NHK Documentaries

Alain Ducasse is a world-famous French chef and owner of restaurants worldwide, including Tokyo. He's fascinated by Japanese cuisine and makes several visits a year to explore local ingredients and culinary techniques. We follow him on his search for premium winter ingredients such as sea urchin, pole-and-line fished cod and traditional Kyoto vegetables. After commenting on the beauty of the way in which they're prepared Japanese style, he demonstrates his unique style of French cuisine.

More than 22,000. This is the number of people either dead or missing in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. For surviving family members and friends, the pain and sorrow of losing loved ones do not fade, even after 6 years. Ever since the disaster, NHK has shared on its website photos of loved ones sent in by survivors, along with messages to them. There are now more than 500 of them. Among them are a family portrait from a daughter who lost her parents; a photograph of a woman and her husband, who is still unaccounted for; and one of a smiling wife who lived close to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. We tell the stories of the years since the disaster – stories that should never be forgotten.

The United States dominates the world in airpower. Behind the birth of the US Air Force is a little-known story about the deadly firebombing campaign against Japan at the end of World War 2. NHK combed through audiotaped interviews with 246 senior Air Force officials, including the leader of the air assault on Japan, Gen Curtis LeMay. The interviews reveal how an “ideal” strategy designed to cause minimal civilian casualties ultimately went awry, and gave way to attacks with incendiary bombs that claimed some 400,000 Japanese lives.

Do you know "Rakugo"? Along with Kabuki, it's a traditional Japanese entertainment of dexterous and comical storytelling that covers everything from people's everyday lives, customs, food to unique sceneries. On "RAKUGO NIPPON!", we follow the travels of Rakugo performers in the beautiful land of Japan, and discover how they transform their heart-moving experiences into original English Rakugo performances. This episode will follow English Rakugo Performer Kimie Oshima to Toyama Prefecture, where local splendors such as the Winter Yellowtail of Himi and the traditional cast metal crafts of Takaoka await her. Just what kind of original Rakugo will her journey usher? Sit back and enjoy!

Self-taught artists are claiming respect and recognition for themselves and their work. Marie Suzuki is one such person, a creator of what has come to be known as art brut, made by artists who have learned on their own. She cultivates her skills primarily to please herself. Nevertheless, others have taken notice. The program features an exhibition of Japanese art brut in Nantes, France, including that of Suzuki. Tune in to see how boundless imagination turns into expression beyond words.

The "Tokyo Girls Collection" fashion show has become a social and economic phenomenon. Teenage audience members -- some 20,000 in all -- buy the clothes the models are wearing right in front of them, in real time. Their social media posts affect the year's clothing trends. People in Kitakyushu, quite a distance from Tokyo, thought their community could use that sort of event. So, they staged their own version of it. Tune in to see young people taking to the catwalk as their industrial city finds itself in fashion.

Situated as the gateway to the Japanese archipelago from the South China Sea, Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Until the 19th century, it was an independent island chain known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Then during WWⅡ, Okinawa was the location of the first ground battle in Japan. Countless civilians died, both young and old. The former Kingdom's Shuri Castle was also burned down. It was only in 1992 that it was restored to its former glory. In its long and turbulent history, Okinawa's songs never ceased to offer hope and support. Artists symbolizing Okinawan folk music have gathered at Shuri Castle, now a World Heritage Site, to perform a series of songs celebrating the islands and their culture.

BOSAI is disaster prevention through preparedness. What did Japan learn from the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster? Travel with a TV anchor to disaster-hit areas to find out the lessons learned about BOSAI worth sharing with the rest of the world.

Satoyama are areas where people have formed a close interdependent relationship with nature. These timeless landscapes are deeply embedded in the Japanese psyche and a recognizable feature of Japanese culture around the world. Yet the countryside is facing a crisis of epidemic proportions: a graying and decreasing population; wide swaths of unused farmland; and numerous empty or abandoned buildings and houses. But a ray of light has shown from a hopeful source: the younger generation. Leaving urban areas behind, they've quietly revitalized their adopted communities, and in the process, have found renewed energy and passion. American writer and Japanologist Alex Kerr takes us to the aging castle town of Taketa in Oita Prefecture where new value and old traditions work hand in hand. Kerr notes that this change occurring in the satoyama may alter assumptions of life in the countryside and economics in general.

BOSAI is disaster prevention through preparedness. What did Japan learn from the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster? Travel with a TV anchor to disaster-hit areas to find out the lessons learned about BOSAI worth sharing with the rest of the world.

In this new entertainment-type documentary, challengers from Asian countries come all the way to Japan and go through difficult experiences for just 3 days. By seeing the challenger's struggles, you will come to understand the enthusiasm of the Japanese and what they value. Through the eyes of the daredevil, you'll discover another side of Japan you've never seen before.

In this new entertainment-type documentary, challengers from Asian countries come all the way to Japan and go through difficult experiences for just 3 days. By seeing the challenger's struggles, you will come to understand the enthusiasm of the Japanese and what they value. Through the eyes of the daredevil, you'll discover another side of Japan you've never seen before.

