Today's Close-Up - Season 10 / Year 2024

A Japan Airlines passenger jet hit a Japan Coast Guard plane on a runway at Haneda Airport on January 2. Five personnel on the JCG aircraft died, but all 379 people on board the passenger jet survived in an evacuation some have called a "miracle." NHK looks into the circumstances surrounding the two aircraft and the flight controllers. Together with aviation experts, we analyze why the fail-safe system didn't work and how the successful evacuation was made.

Guest:
Inoue Shinichi (Aviation analyst, Former All Nippon Airways captain)

How do we face a turbulent world in 2024? We asked Nishi Kanako, an award-winning author whose books have been resonating with readers for 20 years. One of the main themes of her work is "reclaiming your body and mind from society." This became much more relevant to her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. In her latest work, "Watashi ni Aitai," she depicts people struggling with life in the modern world who nonetheless find reasons for hope. She talks to us about the different shapes happiness can take.

Guest:
Nishi Kanako (Author)

Generative Artificial Intelligence has begun impacting many aspects of our lives today. We can see content created by AI in advertising on the street, TV commercials, movies and more. While AI can create high-quality content that would pass for real, there are growing concerns about copyright. Voice actors, for example, are alarmed by videos on social media featuring their voices on songs they have never sung. How can we tackle such challenges, and will society be able to keep up with the technology as it grows and evolves?

Guests:
Anno Takahiro (Sci-fi writer / creator)
Fukui Kensaku (Lawyer, Japan / New York State, USA)

The Asaichi morning market in Ishikawa Prefecture's Wajima City was a bustling social and economic hub where roughly 200 businesses sold fresh seafood and locally produced crafts. Now the street lies in ruins, decimated by an inferno triggered by the New Year's Day earthquake. For locals and business owners, the loss has been incalculable. Although some have vowed to stay put in Wajima, many have been forced to evacuate to other parts of the prefecture, or even further afield. NHK spent a month with some of these residents, chronicling their struggles, and capturing their fears and hopes for the future of their home.

Guest: 
Tamba Fuminori (Professor, Ritsumeikan University)

Five-star luxury hotels have long been somewhat of a rarity in Japan. But more are popping up around the country as foreign-based operators look to cash in on a tourism boom. Japan's government is fully on board and aims to more than double the number of foreign visitors to 60 million by 2030. But the surge in tourism is causing side effects for domestic travelers and local communities. We speak to an expert about what can be done to ensure the hotel gold rush doesn't just benefit the affluent but also contributes to a brighter future in Japan.

Guest:
Sawayanagi Tomohiko (Specially Appointed Professor, Rikkyo University)

The Japanese stock market is enjoying a historical surge. On February 20, the Nikkei Stock Average edged up to just 92 points short of the all-time high, recorded on the last trading day of 1989. Is this a bubble or a valuation correction? We look at a range of factors with expert analysis to see what's really going on and why ordinary people are not necessarily feeling the benefit.

Guests:
Itami Hiroyuki (Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi University)
Kumagai Mitsumaru (Deputy Chairman, Daiwa Institute of Research)

More than three months after the powerful New Year's Day earthquake that struck Japan's Noto Peninsula and surrounding region, many of the survivors who lost their homes and businesses are struggling to put their lives back together. We spent time with some of the vendors who used to ply their trade on the famous Wajima morning market street. Some described being unable to meet the onerous criteria for home repairs payments. Others said they can't afford the hefty up-front payments required to get business support subsidies. Despite these formidable barriers, the vendors have found a way to work together to help each other through a trying time. We asked an expert what needs to change so that desperately-needed financial help can get to the people who need it most. 

Guest: 
Okamoto Tadashi (Attorney at Law)

Ready quick and easy to eat, hamburgers are the quintessential comfort food. But they also offer insight into the state of Japan's economy. During years of severe deflation, burgers sold for tiny sums. Now, prices are on the rise. While major chains have been able to raise wages, owners of small burger shops are struggling to do the same. We look at what hamburgers tell us about the economy and the hints they provide on how to achieve a so-called "virtuous cycle."

Guests:
Watanabe Tsutomu (Professor, Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo)
Matsubara Yoshihide (Hamburger critic)

Fake investment ads that feature prominent figures are abundant on social media in Japan, making an increasing number of victims. According to the National Police Agency, damage from such fraud totaled 27.8-billion-yen in 2023 alone. The celebrities featured in the ads are also voicing their anger. Platform operators bear some responsibility but what does the vice president of content policy at Meta have to say? We look into those scams that take advantage of Japan's current investment boom, as well as potential measures against them.

