Today's Close-Up - Season 6 / Year 2020

October, 2019. A live streamer falls from the icy peak of Mt. Fuji. His death is broadcast as it happens on his stream. He attempted the climb equipped with only summer gear, leading to criticism online that he had underestimated the winter conditions and was seeking attention. What led him to take on such a reckless act? We looked into his life, and learned of an unexpected side of his personality.

Digital money is about to transform our society. People use it via smartphone apps to pay for purchases, send money to friends and a lot more besides. Now, businesses and even local governments are starting to use it to improve their efficiency. But questions remain about credibility and privacy protection. For a possible glimpse of the future, our crew went to Sweden, where the central bank is considering issuing its own digital currency.

Data shows that about 90 percent of groping victims in Japan are reluctant to report the assault or even seek advice, and 45 percent of people who witness the crimes do nothing about it. 2 women who run a tech firm have set out to change the thinking around this deep-rooted problem. They launched an app that empowers victims by giving them a platform to document their experiences. The app also allows witnesses to file reports. Crucially, the data it collects provides a clear picture of where, when and how perpetrators attack their victims. We take a look at how this technology is helping to raise awareness about a serious social ill.

More than 20,000 Japanese people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year. One of the toughest choices they face is the risk of infertility. It's not easy for young people to decide whether to harvest their eggs or sperm in the short period of time before starting treatment. We take a look at experiences of such patients and the latest efforts in the medical world.

Chocolate made with yuzu citrus and sake, or with dried persimmon and shochu spirits. The distinctive tastes of Japanese chocolate are fascinating people around the world. At the 2019 edition of the renowned chocolate fair, Salon du Chocolat, Japan trailed only France in number of chocolatiers honored. Most hailed from small and mid-sized companies previously unknown outside of Japan. What's behind this new popularity?

The threat of the new coronavirus is expanding beyond expectations. In Japan, the number of Chinese tourists has declined sharply, hitting a range of industries. The negative impact on economies around the world is becoming greater, with China no longer fully functioning as a global supply-chain hub. We look at the current business situation in Japan and South Korea and discuss with economists what countermeasures should be taken.

The fight to stop the spread of the new coronavirus has no end in sight. On February 24, an expert panel in Japan declared the country was entering a critical one-to-two-week phase. We take a look from the frontline of the battle being led by health experts to bring the outbreak under control, and speak with an expert about how we can help to limit the spread of infections.

9 years have passed since the Fukushima nuclear disaster and many of the evacuees are still suffering from mental health issues. Last year, a survey of 513 former residents from a no-entry area, Tsushima District, found that 48% of them are suspected of suffering from PTSD while 28% could develop depression or anxiety disorders. What is hindering their recovery? We'll hear their stories.

The new coronavirus is raging around the world. As the number of infections with unidentified sources increases in Tokyo, governor Koike says the city is teetering on the edge of an explosive outbreak. Can health authorities contain infection clusters? And is a lockdown of the capital a real possibility? We bring you the latest on the battle against COVID-19.

Doctors and nurses are being overwhelmed by the coronavirus, even before there's an explosive outbreak. Because the virus stays in the human body for a relatively long time, some hospitals say almost all their beds are occupied. Clinics and other smaller medical institutions say they can't accept patients suspected of being infected with the virus because treating it requires a great deal of preparation. What can we do to stop the collapse of Japan's medical system?

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has led to a number of concerns for the athletes. Those who already qualified may have to go through the selection process again. And for Paralympians, the severity of their disabilities may have changed by the time competition resumes. We spoke to some of Japan's top athletes to hear what's on their minds.

The surge in cases of people infected with the coronavirus is pushing Japan's healthcare system to the brink of collapse and putting medical workers under intense strain. People suspected of having the virus are struggling to find hospitals that will take them in. Authorities have requested that hospitals assign more beds, but medical facilities are struggling to keep up with demand. We speak with experts on the frontline, who are warning that Japan is approaching a situation where overwhelmed hospitals will no longer be able to save lives they could otherwise save.

In late February, a cluster of coronavirus cases was traced to live music venues in central Osaka Prefecture. About a 10-minute walk from these venues is Japan's longest covered shopping street: Tenjinbashisuji. Its 600 or so establishments range from souvenir shops and kimono stores to bars and restaurants. As the virus spreads, the flow of customers declines. Then the Olympics are postponed. The street reels from this series of heavy blows. We report from the scene as shopkeepers react and try to cope.

