NHK Documentary Season 22

Season 22

Air date: 2020-01-18

Episodes: 39

Episodes

E1: The Leonardo da Vinci Enigma: Unraveling the Secrets of Genius

Revered as one of the greatest artists and scientists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci was a pioneering thinker and researcher across a myriad of fields from engineering to medicine, astronomy to geology. Experts have long been baffled by how far ahead of his time so many of his inventions and discoveries were. In a groundbreaking project, we use the latest AI technology to analyze thousands of pages of his handwritten manuscripts, shedding new light on the deeper working of his remarkable mind.

Air date: 2020-01-18

E2: My Notebooks: Seven Years of Tiny Great Adventures

Schoolboy Asuka Umeda has been filling his "Self-Learning" notebooks for the past 7 years. For the socially awkward Asuka, what started out as a homework assignment in elementary school soon became a joyful obsession, taking him to new places and connecting him to all kinds of people. His unique, engaging writing style, developed through his journaling, has already won him numerous awards. We join him as he reflects on his journey of curious encounters and sometimes challenging self-discovery.

Air date: 2020-01-25

E3: Living Dementia

Dr. Kazuo Hasegawa, 90, recently revealed that he is suffering from dementia. A pioneer in dementia research, Dr. Hasegawa had devoted his life to the field, establishing the Hasegawa Dementia Scale for early diagnosis and advocating for changing the name of the disease to eliminate social stigma. How have Dr. Hasegawa and his family come to terms with the reality of a dementia specialist becoming a dementia patient? What insights has he gained? In an age where dementia is becoming more common, this year-long record follows Dr. Hasegawa in his daily life, exploring ways to live with the disease and offering reasons for hope.

Air date: 2020-02-22

E4: The Children of the Earthquake

Children who survived the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake saw their lives change forever. The loss of family members, home and community created a sense of emotional trauma that would take years to overcome. Now, a survey of these survivors has yielded some surprising results: many view their experience positively. Actress Keiko Kitagawa, herself a survivor, looks at ways in which people who have lived through the disaster are finding a way forward.

Air date: 2020-03-14

E5: The Huawei Shock

With substantial implementation of 5G just around the corner, the worldwide tug-of-war is heating up for dominance in this fifth-generation mobile network. At the center is Chinese telecom giant Huawei, with its ambitious global strategy to offer 5G "smart city" packages. But in the US, the Trump administration sees Huawei's technology as a security threat and has urged nations to ban it. The program takes us to the frontlines in Europe, especially in Germany, as one city moves to embrace the Chinese infrastructure. We look behind the scenes at Huawei's 5G global strategy.

Air date: 2020-03-21

E6: COVID-19: Fighting a Pandemic

In just over 3 months, the new coronavirus has spread around the world, killing thousands and paralyzing the global economy. Case studies into cluster infections in Japan offer some clues into how the pandemic began. NHK brings you reports from the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus, around the world and in the lab as scientists race to develop effective drug treatments. We talk to experts in the studio about how long this battle will last.

Air date: 2020-12-26

E7: Invisible Homeless: People Living in Cars

More and more people in Japan are living in their cars. And many can be found parked in rest areas in roadside facilities. They are driven to this situation for a variety of reasons: poverty, family upheaval, even a desire to live outside of society's rules. Why are their numbers increasing? We visited over 1,000 rest areas to interview these "invisible homeless" and discover the reasons behind this growing phenomenon.

Air date: 2020-03-28

E8: The Corona Shock: Can We Avoid an Economic Crisis?

The spread of the coronavirus has rocked the global economy. Containment policies, including restrictions on foreign travel and domestic movement, dampened the flow of people and goods, while consumption shrunk. Tourism and transport industries were hit, and sales fell rapidly in retail and food service sectors. Interruptions in supply chains that span the globe placed the manufacturing industry in dire straits. How deeply has the Corona Shock undermined the world economy? What policies are required to limit the damage? What are the prospects for the future? In this program, economic specialists discuss these issues, and a wide array of data sheds light on the nature of the crisis. We examine thoroughly the prospects for the global economy.