Guest:
Ikegai Naoto (Professor, Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University)

At a time when artificial intelligence is making its presence felt in increasing aspects of everyday life, it's becoming apparent that AI is also beginning to shape the very nature of modern warfare. We look at how the technology is currently being used in two conflicts, the ethical questions this poses and ask if autonomous weapons systems with AI could even pose a threat to the very future of humanity.

Guest:
Sato Heigo (Professor, Takushoku University)

A growing number of Japanese people are pursuing their dream to start a small business. A shift in consumer preference toward small-scale, authentic goods over mass-produced products, and a surge in local government support packages, means the time has never been better. Low start-up and running costs ensure that these agile operations carry considerably less financial risk than their bigger counterparts. In some cases, they're even solving community problems, offering consumers choices they didn't have, or reviving once-dying shopping strips. NHK went to check out a number of ventures and interviewed an expert to see how small businesses can potentially point the way forward for Japan.

Guest:
Nagayama Munehiro (Professor, Komazawa University)

Japan is entering its "mosquito season." Besides causing itchiness, mosquitoes could now also pose a more serious threat in Japan as well. Researchers have discovered in Southeast Asia so-called "super-resistant mosquitoes" that require one thousand times the usual amount of insecticide to be killed, and evidence shows that some have already entered Japan. Furthermore, worldwide infections with dengue fever — a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe symptoms and even death in some cases — have already surpassed last year's record high. Now that COVID infections have subsided to a degree and human activity such as tourism is recovering, the probability of infection via mosquitoes is increasing. We look at tips on how to protect ourselves from mosquitoes and introduce some "outside-the-box" technology to repel them.

Guest:
Kasai Shinji (Director, Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

The Japanese yen is plummeting to historic lows. On April 29, the currency briefly fell below the 160 mark against the dollar for the first time in 34 years. Prices are skyrocketing at supermarkets. And many people are no longer able to afford overseas vacations, opting to go to local cultural fairs instead. What's behind this trend and how long will it last? An economist and a financial planner help us find answers and look for ways to cope with the current situation.

Guests:
Takayama Kazue (Financial planner)
Karakama Daisuke (Chief Market Economist, Mizuho Bank)

Japan's central government officials are feeling the strain, with thousands forced to put in more than 100 hours of overtime a month. It's a stark number that officially puts people at risk of death from overwork, with many opting to walk away from their careers instead. And it's not just a personal problem — a lack of officials and the growing burden being placed on individuals also threatens to impact the quality and accuracy of policy-making and negotiations, which could have an impact on ordinary people across the country. We speak with current government officials and experts to find out why the system allows them to be put under such pressure and what can be done to fix it.

Guests:
Sensho Yasuhiro (Former Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry bureaucrat)
Machidori Satoshi (Professor of Political Science, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University)

Regulatory authorities are increasingly finding potentially toxic PFAS chemicals in the air, soil, and water — including the drinking supply. In Japan, the government has yet to introduce strict regulations targeting these so-called "forever chemicals," partly because research has not definitively established a causal link between PFAS and serious illnesses. Using public data, NHK put together a map showing where contamination levels have been reported in tap water across the country. In one town, the concentration was nearly 30 times the government target. The residents are angry — and some are demanding to know if their health problems are related. We went to a potential source of the contamination, and also looked at other possible contaminating sources in Japan, and asked an expert what the government needs to do to address this increasingly serious public health issue.

Guest:
Koibuchi Noriyuki (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University)

Six months after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, rural communities are struggling to rebuild. Only some residents have returned and extensive damage to infrastructure remains. Concerns about the cost of rebuilding have led to calls for towns to be made more compact, while some communities face the risk of vanishing entirely. But experts on post-disaster reconstruction say there are ways to help. We take a look at the activities of a group of non-residents and see how "tailored reconstruction" can save these communities.

Guest:
Sawada Masahiro (Associate Professor, University of Hyogo Graduate School)

Despite its image as a benign mountain, Mt. Fuji's sheer height and changeable weather conditions make it far from easy to climb. Every year, people are injured or worse, often as a result of attempting the ascent without adequate preparation. This climbing season, new rules are being imposed to try to keep people safe and prevent further tragedies. However, the change applies to one side of the mountain only, leaving climbers on the other side still at risk. We look at why this is, what's actually changed this year and sum up some of the essentials for staying safe on Mt. Fuji's revered slopes.

