All Episodes 2013 - 2024

Born in Osaka some 300 years ago, Japanese puppet theater—Bunraku—is a stunning yet refined spectacle. This program presents the story of Bunraku through two of its greatest masters, puppeteer Tamao Yoshida and chanter Sumitayu Takemoto. Brought together for the last performance of the 20th century, these two "living national treasures" transform ancient tales of old Japan into vibrant human drama. Cameras go backstage to capture the immense preparations and grueling, rarely seen rehearsals for their exquisite rendition of the masterpiece Shinju Ten no Amijima.

On August 6th and 9th, 1945, two atomic bombs vaporized 210,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those who survived are called "hibakusha"--people exposed to the bomb--and there are an estimated 200,000 living today. Today, with the threat of nuclear weapons of mass destruction frighteningly real- the world's arsenal capable of repeating the destruction at Hiroshima 400,000 times over, Oscar® award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki revisits the bombings and shares the stories of the only people to have survived a nuclear attack.

Synopsis The Stradivarius violins made in the 17th century by Italian master craftsman Antonio Stradivari continue to be cherished by today's greatest performers. Around 600 of these multi-million-dollar instruments still exist, but the true secret of its unrivaled sound remains veiled in mystery. Join Karen Gomyo, a New York-based Stradivarius player, and the many performers, artisans, scientists, and other Stradivarius lovers around the world on a 300-year journey back through time to trace the saga of this sublime instrument.

Successive meltdowns of reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant resulted in significant nuclear contamination. How did the disaster unfold? NHK interviewed more than 400 people and conducted simulations based on volumes of data. Our independent investigation sheds new light on the accident 2 years after it occurred.

About 70% of dementia patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's causes brain cells to die, leading to loss of memory and physical functions. A cure has yet to be found. As societies age, the number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to soar. From exercises anyone can do to new medications, we'll examine the latest efforts to defeat Alzheimer's.

Locked away by her parents for 18 years, one young woman has never attended school. The skeletal remains of a boy deserted by his father were discovered, as nobody knew he had been left alone in his apartment. Such children are completely isolated from society, prevented from going to school by abuse or poverty, and the outside world has no idea where they are or what they are doing. NHK has tracked down some of these isolated children, and for the first time tells their story. This program examines the pleas of children in a hidden corner of modern-day Japan.

In 1945, US forces dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Last year, photos and a map of the aftermath were found, detailing the bomb's destructive mechanism. They showed how the Mach stem - a shock wave that hyper-intensified the power of the initial blast - was responsible for destroying buildings with increasing force 500 meters from ground zero. Through a simulation of the blast and interviews with survivors, this program reveals how the bomb was exploded to maximize its catastrophic effect.

Soon after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a black rain containing radioactive materials fell from the sky. No detailed data has ever been released on where this contaminated rain fell, and the extent of this form of radiation. But at the end of 2011, enquiries by a doctor in Nagasaki led to the disclosure that investigators in the 1950s had collected data on some 13,000 people exposed to black rain. Why has this information yet to be released -- 67 years after the atomic bombings? And what might we learn from these cases today? Our investigation includes accounts from survivors.

On the 70th year since the end of World War Ⅱ, NHK gathered archival film of the Pacific War from home and abroad and took on the challenge of colorizing the material with the help of experts in various fields. Compiled from the restored footage, this documentary vividly revives the realities of the war, bringing to light what had been obscured in the black-and-white films and photos, and conveying with fresh intensity the experiences of those who were there through diaries and words.

More than 50,000 Japanese nurses went to the frontlines in the World War II to aid their country. But they were unprepared for the horrible reality that awaited them. As they worked to protect the soldiers, they faced threats to their own well-being. Wartime documents that had long been confidential, along with the testimony of former nurses, shed light on how they have struggled to come to terms with their wartime experiences.

The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific War. Even women and children were called to arms to cover the serious shortage of Japanese troops. As a result, at least 90,000 civilians perished, the largest number of casualties in a ground battle within Japan. The program reconstructs the overall story of this battle using big data analysis from newly discovered casualty records. Also utilized are invaluable footage filmed by the U.S. Army, and graphic eyewitness accounts of civilians on audio tapes. Witness the search for the truth behind this brutal ground battle that drove both soldiers and civilians into madness, and turned a tropical paradise into a tragic hell on earth.

Hisayo and Yoshihiko Umeki live in a remote village in Japan. Hisayo is blind and deaf, and Yoshihiko is her interpreter, husband and friend. Despite their difficulties, they lead a simple yet satisfying life. A farmer by choice, Yoshihiko loves the beauty of living off the land, but Hisayo, a city girl, finds the rural life sometimes challenging. By following the life of the couple through 4 seasons, this documentary reexamines what happiness can mean even in adversities.

Scientists have discovered that walking speed is a good indicator of a person's risk for developing dementia. Irregularities in the way we walk signal that special networks inside the brain are deteriorating, increasing the risk of dementia. But experts are finding ways to detect and treat such declines at an early stage. And they're developing new medications to keep dementia at bay. On this program, we'll share the latest findings from the front lines of dementia prevention.

With public opinion divided, Japan's Diet enacted new national security legislation in September 2015. This enabled Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense, which past Cabinets have deemed unconstitutional. With overwhelming numbers in the Diet, Abe's administration is pushing its policy agenda. A divided and contentious opposition cannot act as an effective counterforce. This program closely analyzes the political battles and Abe's consolidation of power.

Radioactive substances fell across eastern Japan following the accident at a Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011. The ongoing decontamination work has created huge quantities of toxic waste. NHK has carried out a large-scale survey of local governments to find out where the waste is, how much there is and what is happening at the storage sites. This program looks at the hardships facing both officials and residents as they confront the largest nuclear cleanup operation in history.

"What is life?" was the theme of a special class at a school hit by the March 2011 tsunami disaster. The goal was to help students share their experience of losing loved ones in the disaster, which they had rarely done at school before. Given the chance to write the sorrow bottled up inside them, they gradually started to open up and express their feelings. Their constant attempts of the class helped them move forward. This is a record of the year-long journey taken by these 15-year-olds.