Air date: 2020-04-03

E9: The Mystery of the 40-Meter Tsunami: The Great East Japan Disaster

The tsunami that struck northeast Japan in March 2011 was among the largest in Japanese history. But it didn't correlate with the intensity of the preceding earthquake. How did the wave get to be so astonishingly big? We investigate a little-known seabed phenomenon that may have contributed. It seems that if a landslide and slow-motion plate shifting occur at the same time, they can cause a tsunami of an enormous size. 9 years after the disaster, a true picture of what happened is beginning to emerge.

Air date: 2020-04-04

E10: COVID-19: Preventing an Explosive Surge of Infections

The fight against the coronavirus has entered a new phase in Japan. Tokyo and other major cities are experiencing a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. And many of the infection routes are untraceable. An explosion of cases could collapse the Japanese medical system. NHK speaks with experts about what each of us can do to prevent that from happening, and how we should prepare for the prospect of a long fight.

Air date: 2020-04-12

E11: Battle on the Brink: The Coronavirus Crisis

Based in Tokyo, within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is Japan's Coronavirus Response Team, made up of over 50 infectious disease experts. We follow their efforts over a period of weeks to prevent widespread transmission of the coronavirus. With cases increasing in Tokyo, and the disease spreading nationwide, on April 7, a state of emergency was declared in Japan for the first time ever. The battle has entered a dangerous new phase.

Air date: 2020-04-18

E12: COVID-19: Japan Under a State of Emergency

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Japan continues to rise, experts warn that deaths could soar, and the medical system could collapse. On the battle's front lines, healthcare workers are struggling to keep up with a surge in patients, while the resources at their disposal are stretched thin. NHK speaks with experts about new measures to combat this crisis and the dire consequences Japan could face unless the public and the government take swift action.

Air date: 2020-04-25

E13: The Coronavirus State of Emergency: Medical and Economic Prospects

In response to the spread of coronavirus disease, Japan declared a nationwide state of emergency. People's lives and work were transformed, and many harbored deep uncertainty. The healthcare system and the economy face the most extreme conditions. While containing the spread of the virus and maintaining the medical system, how can the suddenly stagnant economy be sustained? Can Japan discover policies to break through these daunting challenges? This program, broadcast live on April 25, presents up-to-date information, as experts in epidemiology, medicine and economics discuss possible routes through the crisis.

Air date: 2020-05-02

E14: COVID-19: Battle on the Cruise Ship

Japanese authorities faced their first large cluster of COVID-19 infections in early February when the Diamond Princess luxury cruise ship returned to port in Yokohama. Of the 3,700 passengers and crew, more than 700 were infected with the novel coronavirus, and 13 people died. NHK conducted an in-depth investigation into what happened inside the ship. It reveals a microcosm of Japan's battle against the virus, and offers important clues for managing the crisis.

Air date: 2020-05-09

E15: Coronavirus: Exit Which Way?

Japan's state of emergency has been extended, but some local governments are already thinking of their own ways to ease limitations on travel and business. What factors should shape an exit strategy: a way to move beyond the current restrictions? How can social activity be restored without causing a new surge in coronavirus infections? What approaches are other countries taking? And what about treatment and testing? As the battle with the coronavirus continues, we consider next steps in Japan.

Air date: 2020-05-16

E16: COVID-19: Big Data Battles the Virus

The fight against the novel coronavirus is entering a new phase, as people worldwide begin to resume normal life alongside an invisible enemy. To help win this battle, experts are turning to a potentially potent weapon: big data. Using AI, NHK teams up with Japan's leading scientists to analyze the massive volume of research on the virus and spot promising trends. Meanwhile, as efforts to contain the virus using big data from smartphones raise personal privacy concerns, developers in Japan are working on an app that ensures users' anonymity. And Nobel Laureate Yamanaka Shinya of Kyoto University joins us in the studio as we explore the mechanisms of the virus and possible treatments.

