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Synopsis
Hard-hitting documentary series that takes an in-depth look at some of the political, economic, and social challenges that Japan and our world is facing.
Episode 34 : Roots of TOKYO: Edo, City of Fire
December. 30,2018
More than 150 years ago, Edo, the forerunner of Tokyo, had the highest population of any city in the world. But it was ravaged by large-scale fires more frequently than any other major urban center. Yet after each conflagration, Edo rose from the ashes like a phoenix. We'll take a look at how the city managed to overcome such huge disasters and continue to grow.
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Episode 33 : Roots of TOKYO: Edo, City of Water
December. 29,2018
More than 150 years ago, Tokyo was called Edo. It had the highest population of any city in the world, surpassing both London and Paris. But how did the world's largest city come to emerge in a remote corner of Asia? Clues are coming to light not only in Tokyo but also around the world. One drawing shows the castle surrounded by a water-filled moat, which turns out to be a crucial element that enabled Edo to expand further. Let's experience the mystery and wonder of Tokyo 150 years ago.
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Episode 31 : Hiroshima: Solving the Genetic Puzzle
December. 16,2018
The atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945 exposed survivors, the Hibakusha, to large amounts of radiation. In the years since, they have experienced high levels of cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. But what about their descendants? Members of the second and third generation of survivors live with the fear that they, too, have been affected. They have taken the government to court, demanding answers. Now, researchers are using the latest technology to unravel a decades-long mystery.
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Episode 30 : Finding Einstein's Brain
December. 09,2018
When Albert Einstein, the 20th century's most renowned theoretical physicist, died in 1955, a pathologist removed his brain to research the source of his genius. Over the years, pieces of the brain became scattered around the world. NHK embarked on a 7-month investigation to find and reunite the pieces of Einstein's brain, an unprecedented quest that could help scientists unravel the secrets of human intelligence.
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Episode 28 : THE BODY: Longevity - Secrets of Aging Well
November. 25,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY," we explore one of mankind's oldest desires – finding the secret to a long, healthy life. Cutting-edge science has revealed new images of the remarkable gigantic network that stretches across the human body. And playing a key role are the "message molecules" released by our organs. Now, the power of these message molecules is about to significantly change the way we treat serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease and help determine how well – and how long – we live.
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Episode 27 : THE BODY: The Beginnings of Life - Prenatal Chats of Mother and Baby
November. 18,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY," takes us back to the starting point for all human beings - birth. From a fertilized egg, through the division of microscopic cells, the formation of internal organs, to the first cries of a newborn in the delivery room, we trace the complex interactions between mother and baby that transform a tiny fetus into a living, breathing person. The latest imaging technology helps you witness the process from the inside to help you understand the wonders of human development.
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Episode 26 : THE BODY: Brain - Mechanisms of Inspiration and Memory
November. 11,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY," we delve deep inside the brain. Dreaming up new ideas, speaking and writing, creating art, and developing advanced technologies – these and other uniquely human activities originate in the brain. Inside this complex organ is a vast communications network made up of some 100 billion neurons. Come as we explore the brain's intricate circuitry, and discover the mechanisms behind inspiration and memory.
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Episode 25 : A Big Circus Family
November. 04,2018
A circus family with 10 children performs around Japan. Every 2 months, they pack up their entire household and pitch their big tent in a new town. We followed them during a time of big changes – mastering a new technique, saying farewell to friends, and preparing for the family's 11th child. It's a summer full of laughter and tears, and some inspiring life lessons.
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Episode 24 : Nebuta 2018: Love and Rivalry
October. 28,2018
The Aomori Nebuta Festival brightens up the short summer of northern Japan, enchanting 2.5 million spectators every year. At the heart of the 300-year-old tradition are Nebuta, huge illuminated floats featuring legendary heroes and historical figures. We spent a year following 2 Nebuta artists, a father and daughter, who compete with each other to attain perfection in creating the giant floats.
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Episode 23 : THE BODY: Gut - Key to a Healthy Immune System
October. 21,2018
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Episode 22 : THE BODY: Bones - Fountain of Youth and Power
October. 14,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY," we turn our attention to the bones. You might think of them simply as part of our basic architecture. However, recent research has revealed that our bones serve another, equally important, function. The cells they contain issue health-enhancing messages that flow throughout our body like a virtual fountain of youth and power. And if those messages are silenced, the aging process may accelerate. The cells inside our bones keep our bodies young. Let's explore the amazing role they play.