At the accident site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the decommissioning of reactors involving the removal of nuclear fuel from 3 crippled reactors seems unending. Some estimates say it will take over 40 years until all the work is complete. Nuclear debris still continues to release fatal amounts of radiation, making close investigation impossible. Therefore, alternative inspection methods using cutting-edge technology are ongoing, including small remotely-operated robots and cosmic-ray, sub-atomic technology to image and detect debris inside the reactor. Can humans safely control nuclear power? Decommissioning Fukushima is a "front line" record of the accident that attempts to answer this question.

The 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan forced 88,000 people to evacuate their homes. In September 2015, Naraha became the first town to welcome residents back. But officials trying to revive the community face numerous hurdles, such as rebuilding medical, welfare and commercial infrastructure. 4 months after the evacuation order was lifted, only 6% of residents had returned. The challenges facing one town highlight broader questions about the region's recovery from the disaster.

Located 1,000 km from Tokyo, Nishinoshima Island suddenly emerged from the water in 2013. The land is formed from an undersea volcanic eruption and scientists are saying this event could solve the mystery of how continents are made. NHK teamed up with experts to learn more about Japan's newest island. Join them on this grand science adventure as they witness an once-in-a-lifetime "birth of land".

The Angkor complex in Cambodia has remained a mystery for centuries due to the loss of the civilization's records. But now, with new investigations using laser beams from a helicopter, and results of archaeological from the past, this mystery is gradually being unveiled. What has emerged is an enormous metropolis that existed in dense jungle. This episode introduces the Angkor civilization, which once enjoyed prosperity and later disappeared into obscurity.

Glittering gold towers, beautiful symmetrical temples, gigantic statues of Buddha. This is scenery from the ancient ruins of Bagan, Myanmar’s first dynasty. At the site where its capital was once located, 3,000 pagodas and temples remain to this day. How were so many structures made? Today, the latest studies have revealed the existence of an amazing system that prevented wealth from concentrating among the privileged in this ancient city.

In 1974, thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers were unearthed near the Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. But the true reason of their burial remained a mystery. During recent investigations, many other life-size statues, remains of an extravagant palace, and ruins of the castle walls of a vast city were excavated in the same area. This episode unearths the plans and secrets of a major undertaking: the first unification of China by Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

The prehistoric Jomon culture is said to be the origin of the Japanese people. It has received high acclaim from specialists worldwide for its sophisticated lifestyle including highly artistic clay pots, figures and lacquer products. Particularly surprising is it's sustainability based on a hunter-gatherer lifestyle without any large-scale agriculture. This episode delves deep into the unique Jomon culture through findings at ruins of a Jomon village in Sannai-Maruyama, Japan.

Inside The Tsunami is a definitive and human story documentary of the 3.11 Giant Tsunami. It investigates what happened in Kamaishi City, where residents were overwhelmed by the tsunami that traveled far inland, taking the lives of over 1,000 people. Based on firsthand accounts of survivors who were actually caught up in the enormous tidal wave, the program analyzes the behavior and mechanics of the tsunami. By utilizing harrowing home-video footage and VFX technology, Inside The Tsunami attempts to recreate the tsunami, to allow viewers to experience what the people went through. Their stories provide lessons on how we should all act in the face of life-threatening disasters.

During 5 years of civil war, more than 4.6 million Syrians have fled their country. Many have risked their lives to cross the sea in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The UN's Refugee Agency leads the effort to respond to the plight of the displaced. More than 90 Japanese work for the agency. This is the story of their frontline battle against the worst refugee crisis of the century.

On a hill overlooking the ocean in Otsuchi Town in northeastern Japan is a phone booth known as the "Telephone of the Wind". It is connected to nowhere, but people come to "call" family members lost during the tsunami of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Many visit the phone booth including a mother and 3 children who have lost their father. This documentary looks at the unique role that this phone is playing in helping the grieving process of many.

The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 caused a series of accidents at a nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. 3 reactors suffered meltdown, and some 140-thousand people evacuated in 7 days. Despite the scale of the disaster, details of the evacuation were not widely known. What actions did people take and how was information communicated to them? The chaos of the evacuation can be captured from 2,400 videos and photos, and the testimony of more than 1,000 people.

"My paintings will be understood 1,000 years from now". Japanese painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) left these mysterious words along with his many paintings. These prophetic words are coming true with recent finds using the latest technology to better understand the artist's creative process, and his singular style in composition and design. Observe in pristine images the remarkably fine lines of Jakuchu (0.1mm!), and find out the messages hidden in the paintings of "the man with the hand of god".

Children bring joy, but also challenges. Mothers can experience feelings of anxiety and loneliness, or have difficulty loving their kids. This program looks at the science behind these emotions, and offers ways to help. Bringing together the latest findings from the fields of neuroscience, animal behavior and physiology, we uncover the roots of mothers' stress. Our exploration into the mysteries of childrearing offers food for thought for mothers, fathers - everyone.

The Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 turned the surrounding towns into a desolate land, making the area into a "radioactive forest". Without human presence, the land is roamed by wildlife like civets, macaques and wild boars. A project is underway to study the deserted areas by attaching a camera to wild boars to record the conditions of the former farmlands. 5 years after the disaster, we take a close look at how radiation has affected the wildlife, and what it entails for us humans.

An artificially intelligent program recently stunned the world by crushing the foremost player of the ancient board game Go. AI has also enabled extremely precise cancer detection, more efficient and hassle-free transportation systems, and even virtual relationships. But it also has the potential to run amok. We visit the frontlines of the AI revolution to see the benefits and risks.

In 2011, 3 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant suffered meltdowns. The operator plans to decommission the plant within 40 years. But the people involved in the process face a critical challenge: locating and removing tons of hardened nuclear debris. Engineers are trying to develop special robots and experimenting with life-size replicas of the reactors. In this program, we report from the frontline of efforts to deal with the fuel debris.

Although long renowned for the skills and strength of its heavyweight judo division, Japan was once overwhelmed by the world's power-driven judo, evident in the gold medal drought at the last Olympics. Now, Japan's judo is showing signs of revival. Using science, this episode takes an in-depth look at the secrets behind the polished techniques that push human ability to the limit, which embodies the philosophy of judo.