Air date: 2020-05-25

E17: The Path Forward: Surviving the "With Corona" Era

70 days after the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic, the global economy is on the move again. But the damage to production, consumption and employment has been severe, and prospects for a quick rebound are dim. Further, uncertain factors abound, including the possibility of second-wave outbreaks and heightened conflict between the United States and China. Japan is pressed to steer a course through these treacherous waters, while coexisting with the virus in the "with corona" era. We explore Japan's choices on the road to recovery, with leading experts in Japan and abroad.

Air date: 2020-06-01

E18: We're In This Together: Life with the pandemic

NHK asked people to film their lives during the pandemic. They include health care workers on the front lines, an Italian opera singer, a small-town official in France's hardest-hit area and a Manhattan bagel shop owner. In this collection of videos, we witness people trying to do their part, by protecting their loved ones, reaching out to their communities and forging a "new normal" as they learn to live with the novel coronavirus. As the world faces its greatest crisis in generations, their stories overlap with ours, offering examples of human compassion, resilience and hope.

Air date: 2020-06-06

E19: The Iron Road

Before the Silk Road, another route carried iron eastward from Western Asia to Japan. Recent discoveries along its path are shedding light on ancient civilizations once shrouded in mystery. With special access to archeological sites, and featuring exquisite, highly sophisticated artifacts, this program highlights iron's role in shaping history. This metal was forged into awesome weapons of war. But it also promoted peace and commerce by revolutionizing the way we travel and grow our food.

Air date: 2020-07-15

E20: Oswald and JFK UNSOLVED CASES Part 1: The Pawn

The assassination of US President John F. Kennedy is still shrouded in mystery. With the help of top experts, NHK takes a new look at the incident through reenactments and fresh theories on the case. Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who killed JFK, was once a US Marine stationed in Atsugi, Japan who later defected to the Soviet Union. While his own upbringing played a role in his decisions, there is also a possibility that a certain organization was manipulating him behind the scenes. The testimony of Oswald's wife, Marina, also reveals a failed assassination attempt by Oswald in the months leading up to Kennedy's death. We follow the little-known footprints left by this infamous assassin.

Air date: 2020-06-13

E21: Oswald and JFK UNSOLVED CASES Part 2: The Chessmaster

6 months before JFK was killed, Lee Harvey Oswald attempted a separate assassination. Our coverage reveals the possibility that this attempt served as a focal point that linked Oswald to the JFK killing. The day of that killing, Oswald brought a rifle into a Dallas building. The US government report says 3 shots from that building killed JFK, but we take a new look at witness testimony and speak to 66 prominent campaigners to ask: was the assassination really the work of a "lone wolf"?

Air date: 2020-06-20

E22: A Fight on Two Fronts: Floods and the Coronavirus

Each year, the rainy season and typhoons increase the threat of flooding in Japan. This year the coronavirus will make disaster management even more difficult. To maintain social distancing, evacuation centers will have to strictly limit evacuee numbers. "Distributed evacuation" may enable evacuees to use office buildings and other unconventional shelters. But evacuee support will have to adapt when coronavirus infection is a risk. We consider some practical approaches and the latest thinking.

Air date: 2020-06-29

E23: COVID-19: The Next Wave

People around the globe are trying to feel their way forward as the pandemic continues to rage. Japan is no exception. A month after its state of emergency was lifted, infections are trending upward. Some parts of the US and Latin America are seeing an exponential surge in cases. The risks are also rising in parts of South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. As governments look for a balance between containing the virus and resuming economic activity, the prospect of repeated outbreaks is ever-present. We report from the front lines of the world's efforts to contend with the virus. We also ask experts about the long-term outlook, and look at how people can prepare for the next wave.

Air date: 2020-07-06

E24: Bearman of Hokkaido

Hokkaido Prefecture's Shiretoko Peninsula is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The area includes one of the world's densest concentrations of wild brown bears. 84-year-old fisherman Ose Hatsusaburo has forged a remarkable relationship with these creatures over a lifetime of working among them. Bears obey his commands without a fuss, and no fisherman has suffered a bear attack in 50 years. A rapidly shifting climate and recent UNESCO directives mean this unique way of life now faces an uncertain future.