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Episode 21 : THE BODY: Fat and Muscle - Powerful Allies for Health
October. 07,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY," we look at fat and muscle, organs whose importance is often misunderstood. Many people believe that fat simply stores energy and muscles just move the body. However, recent research has revealed that both organs have an unimaginable variety of functions. They discharge special substances that transmit vital messages throughout the body, manipulating desire, affecting immune function, enhancing memory and even fighting cancer. Using the latest research, we'll explore how their surprising power can protect us from deadly disease.
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Episode 19 : My Grandfather's War: Battle of Luzon
September. 16,2018
NHK presenter Fumie Ono lost her grandfather on Luzon Island in the Philippines during World War Ⅱ. In 8 months of fighting, more than 200,000 soldiers lost their lives there. Many units were completely wiped out, so there are few records of where and how many soldiers died. In this documentary, Fumie and her mother seek the truth about his death and try to picture what he saw on the battlefield.
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Episode 18 : THE BODY: Kidneys - Keys to Health and Longevity
September. 09,2018
In this episode of "THE BODY", we focus on a pair of small, often-overlooked organs: the kidneys. When people think of the kidneys, one thing probably comes to mind - the role they play in producing urine. But they are key nodes in a vast, internal network of organs that constantly communicate with one another. And some of the messages the kidneys transmit help control blood pressure and maintain the body's supply of oxygen. They have a significant influence on human health. We use cutting-edge imaging technology to explore the power of the kidneys to determine how well – and how long – we live.
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Episode 17 : THE BODY: Our Remarkable Inner Network
September. 02,2018
The brain was once thought to be the body's control tower, issuing commands to the other organs. But scientists are discovering that communication flows between all the organs in our bodies. They transmit messages that can boost immunity, improve memory, strengthen bones and even lengthen lifespan. Innovative treatments are being developed to harness the power of this hidden network. But what happens when there's a communication breakdown? We look for clues using the latest technology.
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Episode 15 : Shrinking Japan: Tackling a Worker Shortage
July. 22,2018
After an era of growth, Japan's population has begun to plummet. Japan has lost 10 million members of the working generation over the past 2 decades. Retirees are plugging the gap, but they work in tough conditions and often fall prey to accidents. Foreigners are another pillar of the workforce. One local municipality is even committed to attracting overseas labor as a way to survive. We look at Japan's struggle to cope with its vanishing workforce and try to explore solutions.
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Episode 11 : Disaster Trauma: Mother-Child Dialogue
May. 06,2018
Many children in northeastern Japan are still suffering psychological trauma from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Yui Sato and her mother lost 3 members of their family in the tsunami. The wound it left in Yui's heart became apparent 5 years after the disaster. Like Yui, over 10,000 children are in need of mental care after the disaster. Many children have stopped going to school, too. This is the story about a mother and a child trying to move forward step by step.
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Episode 10 : Radioactive Forest 2018: Cycle of Contamination
April. 29,2018
In Fukushima Prefecture, the site of a nuclear accident in 2011, so much radioactive material fell in a wooded area that it has become a radioactive forest. NHK has visited the area several times since the accident to see how the radiation is affecting its flora and fauna. Using state-of-the-art technology to survey the forest, scientists have found severe contamination in flowers and nuts, and even irregularities in the chromosomes of animals. We examine how the contamination is circulating inside the forest.
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Episode 7 : Lives Shaped by Loss: 23 Years After the Kobe Earthquake
March. 11,2018
When the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, also known as the Kobe Earthquake, struck in 1995, more than 400 children lost one or both parents. NHK has followed these children into adulthood, documenting how the tragedy has shaped their lives. A woman who was orphaned at 12 has lived for 23 years with a longing to join her late mom and dad. A young man, just an infant when his parents and sister died, has struggled with the feeling that he must make up for their lost lives. Another young man dedicated his youth to his younger twin brothers, determined to nurture and protect their family bond.
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Episode 5 : Research Misconduct: Japanese Science in Question
February. 25,2018
In August 2016, NHK received a 50-page letter of accusation. The writer raised suspicions of misconduct in research papers by a University of Tokyo professor. The whistleblower alleged that some images and charts may have been fabricated or falsified. We spent over a year interviewing more than 100 individuals concerned. The situation could undermine Japan's attempt to become a leader in the field of science and technology. What is happening in this bastion of academic research? We decided to look into this research scandal at the University of Tokyo.
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