Topic: NHK World

Anyone else here watch NHK World? It's the English language version of a Japanese television station. Here's just an example of their programming.

Newsline - An International news program from the Japanese perspective (also has national Japanese stories).

J-Melo - Showcases performances of popular Japanese music groups (I personally think this show's pretty fun).

Imagi-Nation - What I can figure, it's about popular Japanese culture. Last episode I watched talked about how Level-5 is moving into social gaming (yes, they did mention Professor Layton), they then talked about the growing popularity of "Internet Idols" (Japanese girls taking cute pictures and singing to gain popularity. One even became popular enough to sing the opening theme of some anime, and yes, they did show that opening), and they finished out by interviewing an up and coming manga artist.

that's just some of their programs. They have a free mobioe app that lets you stream them live, so if you don't have them on T.V., you can check them out that way.

Tonight, they had a program on called Great Gear. It was about current Japanese tech and machinery happenings (had segments on a major auto show, a designer lamp business, and a popular new motorcycle hybrid of American & Japanese style). Not really my kind of show, but figured it was worth a mention.

I doubt it will be on my TV but if I find the time to, I'll check if it is as it sounds really interesting. If not, I might check out the mobile app.

Yeah, we don't have it in full either. For some reason, a local station from Topeka, KS (KTWU) shows a couple hours of their programming a day

Now a program entitled Begin Japanology has started. Appears they're going to talk about the popularity of western dessets in Japan, and how they've been localised for Japanese tastes.

I didn't know there was an english version.
The NHK channel I can see from my tv is usually showing japanese soap operas or singing contests.

Wow, you must actually have the actual Japanese version then. The stuff I've been seeing has English speaking hosts (or subtitles), and is either news (centered around Japan), or programs giving insight into Japanese tradition, pop-culture, tech, music, cuisine, science, politics, ect.

Yess the one we have is pretty japanese.
So japanese I find it impossible to know if what I am watching are comercials or the real show.

I kind of enjoy watching "With Mother" though.... It's so random.

Lol, that actually sounds kinda fun

Still, if you have a mobile device, "NHK World" (the international version) has an app that lets you stream them live, so you can see what I'm talking about. If you have an iPod Touch/iPhone, it can actually be found on the App Store, by typing in NHK World.

On tonight's Newsline:

• The last suspected member of a cult that launched a gas attack on a Tokyo subway in 1995, has been caught.
• The Bank of Japan stated that the Japanese economy is starting to recover, although the debt crisis in Europe needs to be watched.
• New methods to prevent ground liquidizing (during earthquakes) were showcased.

On tonight's Science View (yes, another show):

• A Tokyo science lab has successfully genetically altered the Herpes virus to attack breast & prostate Cancer (yes, I am serious about this).
• Showcased a new oxygen ventilation system created by a Japanese doctor that increases the survival rate of premature babies (with a heartwarming story of it successfully saving the lives of premature twins).

On this afternoon's Newsline:

• The JSDF (Japanese Self-Defense Force) is talking up the importance of monitoring North Korea's missle program.
• Japanese Nobel Prize winner petitioning the future use of nuclear energy, in response to last year's Fukushima tragedy.
• International news (centering mostly around the Middle East).

On this afternoon's Jibtv (yep, another show:

• the story of an elementary school that sheltered many during last year's tsunami. The tale of how the students and teachers are adapting to their new location, while preserving the history of the old school (the diplomas of the graduating students miraculously survived, leading to a very heartfelt & emotional ceremony).

In between the two programs there was also a short documentary on the Matterhorn (and the first team to climb it).

On tonight's Newsline:

• the Prime Minister of Japan has OK'ed the reactivation of 2 nuclear power plants (significant, because many of them throuought Japan had shut down after the Fukushima tragedy).

On tonight's Somewhere Street (yet another show):

• A documentary about a French owned island in the Pacific (why this is on an English language Japanese show is beyond me). It lasted the entire 50 minutes of it's runtime!

Hm, they should have swiched out to Australian Football by now (our local station that carries NHK World's programming, also carries other international programming), but NHK is still on! They're showing a documentary of the history of the American base in Okinawa, although it's been blacking out every few seconds. Oh wait, the Australian Football game has now started...

Also, I have a wedding to go to tomorrow, so I won't be able to discuss the programming showed in the afternoon, and Toonami's on tomorrow night, so I won't be able to watch tomorrow night's programming either. I'll be back with more NHK stuff on Sunday.

On tonight's Newsline:

• In response to the growing Brazilian population in Japan, Japanese driving tests can now be taken in Brazilian (in addition to Japanese & English).
• The Japanese government has responded positively to the election results in Greece.
• Typhoon Guchol is on track to hit the Japanese mainland in a few days.
• Tropical Storm Talim has formed in the South China Sea (Naturally, this had me thinking about Soulcalibur ).