If you think it's "just" stress, think again. Intense stress can ruin your health and even take your life. Recent studies in the fields of physiology, psychology and brain science have revealed a complex mechanism. Stress can trigger a chain reaction of hormonal response, destroying brain cells and blood vessels, which could lead to death. This episode explores the different diseases caused by stress and looks at what you can do to keep it from killing you.

Stress can kill. Recent studies have revealed that extreme stress can be life threatening, and cause serious mental disorders including depression and dementia. How does stress trigger abnormal conditions that destroy the brain? This program tracks the latest scientific research into the mechanisms of stress, and features innovative and easy ways to keep it from killing you.

The world's top synchronized swimmers Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina have an impossible stunt called The Russian Roulette, where the two move their legs at breakneck speed during a routine when oxygen levels drop dangerously.

"Isolados": This is the name given to indigenous people deep in the Amazon who had almost no contact with the outside world for 100 years. Recently, they have started to emerge. But encounters have turned bloody, and contact exposes the Isolados to the risk of disease. The Peruvian government is attempting to reach out, so it may put the group under its control. NHK traveled to a remote outpost to document one such meeting with a people who experts say may disappear in as little as 2 years.

7 decades ago, 2 men stood on opposite sides of the front line in World War II. Mitsuo Fuchida was the chief commander of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Jacob DeShazer, a US Army Air Force corporal, dropped incendiary bombs on Nagoya in a revenge raid. After the war, both became devout Christians and embarked on missions in each other's homeland. They met, and forged a firm bond. This story of former soldiers who overcame hatred and embraced peace carries a message that resonates today.

Runners battle rough terrain in what is called the toughest race in the world. Competitors race all day and night in a natural setting that can quickly turn ferocious and dangerous. It's the trail running race in Patagonia, Chile. Only 30% of entrants make it. A grueling 141-kilometer test of endurance. The astounding power hidden in the runners' muscles pushes beyond the breaking point, and they start to lose the sense of vision and even themselves. This is "God's Territory".

In 1945, the United States dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan. Then President Harry Truman explained the decision was made to save thousands of American lives. People have accepted this explanation without question for decades. But recently, materials have surfaced that paint a more nuanced picture of what actually occurred. This program reexamines events in the months leading up to the bombings, and tries to determine how one of the most important events in history was rewritten after the war.

Once a dream car, today the autonomous vehicle is becoming a reality. The global competition to develop such vehicles is heating up, and the first company to have the upper hand will win. The autonomous driving revolution will have a major impact on vehicle manufacturing, and will likely change society forever. But creating an autonomous vehicle means understanding computers. This means automakers have to compete with IT firms including Google. Come explore the frontlines of this revolution.

In 1993, a Japanese civilian police officer taking part in a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia was killed. It was the first such mission under Japan's pacifist constitution. A ceasefire was supposed to be in place, but the officer and his colleagues were attacked in an ambush. On this program, his former colleagues break more than 20 years of silence, helping to shed light on the harsh reality the men encountered.

2 active faults triggered an earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture that measured a maximum 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. Most of the houses in an area of one village came crashing down. The residents there had to make a tough choice: Either rebuild their homes and live with the risks posed by the faults, or leave the community they love and relocate to safer area. This is a chronicle of their lives during the first 6 months after the disaster.

Japanese Doctors are leading efforts to fight intractable diseases by balancing the gut microbiota

Many centenarians around the world are still going strong. They hold the secrets to living a long time while staying both mentally and physically fit and researchers around the world are trying to unravel the reasons. In the program the world's super centenarians appear one after another. The program focuses on centenarians from all angles, such as nutrition, psychology, environmental studies, sociology and tell you the way to reach it.

China's economy is supported by a cheap labor force of farmer laborers who have flowed into big cities from rural villages. As the economy slows down, a national project is underway to attract farmers to smaller sized cities and turn 100 million farmers into urban consumers. Residential districts in big cities where farmer laborers live are being torn down, forcing them to leave. We take a closer look at this national project, where farmers' lives are tossed about again by China's transformation.

The festival of Onbashira, or the "honored pillar", takes place in Suwa, Japan, once every 6 years. Few tree-centered festivals in Japan or anywhere else in the world, rival this one for its breathtaking scale. Why is Suwa the only place where this mysterious festival lives on? In this report we explore the ancient mystery behind the enthusiasm that engulfs this town whenever the sacred year rolls around.

Negotiations on the issue of the Northern Territories are often called the last post-war settlement. In December 2016, Japan marked its first step on the thorny path. What did they talk about behind closed doors? How did Japan negotiate with Russia, which wouldn't soften its hardline stance? We learned about some of the details from materials we collected for this report. We'll take a look at what was going on behind the scene during the 7 months of secret negotiations.

A serious threat to human health is getting global attention and prompting action. It is glucose spike, the sudden rise in sugar levels after eating. Although difficult to detect, if left untreated it can cause various deadly illnesses such as diabetes, heart attack and even cancer. For a long time, medicine overlooked this phantom menace, but studies have shown that people can ward off this frightening condition by making some simple lifestyle changes. This program presents results of the latest research that will help viewers take care of their health, including a checklist test that indicates risks of glucose spikes.

Decommissioning TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is a huge, and complex, project. The plant's operator and the Japanese government have estimated it will take 40 years to complete. Getting the job done requires manpower, technology…and a lot of money. Costs are escalating, and questions remain about how they'll be covered. In this program, we take a close look at the ballooning expenses, and think about who should shoulder the burden.

In China today, 12,000 startups are created every day. Investing into these ventures is an estimated 17 trillion dollars of private assets. Fueling this wildly surging investment boom are newly minted private-sector investment companies, magnets for money from the wealthy looking to capitalize their funds. To move all of this capital around, new financial services use the internet to gather money from ordinary people in a flash. But trouble often occurs in this red-hot boom. As it pursues new growth industries, China is conducting an epic experiment uniting the public and private sectors.

