NHK Documentary - Season 14 / Year 2025

Season 14 / Year 2025

Episodes

Discharged by Death: Dark Records from a Japanese Mental Hospital
In February 2023, rampant patient abuse was uncovered at Takiyama Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Tokyo. But was the case an isolated incident, or does it reveal troubling truths about Japan's psychiatric care system? The third installment of Documentary 360's series on the Takiyama Hospital incident looks at the latest developments and what the case says about Japanese society. We also see how the hospital is trying to turn over a new leaf after the resignation of its director.

Meals for One: Recipes to Soothe the Soul
After the death of her beloved husband, cooking expert Kurihara Harumi began looking for ways to deal with her grief. Now she works on "meals for one" recipes to help people cope with living alone.

58 Stolen Years: Two Siblings on the Road to Freedom
Hakamada Iwao spent nearly fifty years on death row, in constant fear of execution. His sister Hideko devoted her life to proving his innocence. We follow their long battle for freedom.

Blind Spots in Climate Measures
Countries and businesses are scrambling to act as the world hurtles toward climate catastrophe. But there are problems with their methods. We look at blind spots in the fight against climate change.

72 Crucial Hours: Responding to the Noto Earthquake
New Year's Day 2024. Japan's Noto Peninsula was hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami. Many lives were lost. One year later, as they look to the future, survivors share stories of courage and grief.

Flowers Still Bloom at Home: One Year after the Noto Earthquake
In 2024, Wakakuwa District of Wajima City was cut off from the rest of the Noto region by a powerful earthquake and torrential rains. Residents faced a difficult decision: to stay or leave.

Photographing the Edge: Life and Death at 8,000 Meters
Ishikawa Naoki has climbed all 14 of the world's highest summits. His camera has captured the raw beauty of the land and the people. This is a story of one man's pursuit of a life beyond the ordinary.

Kamikaze: An untold History Part 1
"Kamikaze," explosive-laden ramming attacks, were carried out during World War 2, sacrificing 4,000 lives. Why did the Japanese push forward with this method? We uncover the truth about the kamikaze. Part 1 covers the beginning of the kamikaze attacks until before the Battle of Okinawa.

Kamikaze: An untold History Part 2
"Kamikaze," explosive-laden ramming attacks, were carried out during World War 2, sacrificing 4,000 lives. Why did the Japanese push forward with this method? We uncover the truth about the kamikaze. Part 2 covers the Battle of Okinawa until the end of the war.

The Deadly Escape Game of Refugees
As the number of refugees in the world reaches unprecedented heights, smugglers have appeared claiming to transport them to safety, but instead they become pawns in a game with their lives at stake.

Daughters of Ukraine: Women on the Front Line
The number of women in the Ukrainian military has soared since the start of the Russian invasion. We follow these soldiers as they face the enemy and their own growing sense of despair.

"Will we be ready?": Lessons from the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
Thirty years ago, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake left more than 6,400 people dead. Will we be ready when the next one strikes? We review NHK's footage from the disaster to see how far we've come.

Forging Links: A Story of Wajima Lacquerware Artisans
After a devastating earthquake, lacquerware artisans in Wajima struggle to recover. But they are determined to keep a 600-year-old tradition alive by reaffirming their bond in the creation of a bowl.

J-POP: Vocaloid Goes Global
Japan's Vocaloid culture is currently experiencing a boom in popularity worldwide. We examine why people are drawn to the voice synthesis technology and the artists that emerged from this culture.

FOOD: Globalized Japanese Cuisine
There are nearly 190,000 Japanese-style restaurants around the world and 90 percent are run by non-Japanese chefs. We look at how global cultures and trends are updating Japanese cuisine.

DESIGN: The Magic of Japanese Craftsmanship
Japanese design, known for its beauty and functionality, is highly regarded around the world. We explore the craftsmanship, the people who sustain it, and the philosophy at its core.

Dance from the Darkness
The National Ballet of Ukraine performed a premiere firstly themed on 'war' in 2024. This is about the behind-the-scenes struggles faced by a choreographer active in Russia and a dancer bearing darkness.
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