Nhk World

The NHK Symphony Orchestra’s subscription concerts will be aired in a special program on NHK WORLD-JAPAN, an English-language international broadcasting channel of NHK. Performances of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the world’s most renowned conductors such as Paavo Järvi, Herbert Blomstedt and Vladimir Fedoseyev will be transmitted worldwide. The program will be accessible not only in Japan but also anywhere in the world through the Internet. It will surely delight its viewers.

The terror of devastating infernos. From Australia to America and Europe, "megafires" are threatening life across the world. Reducing homes and belongings to ash, they also leave a death toll. The key driver of frequent "megafires" is the increasing pace of climate change. How do we respond to this state of emergency? In the first part of the program, we will explore the mechanism of these "megafires." We will also report Japan, with its many wooden buildings, is no stranger to "megafires." The threat of an earthquake fire could strike its cities at any time. Is there any way to stop "megafires"?

NHK World presents Grand Sumo January 2019 Tournament action from Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Covers Day 1 (50min), Day 8 (50min) and Final Day (90min).

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?

The Seto Inland Sea, with over 700 islands, historically prospered from fishing and farming. These island communities are now enjoying a revival thanks to visitors drawn from around the world by the Setouchi Triennale art festival. Our guide, Non, is an actor and artist with a deep interest in our connections to nature, a theme that runs through the festival's artworks. Non meets artists inspired by the islands' history and landscapes, and islanders whose lives have been changed by the festival.

In the 21st century, scientists have developed amazing new ways to observe the skies, and have made discoveries that have changed our understanding of the universe. The Cosmic Front visits scientists who are pioneering the latest techniques in space research, and brings us the latest pictures of the universe, with dramatic video images and dynamic CG simulations.

NHK World-Japan presents live Grand Sumo November Tournament final day action from the Fukuoka Kokusai Centre as the tournament champion and special prize winners are decided.

Steve Jobs was a titan of tech. He masterminded the iMac and iPhone, and changed the world. He had a deep love of Japanese culture, from woodblock prints to ceramics, and the inner workings of electronics giant Sony.

As the world enters a phase of aggressive competition over untapped ocean floor resources, countries are scrambling to stake their claims. The vast economic potential on offer has made the seabed the ultimate frontier in a new Age of Exploration. China's research vessels in particular have been active in waters right across the globe.

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.