Guest:
Takekawa Shunji (Board Chairman, Japan Mountain Guides Association)

As people across Japan were preparing to take their annual mid-August "Bon" holidays, the government issued a surprise alert. Officials said a magnitude-7.1 earthquake off Miyazaki Prefecture had increased the chance of a devastating mega-quake striking in the Nankai Trough, off the country's southwestern coast. The mega-quake advisory stayed in place for one week, but during that time many people in affected areas were no clearer about exactly what it meant or how they should respond. The confusion meant that some municipalities closed off tourist areas, causing huge financial losses for local businesses, while others pressed ahead with summer festivities as usual. NHK asked an expert to explain Japan's mega-quake information system and offer some tips on the best way to respond to a potential disaster.

Guest:
Sekiya Naoya (Director, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, The University of Tokyo)

Delays in rescue are said to have been a serious problem in the January 1st quake that hit the Noto Peninsula in Japan. As experts are still verifying the facts, we spoke to the first responders from the Self-Defense Forces, fire departments and police. Interviews have revealed little known facts, such as, that rescue teams had reached the very tip of the peninsula as early as on the day after the quake. Various problems have also come into light. We look at the lessons we've learned from this disaster that took more than 300 lives, and examine the initial response.

Guest:
Nagata Shozo (Professor, Kansai University)

Humans have always dreamed of living longer and healthier lives. Now, a surge of investment in anti-aging research is accelerating the quest to make it a reality. Researchers are focused on three principal areas of investigation – eliminating old cells, identifying substances that delay aging, and rejuvenating old cells. The results suggest exciting breakthroughs could be just around the corner. But as one expert explains, the new approaches are not without risk. In Japan, where people enjoy long lifespans, a study of centenarians is also shedding light on the biological, lifestyle and social factors that may be crucial to enjoying happier and more fulfilling lives in old age. And even beyond that stage, when care becomes indispensable, technology is ensuring people can still get the most out of the years they have left. We take a look at the latest efforts to help humans enjoy longer and healthier lives. 

Guests: 
Nakanishi Makoto (Professor, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo) 
Arai Yasumichi (Professor / Director, Center for Supercentenarian Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine)

Japan experienced a record-hot summer (tied with 2023) from June to August this year, with temperatures hotter than average by 1.76 degrees Celsius. Increasingly in the age of climate change, homes are getting too hot to tolerate, even with air conditioners running, as heat enters via windows and roofs, while the cool air accumulates near the floor. Thermal insulation can be a solution. It makes winters feel warmer and summers cooler too. We take a look at the kind of housing solutions we might need in the "era of global boiling."

Guests:
Mae Masayuki (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
Mori Miwa (Architect / Representative Director, Passive House Japan)

On New Year's Day, Japan's Noto Peninsula experienced a massive earthquake that destroyed communities and livelihoods. Then in September, another disaster struck. This time, a sudden, violent downpour engulfed neighborhoods, washing away homes, flooding temporary housing for quake survivors, and triggering deadly mudslides that cut off communities from outside help. The tragedy has raised questions about the forecasting abilities of the Meteorological Agency, which didn't see the devastating rain coming, and the risk communication of local authorities, who built the temporary housing on flood-prone land. NHK visited the Noto region to gauge the extent of the damage, and see how residents are coping with this latest setback.

Guest:
Ubaura Michio (Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University)

At the end of World War II, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ensuing fires in the cities blew huge amounts of radioactive material and soot into the air, causing so-called "black rain." How extensive was the rainfall? The latest scientific findings are shedding light on this question and may help people not legally recognized as hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, win full medical support. Seventy-nine years after the bombings, we follow the efforts of scientists and interview those fighting for government recognition.

Guest:
Kawano Noriyuki (Director, The Center for Peace, Hiroshima University)

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, or Nihon Hidankyo, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The organization was formed in 1956, 11 years after the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. Gathering up groups of Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), their aim is to appeal to the Japanese government for relief and to ask for a world free of nuclear weapons. As the Norwegian Nobel Committee explains, the activities of Nihon Hidankyo and testimonies of the Hibakusha have helped build up the norm known as "the nuclear taboo." However, in the current global situation, it is said that the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is at its highest ever. As we trace the footsteps of Nihon Hidankyo and the Hibakusha, we remind ourselves of the messages carried by their stories.

Guest:
Saito Osamu (Medical doctor)

Wealthy overseas tourists have been visiting depopulated parts of rural Japan in increasing numbers to savor unique culinary experiences specific to those regions. So-called gastronomy tourism allows visitors to experience the culture and history of a region through its food, and the unexpected economic benefits are already being felt. We explore the new frontier of fine-dining tourism in Japan.

Guests:
Kashiwabara Kotaro (Chairperson, Japan Gastronomy Association)
Murayama Keisuke (Inbound strategy advisor)

Japan's medical system is facing a crisis, but it's not one that affects everyone — or everywhere — equally. Despite the fact that overall doctor numbers are increasing, they are unevenly distributed, both in terms of physical location and specialty. Changes in working styles and the way doctors are trained and recruited appear to be fueling the trend. We look at what the country can do to reverse the problem of medical unevenness.

