Today's Close-Up - Season 12 / Year 2026

For many elderly Japanese, a car provides vital access to daily necessities and essential services. While many remain confident in the safety of their driving, their families often become concerned with the decline in their cognitive and physical functions. Should they keep their driver's license or give it up? It's a question given added urgency by a spate of accidents involving older drivers. Researchers are hoping to provide an answer with a new body of data-driven work that has given rise to the idea of the "driving lifespan" - the years during which someone can continue to safely operate a vehicle. We take a look at what the latest science shows and ask an expert what people can do to extend their driving lifespan as much as possible. 

Guest: Shimada Hiroyuki (Director, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology)

Gold prices continue to soar worldwide. Amid this unprecedented boom, international operators are conducting exploratory mining around closed gold mines in Japan. Meanwhile, competition is intensifying to extract gold from used electronic devices. While efforts to acquire gold are accelerating in some countries around the world, problems such as the spread of illegal mining are also arising in Africa. What will this new gold rush bring to the world, and to us?

Guests: Negishi Shoko (Associate Professor, Doshisha University), Kawamura Youhei (Professor, Hokkaido University)

As the world continues to shift from handwriting to digital input, in Japan, an increasing number of people are forgetting how to write some kanji characters by hand. Recent studies show handwriting can help stimulate the brain and prevent cognitive decline. Indeed, schools in countries like Sweden and the United States are allocating more time on classes where students learn through writing by hand. With our guests, we explore the value of handwriting in this digital age. 

Guests: 
Itoi Shigesato (Copywriter)
Otsuka Sadao (Associate Professor, Hyogo University of Teacher Education)

Japanese people are increasingly living longer lives, but the change is not always a welcome one. For many, the progression into old age, and the accompanying decline in bodily functions, results in continence issues. 
Many are reluctant to acknowledge the problem or accept outside help on such an intensely private matter. We asked experts how carers and loved ones can support people dealing with toileting issues, and consider how the elderly themselves can embrace a positive shift in perspective to get the most out of their final stage of life.

Guests: 
Gondo Yasuyuki (Professor, Graduate School of Human Sciences, The University of Osaka), 
Urata Katsumi (Certified Nurse in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing with Advanced Practice Authorization)

Sushi is enjoying a global boom, but it's a different story back in Japan. Dwindling catches of local fish and intense competition for foreign customers have polarized the domestic industry. High-end restaurants and popular chains are thriving, but local restaurants have been pushed to the brink. Some experts worry the future of sushi culture is at risk. But in some corners, efforts are underway to preserve the traditional cuisine and modernize its appeal. We take a close look at the new era of sushi.

Guests: Suzuki Makoto (Representative, Japan Sustainable Seafood Society) Chidui Yuki (Sushi expert/chef)

Demand for private lodgings known as minpaku is on the rise, with approximately 36,000 across Japan at present. A series of problems with trash and noise have led to moves by local governments to tighten regulations. While unexpected changes are underway, exploration is also ongoing to utilize private lodgings that are rooted in the local community. What should the future hold for private lodgings? We consider the current situation as they stand at a crossroads.

Guest: Terakawa Seiji (Associate Professor, Kindai University)

The struggles of everyday life are driving more and more people to use AI chatbots to fill the void in their hearts. Attracted by the sense of support and the constant availability, some have even 'married' AI characters, or recreated deceased partners to fill the feelings of loss. Meanwhile in the US, there have been cases where bereaved families have sued AI companies, claiming that the bots caused loved ones to take their own lives. We look into the way people use AI, along with some precautions it might be wise to take.

Guest: Satoh Ichiro (Professor, National Institute of Informatics)

Hospice-style housing is emerging as a new end-of-life housing option for people with terminal or incurable illnesses in Japan. These residences offer a level of comfort and care unavailable at nursing homes, and they are spreading rapidly at a time when hospital capacity is declining across the country. But they also present serious challenges. The quality of care varies dramatically by residence, and some operators have been known to overcharge for medical care. We talk to experts about the merits of hospice-style housing and what needs to be done to improve the system.

Guests: 
Inoue Yukiko (Professor, Japan College of Social Work)
Yamazaki Fumio (Honorary Director, Caretown Kodaira Clinic)

In January 2026, the Nara District Court delivered a life sentence to Yamagami Tetsuya who assassinated former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. A focal point of the trial was how much consideration would be given to the upbringing of the defendant who'd been struggling due to his mother's adherence to the former Unification Church. In this program, NHK interviews children of Church followers with backgrounds similar to Yamagami's, who share their views on the trial. We also speak with someone who met with Yamagami for a total of ten hours, religious studies expert Sakurai Yoshihide, and hear what the defendant told him. 

Guest: Sakurai Yoshihide (Specially Appointed Professor, Hokkaido University)

Research has found that chewing ability is closely connected to healthy lifespan and brain stimulation. At the same time, data suggests there has been a decline in chewing strength across Japan, a trend that experts attribute to changes in the modern diet, among other factors. The result has been a greater prevalence of underdeveloped jaws in children, and increased frailty and health problems in older adults. We spoke with experts, who explained how consistent oral training and mindful eating can boost our focus and ensure a longer and healthier life.

Guest: Teruyama Yuko (Dentist and Doctor of Dental Science)

Fifteen years after the Fukushima accident, NHK revisits the account of the man who led the battle to contain the disaster and considers the lessons it holds for Japan today.

A scramble for rare earth elements is reshaping global power, as the US, China and Japan race to secure the minerals vital to advanced industry, economic security and future technologies.

Drug-resistant bacteria are infecting healthy people without being noticed, leading to what the WHO calls a "silent pandemic." We look at what we can do to protect ourselves.

As data center construction is expanding across Japan, projects near residential areas spark opposition over noise and emissions. Meanwhile, in the US, rising electricity costs is an emerging issue.

Japanese authorities are trying to recover thousands of toy guns that can fire live rounds with potentially lethal effect. NHK investigated how these dangerous products entered circulation.

Are you always tired and struggle to sleep? You may be suffering from undernutrition. The condition even affects people who believe they eat balanced meals. We look at the causes and fixes.

A new form of poverty is quietly spreading among young people in Japan. Barely making ends meet through one-off jobs, many don't have a stable home, which hinders their access to public assistance.

Characters that appeal to adults as well as kids are growing in popularity thanks to both their cuteness and realistic portrayal of the world. Next, can Japan make more of their success?

A pressure campaign by the US administration of Donald Trump is pushing Cuba to the brink of crisis. NHK examines what the US is aiming to achieve, and how its plans could reshape the global order.

As Japan's population ages, pets are often left without care, a burden that passes on to medical and care workers. Partnerships between healthcare and animal welfare professionals are emerging.

DNA testing is a crucial tool in criminal investigations, even helping to overturn wrongful convictions. But a major scandal at a police department in Japan has cast doubt on its credibility.

Cases of distracted driving causing death or injury are on the rise in Japan. Yet they aren't officially treated as dangerous driving, leaving bereaved families angered and calling for legal changes.