People are using big data to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Kanagawa Prefecture is the frontrunner in Japan in this regard. It sends questionnaires to the public via the LINE messaging app. The data it collects is used to predict which areas are more likely to have people with risk factors such as fever. In Britain, an "AI doctor" provides medical advice to people who may have contracted the virus. We take a look at the latest efforts to use technology to deal with the threat posed by the coronavirus.

Sports instructors, tour guides, event staff ... in Japan, the number of freelance workers is thought to be over 3 million, many of whom have been hit hard by the spread of coronavirus. Most work under verbal contracts without signing agreements and are unable to receive compensation when jobs are canceled. Some even become "gig-workers" in jobs such as food delivery despite the chance of getting infected. How can we protect freelancers' livelihoods during the pandemic?

Musical events, theater shows and other live performances ... thousands of events across Japan have been canceled or postponed as the coronavirus pandemic continues. One estimate says about 40 percent of an entertainment market worth 8.4 billion dollars will be lost if the situation continues until the end of May. Many artists and people involved with cultural events are in a tough situation, both financially and psychologically. How can we halt this cultural decline?

A tour bus company in western Japan had been riding high on a wave of inbound tourism when the coronavirus pandemic decimated its business model and forced a series of layoffs. The continuing spread of the virus has left the company scrounging for earnings and fighting just to survive. NHK spent 3 months documenting the daily struggles and anxieties of both managers and drivers. In this program we consider how the government can help such companies stay afloat in times of crisis.

The coronavirus is taking a huge toll on the Japanese nursing care system. Across the country, operators have been forced to suspend daycare operations, leaving the elderly - and their families - in the lurch. And home care services are unable to compensate due to a labor shortage that's been made worse by the outbreak. We take a look at what kind of support these providers and caregivers need to make it through this crisis.

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, most people have been encouraged to stay at home. This means some haven't been able to see loved ones in their final moments. Others have been isolated from their families within their own homes. With no end of the pandemic in sight, how can we cope with housebound stress? We got some tips from an astronaut who spent several months in space, a psychologist who's been dealing with people's anxiety related to the Fukushima disaster and other experts.

The level of coronavirus testing in Japan is among the lowest in leading nations. Many people have had to wait for several days to get a test, waiting as their health worsened. The delay has also affected the country's emergency medical system. That's because many general practitioners refuse to take in those who have symptoms, but who have not been tested. Why isn't coronavirus testing increasing in Japan? NHK speaks to a senior official from the Health Ministry.

Coronavirus patients in Japan who show few or no symptoms are recuperating at home or in hotels. But, in some instances, patients have suddenly fallen seriously ill and died shortly afterward. What may be behind these cases are known as "happy hypoxia" and "cytokine storm." We'll look into the mechanisms and how to protect lives.

Domestic and international tourism have ground to a halt as a result of travel restrictions and stay-at-home requests amid the coronavirus pandemic. But industry leaders in Japan are taking countermeasures to overcome the crisis. We take a look at how the CEO of a major resort chain and the Osaka tourism chief are preparing for business after the pandemic.

Many people who lose family members to the coronavirus are reluctant to talk about it for fear of being stigmatized and shunned. The experience compounds the pain of being separated from their loved ones in their final moments. We listen to the stories of their silent grief, and discuss how we can come together as a society to support people as we adjust to life with a deadly infectious disease.

The coronavirus pandemic has put Japan's farmers and fishermen in a tight spot. School closures have put a temporary stop to children's lunches, and travel restrictions have affected demand. The result is that many food producers have to throw out fresh stock. On the other hand, some farmers are struggling with harvests because the foreign technical trainees they rely on are unable to enter the country. Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is below 40%. Given there's no end in sight for the pandemic, how can Japan ensure food security?

Growing numbers of people are suffering financially as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect a wide range of businesses. Some have seen their incomes reduced by half, while many others have lost their jobs. That's led many people unable to pay their rent or mortgage and, in the worst cases, some have become homeless. We met with people in these situations to determine what kind of support central and local governments should provide and how that can be achieved.