The Paris Agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050, which has sped up the growth of "zero-carbon" business worldwide. Part 3 of Zero Carbon Ahead looks at this trend. The world's biggest solar power station is currently being built in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates -- the power it generates will be far cheaper than coal. Dramatic decreases like this in the cost of renewable energy mean that many businesses hope to eventually use renewables for 100% of their energy needs.

Thanks to their appearance in hit Asian films, locations throughout Japan are being thrust into the spotlight. Previously unknown to most travelers, these locations are now must-see spots for movie buffs from both in and outside Japan. We visit these new tourist hotspots with the stars of the films that made them famous, hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of those hit movies. Plus, an inside look at what makes each location special, including local places, faces, food, history and more.

Thanks to their appearance in hit Asian films, locations throughout Japan are being thrust into the spotlight. Previously unknown to most travelers, these locations are now must-see spots for movie buffs from both in and outside Japan. We visit these new tourist hotspots with the stars of the films that made them famous, hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of those hit movies. Plus, an inside look at what makes each location special, including local places, faces, food, history and more.

On March 11, 2011, a huge tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan's northeastern coast, including Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture. All life vanished from the sea. In despair, an oyster farmer named Shigeatsu Hatakeyama decided to rebuild his life. Though a fisherman, he also spent decades reforesting the surrounding hills and was sure the sea would recover. This program starts following Hatakeyama just after the disaster, showing how the sea and the forest are cleansed through mutual interaction. Featuring his moving monologue, it celebrates the miracle of resurrected life in a seaside village.

Against the background of Asia's growing economies, we focus on the latest Japanese business trends, corporate strategies and technologies. We look behind the scenes and look at their global impact from various perspectives.

A ravaged high school piano, soaked by the tsunami, sat stoically after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Renowned musician Ryuichi Sakamoto came across it when visiting the disaster area. The sounds were divorced from conventional tonality, and Sakamoto employed them in his first album in 8 years. He also attached sensors to the keys, transforming the instrument into a machine that converts seismic waves into sounds. It was his way of conveying the message that the disaster should never be forgotten. Watch and listen as the teacher and a student who had used the "tsunami piano" before the quake react to its new melodies.

William Perry served as US secretary of defense for 3 years, beginning in 1994. He granted NHK 20 hours of exclusive interviews, focused on the 1994 North Korean nuclear crisis and tensions surrounding American military bases in Okinawa Prefecture that occurred during his tenure.

"Oshin" is a Japanese TV drama that has taken the world by storm. It's been aired in more than 60 countries. The story was set in Yamagata Prefecture, which is known for its beautiful, snowy landscape. In this series, Win Morisaki, an actor from Myanmar who's based in Japan, visits the places where the drama was shot.

"Running in Japan" introduces Japanese running culture to the world. Canadian expat and running advisor Brett Larner takes part in exciting running events across Japan in order to meet other runners and find out what they love about running. Of the 70 full marathons held annually in Japan, the Himeji Castle Marathon is relatively new, yet it attracts many runners from throughout Japan as well as from overseas. Our running reporter, Brett Larner takes on this marathon with a camera in-hand in order to give a first-person point-of-view of this unique race. With a scenic start and finish, enthusiastic volunteers and spectators and lively local events, the city of Himeji puts on a marathon to be proud of!

Recipes are often developed over several lifetimes of work, lovingly crafted and passed on from generation to generation. These dishes represent much more than home cooking. This program delves into traditional recipes to shine a light on unique food cultures across Japan, and discover the older generation's seasoned philosophies of life. Tami Hiyama, 92 years old, lives alone in Fukuoka City, where she has taught home cooking for more than 60 years. We learn her recipe for "chirashi-zushi", a special kind of sushi eaten at family celebrations. Tami prepares the finest ingredients but she says mindset is just as important – she cooks the dish imagining those who will soon enjoy it. What does "chirashi-zushi" mean to 92-year-old Tami? We discover her recipes for life and the secrets of her good health.

The grounds of Tokyo's Imperial Palace are home to a little-known garden storing an extraordinary bonsai collection. Overseas guests who visit the Palace may be greeted by masterpieces of the Japanese bonsai art such as the 2-meter high "Neagari-goyo" pine, a 600-year-old juniper, or a 17th century shogun's favorite five-needle pine. Discover the trees -- and their pots of Imari ware and other fine ceramics -- as we explore the unsung cultural ambassadors of the Imperial Household.

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.

7 years ago, a huge earthquake hit the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan. The fishery industry sustained heavy damage from the quake and the tsunami that followed. Reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant led to the spread of radiation. People became nervous about the safety of seafood. We followed the 7-year-long journey of the locals striving to overcome various challenges, including a fisherman trying to regain consumers' trust and business owners trying to expand overseas.

Local residents boast of Mt. Fuji's blessings, and especially the water. Rain and snow penetrate the volcanic surface, and the nature of the layers through which the water filters change its content, so it differs from place to place. It produces the best rice, the hottest wasabi and succulent sakura shrimp. Stephan Rager, a beer brewer in Fujinomiya, was drawn to the wonders of the water and surveyed 100 springs to find the right one for his beer. He shows us the power of Mt. Fuji's water.

