NHK Documentary

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.

In addition to artificial intelligence, China is pressing ahead with blockchain -- an advanced encryption technology used for cryptocurrencies. The country is challenging US dominance in global finance, which is underpinned by the dollar. We look at the powerful technology that is shaping up to be the new battlefield in a high-tech war between the 2 global superpowers.

NHK's 3-year investigation into regenerative medicine treatment followed 2 patients suffering severe paralysis. In this treatment, a patient's own stem cells are cultured in great numbers before being returned to the body to begin the healing process. Both patients have shown amazing improvement, with one even driving again. The public health insurance system has taken notice, offering coverage. A ray of hope now shines through despair's dark clouds; the era of regenerative medicine is here.

In 2018, western Japan was hit with its worst rain-related disaster in 30 years. Researchers have determined that it was the result of global warming, and a taste of future disasters to come. They're looking into the factors that led some people to evacuate to safety while others perished in their homes. And they've determined that the best way for people to survive in a future of violent weather might be to depend less on the government and more on themselves.

The questions are simple yet profound. Would you prefer control over the manner of your death? Could you accept a wish for physician-assisted death on the part of a loved one? NHK was granted permission to follow 2 patients and their families as they grapple with the debilitating stages of incurable illness. Emotions run loose as all involved must confront the inevitable in their own way. Yet the very different outcomes specifically chosen by the patients focus as much on life as about a right to the end.

The Japanese government's Technical Intern Training Program, a solution to the country's severe labor shortage, is making it easier for people from other Asian countries to work in Japan. Some 1.46 million people from abroad are now working in Japan, many dreaming of a better life. But harsh working conditions, long hours, and even wage theft lead many to quit their jobs or even commit suicide. And they are often exploited by schools that charge high tuition but fail to provide an education. We explore the reasons behind this harsh trend and meet the Vietnamese monk who's trying to reverse it.

Han-gure, or informal gangs, present an all-new breed of criminal group without the close-knit organization or traditional code of the yakuza. Conforming neither to the rules of society, nor to those of the yakuza, these new groups inhabit a gray zone. Police are still struggling to get a grip on Han-gure activities, with current laws targeting only designated crime syndicates. As Han-gure encroach ever deeper into the lives of ordinary people, we take a peek into the dark abyss of their world.

Japan's ancient capital is filled with centuries-old establishments tasked with protecting its timeless food culture. But this rich tradition cannot shield them from today's market and generational forces. The strict adherence to custom and convention that assured their survival is now facilitating their downfall. NHK takes a rare glimpse into the inner workings of some of Kyoto Prefecture's oldest and most prestigious firms, seeing first-hand how they navigate the turbulent waters between past and future.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has undergone the largest makeover in its history. The survivors of the bombing have shared their experiences, but they are now aging, giving rise to fears that the lessons of Hiroshima will be forgotten. By infusing their messages into the new approach to presenting its extensive collection of relics and pictures from the atomic bombing of the city, the museum hopes to pass on the memories of the world's first nuclear attack to future generations.

Japan's Imperial system is said to have over 2,000 years of history. A series of esoteric rituals accompany an Emperor's accession. The program was able to reenact one such ritual, in which the Emperor is believed to dine with Shinto deities. A closer look at these traditions reveals how the Imperial institution has shifted with the times, and with the people. At a time when there are only 3 heirs to the throne, we take a look at what this could mean for the people of Japan and their Imperial system, based on newly-found information.

In the mid-1920's, during the so-called "Taisho Democracy," people in Japan were embracing political liberalism and Western ideas, and enjoying unprecedented freedom. But just 10 years later, nationalism and militarism were on the rise and the country was rushing toward war - urged on by a nationalist newspaper called The Nihon Shimbun. Why did this one media outlet have such a profound influence on political life in Japan?

In September 2018, an unprecedented large-scale blackout wreaked havoc on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido Prefecture following an earthquake. Over the 45 hours it took to resolve, its impact was felt right across society in ways previously assumed unimaginable. A similar prolonged blackout in the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area could have even more devastating effects. We investigate what might happen if Japan's capital were ever struck by such a crisis and reveal the preparations now being made.

Many Japanese businesses are experiencing "lonely deaths," closing their doors with little fanfare or preparation. Over 300,000 businesses could shut down this coming year, leaving behind mountains of debt and further weakening regional economies already affected by dwindling populations. Now a new breed of management consultants is using big data to analyze what's behind this rash of business closures, and to reduce their impact.

A series of records kept by a top aide to Emperor Showa (Hirohito) in the postwar years have come to light. "Records of Imperial Audiences" by Michiji Tajima, the first commoner to lead the Imperial Household Agency, captures dialogues between the Emperor and himself spanning almost 5 years. After a devastating war carried out in his name, how did the Emperor reflect on the war? The records provide rare insight into the processes that shaped the Emperor's new symbolic role, including the crafting of a key 1952 speech.

The Shosoin treasures were created by leading artisans 1,300 years ago. Historians long believed these treasures were brought to Japan along the Silk Road from countries as distant as Persia or ancient China. But research now shows that we need to revise our ideas about the origin of many of them. Behind these treasures lay Emperor Shomu's bold strategy of using them in his plans to reform Japan. We take a look at how these exquisite objects played a vital role in the formation of the country.