NHK World Special Programs

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.

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. What emotions do these artists hope to share and what messages are they trying to convey?

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.

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. The unknown story of Perry's friendship and disagreements with former Okinawa governor Masahide Ota, the close linkage between the North Korean nuclear crisis and negotiations over the plan to close the Futenma Marine airbase, the distrust that plagued Japan-US relations... For the first time, Perry revealed his personal perspectives on these and other issues. In the summer of 2017, Perry made a return trip to Okinawa. At a time of renewed crisis over North Korean nuclear missiles, how does the former secretary assess Japanese and American options?

"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.

Snow-bound and still impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the people of Tohoku wait eagerly for that springtime symbol of hope and life: the blossoming of cherry trees. Northern Japan boasts many varieties of cherry trees and some very beloved ones -- a tree strong enough to grow through a boulder and another whose lineage stretches for a thousand years. Some of these trees are cared for by generations of the same families, people who know each bud on their trees and the best places to view the cherry blossoms. Follow us on this trip to Tohoku to see these beautifully filmed scenes.

ULTRA-TRAIL Mt.FUJI is Asia's biggest trail running race against the background of UNESCO World Heritage Site – the iconic Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest and most beautiful mountain. This year's race was the 6th, and more than 2,400 competitors from across the globe gathered to take on the challenge. The 168-kilometer course takes them through mountainous terrain and forested foothills, with a cumulative altitude gain of 8,000 meters. More than 30 cameras captured the spectacle from multiple angles, including from the air. Tune in to experience some of the highs and lows of this thrilling event.

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.

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.

Nearly 70 years ago, an American named Floyd Schmoe arrived in the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima on a mission of peace. Over 5 years, Schmoe, a Quaker and lifelong pacifist, led a diverse group of volunteers from the US and Japan in a project to build houses. In all, "Houses for Hiroshima" created 21 homes for atomic bomb survivors and their families. New information about Schmoe's efforts came to light in Hiroshima this year. Through historical documents and interviews with people who knew and worked with Schmoe, we trace the legacy of a grassroots peace builder.

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.

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.

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.

7 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, actress Alice Hirose visits Otsuchi Town in Iwate Prefecture. She meets a father and son who lost 4 family members in the tsunami. The father was struggling with the guilt of not being able to save his beloved family. The son, Yuki, was 11 years old when he suddenly lost his mother, younger brother, and grandparents. He gradually began to close off his heart. Now at 18, Yuki is preparing his departure away from his hometown. He opens his heart up to Alice and shares his pains from the past 7 years. As they grow closer, Yuki and Alice find a common bond in their struggles as teenagers.

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.