, Link has kept in touch with many of the country’s activists and intellectuals. He sat down with NHK World's Yoshioka Takuma to talk about the goals of the Chinese Communist Party, and the importance of engagement outside of politics and business.

The interview has been edited for clarity.

US President-elect Donald Trump won over voters in some surprising places, including reliably blue cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. NHK World's Inoue Yuki takes a closer look at Trump's success amid this swing to red in some of New York's most diverse districts.

Osaka is the first city in Asia to host the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association's (IGLTA) annual global conference, cementing Japan as a dream destination for a diverse range of travelers.

About 600 influencers, travel agents, tourism officials, hoteliers, and other industry figures from around the world took in the sights and sounds of Osaka during October.

Many tourists who arrive in Japan put climbing Mount Fuji high on their list of things to do. This summer they were back in big numbers to tackle the country's most iconic peak.

Often they find themselves in the care of mountain guide Passang Lama Bhotia from Nepal, who fell in love with Mount Fuji as a child and moved over to Japan as an adult to pursue his dream.

Intractable divisions at the UN Security Council have drawn criticism from UN chief Antonio Guterres, and deepened a sense of disillusionment about the body's ability to resolve the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, among other urgent matters. NHK heard from two experts about proposals to improve the fairness and functioning of the council and the challenges that stand in the way of change.

Autumn in Japan is a season for mountain climbing, and the number of foreign hikers is rising. Police statistics show that more hikers are becoming lost or stranded. To help them out, a Japanese climber is making unique maps that offer firsthand information in both Japanese and English.

American voters are already casting their ballots in early and absentee voting for the November 5 presidential election. In Japan, the US embassy is providing consular assistance to ensure American residents and travelers get their votes in before it's too late.

Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan boasts a kingdom for the "sport of kings." The Hidaka region has hundreds of ranches, and they produce about 80 percent of the nation's racehorses. The industry has been gripped by a labor shortage, but help is at hand. A growing number of Indians are joining the community, bringing a wealth of equine expertise. Local residents want to ensure their new neighbors hit the ground running.

From Hokkaido's pristine powder-snow peaks to the neon-lit drinking warrens of downtown Osaka, inbound tourists are flocking to Japan in record numbers. Hoteliers nationwide are making a roaring trade, but the boom is not without its problems. Some areas are struggling to cope with all the attention. Others are still waiting for a piece of the pie.

Kanamori Kei found his creative spark in a paper fold, but he is now leaving people breathless with his computer graphic animations. His short film "Origami" is the first Japanese production to win a Student Academy Award. The work is a paean to his first passion — but more than that, it’s a celebration of the human touch in an increasingly digital world.

Four years since a military coup rocked Myanmar, the fighting rages on. Life is tough as the military, pro-democracy forces, and armed ethnic minority groups remain locked in battle.
 
The prolonged conflict is casting a shadow over a once-promising economy and putting pressure on younger people, especially those with higher education qualifications whose career and leadership prospects have been all but extinguished. They began fleeing in large numbers after the military announced last year that it was introducing conscription, and many have been making their way to Japan.

South Koreans who secretly loved Japanese pop songs in their youth are reveling in nostalgia amid a revival for Showa-retro tunes from the 1970s and ’80s. Their renewed popularity has sparked an era of Japanese cultural appreciation, driven by middle-aged and older generations of fans who remember the songs’ underground appeal.

As Ukrainian efforts to repel Russian forces divert more men from the workplace to the frontline, short-handed employers are turning to women to pick up the slack, especially in traditionally male-dominated roles.

The overall suicide rate in Japan is falling, to just over 20,000 last year, as a national prevention strategy bears fruit among the adult population. But for one sector of society – children and teenagers – it is a worsening problem, with the loss of 527 lives last year. That figure represents an all-time high among young people. 

NHK World anchor Morishita Erika spoke with Okaku Terumi, CEO of grief support and suicide prevention organization Live on. Okaku was 19 when she lost her mother to suicide. She visits schools across Japan to discuss the importance of self-care and mental health.