3 years ago, the Academy Award-winning animated film director Hayao Miyazaki shocked the world when he announced his retirement at age 72. But his creative impulse never faded. After meeting a group of young animators who specialize in computer graphics, he decides to make a short film using CGI to explore new expressive possibilities. Will the short film he releases change the future of Japanese animation? The creative process proves so difficult that he almost calls it quits. This program documents the tremendous struggle that unfolds behind the scenes as Miyazaki, inspired by a new medium, wrestles with CGI for the first time

The socialist dictatorship North Korea has continued to rattle the global community with nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. The internal workings of the North Korean People's Army have been shrouded in mystery for more than half a century. But a flash drive containing more than 12,000 pages of classified information was leaked.

Cancer treatment is undergoing a revolution. Unlike conventional anti-cancer medications, a new type of drugs uses a completely different method to attack the disease. And there's a new kind of treatment called "precision medicine", which analyzes a patient's genes and selects the optimal drug for that person. These 2 developments provide synergistic effects that make the cancer treatment revolution possible. We'll explore the possibilities offered by life-extending medical care.

Chikako Nakamoto, affectionately called "Bacchan" or "Granny", is known as the city's Mother Theresa. For years, she's been welcoming juvenile delinquents with home cooked meals. She believes that hunger is a trigger for acts of assault, purse snatching, shoplifting, and prostitution. A warm meal is the first step toward rehabilitation. Some of the youth Granny welcomes into her home include a boy whose family is too poor to feed him and a girl who's been abused by her parents. Under Granny's care, these young people seek and find ways to overcome despair. This documentary, filmed over a span of 8 years, shows how Granny's table has changed the lives of these juveniles.

The book "The Reason I Jump" introduced readers around the world, for the first time, to the true emotions of a person with autism. Author Naoki Higashida is severely autistic, but can "talk" with the help of an alphabet board or a computer. 2 years after he was profiled in the NHK Documentary What You Taught Me About My Son (2014), the director, who is now suffering from cancer, re-visits Naoki, asking him a crucial question: "How can people who are suffering find happiness?" It's a remarkable story about life from the words of a young autistic author.

Will Global Growth Continue? Economic disparities are widening around the world. Wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, and the gap between rich and poor is growing increasingly big. Industrialized countries that once powered the global economy are slowing. Will global growth continue? This program considers this question by retracing the roots of modern capitalism, interviewing leading economists, and documenting how governments and businesses are racing to adapt.

Mega Corporations vs. State Sovereignty The rise of giant multinational corporations is shaking up the capitalist order. A lengthy court battle with a major US energy firm has left Ecuador at risk of default. Worldwide, large companies have filed some 700 lawsuits against governments. Meanwhile, some nations are giving up sovereignty to attract more businesses. And entrepreneurs are looking to establish autonomous floating states. We explore the shifting power balance between businesses and governments, and the fate of capitalism.

The Extreme Wealth Gap and Beyond Capitalism has generated both enormous prosperity and staggering inequality. A report shows that the world's 62 richest people now control as much wealth as the 3.6 billion poorest. On the other hand, new approaches to sharing wealth are taking shape. One CEO has slashed his own salary by more than 90%, and raised employees' wages. A labor-managed company in Uruguay gives every worker a role in running the company. We explore capitalism today and how it's evolving.

The Asian black bear, or moon bear, is the largest mammal on Japan's main island of Honshu. Catching sight of them is extremely difficult because they're cautious creatures that prefer to spend their days deep in the forests. But over the course of 28 years, one man has painstakingly watched and documented these bears. This program gives us a glimpse of the reality of their life, which has long been shrouded in mystery.

Chinese leaders are trying to transform their economy and prepare it for the future. And they're hoping the e-commerce boom will spark consumption across the country, from mega-metropolises to tiny villages in the countryside. Entrepreneurs are hoping to ride the wave, starting small companies that are selling t-shirts, wallets, and much more as they struggle to make their mark in a hyper-competitive environment. Go inside China's fast-moving and dynamic e-commerce revolution as businesses put it all on the line in their dogged pursuit of profits and success.

"We will become an environmental superpower", China's leaders have declared. This program explores the daunting challenges facing this plan, in a country where nearly 1 million people are said to die from air pollution annually. Beijing has committed billions to clean skies and pledged to cut PM 2.5 pollution 45% by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Can these goals be met? NHK followed citizens battling air pollution in Wuhan, where neighbors of major industries are dying of cancer, and in the steelmaking cities of Qinhuangdao and Tangshan, known as the world's most polluted city. It is a stark reality: despite Beijing's pledges, cities and firms struggle to chart a new environmental path. Severe air pollution is the price of China's rapid economic growth. The program covers 3 years in the struggle to solve this problem.

Japan's Emperor Akihito is the head of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. He's the first to succeed the role of "symbolic emperor" under the post-World War II constitution. Emperor Akihito stunned Japan and the world in 2016 by suggesting he wanted to "abdicate while still alive". Since assuming the throne from his father Emperor Hirohito, how has Emperor Akihito embodied the constitutional role? And why has he decided now that he wants to abdicate? This program documents Emperor Akihito's years of searching for answers utilizing NHK's exclusive footage and new interviews with experts.

Can time heal all wounds for a family that lost its main anchor in Japan's 2011 disaster? What do the surviving family members feel, how do they deal with their grief, where can they draw strength? Over 4 years since 2013, NHK chronicled the battle waged by a brokenhearted woman and her son as they struggled to move on, relying on the inventive help of those around them. Kazuko was paralyzed by grief over the death of her husband. But she and her son, Kazuha, slowly face the tragedy of their loss and their relationship changes as they become each other's support system. NHK shows this heart-rending transformation of a mother and her child as they bravely get on with their lives after losing the person dearest to them.

Nobue Kai is an 86-year-old picture book author whose illustrations focus on a subject full of wonders many people know little about -- weeds. Her careful and accurate observations about the lives of all kinds of weeds have opened people's eyes to their beauty. We followed her for a full year as she worked and documented a breathtaking universe hiding in plain sight at our feet.

Giant pandas, now on the verge of extinction, must be bred in captivity. The zoo in Shirahama, Japan, is one of the world's most successful breeding facilities, and its unique rearing method has drawn considerable attention. With our cameras documenting the zoo and its staff for 1,000 days, we succeeded in capturing a record of the whole breeding process, from mating to nursing, for the first time ever.