The recent death of reality TV star and professional wrestler Kimura Hana has stirred debate on cyber-bullying in Japan. She is believed to have been driven to suicide by the hundreds of abusive comments sent to her Twitter account every day. We talk to people who posted comments, and ask experts what we can do to prevent such tragedy from happening again.

An NHK team chronicled the efforts of shop owners in Osaka's Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai, the longest shopping arcade in Japan, to weather the enormous financial impact of the state of emergency. Even after the government-imposed measure went into effect in early April, the arcade continued to attract crowds of shoppers, making it a target of the so-called "self-restraint police." We watched as the pandemic reshaped the community and forced store owners to adapt to a new way of doing business.

As COVID-19 has spread across Japan, so too have irrational attacks by the public. The harassment is directed not just at those infected with the virus, but also at their co-workers, family members, and others around them. NHK spoke with a handful people who became targets of abuse to see how it affected them, how they responded, and how they overcame the adversity.

Concerns over a possible second wave of coronavirus infections are growing. If we want to live less-restricted lives and keep the economy going, detailed antibody testing may be the key. It tells us how many people have actually been infected, including those who were asymptomatic. A project designed to analyze the results of antibody testing is being carried out by researchers from various fields, including genomic science and big data. We take a look at what's happening on the frontline.

The coronavirus has brought abrupt changes to our everyday lives. NHK asked former patients to share their experiences and learned that some are suffering from lingering symptoms long after testing negative for the virus. In this edition of the program, we hear from these people and consider how we can all live with the virus moving forward.

Japan's medical system was on the verge of collapse due to the first wave of coronavirus outbreak. It managed to hold up but NHK has found there were at least 20 cases in which patients in serious condition were unable to get the high-level treatment they desired. We closely covered some of these cases. What lessons can be learned as we prepare for a possible second wave of infections?

Japan's summer holidays are coming up, but a second wave of coronavirus infections is widely expected. How can we stay safe while enjoying a normal life? "Infection prediction maps" may hold the key. Used like a weather forecast, the maps can help us reduce our infection risks and take appropriate countermeasures. The personal data we provide lies behind the maps, contributing to a powerful weapon that may have potential to tame the pandemic. We'll take a close look at this intriguing technology.

The coronavirus pandemic is fueling a surge in e-commerce, with stay-at-home consumers increasingly going online to buy everything from daily necessities to luxury goods. But the growth in internet shopping is also attracting unscrupulous sellers, and for buyers that means an increase in risk. Reports of defective and dangerous products abound. In some cases, faulty goods have proved to be life-threatening. We look at what the operators of e-commerce sites are doing to crack down on shady vendors, and what buyers can do themselves to navigate the pitfalls of online shopping.

It's been two months since Japan's nationwide state of emergency was lifted, and the number of coronavirus infections is rising sharply again. Phone calls are flooding into some public health centers in Tokyo, pushing resources to the limit. It is also becoming clear that the virus poses an unexpected threat to the high-tech medical machines that are the last resort for many seriously ill patients. We bring you the latest from the frontline.

The number of people withdrawn from society, or "hikikomori," is estimated to be over one million in Japan. With movement restricted amid the pandemic, the support system for these people has been cut off. One expert says we could soon face a swell in hikikomori numbers similar to the one that followed the 2008 global financial crisis. We take a look at what is being done to help these people and their families amid these difficult circumstances.

Seventy-five years have passed since the end of World War II. Monuments and museums to commemorate the dead are disappearing one after another due to the advancing age of their staff and insufficient funding. At the same time, some young people play at soldiers, wearing the uniforms and accessories of the former Japanese military forces that they buy via online auctions. One veteran says the memories of the war are at risk of being totally forgotten with the next generation. What can we do to preserve and pass on the history of war?

Japan is experiencing a resurgence of coronavirus infections, dubbed by many as a second wave. Some say it has already passed the peak, but medical workers are alarmed as they also have to deal with patients with heatstroke and symptoms similar to COVID-19. They are also unsure if they can secure antiviral drugs like remdesivir when global demand rises. We take a closer look at the struggles of one hospital and find out what every individual can do to halt the spread of the virus.

A new breed of loan shark is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic by preying on people who find themselves in financial dire straits. The lenders target victims on social media and use sophisticated techniques to saddle them with massive debts. Shady operators also encourage people to make fraudulent applications for coronavirus subsidies from the government. We ask some experts what people can do to protect themselves from these financial predators.