On tonight's J-Melo:

• two female musical groups, "ºC-ute" & "Morning Musume", performed. They were both good, but I preferred "Morning Musume (seemed just a tad bit more hyper & upbeat to me). At the end of the show, they performed a couple songs together.

On this afternoon's Newsline:

• the Japanese government revealed that it's been hiding the true extent of the spread of radiation from last year's Fukushima tragedy.
• Japan has formed a partnership with Vietnam, in the hopes of aquiring some of the rare minerals that Vietnam has an abundance of.

On this afternoon's Itadakimasu! Dining With the Chef (now that's a title!):

• The Dish prepared was Yuan-Yaki Style Salmon.
• They briefly covered the dish's history (originating in the Tea Ceremony).
• The side dishes were Green Peas in Rice, and Egg Drop Soup.

On tonight's Newsline:

• Typhoon Guchol has begun affecting western regions of Japan.
• Cleanup from last year's tsunami is behind schedule, and the Japanese government is trying to convince local governments (in the various prefectures) to take in the debris.
• In China, traditional Chinese Opera is now being influenced by classic western literature (such as "the Hunchback of Notre Dame") in order to appeal to the younger generation, whom has been losing interest in the art form.

On tonight's Tokyo Fasion Express:

• This isn't my area of interest at all, but from what I got of it, they were talking about current summer styles, then talked about an upcoming Autumn/Winter Collection.

On this afternoon's Newsline:

• Tropical Storm Guchol (downgraded from Typhoon status), has hit Japan, and is now heading North East, to the Pacific ocean.
• Some international stories (non-Japanese), and some repeats from last night.

On this afternoon's Journeys in Japan:

• Taketomi-Jima in Okinawa was visited.
• The small island can be easily traversed on foot. A popular transportation method are the water buffalo taxis (which even vehicles have to make way for).
• it is a very low lying island, and so to protect it from Typhoons and big waves, all the buildings are built low to the ground (multiple stories are rare), high stone walls surround the buildings, and the town is in the island's center (surrounded by woodland). There is an observation tower where tourists can see the entire island, but even it is so small only one at a time can be on it (it is where the island's first radio tower once stood).
• The island is made of coral, and the streets are covered with the coral sand (which is freshly replaced twice a year).
• Local foods include various dishes based on Mozuku (a locally harvested seaweed), and Giant Clams.

@RR529
Why are you doing this?
And why is this thread not locked yet?
/me is confused

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As someone who is interested in Japanese culture, I find their programming to be interesting. I figured I'd just list any interesting tid bits, for if anyone wants to discuss (which I'll admit there hasn't been much interest, but I'll keep doing it just in case).

Also, why should it be locked? It's not like it's anything offensive, and there's not another thread.

EDIT: Also, there's also a little jump in views after every time I post, so I figured there might be some regulars who like reading, even if they haven't found anything to say yet.

On tonight's Newsline:

• Guchol, now a tropical depression, has exited Japan.
• A museum curator is collecting hundreds of pictures from last year's tsunami destruction, and will preserve the memory of the event, so future generations won't forget about the dangers of tsunamis.

On tonight's Imagine-Nation:

• B-Grade Gourmet (a less expensive, homemade style of gourmet cooking) has become popular in Japan due to recent economic situations. Manga based around B-Grade Gourmet has also become quite popular, topping Manga sales charts.
• Upcoming PSP game Ogarhythm was highlighted.
• A recent large anime convention (ACE, I believe they abbreviated it) was highlighted.
• Takashi Kurihara, an up and coming manga artist, was interviewed (he also works on the art design for Konami's Katamari series).

Also, I won't be able to discuss tomorrow afternoon's programming, but I'll be back for tomorrow night's programming.

Yay! I was able to see this afternoon's programming!

On this afternoon's Newsline:

• TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) has revealed their final report on the damage of the Fukushima reactor.
• Various international stories (mostly centered around the middle east).

On this afternoon's Tokyo Eye:

• the Akiruno district in western Tokyo was showcased. It's about an hour away (by train) from the Shinjuku district. It is an area with lots of natural greenery.
• The first area of interest visited was a cave in which visitors can walk through. Famous aspects are a little waterfall, and a rock in the shape of a turtle.
• Then a local tofu shop was visited. They have various flavors, along with tofu donuts.
• Then there was a restaurant with an "old Japanese" feel. there are also souvenir shops, and an onsen (hot spring) on site, so going through the area is like a step back in time.
• The final area visited was Tokyo Summertime indoor water park. Big attractions include a big wave pool, hot spring (with surprise bouts of artificial rain), slides, outdoor amusment rides, and even an outdoor pool (for summer use only).

I actually saw one of their channels at a Hotel in a recent trip to Denver, and ended up seeing a documentary episode on Western confectionary with some Japanese spin XD