In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News — Podcast

Why New York's bodega cats are big business drivers 29.06.2026 6λ

The secret to a successful business in New York City might have whiskers and paws. Walk into many of the city's 10,000 corner stores known as bodegas, and you might find a "bodega cat" beckoning customers like a live version of a Japanese lucky "Maneki-neko" figure. From an orange tabby making an extra 400 dollars a day to a feisty feline that took on a health inspector, NHK World's Inoue Yuki went behind the storefronts to meet some of the hardest-working (and cutest) shopkeepers in the Big Apple.

How the US, China and Singapore see Indo-Pacific security 25.06.2026 8λ

Officials and experts gathered in Singapore at the end of May for one of Asia's most influential security forums. This year's Shangri-La Dialogue unfolded against a backdrop of growing uncertainty. As crises in Europe and the Middle East continue to demand US strategic attention and resources, governments across the Indo-Pacific are increasingly questioning Washington's long-term commitment to the region. NHK spoke with a former senior US official, a Chinese expert and a former Singaporean diplomat who attended the forum. Some of their views differed sharply, but all three agreed on one point: the future of regional security will depend not only on military deterrence, but on whether major powers can manage intensifying competition without allowing it to escalate into confrontation.

Heavy rain — What to watch out for when evacuating on foot or by car 21.06.2026 3λ

Make sure to evacuate early. It is dangerous to evacuate on foot or by car in the middle of a flood. Here are some important points that will help keep you safe.

Amazon basin mercury crisis echoes Japan's Minamata tragedy 19.06.2026 6λ

Seven decades have passed since the devastating effects of Minamata disease — caused by mercury poisoning — were officially recognized in southwestern Japan. The tragedy affected thousands of people and their families with a legacy that continues to cast a long shadow. A similar crisis is developing on the other side of the world, among indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest. Driven by soaring gold prices, illegal mining that uses mercury in the extraction process is spreading rapidly, polluting the waters from where local people source fish as a dietary staple.

Why Japan is obsessed with 3D bubble stickers 09.06.2026 4λ

Pokemon cards, Purikura photo booths and capsule toys all began as trends before becoming fixtures of everyday life in Japan. Now, businesses are wondering whether 3D bubble stickers could be next. The puffy stickers are surging in popularity among children and adults alike. Retailers struggle to keep them in stock as shoppers embark on "sticker patrols" to hunt for inventory and companies cash in.

How wig making in Thailand helps cancer patients and prisoners 04.06.2026 4λ

Cancer patients in Thailand are finding comfort ― and confidence ― through an unusual network of support: donated hair, prison workshops, and free handmade wigs. Human-hair wigs can cost hundreds of dollars in Thailand, putting them out of reach for many patients already struggling with medical bills. A former nurse is trying to change that.

Japan recruits foreign bus drivers amid worsening labor shortage 01.06.2026 5λ

As Japan heads into another busy tourist season, bus companies across the country are struggling to keep the wheels turning with driver shortages forcing route cuts and service reductions. Increasingly, they are turning to foreign recruits who can come to Japan on skilled worker visas. The new arrivals undergo comprehensive training to eventually qualify as full-fledged drivers capable of operating safely and communicating with passengers.

Gold fever is destroying the Amazon rainforest 25.05.2026 7λ

As gold prices have quadrupled over the past decade, miners across the globe are scrambling to cash in. But the boom has cast a dark shadow across South America's Amazon rainforest. Illegal mining has spiraled out of control in Peru, where more than 40 percent of exported gold is sourced unlawfully, according to an official government survey. Methods used to extract the precious metal are inflicting severe damage on the environment ― including mercury contamination ― and harming local communities. An NHK World crew traveled to the front lines where authorities are trying to crack down on illegal operations.

Myanmar crisis deepens as global focus fades 18.05.2026 8λ

A senior United Nations monitor who has authored multiple reports on Myanmar since a 2021 military coup upended its fragile democracy is warning the country is sinking deeper into crisis. Tom Andrews served as Special Rapporteur on Myanmar for six years and finished up in the post in April. He now holds the same position covering Cambodia but says he wishes he could have done more for the people of Myanmar. In a frank interview with NHK World, Andrews details a nation in despair as attacks on civilians increase and the international community turns its attention to other global conflicts.