Earlier this month, Typhoon Haishen approached Japan. It was expected to be one of the most powerful storms in the country's history, but changed course and lost strength. Nonetheless, Haishen set wind speed records in 33 locations in western Japan. The storm was a reminder of the reality Japan now faces. In this new era of the "Super Typhoon," how can we prepare and what should the government do to alert residents of danger?

Kurosawa Kiyoshi won the best director award at this year's Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Japanese filmmaker to win the prize in 17 years. "Wife of a Spy" tells the story of a married couple during wartime Japan. The husband is trying to reveal the military's horrific acts to the public, and his efforts gradually involve his wife. We speak to Kurosawa in studio about the themes he has tried to tackle over the course of his career.

With the presidential election less than a month away, US President Donald Trump's infection with the coronavirus sent shockwaves around the world. He has been criticized for downplaying the risk of the virus and putting importance on reopening the economy. How will his infection affect the election? NHK interviewed a key player in Trump's campaign and some of his supporters to get a clue.

Whether checking social media, shopping online or playing videos, counting 'likes' and followers is now part of our everyday lives. But there has lately been a surge in the number of businesses selling clicks that artificially boost those counts. While housewives with hundreds of Instagram accounts can earn a little extra money, others get even more using software to click automatically. We take a look at what goes on behind the scenes.

The coronavirus pandemic has inflicted untold pain and suffering on communities and economies, but it also offers a rare opportunity for society to rebuild in a way that puts the planet on a path to a healthier, sustainable future. We spoke with some women in the business world and local communities about their efforts to inspire change on an individual and collective level.

Japanese companies dating back more than 100 years have survived recessions, wars, and natural disasters. Now they face a new threat that's pushing them to the brink, and threatening to extinguish not only generations of accumulated expertise, but the traditional cultures they underpin. We look at how local communities are rallying to their support, and how some businesses are preserving their DNA while adapting to the times.

The coronavirus has led to a rise in home dining. And as a result people are more concerned about what they put into their bodies. Amid this trend, produce from small scale farms is becoming increasingly popular. Consumers are able to buy fresh vegetables direct from farmers, via the Internet. And the products are often grown in a safer, more environmentally friendly way than those that are mass-produced. For farmers, the system not only offers greater profits, but the opportunity to make a contribution toward a sustainable future for society. We take a look at some examples in Japan.

Japan's hanko seals have been an essential requirement for day-to-day documents and official forms for many years. But a government push to bring workplace practices and administrative procedures fully into the digital era has put pressure on businesses and city authorities to eliminate the seals from most paperwork. We look at what the shift away from this long-running custom means for Japan, and some of the hurdles that are presenting themselves along the way.

The Tokyo Olympic Games are due to open in eight months' time, but can they really be held while the coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of ending? An international gymnastics competition held in Tokyo in early November was used as a test event. The organizers took strict anti-infection measures, but were troubled by a series of unexpected problems. NHK went behind the scenes to see what will be necessary to safely hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In the latest Global Gender Gap Index survey, Japan came 121st out of 153 countries, and was the lowest among major advanced nations. The government is aiming to have women in 30 percent of leadership roles by 2020, but the figure currently stands at just 14.8 percent. What does Japanese society need to do to change this? Overcoming "unconscious bias" might be the answer. NHK took a close look at how some companies are trying to tackle this issue to find out the key to creating a workplace where women can shine.

More than 1,300 farm animals, including pigs, calves, and goats, were stolen this summer in Japan's Kanto region. During the investigation, local police arrested a group of Vietnamese nationals on suspicion of overstaying their visas. Their connection to the thefts is still unclear but NHK followed a trail of social media posts advertising butchered pigs. We learned about the tough situation faced by Vietnamese technical trainees, and how the pandemic is making things even more difficult.

On December 6, Japan's Hayabusa2 probe successfully returned a capsule to Earth after a six-year voyage through space. It is believed to contain sub-surface materials collected on Ryugu, an asteroid some 300-million kilometers away. They may shed light on the origins of life on Earth. The mission faced a series of unexpected challenges and NHK went behind the scenes to see how the team achieved the extraordinary feat of two touchdowns on Ryugu and the safe return of the sample container.