In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol remains defiant against the investigation into his martial law declaration last year, even after his indictment. NHK World's Aoki Yoshiyuki explains the unfolding political crisis.

A six-week ceasefire between Israel and Islamic group Hamas has been in place since January 19. NHK World's Sakurai Reiko spoke to the UN Development Programme's Noguchi Chitose on the current situation in Gaza and how the international community can help people rebuild their lives.

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake rocked Japan's Hyogo Prefecture and surrounding areas in 1995, killing 6,434 people and causing more than 100,000 houses to collapse. One of those homes belonged to the grandparents of NHK World’s NEWSROOM TOKYO anchor Yoshioka Takuma. He revisited his family’s community in the Iwaya district of Kobe on the 30th anniversary of the disaster to see how people had rebuilt and what lessons they had learned.

Over 6,400 people died in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in western Japan three decades ago. NHK World's Ide Mizuha spoke to a mother still grieving her son who died before he could realize his dream of becoming a professional shogi player.

New York's subway stations pulse with the energy of millions on the move. But in this subterranean complex, art installations have been asking people to pause, reflect and share their thoughts.

For almost seven decades, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, Nihon Hidankyo, has been a consistent ― and persistent ― voice for the survivors of the atomic bombs that struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The group's education and lobbying efforts have been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024. Two of NHK's senior commentators, Kiyonaga Satoshi and Kamoshida Go, explain the significance of the win.

Nearly 80 years have passed since the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While the suffering of the survivors, known as hibakusha, is well-documented, the suffering of Korean survivors is often overlooked. A documentary film that follows the life of one such survivor highlights his fight against physical suffering and discrimination.

Wine lovers who hear the words “Japanese wine” are likely to think of Yamanashi’s rolling vineyards, or the high terrain of Nagano. But up north in Hokkaido, in a climate once considered too cold for quality wines, the famously finicky Pinot Noir grape is thriving.

China spent decades struggling to contain explosive population growth, but now it’s grappling with the opposite. The combination of a fast-aging society and a record low birth rate have resulted in two successive years of population decline. Even so, the market for maternity goods and services is flourishing, fueled by perceptions around parenting and the expanding affluence of the middle and upper classes.

Vending machines and traditional wooden kokeshi dolls are both icons of Japanese culture, and a hot spring resort in northeastern Fukushima Prefecture has combined the two. The novelty of being able to buy the dolls 24 hours a day has created a buzz and lifted sales – and is also raising awareness about the need to preserve the handicraft.

The idea that digital hobbies spell the end for their analog forebears no longer holds true. Vinyl LPs and film cameras are cases in point. Sales have soared across the world on the back of a newfound appreciation for music and photos you can hold in your hands. In South Korea, there's a similar resurgence in the realm of good old-fashioned books.

The end of World War Two only marked the beginning of another long nightmare for about 600,000 Japanese soldiers and civilians, detained by the Soviet Union and forced to work under brutal conditions in Siberia. One survivor who remained silent for decades is using his later years to ensure this dark chapter of history is never forgotten.

Mise Seiichiro was playing the organ at his home in Nagasaki around 11 a.m. on August 9, 1945. He was pressing the lower notes on the keyboard and imitating the sound of an American B-29 engine. His grandmother approached and told him to stop. As Mise reluctantly closed the organ lid, there was a blinding flash ― and the world changed forever.

With each passing year, there are fewer opportunities to listen to the stories of hibakusha atomic bomb survivors like Mise. Those who are left are old: their average age is over 85.

In Nagasaki, there is a renewed sense of urgency in the effort to preserve the voices of survivors and ensure their stories are heard by younger generations in Japan and the rest of the world. The push comes as global conflicts stoke fears that nuclear weapons could be used again.

Rice is in short supply at supermarkets in Japan. During late August, an NHK crew visited a store in Tokyo that usually sells about 10 varieties. But all it had in stock were 16 bags of a single type, with a purchase limit of one bag per customer.

As of the end of July, rice stocks were down 32 percent from the same month of last year. Not just extreme weather, but some unexpected factors have impacted both supply and demand of the nation's staple grain.

One of the most tragic human stories that emerged from the United States' atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 is that of Sasaki Sadako. She died aged 12 from leukemia ― believed to be linked to radiation exposure ― after folding more than 1,000 paper cranes that she hoped would save her.

Her story has been immortalized in literature and the arts ― and its message of peace is carried on by her surviving brother Masahiro, 83. Almost seven decades after Sadako's passing, he has a new project underway.

Recorded interviews and testimonies are invaluable resources for learning about history. But nothing conveys firsthand experience quite like one-on-one conversation. With the number of World War Two survivors dwindling, a Japanese software company is developing an AI system that ensures their memories never lose the power and urgency of direct appeal.

