An exclusive look inside Toyota, the world's top automaker. How will Chairman Toyoda Akio and engineers determine the future of this Japanese manufacturing giant?

The carefully made Kareigawa Bento, featuring local Kagoshima cuisine, is sold at a wooden train station more than 120 years old, which tells the story of people brought together by the ekiben.

In the third episode of our Taiwan series, we travel to Taiwan's south to meet vibrant, energetic families, like one that grows unique vegetables, and another which farms dragon tiger groupers.

The Shimanto River flows for 196 kilometers through Kochi Prefecture in the south of Shikoku. It is known for its crystal-clear water, which nourishes the fish and other river creatures while nurturi...

The second episode of our Taiwan series features indigenous cultures in the south and on the east coast. We meet a Rukai man preserving the forest and Bunun people with a stunning choral tradition.

Ishikawa Prefecture / Tagawa Kinya (Design engineer) Tagawa investigates the process of design by looking at the work of Yanagi Sori, who shaped products by making models using different materials.

Making use of his vast experience, dyer Izawa Tsuyoshi has added a touch of color to all kinds of things. And two years ago, he began a new undertaking; dyeing old and worn-out clothes black. This has...

"They're not trash cans, but resource bins," says Murakami Yuki. His love of making goes back to childhood. And at college he developed his own banana peel leather. Transforming garbage and scrap into...

We picked our 10 favorite rides from previous episodes and asked our viewers to rank them. These are the results, with commentary from our cyclists, a virtual race and lots of other extras to enjoy.

The Japanese southern island of Okinawa Prefecture, warm all year, this popular tourist spot is home to "Ryukyu Glass," a local industry for over 100 years. Glass blower Matsumoto Sakae insists on usi...

At Li Rui's sewing school, students learn how to remake adult clothes into kids wear. Most are moms raising children. They bring their own things; items that no longer fit, or they no longer wear but ...

The JR Joban Line, severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, fully reopened in 2020. See how station areas in Fukushima Prefecture are being redeveloped along the restored route.

Roughly hewed, smiling statues of deities and Buddhas... A monk named Enku is believed to have sculpted some 120,000 in Gifu Prefecture, which are beloved to this day. We discover the stunning nature ...

[On-Site Report: Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens] This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage. *Subtitles and t...

The federal agency in 2025 eliminated funding that could have also created a pipeline for Alaska's ever-growing marine debris problem.

[On-Site Report: Inspecting the World Within] This episode features remotely operated vehicles with unique designs that were engineered to inspect difficult to access spaces. *Subtitles and transcrip...

Kyoto potters refine their skills in a division of labor. Two painters wield their brushes to create delicate designs in majestic strokes and colors, gaining much attention in the industry and beyond.

No one can escape gravity. But some try. Japanese climber Kadota Gihado relies only on the ice axe to hold on to the rock. He takes on one of the world's most difficult climbs, Saphira, in Colorado.

Journey across Japan to discover its giant trees, many of which are over 1,000 years old and have been revered as sacred protectors for generations.

Once extinct in Japan, the toki has been reintroduced. Today, nearly 500 of these magnificent birds live in the wild. Cameras follow them throughout the four seasons, along with their human helpers.

Today's subject is the 2026 anime film that has captivated the world: "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" Two of the lead voice actors, Natsuyoshi Yuko (Kaguya) and Hayami Saori (Yachiyo Runami), join the clas...

A farm brings together people with something in common: fear of developing dementia. As they engage in planting and harvesting, staff members observe their actions and help them find a way forward.

In 1985, a passenger jet crashed into Osutaka Ridge, killing 520 people. Kurosawa Kanichi looks after the area, preserving memorials and guiding bereaved family members up the mountain.

Shibuya is nestled at the bottom of a valley shaped by rivers. Join us as we trace how its unique topography gave rise to a multi-level transportation hub and ever-evolving arts and culture.

ROTH BART BARON, the globally acclaimed folk rock band helmed by Mifune Masaya, is based in Tokyo and Berlin and renowned for their distinct sound. The group brings a one-of-a-kind performance to tiny...

Hinohara is a mountain village located along the border between Tokyo and Yamanashi Prefecture. We explore its ridge trails, which served as a lifeline for local settlements throughout the centuries.

This tiny desk concerts JAPAN features producer and beatmaker STUTS, a leading figure in Japan's hip-hop scene. The MPC virtuoso served as the opening act for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, and his commercial ti...

Can humans and nature coexist? Yuji, a pioneering pasture-based dairy farmer, spent his life answering that question, stewarding vast grasslands. As he battles cancer, he passes the baton to his son.

Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: Ado, the most-streamed Japanese artist overseas. Discover what makes her unique as an artist. On Demand until October 23 2026

Alligator weed, an invasive plant from South America, is spreading across Japan. It's not just damaging agriculture but also increasing the risk of floods. NHK looks at the race to stop it.

With Japan in a historic, tech-led economic boom, inflation and bankruptcies are leaving many people feeling disconnected. We examine this 'unbalanced boom' and the true state of Japan's growth.

The city's around 150 shopping areas manifest the diversity of the local culture. Some are reinventing themselves to, once again, become the focus of the community as well as handle overtourism.

Tomatoes offer great umami—something that's key in Japanese cuisine. Japan is home to some 300 varieties where novel cultivation methods utilizing technology could change how we grow food. (Reporter: ...

This iconic Kyoto destination, popular for a millennium, has the perfect climate and topography for fall foliage. Some people create new ways to enjoy autumn, while others uphold fall traditions.

Harasawa Shoko's family lovingly call her the "prime minister of apples". If only all governments functioned as well as her brilliant orchard!

Nameko are small mushrooms known for their slippery coating. Learn about indoor and natural log cultivation, then visit a mushroom-focused French restaurant in Tokyo. Reporter: Michael Keida

Each autumn, sanma takes center stage across Japan. Kyle visits a bustling port to explore its traditions, then meets a chef who highlights the fish's subtle bitterness in refined French dishes. Repo...

Autumn is harvest season in Japan and delicious delights abound. Dig a little deeper into this truly tasty time of year and meet the people who make it happen. The segments featured in this episode ar...

With surging living costs continuing to outstrip wage gains, Japan's middle class is increasingly falling behind. We explore the economic changes that are reshaping Japanese society.

Kyoto artisans feel a sense of crisis about the future of their distinctive crafts. To keep traditional skills alive, they are adding chic accessories to their product lines to create new demand.

Dr Kevin Fong explores the problems with the US air ambulance industry.

As new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks phase in, even eligible young adults could be at risk of losing their health insurance.

Discover how Japan's complex geology led to the advancement of bridge construction technology. Plus, research on how nature benefits your wellbeing.

Manny Marotta is a 27-year-old who posts historical events on X from 25, 50 or 100 years ago as if they were happening in present day. He says recent engagement on post-9/11 events has helped Gen Z us...