In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The Southeast Asian island nation of Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, will celebrate 20 years of independence in May. The former leader who led the country in its early years spoke with NHK World about those difficult first steps, and his hopes for the future.

The secret to a successful business in New York City might have whiskers and paws. Walk into many of the city's 10,000 corner stores known as bodegas, and you might find a "bodega cat" beckoning customers like a live version of a Japanese lucky "Maneki-neko" figure. From an orange tabby making an extra 400 dollars a day to a feisty feline that took on a health inspector, NHK World's Inoue Yuki wen...

Officials and experts gathered in Singapore at the end of May for one of Asia's most influential security forums. This year's Shangri-La Dialogue unfolded against a backdrop of growing uncertainty. As crises in Europe and the Middle East continue to demand US strategic attention and resources, governments across the Indo-Pacific are increasingly questioning Washington's long-term commitment to the...

Make sure to evacuate early. It is dangerous to evacuate on foot or by car in the middle of a flood. Here are some important points that will help keep you safe.

Seven decades have passed since the devastating effects of Minamata disease — caused by mercury poisoning — were officially recognized in southwestern Japan. The tragedy affected thousands of people and their families with a legacy that continues to cast a long shadow. A similar crisis is developing on the other side of the world, among indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest. Driven by so...

Across Asia, Generation Z ― born between 1997 and 2012 ― is no longer fighting alone. Driven by anger over corruption and inequality, young protesters are finding allies far beyond their borders. Through social media and shared pop-culture symbols ― including the Japanese manga "One Piece" flag ― their local struggles are increasingly linked with movements in Africa and South America.

It has been over a month since Australia introduced a sweeping social media ban, cutting anyone under the age of 16 from major social media platforms. While the government says millions of accounts have been deactivated, many teens in the country say they have found ways to get around the ban, rendering it ineffective.

Japan gave a helping hand to Sri Lanka, which is now emerging from its recent period of economic chaos. The leader of the strategically important South Asian island nation visited Tokyo and Osaka last month with the aim of deepening ties and promoting investment opportunities.

More than 80 years have passed since Japan occupied Singapore during World War Two, and historian Lim Shao Bin continues to search for answers buried in documents and war memorabilia — from a chapter of history that still shapes his country today. His work is deeply personal, driven by a conviction that confronting painful truths is essential to building lasting peace. At its core is a question: h...

Pokemon cards, Purikura photo booths and capsule toys all began as trends before becoming fixtures of everyday life in Japan. Now, businesses are wondering whether 3D bubble stickers could be next. The puffy stickers are surging in popularity among children and adults alike. Retailers struggle to keep them in stock as shoppers embark on "sticker patrols" to hunt for inventory and companies cash in...

Cancer patients in Thailand are finding comfort ― and confidence ― through an unusual network of support: donated hair, prison workshops, and free handmade wigs. Human-hair wigs can cost hundreds of dollars in Thailand, putting them out of reach for many patients already struggling with medical bills. A former nurse is trying to change that.

As Japan heads into another busy tourist season, bus companies across the country are struggling to keep the wheels turning with driver shortages forcing route cuts and service reductions. Increasingly, they are turning to foreign recruits who can come to Japan on skilled worker visas. The new arrivals undergo comprehensive training to eventually qualify as full-fledged drivers capable of operatin...

As gold prices have quadrupled over the past decade, miners across the globe are scrambling to cash in. But the boom has cast a dark shadow across South America's Amazon rainforest. Illegal mining has spiraled out of control in Peru, where more than 40 percent of exported gold is sourced unlawfully, according to an official government survey. Methods used to extract the precious metal are inflicti...

A senior United Nations monitor who has authored multiple reports on Myanmar since a 2021 military coup upended its fragile democracy is warning the country is sinking deeper into crisis. Tom Andrews served as Special Rapporteur on Myanmar for six years and finished up in the post in April. He now holds the same position covering Cambodia but says he wishes he could have done more for the people o...

Japan has tightened the requirements for its business manager residence status, which allows foreign nationals to start businesses in the country. The move was driven by multiple concerns, including misuse of the visa. While the crackdown aims to restore trust in the system, experts say it also risks pushing legitimate foreign entrepreneurs away from Japan. NHK World's Ekuan Koji listens to voices...

As US President Donald Trump's administration floods the public sphere with updates on its offensive against Iran, information is being circulated on an unprecedented scale — with much of it stirring controversy. NHK has examined the deluge of images, videos, and statements, searching for a coherent message.

Every year on March 11, Suzuki Miho prepares food for two children who left for school and never came home. The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that struck northeastern Japan left 15,901 people dead and 2,519 missing — including Miho’s young son and daughter.

Visitors to Japan can put a popular tourist attraction back on their sightseeing lists with the re-opening of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The facility has been closed for four years of renovations to improve exhibits, upgrade accessibility and offer interactive experiences.

North Korea's first congress of the ruling Workers' Party in five years was an opportunity for the leadership to assess its achievements, install new officials, and chart policy for the coming half-decade. Leader Kim Jong Un projected a conspicuous air of confidence at the February gathering as he touted successes across all sectors — including the economy, defense, and diplomacy. NHK World's Take...

The symbolic Doomsday Clock is ticking closer than ever to midnight, driven in part by concerns about the resurgent specter of nuclear weapons. In New York City, an exhibition invited visitors to reflect on those dangers in an unexpected way — through art. The show, titled "Nuclear Injustice," brought together photographs, installations and sound pieces that invite reflection on the human and envi...

Thailand's progressive Move Forward Party swept the popular vote in a general election earlier this month, pulling off an upset victory that some saw as a sign of disillusionment with years of military-backed rule. For party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, however, the path to power remains beset with hurdles. Pita recently sat down with NHK for his first interview with foreign media since negotiating a...

Growing up in a conservative family in southern Thailand, Ann Chumaporn spent years convinced the problem was her. It took time to understand that it wasn't ― and longer to do something about it. On January 23, 2026, she held a wedding ceremony with the woman she loves, in a country whose laws she helped change.

In a Chinese town on the border with North Korea, a cosmetic enhancement item plays a key role in the dramatic revival of trade between the two countries.

Chances are, you're reading this on a smartphone or PC. These gadgets are an essential part of daily life — but not without immense pain for some people. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a major source of rare minerals used in all manner of modern devices. The industry is rife with human rights abuses, and many companies simply turn a blind eye in the name of profit. At least two in Japan a...

Japanese wines are picking up international awards — but global traction is another story. In a climate defined by humidity and rain, producers are getting creative, taking cues from sake and whisky to carve out a distinct identity.