"The Directhon" is a TV version of an "ideathon", where teams come together in quick brainstorming sessions to generate ideas. The participants are NHK viewers who want to promote their local area, and they themselves become TV directors and create a show. This time, the location is Shizuoka Prefecture, and people of different ages and backgrounds compete. A high school student and her teammates come up with the winning idea: a travelogue introducing a scenic and leisurely escape for hardworking women.

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.

We follow former members of the Japanese yakuza gang as they work to return to society by opening an udon shop. The Organized Crime Exclusion Ordinance and movements to banish yakuza members have led to a decrease in their numbers. In other words, ex-yakuza are increasing with each year, but returning to society isn't easy for them. The employment rate for ex-yakuza is about 2%. In Kitakyushu, ex-yakuza Nakamoto and fellow former inmates learn how to make udon noodles and wait on customers in order to open an udon shop.

On August 12, 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashed in Osutaka, Japan, becoming the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history. The crash site has become a gathering place for people who have lost loved ones in other calamities, including the Great East Japan Earthquake. Many of the bereaved families are working to ensure that such tragedies never happen again. They are inspired by Kuniko Miyajima, who lost her 9-year-old son in the Flight 123 crash. She became the head of a relatives' association dedicated to getting the voices of victims' families heard. This program highlights people who, bonded by grief, fight to make sure that their loved ones did not die in vain.

Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, has been venerated by local residents for centuries. A sea of clouds often envelopes its soaring ridge line, soaking the mountainside with abundant rain. Water takes many forms here, pooling in marshes, flowing in streams, rising in turbulent fog and freezing as rime and ice. It creates an awe-inspiring landscape of green mossy mounds and gorgeous tapestries of deciduous and evergreen trees. This program highlights some of the many delights that await visitors in all seasons.

In 2018, Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the return of the Ogasawara Islands. This World Natural Heritage Site, 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, is home to a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community that has flourished since the 19th century. The islanders' dedication to one another allowed them to endure the Pacific War and subsequent US military occupation. Nowadays, they enjoy life amid the flora and fauna that make their piece of the world unique.

Yoshimasa Takakura, a kimono shop owner from Fukuoka Prefecture has launched an unprecedented project: to produce elaborate kimono representing every single one of the 206 countries and regions around the world. His goal? The 2020 Tokyo Olympics ... he'd like to see all the placard bearers wear the kimono at the opening ceremony. Takakura is fighting to save the declining kimono industry by calling on artisans from all around Japan to come together and create innovative designs. The program follows Takakura's quest to bring new life to an old tradition.

For NHK's "Letters from Hibakusha" project, the broadcaster received 2,200 written recollections of the 1945 atomic bombings. 4 of them were chosen this year and recreated as short animations. The memoirs include the story of a survivor's struggle to make ends meet, a teenager's quest to find his first love in the aftermath, and the parting words of a dying girl. NHK hopes that teenagers today may gain an insight into the experiences of people who were much like them when they had their dreams snatched away.

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 March 2018, the Mars Society hosted its 191st research mission in the arid Utah desert. The 7 members that make up Crew 191 spent 2 weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) simulating life on the Red Planet. But this was no ordinary research team – none of the crew members were space specialists, and they covered a range of ages and backgrounds. An NHK cameraman went along to record what happens when 7 strangers are thrown into confined isolation with limited power and water. The MDRS is a pressure cooker environment that had proved the downfall of many groups in the past. How did Crew 191 cope?

The Nagoya University Graduate School of International Development (GSID) was established in 1991 as Japan's first graduate school dedicated solely to the study of international development. GSID has since trained students from developing countries to become their nation's leading specialists through its practical curriculum and support from Nagoya's local communities. This program will explore these 2 driving forces, and how they create a nation leading specialist.

Tune in for an exclusive long-form interview with the legendary French movie star Alain Delon. The epitome of a handsome, cool actor, Delon has starred in more than 80 films. Throughout his career, he has not been fond of the media. Nonetheless, a year after announcing his retirement, he agreed to an interview with NHK. Despite whispers that he could be difficult, the 81-year-old Delon proved to be charming and open. He spoke freely about his private past and his relationships with movie directors and cast members, covering more than 60 years on the screen.

24 brewers in Japan send their sake to 24 restaurants in Paris to create new dishes to be paired. This project was a part of the event "Japonismes 2018" celebrating 160 years of French-Japanese relations. One brewer is from Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, which was ravaged by a tsunami in 2011. The brewer sent a video message to the French chef telling his story of making sake after the catastrophe. And thus, a new legend begins.

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.

The sun descends over the horizon, color radiating across the sky: It's the Magic Hour. Vincent van Gogh, enchanted by this spectacle, spent the twilight of his life searching for colors only he could see. During the final 2 years of his 10-year painting career, he produced over 300 masterpieces. Why did he embark on this lonely quest for color, to a foreign land so far from home? A journey in 8K, to the skies upon which Van Gogh gazed in the South of France, before ending his life at just 37.