Japan's business manager visa dilemma: crackdown, or discouraging foreign entrepreneurs 05.05.2026 8λ

Japan has tightened the requirements for its business manager residence status, which allows foreign nationals to start businesses in the country. The move was driven by multiple concerns, including misuse of the visa. While the crackdown aims to restore trust in the system, experts say it also risks pushing legitimate foreign entrepreneurs away from Japan. NHK World's Ekuan Koji listens to voices of those involved to explore this unfolding dilemma.

'A civilization will die': Inside Trump's wartime messaging 28.04.2026 11λ

As US President Donald Trump's administration floods the public sphere with updates on its offensive against Iran, information is being circulated on an unprecedented scale — with much of it stirring controversy. NHK has examined the deluge of images, videos, and statements, searching for a coherent message.

Parents refuse to give up 15-year search for daughter missing in Japan tsunami 24.04.2026 4λ

Every year on March 11, Suzuki Miho prepares food for two children who left for school and never came home. The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that struck northeastern Japan left 15,901 people dead and 2,519 missing — including Miho’s young son and daughter.

Edo-Tokyo Museum reopens with new immersive exhibits 14.04.2026 4λ

Visitors to Japan can put a popular tourist attraction back on their sightseeing lists with the re-opening of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The facility has been closed for four years of renovations to improve exhibits, upgrade accessibility and offer interactive experiences.

Art inspires reflection and learning about nuclear weapons 02.04.2026 6λ

The symbolic Doomsday Clock is ticking closer than ever to midnight, driven in part by concerns about the resurgent specter of nuclear weapons. In New York City, an exhibition invited visitors to reflect on those dangers in an unexpected way — through art. The show, titled "Nuclear Injustice," brought together photographs, installations and sound pieces that invite reflection on the human and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons. One installation by Japanese American artist Alan Nakagawa drew particular attention, using sound to connect two places inextricably linked by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Thailand's same-sex marriage law, one year on 25.03.2026 6λ

Growing up in a conservative family in southern Thailand, Ann Chumaporn spent years convinced the problem was her. It took time to understand that it wasn't ― and longer to do something about it. On January 23, 2026, she held a wedding ceremony with the woman she loves, in a country whose laws she helped change.

Japanese winemakers look to exports 19.03.2026 6λ

Japanese wines are picking up international awards — but global traction is another story. In a climate defined by humidity and rain, producers are getting creative, taking cues from sake and whisky to carve out a distinct identity.

North Korean Workers' Party congress signals 'confidence' ahead 13.04.2026 7λ

North Korea's first congress of the ruling Workers' Party in five years was an opportunity for the leadership to assess its achievements, install new officials, and chart policy for the coming half-decade. Leader Kim Jong Un projected a conspicuous air of confidence at the February gathering as he touted successes across all sectors — including the economy, defense, and diplomacy. NHK World's Takeda Tomonari takes a closer look at the newfound air of self-assurance in Pyongyang — and whether it's warranted.

'Forgive, but never forget': Researching Japan's occupation of Singapore 17.06.2026 8λ

More than 80 years have passed since Japan occupied Singapore during World War Two, and historian Lim Shao Bin continues to search for answers buried in documents and war memorabilia — from a chapter of history that still shapes his country today. His work is deeply personal, driven by a conviction that confronting painful truths is essential to building lasting peace. At its core is a question: how can societies pursue peace without forgetting the past?

Maria Sibylla Merian's butterflies: A scientific and artistic odyssey 04.03.2026 6λ

Exiled Myanmar writer: Forging freedom through critical thinking 24.02.2026 6λ

Award-winning Myanmar writer Ma Thida says reading and critical thinking are essential tools of resistance — and the foundation of any future democracy. Speaking during a three-city tour of Japan, the former political prisoner, now living in exile in Germany, reflected on post-coup Myanmar, where the military continues to entrench its power despite claiming a return to civilian rule.