In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.