Teaching children about the atomic bombings can be challenging, given the harrowing subject matter. One man in Nagasaki is using an upbeat performance style, typically used in street advertising, to tackle the topic without leaving his young audience terrified.

A report by human rights watchdog Myanmar Witness says more than 130 schools and universities have come under attack in the three years since the military coup. It says teachers and students are increasingly victims of the drawn-out battle between the junta and resistance forces.

When the atomic blast ripped through Hiroshima, few objects near the epicenter survived. These relics―permanent reminders of the horror that nuclear weapons inflict―include a piano that belonged to a teenage girl who died in the attack.

A senior Red Cross official has paid tribute to Japan for its support during a visit to Tokyo that included an interview with NHK World. Martin Schüepp, Director of Operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), spoke about the organization's work in conflict zones, including the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.

In an intersection of activism and art, an Israeli playwright's works about Palestinian prisoners were brought to life in Tokyo last year. Now, recordings of these poignant shows are touring community spaces across Japan, shedding light on the often invisible lives.

Senior officials of Myanmar's ethnic minority and pro-democracy groups visited Tokyo in May to request support for their struggle against the ruling junta. The rebel alliance has escalated its resistance since October, prompting brutal reprisals that have worsened Myanmar's humanitarian crisis.

NHK spoke to the head of the Karen National Union (KNU) and a minister of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) during their visit.

Throughout modern history, innovation has consistently outpaced regulation. The latest technological vanguard, artificial intelligence, is no exception. Progress in this runaway industry has occurred at such speed that authorities have struggled to keep up.

The European Union has taken the first stab at regulatory action, however, introducing tighter regulations in a revised AI Act. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton sat down with NHK World's Yoshioka Takuma to discuss what the new legislation means for companies that hope to do business in the bloc. His remarks have been edited for brevity and clarity.

The UN's Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar has called for coordinated sanctions against the military junta that has run the Southeast Asian nation for the past two years. Despite this, Japan is yet to impose punitive measures. One expert suggests that if Tokyo were to roll out sanctions, it might actually impede the prospect of democracy in Myanmar. With violence continuing, the question of the best approach remains fraught.

Almost a year after catastrophic floods left one-third of Pakistan underwater, the country remains mired in crisis. While international aid is essential for the rebuilding process, one expert is urging a rethink to support vulnerable countries in their efforts to get ahead of the next potential disaster.

As temperatures plummet in Japan, experts are warning of the potentially deadly dangers of heat shock — a condition triggered by sudden temperature changes that can strain the body, including a hot bath.

It has been 79 years since an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and the number of people able to recount the events from first-hand experience is shrinking fast. Determined to keep the stories alive, a graduate student in Tokyo hopes one survivor's poetry can capture and preserve the experiences for future generations.

Raymond Greene is Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, which makes him the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan. Before his appointment in July, he put in nearly 30 years as a career diplomat in the Indo-Pacific region, working in Japan, Taiwan, China and the Philippines.

NEWSROOM TOKYO anchor Yoshioka Takuma sat down with him on October 23 for the first exclusive interview Greene has given to an international media outlet. They covered US policy on Taiwan and the possible impact of the upcoming US presidential election. This is the transcript of their conversation, edited for clarity.

Indian Americans believe they can be a force for change, especially in closely contested battleground states that can decide who moves into the White House. Many of these voters have been reenergized by the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has Indian heritage.

People learning Japanese often struggle to find native speakers to practice with. One company is bridging that gap by enlisting older Japanese volunteers to help with online sessions.

Use of drone technology rose to a whole new level after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on New Year's Day, when damaged roads and landslides in remote areas hampered relief efforts. While drones have been used in disasters to take aerial photos of inaccessible areas, an unprecedented operation showed the unmanned aircrafts' potential to help perform a wide range of survivor aid efforts, surveillance and research.

Japanese cinema stole the spotlight at the 76th Cannes Film Festival as two industry icons took home two of the biggest prizes. Yakusho Koji won the Best Actor award for his performance in Perfect Days, while scriptwriter Sakamoto Yuji claimed the Best Screenplay prize for the thought-provoking Monster.

When Russian president Vladimir Putin landed in neighboring Mongolia on Monday to help celebrate 85 years since a military victory over the Imperial Japanese army, his hosts were supposed to arrest him. Putin has been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for suspected war crimes in Ukraine, and Mongolia is a member of the court. But the arrest never happened and the visit went without a hitch.

New technologies like artificial intelligence are raising electricity demand, thwarting global efforts to combat climate change even as much of the world suffers from deadly summer heat. Experts say quick action is needed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal and other fossil fuels, but doing so will not be easy.