Air date: 2020-07-13

E25: Deadly Rain: Finding the "Switch" to Save Lives

Extreme rainfall is unleashing severe damage in communities from southwestern to eastern Japan. And each year, torrential rain disasters are becoming more common. But even when authorities issue the highest alert, some people fail to evacuate in time. What's behind the unprecedented weather phenomenon? What can be done to protect people? With experts, we examine how global warming is fueling dangerous weather patterns. And we explore concepts such as an "evacuation switch" that can prompt people to seek safety before it's too late, and save lives.

Air date: 2020-07-20

E26: Battling the Virus: On the Front Lines of Medical Care

3 months on the front lines in the medical battle against the coronavirus. Inside ICUs and isolation wards, cameras closely track doctors, patients and families as they struggle on the border between life and death. In the absence of an effective treatment, the trial-and-error search for remedies. Lives lost, despite every effort. And miraculous recoveries and long-awaited reunions. Elsewhere, interruptions in normal emergency and clinical care threaten regional healthcare. Pressed to the limits, how did Japan's healthcare system cope with the crisis? Cameras captured the inside story.

Air date: 2020-07-27

E27: Tokyo Miracle City: Gourmet Capital - Keeping Alive the Spirit of Tsukiji

In the series Tokyo Miracle City, we unravel the secrets behind some of the capital's most intriguing wonders. In part one, we delve into Tokyo's famed and tantalizing food culture, exploring the role the iconic Tsukiji fish market played in Japan's culinary history. Actor Sato Takeru takes us on a journey back in time as we learn about the lives of the skilled specialists at the heart of the market and discover their unique contribution in the journey of seafood from ocean to table.

Air date: 2020-08-31

E28: Abe Shinzo Resigns: What Next for Japan?

The sudden announcement of the resignation of Japan's longest-serving prime minister, Abe Shinzo, sent shock waves through the political world. Within the Liberal Democratic Party, maneuvering for position in the post-Abe world quickly accelerated. Exclusive interviews with Abe's close aides, profiles of the leading candidates to succeed the prime minister and reactions from the leaders of other parties spotlight the prospects for Japanese politics.

Air date: 2020-09-07

E29: COVID-19 Pandemic: 132 Critical Days (Part 1)

An initial case in mid-January set off Japan's first wave of COVID-19. Unlike many of its Asian neighbors, Japan entered its battle with the elusive novel coronavirus relatively unprepared. In interviews with more than 100 policymakers, scientists and other experts on the front lines, NHK sheds light on a key weakness in the nation's response: a lack of action on warnings issued by experts after another infectious disease outbreak a decade ago. In the first installment of NHK Documentary series, "COVID-19 Pandemic," we go behind the scenes to examine the challenges Japan faced during those 132 critical days.

Air date: 2020-09-14

E30: COVID-19 Pandemic: 132 Critical Days (Part 2)

This two-part program examines the challenges Japan faced over 132 days in the first wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Part 2 focuses on the 2 months after the country's first-ever declaration of a state of emergency. Through interviews with more than 100 policymakers, scientists and other experts, we shed light on a core weakness in Japan's attempts to deal with the elusive virus. And we reveal the behind-the-scenes wrangling between experts and government leaders over a key question: Should the focus be containing the virus or protecting Japan's economy?

Air date: 2020-09-19

E31: Civilians in the Crossfire: The Battle of Okinawa

75 years ago, near the end of World War II, Japan and the US engaged in a desperate battle in Okinawa. The Americans used weapons of unprecedented lethality, targeting civilians as well as the Japanese military. Civilians sought shelter in caves alongside the Japanese troops they thought would defend them, only to face hunger and threats of execution if they surrendered. This is the story of ordinary people who were caught in the conflict and perished during the battle's final month.

Air date: 2020-09-27

E32: Tokyo Miracle City: Gargantuan Rail Network - The Passionate Pursuit of Punctuality

In the series Tokyo Miracle City, we unravel the secrets behind some of the capital's most intriguing wonders. In this second episode, we explore the vast rail network that crisscrosses the metropolis. With 148 train lines carrying some 40 million passengers daily, Tokyo hosts the world's largest and most interconnected urban rail network. Actor Sato Takeru takes on a riddle-solving mission tied directly to the train schedule, putting the railways' famed dedication to punctuality to the test in the process. We uncover a fascinating history and meet the people whose tireless dedication keeps the whole intricate operation running like clockwork.