Guest:
Takahashi Tai (Professor, International University of Health and Welfare Graduate School)

New data shows the average monthly pension for Japanese women is about 300 dollars less than it is for men. Across all generations, women face a greater risk of financial insecurity in retirement. The reasons for this can be attributed to restrictive gender roles in Japanese firms: men are promoted to managerial positions, while women are assigned lower-paying roles so they can focus on home and childcare commitments. As a result, women are forced to accept jobs that offer lower pension benefits. The "pension gap" is turning into a serious social problem as lifespans lengthen and more women choose to live alone. We look at what companies and the government are doing to combat the issue, and how we can ensure we have a comfortable retirement.

Guests: 
Ido Mie (Social Insurance Labor Consultant)
Bo Mioko (Social Development Research Department, NLI Research Institute)

Japan was once a powerhouse in the board game Go, but in recent years it has fallen behind rivals China and South Korea. So it was big news among enthusiasts of the ancient game when Ichiriki Ryo won the world's top title in September, claiming the honor for Japan for the first time in nearly two decades. Ichiriki's victory was the culmination of a concerted effort to overturn long-held ideas in Japan about how players should train and improve. He's also learnt to harness the potential of continually-evolving AI tools to gain new insights into the game, and broaden his abilities as a player. We look at the power of change unleashed by this new-born Go star.

Guest:
Shinada Kei (Go writer)

As the average price of new condominiums in Tokyo tops 100 million yen, secondhand apartments have become popular. But purchasing a used condo unit comes with pitfalls. Many such buildings only meet old earthquake resistance standards. As megaquakes are forecast to hit Japan within 30 years, seismic reinforcement is vital, not just for individuals but for society as a whole. However, efforts to implement seismic retrofitting are slow, and lots of vulnerable buildings still remain. We take a look at the reasons why and introduce some countermeasures.

Guest:
Kagawa Kiri (Lawyer / Licensed condominium manager)

According to the latest government estimate, the number of elderly people in Japan with dementia is over 4.7 million, but it's believed many more are yet to be diagnosed. They are now becoming easy game for real estate scammers. In June, four employees of a realtor were arrested for allegedly selling apartments at grossly inflated prices to two elderly women with dementia. An NHK investigation has found that at least 61 other people have also been persuaded to buy apartments by the same agents. They apparently showed symptoms of cognitive decline but had not received tests to diagnose dementia. Some of them were targeted by multiple other companies, armed with a range of tools from "scam lists" to instruction manuals designed to make them buy worthless land at unrealistically high prices. Our investigation looks into a darkness that runs rampant in a society where the number of people living with dementia and its precursors is on the rise.

Guest:
Komamura Kohei (Professor, Keio University)

In 2020 at a regional hospital in Japan, a woman had her spinal nerves severed during a hip surgery. It was later revealed that the doctor in charge had been involved in eight cases of medical incidents in eight months — a so-called "repeater" doctor. While the case is still under police investigation, similar problems are being reported across Japan. Some point out that the cause of such repetitious incidents is a nationwide structural issue. We take a look at the current medical situation and ask experts how to better ensure the safety of patients.

Guest:
Nagao Yoshimasa (Professor, Nagoya University)

A trial treatment program combines four areas of focus to combat the progression of dementia. The results show that by exercising, changing our diet, stimulating our brains and making certain lifestyle changes, it is possible to curb the onset of symptoms. Meanwhile, new drugs offer hope of a medical solution. But challenges remain. Doctors say Japan's medical infrastructure is not sufficient for mass administration of the drugs. We look at the latest treatments and try out exercises that can help maintain our mental capabilities.

Guests:
Kinoshita Ayae (Professor, Kyoto University / Director, Japan Society for Dementia Research)
Iwatsubo Takeshi (Professor, The University of Tokyo / Chairman, Japan Society for Dementia Research)

In early December, UNESCO added Japan's sake-brewing process to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, officially recognizing a tradition that dates back more than 1,000 years. Over the centuries, Japanese brewers have used trial and error to refine their method, which involves sprinkling mold spores over rice to create a critical ingredient called koji, before passing on their expertise to the next generation. Despite a growing appreciation for the drink around the world, breweries are facing headwinds at home, where consumption has been declining for decades. One innovative operation is working on new sakes that are better suited to foreign palates, while other businesses are venturing into so-called craft sake to win over new fans. We look at how a drink rooted in a centuries-old tradition is opening up a world of new possibilities.

Guests:
Yoshida Rui (Bar poet)
Imada Shuso (General Manager, Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center)