70 years ago, as it began to rebuild from World War II, Japan enacted a new Constitution. Since that time, not a single word has been changed, including the principles of peace set out in Article 9. How did this commitment to peace take root? Using previously classified documents, NHK reveals the roles played by Emperor Hirohito and Japanese lawmakers in putting Japan on the path of peace that lay the foundation for the postwar Constitution.

It's considered the discovery of the century in Japan -- the unearthing of a complete fossilized skeleton of an 8-meter long dinosaur. It was dubbed Mukawaryu based on the name of the town in Hokkaido where it was uncovered. The find opened up a new world of dinosaur research in Japan. But it also created another mystery because this land dinosaur was discovered in a location that, eons ago, would have been in the ocean. How did the fossil get there? The amazing answer is revealed in this documentary, using CGI to re-create how dinosaurs lived 72 million years ago.

Located beneath Russia's Ural Mountains, Orda Cave is legendary among divers for its unique beauty. The cave's waters are clearest in winter, when the land above lies frozen. With temperatures approaching minus 40 degrees, NHK attempts to film the cave in ultra-high definition 4K for the first time ever. Scientists give them insight into the cave's origins, enabling the crew to uncover the miraculous story of how the cave was naturally formed 300 million years ago by climate change and a shifting landscape.

On July 1, 2016, Islamic terrorists killed 22 people at a restaurant in Dhaka. 7 Japanese nationals were among the victims. They were all working at an aid project for Bangladesh. A survivor recounts how he and one of the Japanese victims managed to hide for a short while before the terrorists found them and executed the Japanese man. And in a twist, one of the planners of the attack was a Bangladeshi who actually holds Japanese citizenship. This compelling program delves deep into what happened on that day and why.

Within Japan, there's a place that's like another world: Gion, in Kyoto. When night falls in this historic district, nearly 100 geiko, or traditional entertainers, make their way to teahouses to perform classical arts, such as music and dance, for carefully selected guests. Kimi Ota, 77, is proprietress of a 200-year-old teahouse. Throughout its history, it has always been run by a woman. The proprietress cannot marry, and must have a daughter who can someday take over. Peer behind the curtain into the unique and alluring world of Kyoto's teahouses.

From chess to shogi, artificial intelligence has swept aside the grandmasters of humans' most challenging board games. Now the technology's impact is rapidly spreading in the broader world. A taxi company in Japan has boosted its passenger numbers by 20% by introducing an AI system that anticipates peak demand and dispatches drivers accordingly. In the U.S., AI is used in courtrooms to calculate the risk of recidivism and to set prison terms. AI is changing the world - but for better or worse?

Many people believe the Hiroshima atomic bomb instantly incinerated nearly everyone in the Japanese city. That was true at ground zero, but not everywhere. Hiroshima government officials have been tirelessly collecting records on those killed to find out how they died. Using this "big data", NHK created a visualization of the movements of the 557,000 victims of the August 6, 1945 attack. Some did indeed perish instantly. Others burned to death in collapsed buildings. But what about the people who died in a strange "donut zone of death" days after the bombing and in areas more than 2 kilometers from ground zero?

Tokyo Black Hole reveals the rarely discussed truth about real-life events in "Year Zero" of post-war Tokyo. It follows a young man living in present-day Tokyo who travels back in time and has "hands-on" experiences. His journey helps us understand the hardships of the time, and gives a better sense of how some people prospered despite the difficult circumstances.

A radio address by Emperor Showa on August 15, 1945 was supposed to mark Japan's exit from World War Ⅱ. But for people in Karafuto, a Japanese territory on present-day Sakhalin, the war wasn't over. As Soviet troops advanced, local Japanese commanders got a puzzling order: "Defend Karafuto to the death". With military resources depleted, civilians were sent to confront heavily armed Soviet forces. Over 7 days, up to 6,000 people died. Through interviews with survivors, we explore this tragic chapter.

In the 1950's, as the Cold War intensified, the island of Okinawa Prefecture was transformed into a nuclear fortress, with up to 1,300 nuclear weapons deployed there. For this program, we've obtained about 1,500 items of previously unseen footage and confidential documents. They reveal Okinawa's critical role at that time and expose what was happening there.

Skyscrapers are symbols of big cities. But the mega earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in 2016 proved that even earthquake-resilient high-rise buildings can shake greatly and suffer severe damage. The culprit is the long period seismic pulse, which is lurking in active faults throughout the world. Simulations of this motion showed that tall buildings shook 3 times more, causing them to tilt. This episode depicts the destructive power of the long period seismic pulse, and the latest counter measures to combat this threat

Meteorologists around the world are concerned that accurate forecasting is becoming more and more difficult. The biggest reason for this is the rapid increase in the temperature of seawater triggered by global warming. This rise in temperature causes the flow of water vapor and winds to change, thereby allowing super typhoons to expand and increase in number. The accumulated data and the experiences at present are limited. The margin of error in forecasts for heavy rain and typhoons could end up making the resulting damage much worse. This episode introduces new scientific methods and technologies at the frontline of weather forecasting that could save lives.

Adolescence – a time when children suddenly become rebellious teenagers. The latest research suggests the changes are closely related to a mechanism acquired during human evolution. Adolescents' troubling behavior is actually rooted in brain development. However, in this era of rapidly-shifting social environments, the unique workings of the adolescent brain present new challenges for young people that may be linked to depression and bullying. Drawing on scientific experiments and evolutionary anthropology, this program uncovers the secrets of the sensitive adolescent mind.

In Japan, one couple gets divorced every 2 minutes. Often, the wife initiates the split. Many women say their partners don't understand their feelings, while many husbands seem unaware of the daily stress this can create. The latest research suggests that common marital misunderstandings are rooted in differences between the male and female brain. The problems couples experience today are the result of millions of years of evolution. This program uses findings from neuroscience to explore the issue, and suggests ways for couples to strengthen their bonds.

Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army secretly developed and tested bacteriological weapons on human subjects in Manchuria during the Sino-Japanese War. At the end of the war, evidence was destroyed, and personnel kept silent, concealing the truth for decades. However, NHK recently found more than 20 hours of audio recordings from a 1949 war-crimes tribunal. The tapes contain former Unit 731 members' testimony about how, for example, typhoid and plague pathogens were tested on scores of Chinese and Manchurian prisoners. It is estimated that more than 3,000 people lost their lives after being used as living subjects. The human experiments were directed by medical scientists, who were recruited from more than 10 elite universities and research institutes. What was the nature of their experiments, and why did these doctors violate their commitment to preserving human life?

In July 2016, a man stabbed 46 people at a care center for the disabled, killing 19. The ex-employee arrested in the case said, "Disabled people can only create unhappiness". On hearing this, Yuya Sakagawa, an NHK director, was profoundly shaken. His sister Ayumi, 3 years his junior, suffers from cerebral palsy and cognitive disabilities. Yuya wanted to declare proudly and confidently that families with disabled members can be happy. He therefore decided to care for his sister for a month and make a film record of it. The program documents the struggle and the happiness experienced by Ayumi and her family.

Kuroshio is an amazing ocean current that flows north along the Japanese archipelago. It's had a great impact on Japan's culture and climate, but many mysteries still surrounded it. How, for example, if Kuroshio emerges from waters poor in plankton and other nutrients, can it manage to nurture countless schools of fish? What kind of mechanisms are at work when it produces the moist climate along the Japanese islands? How are the numerous eddies in the current formed and what role do they play? Researchers are using supercomputers and satellite data to find answers. This program follows this "wondrous current of life" on its 10,000km journey, together with fishermen who make their living from it.

From laptops to refrigerators, some 17 billion household gadgets worldwide are linked to the Internet. As part of the Internet of Things, or IoT, they're meant to make life more convenient. They include air conditioners and vacuum cleaners controlled remotely by smartphone and webcams to keep an eye on pets and children. But there's a hidden risk. Increasingly, cybercriminals are using the devices to peer into people's lives. Who are the culprits and what are their motives? We delve into the dark side of the Web to find out.

In August 2016, NHK received a 50-page letter of accusation. The writer raised suspicions of misconduct in research papers by a University of Tokyo professor. The whistleblower alleged that some images and charts may have been fabricated or falsified. We spent over a year interviewing more than 100 individuals concerned. The situation could undermine Japan's attempt to become a leader in the field of science and technology. What is happening in this bastion of academic research? We decided to look into this research scandal at the University of Tokyo.

Keiko Aoki spent 2 decades in prison after being convicted of killing her 12-year-old daughter. In 2015, a court reversed the verdict, and she reclaimed her innocence and freedom. But Keiko quickly finds out that her world has changed drastically. Her son is now a grown man of 29. Her parents are in their 80's and in need of care. Keiko has aged too and is now 51. Overwhelmed by her new reality, she murmurs, "I'd rather be back in jail..." This is a story of rebirth, of how one woman – falsely labeled as her daughter's killer and robbed of 20 years – struggles to reclaim her family and her life.

When the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, also known as the Kobe Earthquake, struck in 1995, more than 400 children lost one or both parents. NHK has followed these children into adulthood, documenting how the tragedy has shaped their lives. A woman who was orphaned at 12 has lived for 23 years with a longing to join her late mom and dad. A young man, just an infant when his parents and sister died, has struggled with the feeling that he must make up for their lost lives. Another young man dedicated his youth to his younger twin brothers, determined to nurture and protect their family bond.

China's new monumental project, "Belt and Road initiative", aims to create a vast economic zone across Eurasia. The Chinese government is building infrastructure and encouraging trade and investment along 2 routes on land and sea. This program focuses on 3 key locations along a rail line being built between China and Europe: Kazakhstan, a vital source of energy and food for China; Poland, a new market for Chinese goods; and Germany, the EU leader China is courting with vigor. The journey helps to paint a picture of the rapidly-expanding economic sphere and westward march of China's "new Silk Road".

A tsunami is approaching from the sea. You start to run, but water rushes in from the river in the opposite direction. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, such "river tsunamis" charged in from the sea and barreled upstream, claiming many victims. A huge quake in Japan could cause a massive tsunami that would inundate urban areas. Squeezed between tall buildings, the water would rise, increasing its force and allowing no time to escape. With a heightened sense of crisis, officials are responding. This documentary uses computer graphics and eyewitness accounts to explore the dangers of river tsunamis and how people can stay safe.

In Fukushima Prefecture, the site of a nuclear accident in 2011, so much radioactive material fell in a wooded area that it has become a radioactive forest. NHK has visited the area several times since the accident to see how the radiation is affecting its flora and fauna. Using state-of-the-art technology to survey the forest, scientists have found severe contamination in flowers and nuts, and even irregularities in the chromosomes of animals. We examine how the contamination is circulating inside the forest.

Many children in northeastern Japan are still suffering psychological trauma from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Yui Sato and her mother lost 3 members of their family in the tsunami. The wound it left in Yui's heart became apparent 5 years after the disaster. Like Yui, over 10,000 children are in need of mental care after the disaster. Many children have stopped going to school, too. This is the story about a mother and a child trying to move forward step by step.

Recently discovered data show that about a week after the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant began, emissions of highly radioactive substances suddenly picked up. Records show that the day before the increase began, the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), significantly reduced the supply of water meant to cool the crippled reactors, a move that may triggered the surge in emissions. With help from experts and artificial intelligence, we set out to uncover the reason for the cutback, and to further clarify what happened as TEPCO and the Japanese government fought to control the crisis.

99% of human blood vessels are said to be capillaries. With age, these tiny tubules break, becoming hollow "ghost" vessels that cause wrinkles in the skin. Scientists are now finding they are also tied to higher risks from age-related ailments, including osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Using the latest in biological imaging and super-high-resolution 3D CGI, this program delves into the mechanism behind broken capillaries. It also examines how to slow down or even repair the damage to help people live longer, healthier lives.