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz was introduced in broad strokes to Americans at the party's national convention in late August. His folksy framing as "Coach Walz" resonated with the crowd, but what many might not know about is his long history with China.

From his life in the United States’ Midwest to the crossroads he faced in Beijing, NHK WORLD-JAPAN takes a deeper look into the influences that may have shaped Walz's world view and how he interacts with people.

The alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party maintained a majority in India's general election. But the BJP lost a considerable number of seats, falling short of winning a single-party majority. 

One of the contentious issues was religious divisions. The ruling party's policies have focused heavily on Hindus, who account for about 80 percent of the population. NEWSROOM TOKYO anchor Yoshioka Takuma traveled to West Bengal, a key election battleground, during the campaign. His conversations with voters provide some clues on how the public views the BJP's pro-Hindu agenda.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, one of the worst mass killings in recorded history. A young artist from the central African country traveled to exhibit his work in northeastern Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, one of the areas devastated by the 2011 disaster, to show how art can help people heal from traumatic events.

Dangerous heatwaves are a mainstay of the Japanese summer. It used to be the case that workers were simply expected to endure the sweltering conditions, but now, employee wellbeing is a growing consideration.

Syrian author Yassin al-Haj Saleh has been a tireless advocate for freedom and democracy in his native country. On a trip to Japan to promote a translation of one of his best-known books, he spoke to NHK World about the current situation in Syria and why he keeps fighting.

"I just want to have another child without any concerns," says the mother of a young girl in Tokyo. She's one of many parents in the capital struggling to buy or rent a home with enough space. Japan's fertility rate has been on the decline for eight years straight, and experts say the hot property market could make the problem even worse.

Kazuo Ishiguro is one of Britain's most decorated contemporary novelists. He has won both the Nobel and Booker prizes, among countless other awards, and was knighted for his services to literature in 2018. But even for him, an Oscar would have been a first. Earlier this year, Ishiguro was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on Living, a remake of Kurosawa Akira's 1952 masterpiece Ikiru.

Iryna and her husband Oles, from just outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, had been eager to start a family. But Russia's invasion had intervened, and then the 29-year-old couple got the news that in January, Oles would be deployed to Ukraine's eastern front. That was when they made a choice: Oles would join the growing list of soldiers who freeze their sperm to ensure they can become fathers ― no matter what happens.

Twenty years have passed since United States-led coalition forces invaded Iraq, starting a war that would eventually topple Saddam Hussein's 24-year-long dictatorship. Since then, Baghdad has changed a great deal with reconstruction projects contributing to a renewed sense of vibrancy.

Iraq's Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Kareem Kaab, sat down with NHK World to explain where his country is heading and how it plans to get there.

Every spring, more than a million people visit Washington DC to marvel at the canopy of pink and white cherry blossoms framing the city skyline. The Potomac cherry trees are in the limelight again, as Japan prepares to send 250 new saplings to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Many people might be aware that the original trees were a gift given more than a century ago, but few likely know that the idea originated with a pioneering female journalist.

Japan's Noto Peninsula was a vital economic hub centuries ago. Residents of the Kuroshima district are now drawing upon its rich history and legacy of resilience as they try to rebuild from the massive earthquake that struck on New Year's Day. 

Six months after the disaster, NEWSROOM TOKYO anchor Yoshioka Takuma visited Wajima City's Kuroshima in central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture.

Myanmar's junta is facing increased resistance from pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups in a shift that has coincided with the introduction of conscription. Since February, the military began a lottery system to sign up men aged 18 and older.

According to the Burma Affairs and Conflict Study (BACS) watchdog, almost 6,000 people have been recruited, many of them forcibly, during that period. The move has Myanmar youths facing a quandary: give in to the junta, flee, or fight back?

Russia's initial attacks on Ukraine reduced many cities to smoldering ruins. One year on, NHK World visited two of the hardest hit towns and spoke with locals who are trying to rebuild their communities, despite not knowing when or how the conflict will end.

In the aftermath of the 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the 16,000 residents of nearby Tomioka Town were ordered to evacuate. Most have never returned. But one former resident is back with a new product he hopes will help revive his disaster-hit hometown.

At last year's men's soccer World Cup, one player stood out: French forward Kylian Mbappe. His team may have lost in the final to Argentina, but the wearer of the number 10 jersey was honored with the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals at the tournament.

When disaster strikes, spreading information in multiple languages is vital. But sometimes people lack confidence in their proficiency. An associate professor at a Japanese university is now training volunteers about how to effectively communicate in English during emergencies. She says beyond language competency, speaking from the heart is most important when it comes to helping others.