Air date: 2020-10-04

E33: Leaving No One Behind

Watanabe Shinji is a teacher known among students for his passionate teaching style. For the past year, he's been pursuing one particular challenging topic: bullying. Always in the back of his mind, is the memory of a boy who eventually took his own life, after being repeatedly tormented by his peers. This is a record of the year-long struggle by a teacher and his students to create a class completely free from bullying.

Air date: 2020-10-11

E34: Tokyo Miracle City: Anime - Captivating the World Frame by Frame

In the series Tokyo Miracle City, we unravel the secrets behind some of the capital's most intriguing wonders. In this third episode, we delve into one of Japan's most successful exports: "anime." Every year Japan produces some 2,300 hours of animated films and series: an incredible 400 plus titles, with the vast majority made in Tokyo. This level of output is all the more remarkable for the fact that Japanese animation is still mostly hand-drawn, frame-by-frame, a hugely labor-intensive process now rare elsewhere. Actor Sato Takeru joins us as we take a tour of anime's history and learn about the challenges faced by a fast-evolving industry.

Air date: 2020-10-18

E35: COVID-19 Pandemic: Transforming the Way We Work

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our lives in many ways, including how we work. Many white-collar jobs can now be done remotely, from anywhere with an internet connection. Meanwhile, "essential" workers, including nurses, risk their lives on the frontlines, often under miserable conditions and for low pay. Many hospitals are struggling to pay the bills. The pandemic has forced us to ask: "What jobs are truly important and how should they be compensated?" We look at 2 very different kinds of work in a search for answers.

Air date: 2020-11-15

E36: Tokyo Miracle City: Shinise - Tokyo's Time-Honored Businesses

In the series Tokyo Miracle City, we unravel the secrets behind some of the capital's most intriguing wonders. In this fourth episode, we focus on Tokyo's "shinise" or long-established businesses. Tokyo is home to more than 3,000 shops and businesses with over a century of history. In the 20th century, Tokyo was razed to the ground twice, first by natural disaster, then by war, yet countless businesses found the resilience to rebuild and survive amid destruction and hardship. Actor Sato Takeru takes us on a tour of artisanal businesses keeping alive unique, age-old traditions, as he explores the roots of their longevity.

Air date: 2020-11-22

E37: Hong Kong in Turmoil: A Crisis of Identity

On June 30, 2020, China's top legislature passed a new national security law for Hong Kong with far-reaching implications for residents of the territory. The new law came after more than a year of protests that at times saw the city rocked by scenes of violence and destruction. While some believe the law has helped bring Hong Kong back from the brink, many others are now afraid to even voice their views for fear of prosecution. In a city increasingly divided along political lines, we hear both the hopes and fears of Hongkongers caught up in these unprecedented times.

Air date: 2020-11-30

E38: Inferno: Letters from Auschwitz

Mysterious notes were unearthed near the ruins of the crematoriums at the Auschwitz concentration camp, the site of the mass extermination of Jews during World War II. Deciphered using cutting-edge digital technology, it was discovered the notes were written by Jews who were part of a special unit called the Sonderkommando, which assisted the Nazis in guiding fellow Jews to the gas chambers and cremating their corpses. These prisoners were deemed "traitors" amidst the shadows of the largest mass extermination program in human history. What took place within the inferno? More than 7 decades later, this disturbing, tragic reality is brought to light.

Air date: 2020-12-05

E39: Digital vs. Real: Infodemic - The Onslaught of Fake News

How do you know if what you're reading is true or just a carefully crafted lie? Increasingly, social media exposes us to a flood of information, much of which aims to persuade us to believe things that are false. It can even encourage acts of violence. Fake images are being used in applications ranging from politics to pornography. And they're threatening our ability to tell fact from fiction. How can we stem the tide of bogus information? Or is it already too late?

Air date: 2020-12-27