In January 2018, more than half a billion dollars' worth of a cryptocurrency was siphoned from a major exchange in Japan. The thief deftly evaded detection, and efforts to uncover the truth seemed to lead to a dead end. But a group of IT specialists called white hat hackers didn't give up. One wrote a program designed to close in on the culprit. Another teamed up with engineers around the world to uncover the thief's identity. We followed the battle between the white hat hackers and the perpetrator for 3 months.

After an era of growth, Japan's population has begun to plummet. Japan has lost 10 million members of the working generation over the past 2 decades. Retirees are plugging the gap, but they work in tough conditions and often fall prey to accidents. Foreigners are another pillar of the workforce. One local municipality is even committed to attracting overseas labor as a way to survive. We look at Japan's struggle to cope with its vanishing workforce and try to explore solutions.

They are in the prime of their life, but a growing number of people in Japan have all but disappeared. They're the country's missing workers, people who have been unemployed for protracted periods of time and have given up looking for jobs. They're not even included in unemployment statistics. Japan has 1.03 million missing workers in their 40's and 50's, outnumbering the 720,000 unemployed persons in the same age group. These individuals have a similar profile: many are unmarried, and have to take care of an elderly parent, forcing them to quit regular jobs. This riveting report shows the harsh, hand-to-mouth life these people lead and tries to find solutions for this growing problem.

The brain was once thought to be the body's control tower, issuing commands to the other organs. But scientists are discovering that communication flows between all the organs in our bodies. They transmit messages that can boost immunity, improve memory, strengthen bones and even lengthen lifespan. Innovative treatments are being developed to harness the power of this hidden network. But what happens when there's a communication breakdown? We look for clues using the latest technology.

In this episode of "THE BODY", we focus on a pair of small, often-overlooked organs: the kidneys. When people think of the kidneys, one thing probably comes to mind - the role they play in producing urine. But they are key nodes in a vast, internal network of organs that constantly communicate with one another. And some of the messages the kidneys transmit help control blood pressure and maintain the body's supply of oxygen. They have a significant influence on human health. We use cutting-edge imaging technology to explore the power of the kidneys to determine how well – and how long – we live.

NHK presenter Fumie Ono lost her grandfather on Luzon Island in the Philippines during World War Ⅱ. In 8 months of fighting, more than 200,000 soldiers lost their lives there. Many units were completely wiped out, so there are few records of where and how many soldiers died. In this documentary, Fumie and her mother seek the truth about his death and try to picture what he saw on the battlefield.

All alone in an uncaring world: that was the fate of many Japanese children who lost their parents during World War Ⅱ. Desperate and hungry, they drifted to train stations in big cities and lived in underground passages, and were called and known as "station children". They were forced to beg and, often, to steal. Some just waited for death. NHK found survivors who reveal the largely unknown plight of these war orphans. A woman recalled caring for her brother and sister in the dark hell beneath Tokyo's Ueno Station. A man, spurned by relatives, described living on the streets, nearly blinded by illness and losing his best friend to suicide. These heartbreaking accounts offer an important message for modern Japan.

In this episode of "THE BODY," we look at fat and muscle, organs whose importance is often misunderstood. Many people believe that fat simply stores energy and muscles just move the body. However, recent research has revealed that both organs have an unimaginable variety of functions. They discharge special substances that transmit vital messages throughout the body, manipulating desire, affecting immune function, enhancing memory and even fighting cancer. Using the latest research, we'll explore how their surprising power can protect us from deadly disease.

In this episode of "THE BODY," we turn our attention to the bones. You might think of them simply as part of our basic architecture. However, recent research has revealed that our bones serve another, equally important, function. The cells they contain issue health-enhancing messages that flow throughout our body like a virtual fountain of youth and power. And if those messages are silenced, the aging process may accelerate. The cells inside our bones keep our bodies young. Let's explore the amazing role they play.

The Aomori Nebuta Festival brightens up the short summer of northern Japan, enchanting 2.5 million spectators every year. At the heart of the 300-year-old tradition are Nebuta, huge illuminated floats featuring legendary heroes and historical figures. We spent a year following 2 Nebuta artists, a father and daughter, who compete with each other to attain perfection in creating the giant floats.

A circus family with 10 children performs around Japan. Every 2 months, they pack up their entire household and pitch their big tent in a new town. We followed them during a time of big changes – mastering a new technique, saying farewell to friends, and preparing for the family's 11th child. It's a summer full of laughter and tears, and some inspiring life lessons.

In this episode of "THE BODY," we delve deep inside the brain. Dreaming up new ideas, speaking and writing, creating art, and developing advanced technologies – these and other uniquely human activities originate in the brain. Inside this complex organ is a vast communications network made up of some 100 billion neurons. Come as we explore the brain's intricate circuitry, and discover the mechanisms behind inspiration and memory.

In this episode of "THE BODY," takes us back to the starting point for all human beings - birth. From a fertilized egg, through the division of microscopic cells, the formation of internal organs, to the first cries of a newborn in the delivery room, we trace the complex interactions between mother and baby that transform a tiny fetus into a living, breathing person. The latest imaging technology helps you witness the process from the inside to help you understand the wonders of human development.

In this episode of "THE BODY," we explore one of mankind's oldest desires – finding the secret to a long, healthy life. Cutting-edge science has revealed new images of the remarkable gigantic network that stretches across the human body. And playing a key role are the "message molecules" released by our organs. Now, the power of these message molecules is about to significantly change the way we treat serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease and help determine how well – and how long – we live.

Something abnormal is happening inside men's bodies: sperm is in crisis, with low counts, near-zero motility, and DNA damage, all of which are crucial to fertility. The trend seems to be universal. The World Health Organization says that in around half of the cases of infertility, it is the man who is responsible. We took a multi-faceted look into this sperm crisis facing the world and unearthed some hitherto unknown facts.

When Albert Einstein, the 20th century's most renowned theoretical physicist, died in 1955, a pathologist removed his brain to research the source of his genius. Over the years, pieces of the brain became scattered around the world. NHK embarked on a 7-month investigation to find and reunite the pieces of Einstein's brain, an unprecedented quest that could help scientists unravel the secrets of human intelligence.

The atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945 exposed survivors, the Hibakusha, to large amounts of radiation. In the years since, they have experienced high levels of cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. But what about their descendants? Members of the second and third generation of survivors live with the fear that they, too, have been affected. They have taken the government to court, demanding answers. Now, researchers are using the latest technology to unravel a decades-long mystery.

Explosive advances in artificial intelligence have made it possible to accurately forecast what is to come. It's already being used to forecast the weather, and to anticipate crime. Doctors are turning to AI to calculate the potential for diseases such as Alzheimer's, and it's even playing a role in life-or-death medical decisions. AI's unparalleled predictive powers come with both benefits and risks. We take a look at its growing impact on society and people's lives.

More than 150 years ago, Tokyo was called Edo. It had the highest population of any city in the world, surpassing both London and Paris. But how did the world's largest city come to emerge in a remote corner of Asia? Clues are coming to light not only in Tokyo but also around the world. One drawing shows the castle surrounded by a water-filled moat, which turns out to be a crucial element that enabled Edo to expand further. Let's experience the mystery and wonder of Tokyo 150 years ago.

More than 150 years ago, Edo, the forerunner of Tokyo, had the highest population of any city in the world. But it was ravaged by large-scale fires more frequently than any other major urban center. Yet after each conflagration, Edo rose from the ashes like a phoenix. We'll take a look at how the city managed to overcome such huge disasters and continue to grow.

Orcas are huge and powerful. That's why they're called the Kings of the Sea. But not a lot is known about the habits of orcas in the waters off Hokkaido Prefecture's Shiretoko Peninsula. Here they gather in great numbers and engage in a puzzling display, arraying themselves in straight lines. Using drones, underwater sound equipment, satellite transmitters, and other tools, marine researchers and NHK undertake an in-depth investigation over 2 years. They learn that the nutrient-rich waters off the coast of Shiretoko make the area a magnet for orcas. And the key to their mysterious behavior might be found in their highly developed social intelligence and strong family ties.

In Japan, many rivers are known for their clear, beautiful water. But the Choshi River is so free of dirt and sediment that you can "see the unseeable." Creatures and plants far below the surface that would not be visible in other rivers can easily be viewed. What's the secret behind the Choshi's amazing clarity? Join us as we explore the geology and ecology of this remarkable river.

In Tokyo, there are unapproachable "lost islands" with unspoiled environs and rich wildlife. Minami Iwo-to, part of the Ogasawara island chain, is about 1,300km from the Japanese capital. Normally, entry is banned to protect the environment. An exception was made in 2017 for the first comprehensive scientific survey in 10 years. The island compresses multiple climate zones into a small area, offering researchers a rare opportunity to view evolution in action. Braving an arduous climb and a swarm of seabirds, the team discovers one new species after another.

In Tokyo, there are unapproachable "lost islands" where unspoiled environs cradle rich wildlife. Sofugan is a 100-meter-high solitary rock pillar standing in the ocean 650km south of the capital city's center. Remote and difficult to access, it had never been explored in detail. A group of scientists and engineers set out on a two-year survey. This program records their journey, along with the creatures they discover - from unusual species amongst the rugged rocks to mysterious marine life in the surrounding deep sea.

Japan has been hit with an increasing number of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Rescue teams must decide where to focus their efforts and whom to save. Such life and death decisions have often been left up to individual firefighters. Now, fire departments across the country are using AI and new types of equipment to speed up response and save more lives. But residents of the disaster-prone archipelago must still prepare themselves for the possibility that help may never arrive.

8 years after the March 2011 disaster in northeastern Japan, experts continue to learn new truths about the devastating tsunami. At first, the tsunami was clear. But it soon turned dark and muddy. The black water turned out to be far more destructive and dangerous to people's health than normal seawater. We examined the deadly risks of the massive "black tsunami."

30 years ago, 2 members of an unknown tribe - nicknamed Auré and Aurá - emerged from the Amazon jungle. The language they spoke baffled experts: it was unlike any they had heard before. They've pieced together a vocabulary of some 800 words, but questions remain. What happened to the tribe these men belonged to? And why were they the only ones to survive? Now Aurá lives alone. This program attempts to understand his story and solve the mystery of his past.

8 years after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, a robot touched nuclear fuel debris deep inside the damaged facility for the first time. It was the initial step toward removing the highly radioactive debris, the greatest challenge in the decommissioning process. At the same time, more and more evacuees are returning, as Japan's government pursues the unprecedented task of rehabilitating communities while proceeding with decommissioning. We examine efforts to deal with the nuclear debris, and see how residents are doing now.

Over the past few decades, the number of Nobel Prizes awarded to Japanese scientists has increased dramatically. They received 18 Nobels in the Natural Sciences category, gaining an international reputation for their scientific and technological capability. But in recent years, Japanese science and technology has become less competitive in the international arena. And Japan's budget for research has not kept pace with those in the United States and China, casting a dark cloud over the future. But Nobel laureate Koichi Tanaka is once again making waves with his ground-breaking research, after 16 years of relative obscurity as a company employee. How has Tanaka continued to innovate? We look into the struggle to keep Japan at the forefront of science and technology.

Scientists are discovering what's behind the strong bonds that can form between dogs and humans. And few bonds are stronger than those between therapy dogs and the patients they care for. Bailey was the first resident therapy dog to work in a large Japanese hospital. Over his 9-year career, he's cared for thousands of children, comforting them as they face intractable diseases. The dedicated therapy dog is now ready to retire. But first he must help a young girl named Yui deal with a life-threatening illness.

The 30-year-long Heisei era was a period of profound change. During that time, the Japan Self-Defense Forces underwent a transformation, attempting to respond to a constantly shifting international environment while holding an exclusively defense-oriented policy. What does the future hold for these guardians of Japan's safety and security? And how will it affect Japan's position on the world stage?

From bartending to hotel room deliveries and fruit picking, robots equipped with artificial intelligence are making inroads into workplaces around the world. Some experts say that by 2030, robots will have taken over 30% of the work now done by humans. That would undermine one of the basic tenets of capitalism -- the promise that if you work hard, you will have a better life. In our program, we question whether the human race will be able to create a new form of capitalism that will allow people to coexist with automation technologies.